New England Patriots Links 5/07/10 - Alge Crumpler: Ready, Willing and Able

Tom E. Curran took notes as a slimmed down Crumpler met with the media for the first time as a Patriot.

"Perception's everything," Crumpler said of his new look. "I wanted to make sure I was in the physical condition to walk into the locker room and be able to work. I wanted to get around guys and show I can lead by example. Admittedly, I hadn't done a lot early in the offseason, I was resting my body and I just felt like I wasn't [ready] to come into a locker room and be behind and I didn't want to give that perception so I was able to work that out."

Crumpler said he had extensive phone contact with Bill Belichick before signing here and that expectations were well-defined, even if Crumpler wasn't.

He now expects his role in Tennessee as an in-line blocker - really an extra offensive tackle - is going to be altered. That change made him affect a change in his conditioning, which he feels is for the better.

"I don't want to say I was out of shape," Crumpler said. "I was very effective playing in the role that I was in the last couple of years. I fit that system really well and did things I was asked to do."

Crumpler said he had no issue going from target to battering ram with the Titans. "As long as I had a role that was communicated to me, I was totally fine with it," he said. "I think it only hurt the feelings of the people that picked me in fantasy football. It didn't hurt my feelings. I had a role defined and went out and tried to be best [at it]."

 "Nobody's ever been drafted that the coach didn't want to be here," he said. "When I get an opportunity to work with younger guys, it keeps me sharp. I like teaching. That's one of the things that comes natural . . . I feel young at heart, feel good about stepping into new a new situation and I know it'll be a great one."

John Clayton (ESPN) AFC East dominates the offseason.

New England Patriots did the best. Re-signings aren't sexy to fans, but the Patriots faced a difficult challenge before free agency began. Nose tackle Vince Wilfork headed a list of 10 potential unrestricted free agents. Owner Robert Kraft invested $84.414 million in contracts to re-sign Wilfork, guard Stephen Neal, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, cornerback Leigh Bodden and running back Kevin Faulk. The only losses -- tight end Benjamin Watson and defensive end Jarvis Green -- were replaceable.

Belichick may not have hit home runs in the draft, but he loaded the bases with plenty of singles. The Patriots needed to add a cornerback with the additions of Holmes and Marshall to the AFC East, so they drafted Devin McCourty in the first round. Jermaine Cunningham and Brandon Spikes give the Patriots much-needed youth at linebacker. Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez more than fill the void at tight end created by Watson's departure. The Patriots added a dozen draft choices and have two firsts and two seconds next year. They've also beefed up their defensive line by signing Gerard Warren and Damione Lewis to one-year contracts, and added Alge Crumpler at tight end and Torry Holt at wide receiver.

TEAM TALK

• PFW Debate: Which Patriots rookie will have the biggest impact in 2010? Erik Scalavino picks Devin McCourty and Paul Perillo says Rob Gronkowski.
• Patriots TE Alge Crumpler addresses the media during his interview at Gillette Stadium. (10 minute video.)
• Patriots Today - Crumpler comes to Pats 'Young at Heart' (2.55 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Discussing the D-Line. (3.31 min. video)
• Pro Football Hall of Fame to hold event at The Hall at Patriot Place. Enshrinees John Hannah and Andre Tippett will be on hand to sign autographs from 11-1 on May 8th.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss says it's hard not to notice Crumpler's presence at Gillette Stadium.
• Shalise Manza Young and Albert Breer report Alge Crumpler's new physique seems to have reinvigorated his passion for the game.
• Karen Guregian notes TE Alge Crumpler will be prepared for whatever role Patriots coach Bill Belichick has in store for him.
• Jeff Howe sees a new-and-improved Alge Crumpler ready to lead by example in Foxboro.
• Christopher Price notes Crumpler is confident he can still get the job done.
• Ian Rapoport notes every year for the past six years, at least one undrafted rookie has made the team. He profiles six long-shots battling to make the club in 2010.
• Christopher Price examines the Patriots rookies and their agents, offering a bit of insight for when the contract talks for the 12 rookies do begin.
• Mike Reiss notes in 2009, four of the Patriots' 12 draft choices did not attend the NFL Combine. This year only one wasn't invited but four didn't work out.
• Ian Raport notes ESPN.com's Adam Schefter says teams are studying films of Adalius Thomas last year and "aren't overly impressed.".
• Ian Rapoport reports Stephen Neal continues the fight to save his college wrestling program, raising a ton of money and getting the whole community fired up about it.
• Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.
• Mike Reiss lists some possible free agent OLB options the Patriots might target.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East Stock Watch.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) New England Dairy & Food Council takes the blame for Patriots school snafu.
• ESPN Rise Titans CB Jason McCourty interviews his twin brother Patriots CB Devin McCourty about the final years in college and surviving the draft process. Pretty cool.
• Toni Monkovic (NY Times) Does Belichick get a pass on poor drafts?
• Tim Graham (ESPN) LaDainian Tomlinson has not accepted any kind of backup role with the New York Jets.
• Don Banks (SI) Bills, Bears headline eight teams already headed for trouble in 2010.
• Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Rookies who won’t live up to the hype.
• Jerry McDonald (Oakland Tribune) Ouch_Lane Kiffin was right. Al Davis got over it and released QB JaMarcus Russell, the biggest bust in the history of the NFL draft.
• Gary Peterson (Oakland Tribune) End of an error: JaMarcus Russell, three and out.
• Adrian Hasenmayer (Fox Sports) Top draft busts of last 20 years.