New England Patriots Links 3/18/10 - David Patten Feels Like He's 'Coming Back Home'

by Marima on Mar 18, 2010 10:34 AM EDT in New England Patriots News

David Patten used to tease Drew Brees that he was the 'girlfriend'; Tom Brady was that 'first love'.

Karen Guregian reports that after watching the Patriots get croaked by the New Orleans Saints, David Patten knew if there was any team he could still help at age 35, it was the Pats.

"I texted Tom after the game, not thinking he would get the text because it was right after the game," Patten said yesterday, recalling what prompted him to plant the seed for a return to the Patriots. "I said, ‘Hey man, tell coach (Belichick) I think I still have some more left if y’all need some help.’ And he texted me back . . . and he was like, ‘Chief, you know if it was up to me, you would be back.’ So lo and behold, I don’t know if that sparked a little interest or what have you, but here I am, so let’s hope for the best."

Mike Reiss really enjoyed listening as David Patten reminisced about some of his best memories with the Patriots.

Three Super Bowl rings ... The touchdown catch in the Super Bowl upset over the Rams ... Getting knocked out in Buffalo, losing the ball, but being ruled out of bounds ... The "Triple Play" game against the Colts when he threw for a touchdown, rushed for a touchdown and caught a touchdown.

"It was just the camaraderie, the family," Patten reminisced. "Many times, especially over the past year when I didn't have the opportunity to play and was going around speaking to various groups of kids and companies, one thing I reflected on and remember vividly was the family atmosphere.

"We would get out of practice at 3:30, 4 o'clock. You would have an afternoon meeting for about 30 minutes to an hour, but we would spend two to three hours just hanging out in the locker room. I'm absolutely convinced that's what gave us the edge on Sundays.

"They didn't say we were the best; we didn't have the most talent. But the one thing you couldn't argue with was the fact that we had one of the best teams. I think that was because we genuinely enjoyed being around each other. That's what I remember most."

Albert Breer remembers a Thanksgiving Day milestone for the Patriots back in 2000, with Tom Brady getting his first regular season action as a professional.

Brady played in mop-up duty as the Detroit Lions -- led, interestingly enough, by interim coach Gary Moeller, one of the men responsible for recruiting Brady to Michigan -- blew the Patriots out 34-9. He came in after Drew Bledsoe threw a back-breaking interception to Bryant Westbrook for a 100-yard pick-six, and completed one of his three passing attempts for 6 yards.

That one completion, to J.R. Redmond, was his only completion of the 2000 season. Yet somehow, 14 months later, he'd be raising the Lombardi Trophy. So many years later, all of that's pretty amazing.

TEAM TALK

Erik Scalavino notes David Patten and Leigh Bodden are in the house.
Patriots Today - A return to the Pats for Patten. (3.22 min. video)
Gillette Stadium partners with Supercuts to benefit Wounded Warrior Project. Cuts for a Cause event to take place prior to April 3 New England Lacrosse Classic.
Patriots Write On Scholarships: Two weeks remain for local students to apply for $60,000 in College Scholarships. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2010.
Patriots Today - Sammy Morris promotes reading. (1.35 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Tom Brady still in LA, still doing the required training but not always in Foxboro; David Patten, who will wear his old number 86, is looking forward to his reunion with Brady; Leigh Bodden said his new contract won't make him go soft.
Christopher Price reports Leigh Bodden made the tough decision to sign with the Patriots, mostly because he 'just wanted to be part of a winner'.
Christopher Price sees Leigh Bodden ready to take on more of an active leadership role this season with the Patriots.
Tom Curran & Sports Tonight crew discusses David Patten's role with the Patriots and the overblown story that Brady hasn't attended the voluntary workouts yet in Foxboro. (Plus 3.35 min. video.)
Mike Reiss notes David Patten is waiting to connect with Brady.
Albert Breer says the only thing we learned from Tim Tebow's Pro Day was that he's coachable.
Christopher Price reports the Patriots have scheduled a pre-draft meeting with S Earl Thomas (Texas) next week in Austin.
Tom E. Curran looks at the Patriots All-Decade team and wonders why Nick Kaczur was selected over Stephen Neal.

NATIONAL NEWS

Tedy Bruschi (ESPNBoston) Tebow may be a fit with Pats. Belichick likes versatile football players and could get creative with Tebow.
Tim Graham (ESPN) Draft analyst Todd McShay: Patriots an attractive Tebow team.
Tedy Bruschi (ESPNBoston) explains why the Jets will give the Patriots a run for the AFC East title in 2010. (1 min. video)
Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Best undrafted players of all time. Adam Vinatieri, Wes Welker, Stephen Neal, Nick Lowery make it from the Patriots.
Peter King (SI) MMQB Tuesday edition.
Tony Pauline (SI) Pro Day Tracker: News and notes about the prospects' performances.
Andy Staples (SI) Florida's Pro Day was a true circus, with Tim Tebow front and center.
Tim Graham (ESPN) Henne proclaims Tebow 'not an NFL QB'.
Scout .com (Fox Sports) Tebow's Pro Day: The blow-by-blow.
Tim Graham (ESPN) Draft watch: AFC East.
Nolan Nawrocki (Pro Football Weekly) Top 10 WR prospects in the Draft.
Chase Stuart (NY Times) NFL Draft: Which teams build wisely? Interesting look at team building through the draft vs. free agency or trades.
Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Uncapped year hasn't exactly led to a spending spree.
Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) The Road to the NFL: Mardy Gilyard. From living in his car to All-American, the wide receiver shares his story.
NFL Labor Blog Signings of Unrestricted Free Agents with at least six accrued seasons are at their highest point in the five years since the current CBA extentsion in 2006.
Toni Monkovic (NY Times) The N.F.L.'s overtime proposal seems a little sloppy. The simple solution is often best.
Thomas George (NFL Fanhouse) NFL players held their annual meeting last weekend in Hawaii. It is the owners' turn beginning this weekend in Orlando.

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Comments

Eral Thomas will be evry interesting

he can play both safety and corner. He seems like the type of guy that belichick will pick in the 1st round, but I hope he doesn’t.

by patriotguy2 on Mar 18, 2010 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

If Thomas drops that far...

…because he’s supposed to be a top 15 pick.

by Richard Hill on Mar 18, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

kuddos to Kraft for getting the wounded project involved.

unrelated to this story….did anyone see southpark last night?
they made fun of tiger woods and big ben.

Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.....159 mph is my top speed..will top that this spring
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
(formerly mathew.40)

by NinjaZX6R on Mar 18, 2010 2:52 PM EDT reply actions