Pats Pulpit, a New England Patriots community

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: A-I loved hated New England's draft. Not just because of the players, either - they got some good ones, as they do every year. I just can't help but be impressed with irate at the way this team can move up and down the draft board at will, collecting future picks along the way. There are two reasons this team is competitive every year: Tom Brady (or, in last year's scenario, a weak schedule) and their steadfast approach to finding cheap, talented players in the draft, having them for a few years, and then trading them for more picks (see: Hobbs, Ellis). Stupid Patriots.

DANA POINT, Calif. -- The Patriots closed the 2008 season on the road against the Buffalo Bills, and they're going to open the 2009 season against the Bills at home on "Monday Night Football."

League sources confirmed the Patriots' opener, which will mark the return of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the Buffalo debut of wide receiver Terrell Owens in a matchup that pits two old rivals from the American Football League, which will have its 50th anniversary commemorated by the NFL this season.

The 7 p.m. game is expected to take place on Sept. 14; an official announcement will be made later today at the NFL's owners' meetings by Commissioner Roger Goodell. Besides the Brady-T.O. intrigue, the Patriots will also be helping "Monday Night Football" celebrate its 40th anniversary.

It's possible that both teams could don throwback jerseys for the game.