New England Patriots Links 2/04/10 - Brandon Tate Appreciative of Patriots' Gamble

Mike Reiss analyzes which QB should be the highest paid, Brady or Manning.

Ron Jaworski says it should be Brady. “Me personally, I’m about the jewelry,” Jaworski said. “And the jewelry that Tom Brady has is three World Championship rings on his finger. Peyton Manning has one. He has a chance to get two. When all is said and done, maybe he’ll have more than that. But right now, I think the jewelry [says] Tom Brady should be the highest-paid guy in the National Football League.”

Albert Breer talks with Saints' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

"I think the world of Bill Belichick," he responded. "I think he's one of the all-time best coaches. ... With he and I, there's a respect factor there."

"We’re talking about this: First guy blows ’em up, second guy cleans ’em up," Williams said, talking about his philosophy on takeaways. "And that’s what we’re looking to do. Again, they’ve played for a lot of coaches. When I walked in the first day in the first meeting in offseason conditioning, on April the 1st, there were a lot of things to be covered in that 30-minute meeting. One of the things I covered was: There will not be an excuse, by anybody in this room, about having a coach slow you down.

"There will not be an excuse about wishing you played for a coach that would let you play, that would encourage aggressiveness the way I’d encourage aggressiveness. All my life, I’ve been trying to speed players up, toughen players up, nasty players up, and I promise you if we live on the edge, and play on the edge, I’ll grab you before you fall off.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino looks at where the Patriots stand at the defensive back position, and what they'll need to improve.
• Patriots.com has collected a wide-ranging sample of what the "experts" are predicting the Patriots will do in the first round come draft weekend. Only one Tebow vote this time.

LOCAL LINKS

• Albert Breer looks ahead to the rehab and recovery awaiting Wes Welker after his surgery.
• Mike Reiss says ESPN analyst Chris Mortensen projected a 9-12 month recovery period for Wes Welker.
• Jeff Howe says Peyton Manning's swift recovery from injury bodes well for Tom Brady, and fans should be feeling optimistic in spite of all the 'end of the dynasty' talk.
• Mike Reiss notes Floyd Reese, the 2nd year Patriots point man for negotiations, has started working the phones this week. Here is a list of players scheduled for unrestricted free agency and a quick-hit thought on their situation.
• Adam Kilgore catches up with former Raiders QB Rich Gannon, who weighs the significance of the Tuck Rule Game.
• Jeff Howe says that despite his rocky career, expect Laurence Maroney back in Foxboro for one more year.
• Dan Popko notes CFL sacks leader Ricky Foley feels ready to jump to the NFL.
• Jerry Thornton ponders just how many ways one can hate Peyton Manning.
• Kerry Byrne says there are three things a team and its fans must do to ensure a successful Super Bowl Sunday: win the passing battle, the turnover battle and the tailgate battle.
• Mike Reiss notes Steve Muench of Scouts Inc.identified prospects Dezmon Briscoe (Kansas) and Riley Cooper (Florida) who he feels could be a good fit for the Patriots at the No. 2 receiver spot.
  
• Michael Hurley figures Feb. 3 marks the beginning and end of the Patriots dynasty.
• Michael Hurley wonders if the Patriots will be investigated for not disclosing Randy Moss' injury.
• Globe 10.0: Bob Ryan and Dan Shaughnessy debate whether the Patriots care about their players.  After fake-sobbing for Asante Samuel (and reminding him to catch the damn ball), they conclude "No".  It's about the $ value BB puts on each player in his position, and whether or not he can be replaced.  (2.40 min. video)
• WEEI offers the transcript of Heath Evans appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show.
• Tom E. Curran spoke one on one with DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA's executive director, about the issues the owners claim they are confronted with.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Robert Boyer (Burlington, NC Times-NewsTop News) NFL's Brandon Tate comes home. An appreciative and hopeful Brandon Tate said, "The Patriots took a chance on me. They must have believed in me. We'll see." Gotta love this guy!
• Gregg Doyle (CBS Sports) Eckel's murky Navy exit leaves shadow over Super Bowl appearance.
• Ken Belson (NY Times) The Who, and the Super Bowl's evolving half time show.
• Fox Sports Top 10 Super Bowl Personalities.
• Frank Deford (SI) Fooball has been number-conscious since the dawn of the Super Bowl.
• Ross Tucker (SI) Manning (drool) is the best (slobber) ever! Yada, yada, yada...
• Ryan Fowler (WhatifSports) Tale of the Tape: The Colts need Manning, the Saints need Brees more.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) NFL's best O-line? Not the Jets.
• Adam Schefter (ESPN) Sources: QB Brees to get new deal.  The top three QBs all negotiating this offseason.
• Jack Bechta (Nat'l Football Post) More trade demands are coming: With no salary floor and fewer free agents, some players will look to change teams.
• Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Frustration continues on NFL labor front: As uncapped year approaches, both sides refuse to budge.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Time to bone up on NFL labor trouble.