New England Patriots Links 3/22/10 - Brady's Not Going Anywhere

Tom E. Curran notes Robert Kraft said the Patriots are actively working on Tom Brady's contract that will keep him in New England.

Tom Brady is entering the final year of his contract. And while Brady himself has been more cognizant of the realities of NFL business and the possibility that many franchise icons don't finish where they started, Patriots owner Robert Kraft says that's not going to happen here.

"Tom Brady will be part of this franchise," Kraft said this morning during a breakfast with Boston media members at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes. "He wants to be. We want him to be. Great things happen if you're flexible, not rigid. We're not sleeping (on getting a new contract in place). It's complicated."

Ricky Sapp (Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, SC) Workouts for Patriots and Eagles.

Earlier this week two teams came down to Clemson to watch me work out. On Tuesday me and another teammate of mine, Kavell Conner (LB), worked out for the New England Patriots.

The New England Patriots are a very private organizaton, our workout was private and extremely long. I started around 9 that morning and did not finish until 3 that afternoon. But the good thing about all that was ... I think they liked me even more after our private workout. I got great feedback from the coach that was there, which really motivated me!

On Friday I worked out alone with the Philadelphia Eagles. My business manager, Max Hirsh, came down to watch me work out for the Eagles, because he is a HUGE Eagles fan. That workout was short and before I knew it, it was over. I mean it was a total of 40 minutes. I got great reviews back from that coach as well.

Mike Reiss reminds us how the Patriots prefer to do their own scouting.

Unlike some other NFL teams which belong to a national scouting service (BLESTO) that shares information with various clubs, the Patriots take pride in standing on their own with system-specific scouting. That might explain, in part, why Sapp described the Patriots as "private" and why there seems to be a new report each day about the Patriots putting a prospect through a private workout.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino and Andy Hart debate if it's time for New England to scrap the 6-4/4.6 ideal at outside linebacker.
• John Cockrell Friday Out-Takes: Letting icons be icons. Bledsoe and Garciaparra.
• NFL.com wants fans to choose the 75 most valuable draft picks of all time. Top 10 All-Time Draft picks will be announced during 2010 NFL Draft.
• Patriots Today - Post-football, Colvin's life is rosy. (2.25 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Ian Rapoport notes Pierre Woods hosted the 2nd annual Friendship Relay to benefit Best Buddies Massachusetts. Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater also participated.
• Ian Rapoport catches up with Julian Edelman who has plenty to build on from a promising 2009.
• Mike Reiss offers some Quick-hit thoughts from around the NFL and Pats.
• Albert Breer looks in depth at the NFL owners meetings taking place in Florida, addressing the uncertainty in the league and what they hope to accomplish this week.
• Tom E. Curran observes that while Belichick talked in the Ritz-Carleton lobby with Lions coach and former protege Jim Schwartz, "a string of coaches and executives traipsed by in jackets and ties." Belichick was dressed in flip-flops, cargo shorts, gray sweatshirt and a Gators visor.  Heh heh.
• Mike Reiss notes the Patriots have made the most of their compensatory draft picks, and could possibly land four more for this year.  Here are his top three best and worst comp picks.
  
• Boston Herald Patriots Notebook: Bill Belichick is present at the owners meetings in Florida; The Patriots will learn how many compensatory draft picks they'll be awarded in April's draft; Titans coach Jeff Fisher believes Alge Crumpler is 'a great team guy' who still has something to offer; Texans coach Gary Kubiak thought he had landed Leigh Bodden.
• Mike Reiss notes there are eight media members in Florida just to cover the owners meetings for New England.
• Christopher Price has some advice for TE Alge Crumpler from former Patriot TE Christian Fauria, "The more plays you make, the more consistent you are, the more they will get you the ball..."
• Mike Reiss lists the 5 key points at NFL annual meeting.
• Tom E. Curran looks at what's on tap at the NFL owners meetings.
• Mike Reiss reports Robert Kraft is scheduled to meet this morning with reporters who cover the team, before entering a full day of NFL meetings. Roger Goodell will hold a press conference later on today.
• Albert Breer gets Colts president Bill Polian's thoughts on NFL OT.
• Ian Rapoport looks at exactly how many missed tackles Brandon Meriweather had in 2009.
• Christopher Price notes that according to a source, TE Anthony McCoy (USC) has drawn the interest of the Patriots.
• Mike Reiss notes Steve Muench of Scouts Inc identified WR Damian Williams (Southern California) as a potential fit for the Patriots.
• Jim Donaldson is sure Scott Pioli will bring the Kansas City Chiefs back to life.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) A look at NFL owners meetings agenda.
• Dan Graziano (NFL Fanhouse) NFL gathers in Orlando - A Primer.
• Matt Williamson (ESPN) Pressure point: Moss must be elite. If the New England Patriots want to return to prominence, WR Randy Moss must raise his level of play
• Chris Mortensen (ESPN) NFL moves umpires for safety's sake.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL moves umpires to offensive backfield. This will also prevent receivers (cough, Wes Welker, cough) from using them to help set picks on routes over the middle.
• Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) OT proposal fails to address bigger problem.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB: Modifying OT seems like longshot; Tebow may creep into first round.
• Terrence Moore (NFL Fanhouse) NFL owners should sack OT proposal.
• Zimbio offers some photos of Tom Brady throwing the football at UCLA's football practice fields.
• Ross Tucker (SI) Is proliferation of OTAs detrimental to the health of NFL players?
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Cards don't see much risk in Porter.  Good riddance from the AFC.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown arrested for DUI.
• Ed Bouchette (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Big Ben's situation a cause for concern.  NFL conduct policy might come into play.