Patriots have announced new position responsibilities for two members on the current coaching staff and one addition to the staff.
Brian Ferentz will enter his fourth season with the Patriots and his third on Coach Belichick's coaching staff. After serving as a scouting assistant in 2008, he was named a coaching assistant in 2009. Last season, he served as an offensive assistant coach. Ferentz played football as an offensive lineman at Iowa from 2001 through 2005 and then spent the 2006 season on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.
Harold Nash served as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the last six seasons. In addition to his strength and conditioning duties, Nash also assists in coordinating the Patriots' player development programs. After receiving top honors for the teams financial education program for three of the last four years, Nash and the Patriots player development program were awarded the 2009-10 Outstanding Overall Player Development Award.
George Godsey joins the coaching staff as an offensive assistant coach after spending the last seven seasons (2004-2010) at the University of Central Florida. He was the running backs coach in 2009 and 2010 and the quarterbacks coach from 2005 through 2008. He originally joined the Central Florida coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2004. A quarterback at Georgia Tech from 1998 through 2001, Godsey played one season in the Arena Football League with the Tampa Bay Storm.
TEAM TALK
- Andy Hart prioritizes the Patriots free agent class, with a quick analysis of how each player's future might play out with New England.
- Erik Scalavino analyzes what it means now that the NFL and NFLPA are "now in mediation".
- Patriots Today - Best of 2010: Memorable game. (3.39 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Patriots alumni speak to students. (2.56 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Rodak reports the Patriots announced that Harold Nash has been promoted to head strength & conditioning coach, and Brian Ferentz has been named tight ends coach.
- Greg A. Bedard reports the NFL and the union have agreed to enter mediation starting today, under director George H. Cohen. It is non-binding, but could be helpful.
- Karen Guregian points out that Bill Belichick indeed has a lighter side and it was on full display at the Pro Bowl. Check out WBZ's Patriots All-Access program tonight at 7pm for details.
- Mike Reiss shares draft analyst Todd McShay's insight on the prospects in this year's draft, some with a Patriots twist.
- Mike Reiss reports draft analyst Mike Mayock thinks Akeem Ayers (UCLA) would make the most sense if the Patriots were looking at OLB for their 17th pick.
- WEEI scouts out potential Patriots: RB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech).
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat. Terrific insight here as usual.
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Jeff Howe opens up Mock Draft III. Patriots select DL Cameron Jordan (California) at 17 and OLB Justin Houston (Georgia) at 28.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Iliana Limon (Orlando Sentinel) UCF running backs coach George Godsey leaving to join New England Patriots staff.
- NEW YORK (AP) NFL, players union agree to mediation in labor negotiations.
- Don Banks (SI) Behind the rhetoric: What fair deal in NFL labor debate will look like.
- Staff (Pro Football Weekly) Report: Players, owners agree to seven straight days of meetings.
- Gary Roberts (Sporting News) Owners, players won't blink until brink of 'Armageddon.'
- NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Devin and Jason McCourty illustrate what it takes to make the transition at cornerback from the college game to the pro level. (4.32 min. video)
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Why the top prospects should work out at the Combine.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Top values after first round: Who could be left in round two?
- Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Ranking the NFL Stadiums. Gillette Stadium 7th.
- NFL Total Access counts down the top 10 families in NFL history. (2.41 min. video)