New England Patriots Links 7/09/10 - Sammy Morris Takes It One Year At A Time

Monique Walker catches up with RB Sammy Morris, who's taking the NFL one year at a time.

"As long as they’ll still have me,’’ said Morris when asked how long he’ll play. "When I first got in the league I always said if I played 10 years that would be the best possible scenario. Now that I’ve passed that, I don’t look at it as I want to play until year 13 or whatever. Each year is its own entity.

As long as I still feel good and as long as a team will still have me, I’m playing as long as I can. I felt as good going into this upcoming training camp as any other one.’’

Morris, who played at Texas Tech, will have the opportunity to test his coaching skills at his camp July 15-17 at the Army Field in Foxborough. Morris will team with friend and former Redskins linebacker Devin Lemons for the three-day camp for players ages 8 to 18. The camp is important to Morris, who said he didn’t have the opportunity to participate in similar clinics when he was young.

"There was never an NFL team or even player presence in the [San Antonio] area when I was growing up,’’ he said. "Really, I got my work done just actually playing and practicing . . . and kind of looking back on it I always wished there was something else that I could have done to improve my skills early on and improve on the foundation.

"I’ve always found and felt there’s always room to improve and things you can learn and people you can learn from. I wanted to do that in an area that was special to me.’’

Erik Scalavino profiles fifth-round draft pick P Zoltan Mesko.

"That’s the thing about Zoltan," [Wolverines Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Tony] Gibson remarked two days later. "While other guys on our squad were having draft parties and celebrating and hanging out, he was in the weight room working out and running. That’s just the kind of kid he is."

"He’s a great person, great leader, very intelligent kid," Gibson continued. "He was a great example on and off the field, did a lot in the community, for the local children’s hospital, academic All-America ... As far as character, the stuff going on with the scrutiny of players in the NFL, this guy is what you want. You couldn’t ask for a better role model for young kids.

"His work ethic is unbelievable," added Gibson. "He lifts weights and gets after it like a linebacker or tight end. You wouldn’t know he was a punter seeing him in the weight room."

Knowing what they had in the 6-4, 240-pound punter, the new Michigan coaches quickly found various ways to use him. Mesko served as the holder on field goals and extra points which allowed the Wolverines to present the threat of a fake on every attempt — something that’s not always an option with smaller players. Mesko’s athleticism allowed him to execute a pair of successful running fakes at Michigan, and Gibson contends that he also has a good enough arm to throw the ball.

What about tackling ability?  "He can hurt some people if he hits them clean," Gibson laughed.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino reports Sammy Morris is hosting a youth football camp in Foxborough before the Patriots get down to business themselves.
• Erik Scalavino comments on the ESPN Ultimate NFL Ranking series, with New England ranked ninth.
• The New England Patriots Alumni Club will host its 'Football For You' one-day camp in Providence July 10th.
• Sammy Morris Thursday Conference Call (9.28 minute audio)
• PFW in Progress - This edition discusses a wide variety of offseason topics including a preview of Patriots Training Camp. (2 hour audio)
• Paul Perillo incorrectly predicted LeBron James would stay in Cleveland and hoped Brett Favre would decide to announce his retirement at the exact same time - just to watch ESPN implode.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss ranks the Patriots roster from 1 to 82.
• Shalise Manza Young examines if Richard Seymour's role has been properly filled.
• Ian Rapoport notes RB Sammy Morris feels "as good as I've felt going into camp."
• Christopher Price reports Sammy Morris is gearing up for the new season by giving back.
• Danny Picard notes Sammy Morris has tweaked his offseason regimen by focusing on conditioning and running as opposed to lifting weights.
• Gary Dzen notes Patriots are number 9 in ESPN Ultimate NFL Rankings.
• Jeff Howe sees the Patriots Draft class playing a major role in defining the 2010 season.
• Christopher Price reports the Patriots were one of 20 teams in attendance yesterday in Provo, Utah for the workout of BYU's Harvey Unga.
• Monique Walker says youth players looking for football tips from the pros have a couple of opportunities to learn from members of the New England Patriots.
• Ian Rapoport notes CB Darius Butler joked that while he had to"get doughnuts, pay for dinner, pick up pregame meals and stuff like that" as a rookie, "we were lucky to have a good group of veterans that didn’t mess with us too much."

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East Hall of Fame debate.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Going off the radar: This is quiet time in the NFL (or it should be).
• John P. Lopez (SI) The Rule of 26-27-60 helps predict NFL quarterback success or failure.
• Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Effect of concussions poses challenges after playing days.