New England Patriots Links 1/19/10 - Randy Moss Skips Pro-Bowl, But Keeps Commitment To Helping Hometown Kids

The RANDY MOSS FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN announces its "Make The Grade Campaign."

Through his Foundation, and with the financial support of Jason Williams, Randy is rewarding and surprising today several 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who have excelled academically at their respective grade schools, Malden Elementary and Midland Trial Elementary.  The Foundation also chose Dunbar Intermediate School to participate in the campaign this year.

Randy will be present as these very special gifts are handed out.  Some of the gifts include bikes, iPods, Wiis and MPS players. NFL hats and figurines were also provided to the honored students courtesy of Reebok.  Randy had planned to distribute these gifts before Christmas on December 22nd but the snow storm caused the delay.

Randy and Jason want to stress to local children the importance of excelling in school and hope through this Campaign to encourage students to make good grades.

Randy and Jason have been blessed to have earned college scholarships and get paid for playing the respective sports they love.  But they want local students to understand that very, very few athletes ever get paid to play a sport.  Therefore, students need to not only stay in school but develop good study habits and excel in school so that they can develop the skills to get a good job.

The Foundation hopes to expand its campaign next year and include additional schools.  So kids, get to work and MAKE THE GRADE!

Good Luck, Randy and Jason.

The New England Patriots 2010 Draft Status:

"As of January 13, the Patriots possess eight selections in the 2010 NFL Draft, including four picks in the first two rounds. New England owns the 22nd pick in the first round. New England may receive additional selections in this year's draft when the NFL awards compensatory selections in late March. The draft will be held on April 22-24. The Patriots are without a third-round pick in 2010 due to a trade with Oakland in exchange for LB Derrick Burgess. The Patriots are without a fifth-round pick due to the trade with Tampa Bay for TE Alex Smith." —New England Patriots

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart looks at the Jets and speculates on a possible power shift in the AFC East.

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian emphasizes, point by point, how the Patriots' defense is lacking in every area when compared with their AFC opponents.
• Jeff Howe states that improving the pass rush is tops among the many Patriots' offseason needs.
• Ian Rapoport looks at Cardinals' Anquan Boldin as a possible WR to add to the Patriots.
• Chris Gasper writes about the nightmare scenario where one of the two teams Pats fans hate the most, either the Jets or the Colts, will be going to the Super Bowl.
• Albert Breer reports that the Jets could be favorites in 2010 and they could mean trouble for the Patriots.
• Mike Reiss notes that Dean Pees worked closely with the secondary and that might be a factor when deciding who will replace him.
• Mark Farinella reports Dean Pees may be headed to Denver, which shows he might have experienced a bout of "shortness of job" here in New England.
• Ian Rapoport gets Eric Mangini's thoughts on Belichick's coaching system, and who would be the best fit for the Patriots' defensive coordinator position.
• Ian Rapoport takes a look at Bill Belichick's current staff, along with a few coaching assistants who may be in line for a promotion. Nice peek inside behind the curtain.
• Mike Reiss offers his 2009 positional review of centers and guards: Dan Koppen, Logan Mankins, Stephen Neal, Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell, Rich Ohrnberger.
• Mike Reiss monitors the movement of prospects who might be available at the 22nd spot of the Draft.
• Nate Dow looks at the Patriots' free agents.
• WEEI is feeling the Draft: Defensive Tackles
• Adam Kilgore hands out his own awards for this season, starting with Tom Brady taking the first honor as Comeback Player of the Year.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Mike Klis (Denver Post) Broncos part ways with defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Dean Pees likely to be replacement.
• Jeff Darlington (Miami Herald) Miami Dolphins interested in Mike Nolan for defensive coordinator job.
• Bill Williamson (ESPN) Source: Nolan nears deal with Dolphins.
• Len Pasquarelli (ESPN) Seattle Seahawks choose John Schneider to be their new GM.  Patriots' senior executive Floyd Reese was a finalist and may stay on with the Patriots.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Bills fans choking on Gaily report.  Multiple outlets report the Bills are close to hiring Chan Gailey to be their next head coach.  Gailey was the Dallas Cowboys' head coach in 1998 and 1999.
• Gary Mihoces (USA Today) As Colts advance, thoughts of what could have been linger.
• Dan Graziano (NFL Fanhouse) Colts gave Jets life, now Jets can knock them out.
• Vic Carucci (NFL.com) This time Colts and Jets play for Super Bowl berth.
• Dan Shaughnessy (SI) There's history between AFC finalists Jets and Colts.