New England Patriots Links 2/25/12 - Weekend Bonus Edition: NFL Combine, Day 3

Mike Reiss gives us some quick hits from Day 2 of the Combine. Here's one:

1. Patriots dipping toe into talks. The club is using this time, where many agents are in town for their annual NFL Players Association meeting, to touch base with agents for their players scheduled to hit the unrestricted free agent market. In some cases, there have been sit-down meetings. This highlights how the combine is about more than just the prospects for the Patriots; the team has a few different footballs in the air.

Mike Sando (ESPN) Rams' Snead believes in Patriots' way.

"I think the Patriots are a difference-making organization," Snead said, noting that the Patriots own more regular-season victories than any team over the past four seasons. "What you will find with them is they are going to believe that teams win championships, individuals don't. Everything they do, whether it's the type of plate that is in the cafeteria to the type of scouting grading scale you have, they want to have a competitive edge in that area. That is what you learn. There is a lot of innovative thought that goes into the logistics and processes of putting it all together."

Mike Reiss shares a humorous take from Rams coach Jeff Fisher on the scheduled game vs. the Patriots in London in 2012.

"When it was released and announced, we were very excited. It’s a great opportunity. If you're going to play the Patriots, it's best not to play them in North America," Fisher said at the NFL combine, drawing laughter from reporters.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino posts the Combine schedule for Day 3.
• Paul Perillo notes Atlanta's Mike Smith had nothing but good things to say about former Patriots safety James Sanders.
• Paul Perillo shares his Friday Combine notebook: Skilled position players dominate Day 2 of the Combine.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss explores why do the Patriots have such a difficult time drafting wide receivers?
• Karen Guregian has it on good authority that if things don't work out with the Colts, the Patriots are near or at the top of WR Reggie Wayne's list.
• Chris Gasper says there's only one thing to get for the QB who has everything, and that's a "game-changing outside WR who can stretch defenses like spandex."
• Ian Rapoport sees the need for the Patriots to possibly draft a speed receiver, which they haven't done since 2002.
• DJ Bean notes today at the Combine will be all the pass-rushers the Patriots might not draft.
  
• Mike Reiss cleans up a few leftovers from the first day of the NFL combine: How the Patriots turned the page; Igwenagu and UMass connection; Patriots ties for late-round OL prospect.
• Tom E. Curran reports Nick Caserio says the draft is deep at receiver and the front-7 players.
• Mike Reiss shares more interview tidbits from Friday, from Pete Carroll on Kevin Faulk, and more.
• Mike Reiss looks at some players who might interest the Patriots: WR Joe Adams (Arkansas), WR Michael Floyd (Notre Dame), and QB Kirk Cousins (Michigan State).
• Mike Reiss lists some more prospects who might fit the Patriots: C Peter Konz (Wisconsin), RB/WR Chris Rainey (Florida), WR T.Y. Hilton (Florida International) and WR Kendall Wright (Baylor).
• Mike Reiss notes Patriots OL Dan Connolly is hitting free agency at the right time.
• Mark Daniels reports Rob Gronkowski visited the DCU Center before a Worcester Sharks and Providence Bruins game, and spiked a puck, breaking it into four pieces.
• Mike Reiss highlights Rob Gronkowski's radio call-in to 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia. He was asked about his post-Super Bowl dancing and more.
• Tom E. Curran reports Bernie Kosar is "a big disciple of the way [Bill Belichick] does things."
• Ian Rapoport Combine Notebook: Andre Carter is hoping for a multi-year deal to finish his career with the Patriots; Andrew Luck isn't house-hunting in Indy just yet; Mike Wright may end up having to retire.

NATIONAL LINKS

• NFL.com Combine Tracker.
• Live Buzz Blog (Fox Sports) NFL Combine: Follow all the action.
• Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) NFL Combine: Day Two: Morning notes and Afternoon notes.
• Chris Burke (SI) How have recent Combine stars measured up in the NFL?
• Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Scouting Combine kicks off lying season around the NFL.
• Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) NFL Combine: Safeties in demand.
• Charley Casserly (NFL.com) Wonderlic Test is helpful, but certainly not a foolproof tool.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL considers head-to-head races at Scouting Combine.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Pressure points: Four draft slots that could change everything.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) More changes may be coming on overtime, replay.