New England Patriots Links 3/19/10 - Meriweather Determined To Lead AFC In Interceptions

Ian Rapoport notes Brandon Meriweather is determined to study what went wrong last year and how he plans to improve for this coming season.

"I watch the games that we did terrible in," Meriweather said after a conditioning workout. "I don’t watch the games where our secondary played its best game. I’m going to see what the Saints did so good and what we did so bad that made Drew Brees throw for 400 yards. I can go back and tell (my teammates) what I saw on the tape that we need to improve on."

"I want to watch a game where the communication wasn’t that good and the focus wasn’t there," said Meriweather, the former University of Miami product. "Where we got mentally tired and let up."

When he’s back in Miami visiting his 18-month-old daughter, Meriweather works out with [his mentor and Ravens star Ed Reed] and the rest of the ex-Hurricanes. He credits Reed with some success, but it’s not all fun and games.

"I’m very competitive so everything that he does, I try to do that much better," Meriweather said. "A lot of the things I do to make plays, I would’ve never did if he wouldn’t have told me to try it."

Ron Borges sets the talk radio crowd straight that has its panties in a bunch over the fact that Ty Warren and Tom Brady are not in Foxboro.

All this nonsense about how Brady may be less of a leader today than he was then because he’s not sweating with Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork is balderdash. Whatever day Brady first walks into the Patriots locker room, he’s the alpha male. If he tells Mayo to sit in the corner and be quiet, Mayo will. If he tells Wilfork to mind his own business, he will.

Whether Brady attends a voluntary workout in March or not, everyone knows he’s the most valuable Patriot since George Washington and just as much of a leader.

Tim Graham (ESPN) Wycheck: Crumpler still has plenty to give.

"It's a loss," Titans radio analyst and former tight end Frank Wycheck said of Crumpler's departure. "He's such a great professional, a stand-up guy win or lose. Theyr'e going to lose that leadership and that presence.

"The Patriots are getting a guy who fits the mold of what they've done over the years, bringing in guys you can trust to step up and play well."

"He really blocked well, something he hasn't gotten enough credit for over his career," Wycheck said. "He's a really stout blocker, really holds the edge well.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino spent time with Brandon Meriweather yesterday, asking him about the serious problem of missed tackles.
• Patriots Today - Bodden happy to be back. (2.38 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Christopher Price gets Christian Fauria's thoughts on how the tight end position has evolved for the Patriots from a balanced role to more of a bit player primarily used as a blocker.
• Tom E. Curran asks why do the Pats need Alge Crumpler - an overweight, immobile tight end whose best seasons are specks in the rearview mirror?
• Albert Breer says the Patriots are getting a leader in Crumpler.
• Robert Lee notes Brandon Meriweather set the bar high for himself this year, desiring to lead the AFC in interceptions while becoming a better tackler.
• Monique Walker says Brandon Meriweather is committed to studying, watching film and improving.
• Albert Breer notes the people at Pro Football Focus are putting together their all-division teams, and looks at which Patriots made the list and which were left off.
• Christopher Price reports LB Matt Mayberry (Indiana) will hold a private workout for the Patriots today in Indiana.
• DJ Bean focuses on Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick as a potential fit for the New England Patriots.
• Boston Herald Patriots Notebook: Alge Crumpler agrees to terms with the Patriots; Gary Guyton will appear at The Vitamin Shoppe in Peabody tomorrow at 1 p.m. to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; Pierre Woods will host a Friendship Relay for Best Buddies Massachusetts tomorrow.
• Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.  Regarding WR Josh Reed, his sense is that "the Patriots would like him to join the team, but the initial offer might not have knocked Reed over. I wouldn't rule it out in the coming weeks."
• Mike Reiss notes that Todd McShay of Scouts Inc beleives the team is in good position to land a quality TE and WR prospect in the draft. He looks at Arrelious Benn (Illinois), Rob Gronkowski (Arizona), Dennis Pitta (BYU) and Aaron Hernandez (Florida).
• Mike Reiss reports Todd McShay of Scouts Inc.said that Bill Belichick and other team staffers were at the University of Florida working out a handful of Gators prospects yesterday.
• Mike Reiss notes the public perception that expectations for the Patriots aren't very high, but that isn't always a bad thing.
• Mike Reiss dissects Leigh Bodden's deal and feels that overall it's a contract the cornerback has a good chance of finishing.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Andy Benoit (NY Times) State of the Patriots: What the 2009 film revealed.
• Paul Kuharsky (ESPN) Crumpler, another Titan leader, departs.
• Pro Football Focus All-AFC East Team.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Party like a mockstar: Browsing the draft boards of the various analysts who dare to guess how the picks will fall in the AFC East.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Five NFL playoff teams face a hard road back.  Patriots included.
• Michael Lombardi (Nat'l Football Post) My solution to OT debate: Keep the game pure and play an extra quarter.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Incognito gives Dolphins mixed message.
• Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) Best offseason moves were not the biggest headlines.
• Don Banks (SI) Fujita move serves as reminder of free agency's real life impact.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Mock draft 3.0.  Pats take DT Jared Odrick (Penn State) at 22.
• Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Friday's Pro Day workouts.
• Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) What they say is not what they mean.