:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/467952/memorial-day-shadow-soldier.jpg)
Shalise Manza Young remembers Patriots DL Marquise Hill.
Three years ago today, the Patriots lost one of their own players, defensive lineman Marquise Hill.
Hill hadn't yet made an impact on the field in New England -- a second-round draft pick out of Louisiana State in 2004, he had played in 14 career games through his first three years, but by many accounts was poised for a breakout year in 2007, intent on proving that he wasn't a bust.
But over Memorial Day weekend that year, back in his native New Orleans with his fiancee and their young son, Hill went Jet Skiing with a female friend on Lake Pontchartrain. Neither had on a personal flotation device. The Jet Ski capsized, and Hill helped the friend to a wooden piling at the base of a bridge but then was swept away by currents so strong not even a 6-foot-6, 300 pound man could fight through them.
Hill was just 24 years old.
Shalise Manza Young reports WR Randy Moss has parted ways with longtime agent Tim DiPiero and will represent himself for the remainder of his career.
"Randy has talked to me for a while about finishing his career without an agent and recently told me that as a veteran entering his 13th season, he no longer believed he needs an agent," wrote DiPiero. "He told me he would be sending me official notice of his decision, which he did last week.
"It has been a privilege representing him all these years and to have had a close-up view as we all watched a high school kid, who was this incredible phenom, grow into a man and one of the greatest NFL players of all time. What has been most satisfying is to see him give back to our local community, especially to the kids. Randy has a soft spot for kids and when he does things for them, he does it for the right reasons. I will continue to catch him on TV each Sunday and root for him to get a [Super Bowl] ring before he retires.’’
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo and Erik Scalavino debate whether it's good for the NFL to host the league championship game in northern, open-air stadiums.
- Patriots Today - Wilfork lays down on the job. (1.53 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss offers some of his quick-hit thoughts from the Pats and around the NFL.
- Ian Rapoport notes WR Julian Edelman will accept the Pop Warner Inspiration to Youth Award. Wes Welker accepted this award two years ago.
- Albert Breer offers a look at the NFL commissioner's address to UMass-Lowell students Saturday.
- Ian Rapoport reports on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's commencement speech to the graduates of UMass-Lowell.
- Mike Reiss talks about Pete Prisco's piece on overrated and underrated players for each team, and lists his own.
- Albert Breer looks at the belief of one analyst that the NFL has caught up to the New England spread, and the new tight ends will fix it.
- Mike Reiss talks about balancing the spread and physicality.
- Mike Reiss notes ESPN's "NFL Live" program devoted a segment to the Patriots, with guest commentary from ESPNBoston.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Aaron Wilson (Nat'l Football Post) Randy Moss no longer represented by Tim DiPiero.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB: Goodell's leadership could be main key in avoiding job action in 2011.
- Adam Schein (Fox Sports) Ranking every NFL franchise and organization from 1 to 32.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Overrated-underrated: Prisco's annual list of the NFL's overated and underrated players.