Karen Guregian reports Troy Brown thinks it's "just insane" that Saints players would pay bounties to injure players.

"That’s just insane, because we’re all in the same boat," said Brown, when reached last night. "We all know how difficult it is to get this job, and to maintain this job, and to stay healthy, and to make a good living. The hurtin’ part, I’m just having a hard time digesting that one."

"That sounds more like 50s and 70s type football," Brown said. "And I’m a big fan of the New Orleans Saints . . . But as (Mike) Tyson says, it’s ludicrous. I just don’t get that one. Why would you intentionally want to go out and hurt people that are doing the same thing you’re doing. You’re trying to make a living. That’s the bottom line. I don’t really get it. I don’t know if those guys thought about that part. We’re all making a living in this business. That’s not the image you want to live with as players. Deliberately hurting people at their livelihood? I’m having a hard time understanding where their heads are on that one."

Mark Potash (Chicago Sun-Times) NFL Combine interview with Patriots bodes well for OLB Darius Fleming (Notre Dame).

‘‘It was a very cool experience,’’ Fleming said of his visit with the Patriots. ‘‘He’s a great guy. I really look up to him. I appreciate his coaching style. That’s somebody who I would love to play for.’’

‘‘It was pretty much the same stuff — a lot of background questions,’’ Fleming said. ‘‘There were a couple of football questions at the end [of his interview with the Patriots]. But the biggest thing was character.’’

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino breaks down the list of the top free agents-to-be, with a particular focus on those that could end up in New England.
• Erik Scalavino and Andy Hart debate whether the Patriots should designate Wes Welker as their franchise player this year.
• Patriots Roster Report - Andy Hart and Erik Scalavino break down the latest rumors in free agency. (9.26 min. program)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian expects Wes Welker to be tagged by the Patriots today, before the 4 p.m. deadline.
• Mike Reiss gives us some quick-hits regarding Wes Welker, the Patriots and the franchise tag.
• Jim Donaldson has an interesting column on Bill O'Brien's inside look at the Patriots offense.
• Greg A. Bedard notes former Pats offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien defends Wes Welker, saying he got more grief than he deserved.
• Mike Reiss offers some quick-hit weekend thoughts from the Patriots and around the NFL.
• Karen Guregian reports a new kind of safety has to evolve to defend pass-catching machines such as the Patriots TEs.
• Tom E. Curran asserts the Saints' penalty needs to exceed New England's.
• Kirk Minihane tells us why the Saints actions are worse than spygate. For starters, spygate didn't hurt anyone.
• Karen Guregian notes Andre Carter once played for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams in Washington DC, but he's not talking bounties.
• CSNNE reports the Patriots' first-round pick they received from New Orleans is safe.
• Mike Reiss discusses how far the Patriots should financially extend themselves for DE Mark Anderson.
• Karen Guregian keeps her eye on Raiders LB Kamerion Wimbley, as Oakland is $20 million over the cap and Wimbley might be released as a result.
• Mike Reiss notes Gary Horton, a pro scout for ESPN's Scouts Inc., puts the Patriots at No. 3 of the five best fits for free-agent WR Vincent Jackson.
• CSNNE reports a Miami Dolphins reporter has tweeted that Vincent Jackson will end up in New England if the Chargers don't lock him up.
• Christopher Price profiles CB Richard Marshall (Cardinals) and CB Brandon Carr (Chiefs) as possible free-agent fits for the Patriots.
• Mike Reiss analyzes the mock draft selections from Russ Lande (Sporting News), who uses both picks on defenders.
• DJ Bean posts his Mock Draft, Take 2: Patriots select S Mark Barron (Alabama) and WR Alshon Jeffrey (South Carolina).
• Mike Reiss offers his thoughts on the defensive-oriented mock draft selections of Chad Reuter (NFLN).
• Mike Reiss is keeping track of franchise tags around the NFL.
• CSNNE reports Patrick Chung worked the mic at the Celtics-Nets game and nearly sneaks into the coaches' huddle during a timeout.

NATIONAL NEWS

• James Walker (ESPN) Walker's AFC East weekend mailbag: Patriots' WRs.
• Staff Report (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots, Anderson look like good match.
• Dan Pompei (Nat'l Football Post) Sunday blitz: The Matt Flynn sweepstakes, free agent talk, best combine interviews and much more.
• Don Banks (SI) Don't try to read the future in the unpredictable NFL; and more.
• Chris Chase (Yahoo! Sports) Ochocinco was urinated on by a lion and lived to tweet the tale.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB: As bounty fallout continues, Goodell to make example of Saints.
• Peter King (SI) Saints looking at severe punishment for bounty system.
• John Clayton (ESPN) Saints bounty story worse than spygate.
• Mark Maske (Washington Post) Severe, sweeping penalties under consideration in Saints bounty case.
• Don Banks (SI) Loomis, Payton could face most trouble in Saints' bounty saga.
• Michael McCann (SI) Breaking down the potential legal fallout of Saints' bounty system.
• Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) 'Bounty' sanctions must be severe to protect NFL's image.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) IRS could be interested in undeclared bounty payments.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Source: League, union "scrambling" to push up 2012 cap number.
• Evan Silva (ProFootballTalk) Rams won't be tagging WR Brandon Lloyd.
• Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Who is about to get tagged?
• Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) How much stock goes into Combine interviews?