New England Patriots Links 3/17/10 - Patriots Will Play The Lions on Thanksgiving Day

Monique Walker notes Patriots LB Jerod Mayo sees the time spent with the team during offseason workouts as an opportunity to be a more vocal leader.

"Conditioning is a big part of football," Mayo said. "We lost a lot of games in the fourth quarter, and that's one thing that we have to change and that starts now."

"I think I can definitely step my game up as far as being a vocal leader on this team," Mayo said. "Last year, I still was a second year player. I still tried to lead by example but this year I think losing guys like Junior [Seau] and Tedy Bruschi, even though that was a couple of years ago, I think it was a void as far as having that vocal guy on this team in general."

"I think this year is the year when guys can really step up and say what they have to say. It's a young team as a whole and the young guys will listen."

Vince Wilfork is confident in the team's offseason moves so far.

"I'll tell you what, every move [the Patriots] make is to better our football team," Wilfork said. "It's to better our chances that we're getting done what we need to get done. So, as fans, we need to trust that."

Jeff Howe calls Adalius Thomas a liar without actually using that exact word.

Every player received an itinerary detailing their offseason plan, and it was as meticulous as the players' running and weightlifting sessions during each day of their voluntary workouts, which are broken into three phases that progress in difficulty leading up to minicamp. Players must show up for four workouts in a given week to receive compensation.

Thomas is still on the roster, which means he would have received the offseason workout itinerary from the team. Sports Illustrated reported in 2007 that Thomas would receive an annual offseason workout bonus of $107,000, which is contingent upon his attendance for these voluntary sessions.

Therefore, if the Patriots failed to notify Thomas of these workouts, they could face a lawsuit and severe punishment from the league. So, it would be extremely irresponsible, and thus, completely illogical to believe they failed to notify Thomas of the start of their offseason workouts.

Again, they're voluntary, so Thomas is not forced to attend by any means.  But don't believe for a second he didn't know they were going on.

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart mentions that New England gets very strong participation in the voluntary off-season workout program and wonders if Adalius Thomas participates will he poison the environment.
• Paul Perillo discusses some of the debates regarding the Patriots All-Decade team selection.
• Ask PFW: Free agency fallout. This week's mailbag focuses on the offseason moves that were, weren't, will, and won't be made by the Patriots.

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran says the Patriots are locked in for Thanksgiving in Detroit.
• Mike Reiss reports the Patriots signed LB Marques Murrell to a two-year contract.
• Karen Guregian reports Jerod Mayo is participating in the voluntary off-season workouts and sees this as the time where guys come together and build relationships.
• Tom E. Curran sees Jerod Mayo crossing the line from follower to leader.
• Mike Reiss observes that as one of the Patriots' few three-down defenders, Jerod Mayo is in position to lead by example as well as with his words.
• Monique Walker notes Patriots OL Sebastian Vollmer appreciates the routine of offseason workouts and was happy to see Stephen Neal re-signed to the squad.
• Michael Holley, Michael Felger, Ron Borges and Chris Gasper get all hot and bothered about whether Tom Brady should be at the offseason workouts. (3 minute video).
• Mark Farinella discusses the consideration and debate in choosing the Patriots All-Decade 2000s team. He lists the committee members too.  Wonder if Ron Borges voted against Belichick for head coach honors.
• Jim Donaldson describes the committee meeting that convened to nominate this year's candidates for the Patriots Hall of Fame and the All-Decade team for the '00s.
• Mike Reiss has two quibbles with the All-Decade team selection.
• Jeff Howe says that by retaining a core group of the team's free agents, the Patriots have completed the first phase of their primary objective. The next phase is underway.
• Christopher Price noted the Patriots held workouts yesterday with a pair of BYU players, FB Manase Tonga and TE Dennis Pitta.
• Christopher Price reports the Patriots worked out CB Sherrick McManis (Northwestern) yesterday morning.
• DJ Bean reports DE/OLB Ricky Sapp (Clemson) had an early afternoon private workout with the Patriots yesterday.
• Mike Reiss answers his weekly reader mailbag, full of questions about free agency and the Patriots' hole at tight end.
• WEEI mocks the Draft: Take 5. Pats take DE/OLB Ricky Sapp (Clemson).
• Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: The Patriots Team of the 2000s release; Leigh Bodden's decision process between the Texans and Pats; Sebastian Vollmer never really leaving after the season so he could keep improving.
• Boston Magazine Pets: Groomed for the spotlight. LB Eric Alexander shows his Shih Tzu.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Jets' hosting of Thanksgiving night game means Pats will play Lions.
• Shutdown Corner (Yahoo! Sports) Ty Warren took those "Never stop learning" commercials to heart.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) The big question: What's an old RB?
• Mark Kriegel (Fox Sports) Who's more deluded, LdT or the Jets?
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Tomlinson not so swift at the goal line.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) A look at Tomlinson on turf, in the cold.
• Edgar Thompson (Palm Beach Post) Dolphins agree to one-year deal with guard Richie Incognito.
• Don Banks (SI) 2010 NFL Mock Draft 4.0.  Pats take DE/OLB Sergio Kindle (Texas) at 22.
• Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Wednesday's pro day workouts.
• Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Pro-day risers who aren’t getting the love.
• John Czarnecki (Fox Sports) Watch for trade market to warm up soon.