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Ian Rapoport reports the Patriots have agreed to terms with rookie WR Taylor Price, as he becomes the first 3rd rounder to sign.
Price will earn $3.35 million over four years. A signing bonus is not yet clear for the 6-foot, 204-pounder who had 56 catches for 784 yards with 5 touchdowns in 2009.
The deal, one struck by Patriots contract guru Floyd Reese and agent Ron Slavin of BTI Sports Advisors, is also still being fleshed out. But either way, it’s far earlier than most third-round picks are inked. Price is the second Patriots player to sign a deal, joining center Ted Larsen.
We told you recently that the Patriots are reaching out to many of their draft picks, hoping to sign some far earlier than in recent years. This is another example.
Mike Reiss reports the Patriots will also hold joint practices with the New Orleans Saints.
Bill Belichick is shaking things up for the Patriots in the 2010 preseason.
In addition to traveling to Atlanta for joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 17 before the teams' preseason game, the Patriots will host joint practices with the New Orleans Saints the week before.
The Patriots host the Saints in both teams' preseason opener Aug. 12, and the teams will work together before that game.
Tom E. Curran offers a few of the things he'll be keying on Wednesday, media day at the OTAs.
The coaching deployment. One thing that impressed me in rookie minicamp was the self-assured presence of de facto offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. I don't know if he wasn't as vocal and in command in past seasons because I just didn't notice. So either I'm dense or he's more visible. Probably both. Also, we'll see how much of a hands-on role Bill Belichick takes with his defense. My guess is, very.
Where Sebastian Vollmer lines up, at right tackle or left. Either side will put him in competition with a veteran who's paid a lot more than he is (Nick Kaczur and Matt Light). And in both cases, he may be the better player already.
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo wonders if Belichick is preparing for the inevitable two-game preseason by getting into a habit of practicing with another team. The Pats haven't worked out with another club since 2001 when the Giants visited Training Camp at Bryant University.
- Andy Hart says Gerard Warren and Damione Lewis get a second chance to impress Belichick.
- Ask PFW: May days and OTAs.
- Patriots Today - Welker talks rehab, goals at camp. (3.27 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss cleans out the Patriots notebook from the weekend.
- Christopher Price offers five things to watch for at this week's OTAs.
- Tom E. Curran reports Logan Mankins won't be at OTAs without a new deal. (Plus .36 min. video.)
- Albert Breer notes Robert Kraft said the team soon will announce improvements to Gillette Stadium featuring the installation of high-definition video boards in each end zone.
- Ian Rapoport reports what Tully Banta-Cain expects from the Patriots OLBs: "More speed."
- Tom E. Curran reports Patriots rookies Rob Gronkowski and Taylor Price posed for their first NFL trading cards yesterday. (37 second video clip)
- Albert Breer talks about Kraft's plan for Gillette Stadium to get big upgrades.
- Jeff Howe offers his early prediction of the Patriots 53-man roster.
- Mike Reiss feels that because of Crable's injury, it's risky for the Pats to rely on him. He lists players across the NFLwho had Crable-like questions before breaking through in year 3.
- WEEI NFL Power Rankings. Pats 10th.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Kraft not bullish on Foxborough Super Bowl.
- Michael Lombardi (Nat'l Football Post) Sunday at the Post: News and notes.
- Jaime Aron (AP Sports Writer) NFL meeting's agenda: 2014 Super Bowl, new OT rule.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Union already has agreed to expand the regular season.
- Michael McCann (SI) What the Supreme Court's antitrust ruling means to the NFL.
- Bart Hubbuch (NY Post) Super Bowl bid should be OK'd today.
- John DeShazier (Times-Picayune) NFL owners should just say no to New York Super Bowl.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Another offensive lineman disagrees with Polian's criticism. "it's not unreasonable to wonder if they wish Polian would acknowledge that it wasn't the offensive line that threw the fourth-quarter interception that sealed the Colts' loss."