Peter King (SI) Donte Stallworth spoke about his side of the nightmare vehicular homicide story, and ends it with this about Tom Brady:
Last thing: A text message arrived to Stallworth's phone on the day of the accident. It read, "A lot of people know the kind of person you are. You're a good person.''
Tom Brady, his quarterback in 2007.
Now he'll have a chance to prove that. A lot of people will be watching.
Mike Reiss shines the spotlight on Damione Lewis, by rewatching the Patriots' game against the Panthers last season specifically to study the Pats' new defensive lineman.
FINAL ANALYSIS: One aspect that makes this agreement with Lewis intriguing is that he isn’t the traditional fit for the Patriots. He’s a one-gap player coming to a defense that has been a two-gap style of late. But one of the things that I think Bill Belichick and his staff generally do an excellent job of is identifying a player’s strengths and weaknesses, and then putting the player in a position to succeed. Lewis still has something to offer, and assuming he makes the team, my sense is that his primary value will come as an interior rusher in obvious passing situations. The Patriots’ pass rush was inconsistent in 2009. Lewis is another possibility to help the team in that area.
Chris Gasper asserts Tim Tebow belongs in the NFL, but not with the Patriots.
If the Patriots want to remain a Super Bowl contender, they can't afford to use one of their precious top-53 picks (No. 22, No. 44, No. 47 and No. 53) on a project quarterback, even one who does missionary work in the Philippines, gives inspirational talks at prisons, is an admirable athletic role model, and was both a transcendent force and incomparable college quarterback.
There are simply too many other needs -- outside linebacker, tight end, wide receiver, defensive end, running back -- to gamble on the Gator God. A team that takes Tebow is hoping to find its patron saint. The Patriots already have one, and his name is Tom Brady. He possesses all of the intangible qualities that have been ascribed to Tebow, and is a proven NFL passer (you know that whole 50 touchdown passes thing in 2007).
TEAM TALK
- PFW Debate: Erik Scalavino and Andy Hart argue whether New England's interest in Tim Tebow is legitimate.
- NFL 2010 Draft Details. Patriots possess 12 selections in the 2010 NFL Draft, including four of the first 53 picks.
- John Cockrell Friday Out-Takes: Adam Carolla interview.
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian reports the Pats signing of DL Damione Lewis adds depth to the line and a veteran presence, as "Lewis has an outstanding reputation in the locker room."
- Albert Breer notes Tom Brady's text message to Stallworth says a lot more about Brady that he was supportive of his friend when it really wasn't popular to be.
- Mike Reiss offers his Quick-hit thoughts around the NFL and the Patriots.
- Mike Reiss notes Rob Rang of NFLDraftscout.com has put together a two-round mock draft, and he shares his insight on his four selections for the Patriots: No. 22- Jared Odrick, No. 44- Golden Tate, No. 47- Tim Tebow, and No. 53- Rob Gronkowski.
- Christopher Price notes the McNabb trade to the Redskins still has ramifications for the Patriots.
- Tom E. Curran writes how McNabb to Washington is good for the Pats and how it highlights just how hard it is for a player to stay with one team his whole career.
- Nate Dow notes that more than one-third of the Patriots current 64-man roster entered the league as undrafted free agents. Roster breakdown graphic included.
- Ian Rapoport wonders, how many teams make their picks because of the Patriots?
- Ian Rapoport looks at the Pro Football Focus study of receiver drops of catchable balls, and how it relates to the Patriots.
- Mike Reiss sees some shades of the Bledsoe swap in the McNabb to the Redskins deal.
- Shalise Manza Young gives some attention to the skyrocketing salaries given to top draft picks every year, and says this year's high first rounders may be the last crop to benefit from the current wage scale.
- Mike Reiss looks back at how the Patriots let go of Asante Samuel, and his current situation in Philadelphia.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Andy Benoit (NY Times) Best right guards in the NFL. Stephen Neal makes number 7, "Once he gets his hands on you, it's usually over."
- Don Banks (SI) 2010 Wes Welker Watch list. 10 off-the-radar NFL prospects who have a shot to make the league even if their names aren't called on draft weekend.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB: How the McNabb-to-Redskins trade impacts the rest of the NFL, draft.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Its a slap in the face for McNabb.
- Richard H. Thaler (NY Times) When a first choice may not be the best choice. An economist's take on the rookie wage scale in the NFL.
- Khaled Elsayed (Pro Football Focus) Drop Percentage Study - Which players are dropping the most catchable balls? Part I: Wide receivers. Part II: Tight ends.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Bills' pursuit of McNabb was inspired.
- Scout.com (Fox Sports) Mock Draft picks by draft slot. The most popular selections for each teams.
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Draft flashback: 1998. A look back at the best and worst picks of the draft.