Tom E. Curran reports Patriots owner Robert Kraft was asked how optimistic he was about NFL football being played this fall at Gillette.
"I promise I will do everything I can do," said Kraft, who was clear about needing to steer clear of any questions that would compromise the ongoing litigation in federal court. "It would really be criminal if we don't have football here on Sundays."
"I know [NFL commissioner Roger Goodell] and [lead NFL counsel] Jeff Pash and our whole team are doing everything they can do to continue negotiations," said Kraft. "We've got to negotiate, not litigate. We should have a deal. There's a deal ready to be done where we can play football in the fall. You saw our schedule come out [Tuesday]. We're excited about that and now we have to find a way to get the players back in."
Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Wheeling-and-dealing Patriots will be must-see on draft day.
And evaluate is what Belichick does best. He values each player, never falling in love with the name, only correctly evaluating the talent. The Patriots, like most teams, enter their draft room intent on selecting talented players at any position. And they always have a cluster of five or six players who have been similarly graded, which allows them to be flexible to move down.
Unlike most teams, the Patriots never fall in love with just one player, therefore they can move down. However, they never just move to move. Because of this cluster of picks, Belichick knows he can trade the 28th overall pick because he has the 33rd as his next. He would only lose five players off his board and gain a better contract and more value for that selection.
Before they would agree to a trade, the Patriots calculated how far they can move down and still get a player of equal talent with their new pick. They will never make a move that takes them away from acquiring talent, therefore finding the right trade partner is equally important as what value they receive back in the trade. I can actually visualize a scenario in which the Patriots move from No. 28 to the mid 30s, and then move pick No. 33 to the low the 40s and end up with the same players they would have selected at Nos. 28 and 33.
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo analyzes the teams that figure to be in the running with NE for AFC supremacy, to see how their schedules compare with the Patriots.
- Patriots Football Weekly writers break down running backs and fullbacks in the Draft.
- Patriots Football Weekly writers break down the quarterbacks in the Draft.
- Patriots Today - Scott O'Brien's special role. (3.29 min. video)
- Draft Prospect Review: This edition discusses the top edge rushers available in the draft. (17:44 min. program)
- Inside the Draft room with Brian Lowe: Get a global perspective of the 2011 Draft. (1 hour program)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian compares Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi to his idol, Tom Brady and talks with QB guru tom Martinez who mentors them both.
- Christopher Price reports quarterbacks still remain on the Patriots radar as the draft looms closer.
- Ian Rapoport says a plan is needed for Tom Brady's successor.
- Ian Rapoport looks at how other teams have replaced a legendary quarterback.
- Ian Rapoport goes through the quarterbacks available in the draft who might interest the Patriots if they're looking for Tom Brady's successor.
- Shalise Manza Young doesn't see any standout running backs in this year's Draft who are worthy of a first-round pick.
- Shalise Manza Young gives us some backround behind Alabama RB Mark Ingram.
- Christopher Price reports the Patriots recently worked out LB Doug Hogue (Syracuse), OL Rich Lapham (Boston College) and OL John Gianninoto (UNLV).
- Mark Farinella previews the kickers, punters and long-snappers available in the draft, but says it's unlikely the Patriots will use their picks for these positions.
- Mike Reiss projects possible Patriots: G/C Mike Pouncey (Florida).
- Tom E. Curran profiles potential Patriots: DT Muhammad Wilkerson (Temple).
- Jeff Howe thinks that DE Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) would boost the Patriots' pass rush if Bill Belichick alters his first-round strategy.
- Mark Farinella says the Patriots may tackle defensive line deficiencies in next week's Draft.
- Gary Tanguay and Lou Merloni don't like the lack of 1 p.m. games, but think the Patriots schedule won't be that tough. (3 min. video)
- Mark Blaudschun reports Robert Kraft gave UMass a rent-free deal at Gillette that allows them to elevate their program from the FCS to the FBS level.
- Donna Goodison reports ex-Patriots LB Matt Chatham is opening "SkyCrepers", a fast-food crepe business at the Emerald Square Mall next month.
- Mike Reiss finds where Patriots players ranked in Pete Prisco's list of the top 100 players in the NFL.
- Greg A. Bedard reports Judge Susan Nelson's ruling on the NFLPA's request to have the owners' lockout of the players blocked, could come any day now.
- AP reports the NFL and locked-out players wrap up talks for an extended break.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East analysis with draft a week away.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Top 100 players in the NFL: 1-50 and 51-100.
- Aaron Wilson (Nat'l Football Post) NBC, ESPN, NFL Network unveil prime-time schedule.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Barring disaster, NFL's 2011 sked has a lot to love.
- Kerry J. Byrne - Cold Hard Football Facts (SI) Ten glaring holes that need to be filled by teams in 2011 NFL Draft.
LABOR LUNACY
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Kraft says "we have to find a way to get the players back in."
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Courtroom football: what's ahead.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Week one schedule could be league office's power play to end lockout.
- Doug Farrar (Yahoo! Sports) Judge orders stay of mediation; lockout ruling expected soon.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Mediation breaks for nearly a month.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFLPA gets a taste of the downside of decertification.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Report: Group of players want to intervene into mediation.
- Doug Farrar (Yahoo! Sports) Is the NFL trying to create a separate class counsel?
- Joseph White, AP (Yahoo! Sports) NFLPA goes to school, talks lockout with students.