Shalise Manza Young learns about Pats final draft pick Malcolm Williams from TCU coach Gary Patterson, who says Williams is very much a team-first player.

"(He) has like a 42 inch vertical, unbelievable athletic ability, played all special teams...Malcolm is your true evidence of New England doing their homework," he said. "(At safety) he played behind a really good football player that was an all-conference player, who didn’t get drafted and probably now wishes he had played a lot more special teams."

"It goes to show you – so many teams are looking for that one guy who can play, that’s how they make their team. Colin Jones, who went to the 49ers (190th overall) from our team is the same way – a guy that has a chance to maybe become a safety down the road, that he can make a team being 'that guy' – a guy who can play all the special teams, be a special teams captain, be all those things they need him to be."

"My guess is they needed someone who could help on special teams...and for whatever reason they felt like he could do more for them in that position than whomever else was left on the board. I quit trying to figure out the NFL and how they do things a long time ago."

Mike Reiss catches up with DL Ty Warren, who passed up a workout bonus last season to complete his college degree.

.. Warren reported that he's feeling great after undergoing hip surgery last year. He knows he's closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but believes he still has a lot to offer.

"I know there are a lot of guys that went out last year with season-ending things, like every year, but I feel good enough where I could contend, even though I'm not that high profile of a guy, for a comeback player of the year [award]," he said.

"I think I can have that type of season. When I'm healthy, I feel like there's nobody better than me at '5' technique [left defensive end]. I feel that good, and to return back to that form, that's where I feel right now."

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino notes that Nate Solder's position coach at the University of Colorado feels Solder's best football will come in New England.
• Football For YOU: Free Youth Football Clinics: the signature youth clinic is coming to Worcester's Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium on Saturday, May 14th.
• Erik Scalavino reports this Saturday Rob Gronkowski will participate in the Patriots Alumni "Football For YOU" youth camp.
• Patriots Today - Hall voting, post-draft breakdowns. (3.46 min. video)
• PFW in Progress - (5/10/11) : The PFW crew discusses a wide variety of offseason topics. (2 hour program)

LOCAL LINKS

• Jeff Howe reports the Patriots have confirmed that there have been no salary reductions, no loss of jobs and no plans for any cuts in the future.
• Ian Rapoport takes note of Patriots players taking a break from the lockout to do participate in charitable events this weekend.
• Mike Reiss tells us how retired Patriot Joe Andruzzi is still making a difference in New England.
• NESN reports the Joe Andruzzi Golf Fundraiser will include several current and former players at TPC in Norton, MA on May 23rd.
• Mike Reiss reports it hasn't taken Rob Gronkowski long to become a Boston sports fan, supporting the Bruins and the Celtics in their exciting playoff runs.
• Christopher Price reports Ravens' GM Ozzie Newsome says he learned the art of self-scouting from Bill Belichick.
• Jeff Howe thinks Mark Herzlich is unlikely to become a Patriot due to the team's sour relationship with Tom Condon, plus 19 other thoughts.
• Christopher Price looks at OLB Manny Lawson as a possible free-agent fit for the Patriots.
• Tom E. Curran scouts out how the Chiefs did in the draft.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) Flash Points: Patriots' defining moment.
• Everything to Prove (NFL.com) Episode 9: Nate Solder escapes the gridiron for some "hillbilly fun" at his Rocky Mountain ranch. (5.38 min. video)
• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) RB Ridley, the Patriots' forgotten pick, ready to contribute.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Rob Gronkowski: Patriots working out quietly, unlike other teams.
• USA Today NFL Power Rankings: Patriots at number two behind the reigning Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Miami owner manages to get less popular.
• Sam Gardner (Fox Sports) Employees unfair victims in labor dispute.
• Gary Graves (USA Today) 'Lot of football being lost' in lockout, and it's not coming back.
• Jack Bechta (Nat'l Football Post) One agent's UFA formula: An undrafted free agent's success may depend on it.
• Phil Richards (Indy Star) Have Colts, offensive guru Tom Moore gone separate ways? Neither team nor Moore comment on his removal from franchise's website.

LABOR LUNACY

• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The NFL litigation train heads back to Minnesota.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) As mediation approaches, gap between NFL, players possibly has grown.
• Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Stakes high in NFL TV cash fight.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Goodell on the possibility of a complete shutdown.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Commissioner Goodell interview transcript.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Players' contingent at mediation has authority to do a deal.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Goodell says four owners will attend mediation next week.
• Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Barry Cofield on players enjoying lockout: "It really pisses me off."
• Herm Edwards (ESPN) Video: Players treating lockout as vacation? Edwards explains the disconnect with fans. (1.08 min. clip)
• Dan Steinberg (Washington Post) Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall said owners "can lock us out till whenever," since players don’t get paid in the offseason anyhow.
• AP Report (SI) Lockout losers: Rookies and new coaches.