Monique Walker reports Albert Haynesworth said he is ready to reintroduce himself to the NFL.

"Last year, I didn’t think I was going to play because I was playing a lot of scout team,’’ he said. "Now I’m in the system and I’m playing and practicing. I think it’s time for me - I guess, the sleeping giant - to awaken and go back out there on the field and play football again.’’

"I like everything, we’re just getting after it,’’ Haynesworth said. "Coach [Bill] Belichick is a great coach and he uses what he has.’’

"Everybody’s for you, no matter what happens,’’ he said. "If a guy does something or whatever, it doesn’t matter, we’re all behind him and we’re not going to pass judgment or anything like that. It’s all about everybody being for you and everybody having your back. "All you’ve got to do is play football.’’

Tedy Bruschi and Mike Reiss break down Patriots vs. Dolphins Monday night.

Tedy: This is why the Dolphins brought [offensive coordinator Brian Daboll] in. It's about having success against this Patriots defense, and he's had some in the past. Expect some of the same things you saw in Cleveland last season, as Daboll was the Browns' offensive coordinator the past two years. Multiple shifts. Multiple motions. Make the Patriots adjust. The Patriots have been the big boys of this division, beating up on the Dolphins. The Dolphins know they need to score points to keep up with the Patriots, and what the Browns did last season against New England had to catch their eye. Daboll also has them throwing it down the field more. So look out for jump balls to Brandon Marshall. Big receivers have had success against this Patriots secondary in the past.

Tedy: The Dolphins have two good corners, so you figure they'll be matched up against the receivers, and can those receivers get open? If not, you're looking to the inside, where Gronkowski and Hernandez do some of their best work. They could have some opportunities in this game, matched up against a safety or linebacker, which should be a win for the Patriots most of the time. Look for the Patriots' tight ends to make an impact Monday night.

Jim Lazar says the league is surrounded by ex-Patriots this year.

In fact, as the NFL kicks off full time on Sunday, there may be a former New England Patriot on every team in the league, thanks to the crumbs of Bill Belichick being pecked up like a seagull scavenging outside Kelly’s Roast Beef at Revere Beach.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino reports the happenings from Gillette on Thursday.
• Erik Scalavino gives us an injury update from Thursday and clarifies that Sebastian Vollmer has a back injury.
• Erik Scalavino shares an email from commissioner Roger Goodell to NFL fans.
• Patriots-Dolphins Thursday Injury Report.
• Patriots Today - Watch these two in Week 1 (1.51 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Wake, Bush are tough matchups (3.23 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Captains named, Vollmer absent (1.31 min. video)
• Locker Room Uncut - Words from team captains (3.34 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran warns we need to watch what Albert Haynesworth does and not what he says.
• Karen Guregian discovers another side of Albert Haynesworth.
• Ian Rapoport notes Albert Haynesworth puts his time in D.C. behind him, and Shaun Ellis agrees he's a changed man.
• Brian MacPherson says a happy Haynesworth has a chance to be a dominant Haynesworth.
• Jeff Howe reports Jerod Mayo says the Patriots defense has a chip on their shoulder.
• Mark Farinella notes Tom Brady still gets excited for the season opener.
• Kevin McNamara sees Tom Brady primed to put it all on the line.
• Tony Massarotti thinks the Patriots defense will be tested in the air.
• Christopher Price tells us why former Patriots asst. coach Brian Daboll is bringing optimism to Miami.
• Tom E. Curran thinks it doesn't bode well for Miami's confidence when Tony Sparano has to ready his team for hostile crowd noise at a home game.
• A. Sherrod Blakely says Matthew Slater is truly a 'special' captain who takes that responsibility seriously.
• Mike Reiss notes it's been a long time since Belichick has developed a young receiver into a top contributor.
• Chad Finn shares what the network analysts are saying as they weigh in on the Patriots.
• Jeremy Lundbland projects an answer to what Moss-Brady reunion might mean.
• Jeff Howe answers his weekly Patriots mailbag: Brian Waters should be a big addition.
• ESPNBoston offers a roundup of how ESPN's analysts see Monday night's Patriots-Dolphins season opener playing out.
• Mike Reiss offers ten predictions for this Patriots season, and revisits his predictions from 2010.
• Greg A. Bedard predicts a Patriots season that has them losing the Super Bowl to the Saints. Yeesh.
• Jim Lazar makes his weekly picks: Patriots 33, Dolphins 13.
• Michael Hurley makes his weekly picks. Patriots over Dolphins.
• Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: Devin McCourty was surprised at being named captain yesterday; Bill Belichick clearly respects Cameron Wake and sees the Dolphins D-line as a big challenge for them; Jerod Mayo says the goal of the defense this year is to go out each and every weekend and pitch a shutout.
• Monique Walker Patriots Notebook: Matthew Slater just wanted to make the team, and makes it all the way to captain; Injury update and practice participation for Thursday; Pats practiced in full pads for the second straight day - the only time they're allowed to do that this season.
• Ian Rapoport tells us what the NFL Films documentary on Bill Belichick reveals about the infamous 4th and 2.

NATIONAL NEWS

• James Walker (ESPN) Thoughts on Dolphins vs. Tom Brady.
• John Parolin (ESPN Stats and Information) Three areas to watch for from the Dolphins.
• Kevin Fishbain (ProFootball Weekly) Patriots-Dolphins matchups: 1.WR Brandon Marshall vs. Patriots CBs and 2. Patriots OTs vs. OLBs Cameron Wake, Koa Misi and Jason Taylor.
• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Five questions with Patriots radio color commentator Gino Cappelletti.
• Chris Burke (SI) Busting myths about the 2011 NFL season.
• Mark Wald (Cold, Hard Football Facts) We break down Week 1 spreads (well, sort of).
• Bill Reiter (Fox Sports) Thank God, football's finally back!
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Week 1 picks. Patriots 27, Dolphins 17.
• Albert Breer (NFL.com) Week 1 picks: Patriots 26, Dolphins 20.
• Steve Serby (NY Post) 2011 NFL Preview: AFC East. Patriots on top.
• Eli Kaberon (Pro Football Weekly) Forty-six predictions.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Goodell keeps pushing NFLPA on HGH testing.

VIEW FROM MIAMI

• Mike Berardino (Sun-Sentinel) Tom Brady keeps trying to steal Jason Taylor.
• Joe Rose (Sun-Sentinel) Alex Marvez: Pats should win a close one, but the Dolphins' D line could have a field day.
• Andrew Carter (Sun-Sentinel) Brian Daboll brings new offensive approach, new energy to Miami Dolphins.
• Brian Biggane (Palm Beach Post) Brian Daboll says Chad Henne has made great progress in his system.