Ian Rapoport catches up with LB Gary Guyton at a charity event to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem.
"This whole offseason is just about relaxing a little bit, taking time to see family and friends - that’s what’s important to me," said Guyton, the Georgia Tech product. "Besides that, gradually get back to working out, doing what I can to get my body back in top performance shape. Actually all it takes is time. I didn’t get too beat up. Everybody has bumps and bruises, so just sit back and let those heal."
Guyton, who is an exclusive rights free agent, made strides in 2009 with 85 tackles and two sacks while also spending time as the primary play-caller in Jerod Mayo’s absence. While he avoided questions about the prospects for 2010 and the vacant defensive coordinator job, Guyton did say that linebackers coach Matt Patricia, the leading in-house candidate, is one reason for his improvement.
"Matt Patricia’s a good dude," Guyton said. "A good guy, a good coach. I thank him a lot for taking me under his wing and teaching me what he knows about the game."
Christian Fauria disuptes Joey Galloway's assertions that he struggled in New England because of the limited role he was asked to play.
"Here's Joey Galloway's problem: He couldn't get the offense," Fauria told Felger. "That first game against Buffalo . . . the first thing he said to me was, 'Man, this is tough. This is harder than I thought.'
"It had nothing to do with the fact that he was the third wide receiver. If he gets open, they're going to get him the ball. The fact is, he didn't know where to line up . . . He's not used to being a third receiver. He's always [been the] No. 1 receiver. Now you say, 'Hey, Joey, guess what. You gotta learn the X, you gotta know the Z, you gotta know the F, you gotta know all these positions. You just can't line up as the Z any more.'
"To me, he didn't even look as fast as he used to. Why? Because he didn't know where he was going. It had nothing to do with his speed, or [that he was] losing a step; he just didn't get it.
LOCAL LINKS
- Ian Rapoport reports apparently Dean Pees to Denver isn't a done deal. LB coach Don Martindale has been telling people that he has the Broncos defensive coordinator's job.
- Mike Reiss reports Kevin Faulk was the Patriots Man of the Year nominee, an award that recognizes a player's off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence.
- Ron Borges talks up the spectacularity of Peyton Manning, as there isn't much news on the Belichick/Patriots front to get all hot and bothered about.
- Nate Dow confirms that even if Indy wins the Super Bowl this year, the Patriots are still the decade's undisputed king.
- Mike Reiss gives us a closer look at Pepper Johnson and Mike Patricia.
- Daniel Kobialka reports Patriots LB coach Matt Patricia chose coaching over aeronautical engineering.
- Christopher Price offers 10 things we learned Sunday: Payton and Caldwell get the last laugh.
- Michael Felger sees only doom and gloom for the Patriots: They can't draft; they can't sign key players; the Jets are moving up with a younger, stronger, better roster; and the Colts have already arrived as THE tough, clutch and resilient team in the NFL.
- Ian Rapoport refutes Joey Galloway's assertion that "There is no page for the third receiver [with the Patriots].
- Mike Reiss offers his 2009 positional review of where the Patriots stand at Safety: Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Brandon McGowan, Pat Chung and Bret Lockett.
- Mike Reiss offers his 2009 positional review of where the Patriots stand at Cornerback: Shawn Springs, Leigh Bodden, Jonathan Wilhite, Darius Butler, Terrence Wheatley, Kyle Arrington.
- WEEI is feeling the Draft: Wide Receivers.
- Mike Reiss questions whether the Patriots would select Florida LB Brandon Spikes when they are on the clock with the 22nd overall pick in the draft.
- ipetitions.com An open letter petitioning Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick to hire great coordinators for the New England Patriots. Good read.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tom Hinkel (Lehigh Valley Sports) Dan Koppen was inducted into Whitehall High School's Hall of Fame Friday. Koppen was a 1998 graduate and one of five athletes to earn that honor.
- Don Banks (SI) Inside the NFL: A Bayou slopfest for all time, Indy's clutch moments and more.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB: Championship Sunday: Saints, Colts go to Miami; Vikes, Jets left behind.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Mystery persists regarding Pees landing spot.
- Reed Albergotti (Wall Street Journal) When the blitz is a bad idea: As defenses pile on the pressure, elite QBs thrive.
- Associated Press NFL scraps plan for 2nd game in Britain in 2010.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL announces 14 replacement Pro Bowlers.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Time is on the Jets' side.
- NFL Films' 'Full Color Football: The History of the American Football League' debuted on NFL Network, Friday, Jan. 8 and continues it's 4th episode this Thursday. Bill Belichick offers some insight and commentary in the series.
- The Trenches (Sporting News) Browns expected to cut Stallworth after reinstatement.