Mike Reiss notes Zoltan Mesko comments on hitting the rookie wall last season.
"I remember the specific point where I was like ‘Wow, this is a long season.’ I actually hit it during the first half of the Green Bay game [on Dec. 19]," Mesko said.
"I was like ‘You’ve come so far and you get here for a reason.’ I told myself that I had what it took to finish the season because I had never quit on anything. If I fell down, then I got back up. I kind of stick to my guns there in terms of adapting that formula to everything," he explained.
"It was definitely a big learning curve. A lot was thrown at me. It took me a couple months to get used to the whole routine," he said. "I was very pleased with how I punted going into such a long stretch of a season, because it was a long season. I did hit that rookie wall, and I broke through it quickly enough to stay productive. I did have some lucky rolls, which I thank the man upstairs for. I had some great coverages by my teammates – Matt Slater, [Sergio] Brown, they were great. I can’t say enough with the coaching staff, they always kept me on the fence about things, to never become complacent.
"It was definitely a new experience for me. What I pride myself on is adapting quickly and I’m just very excited to take my lessons from the first year and put them to my second year and improve that much more. On the team, I’m really excited for the core group of guys we have coming back. The amount of talent that’s with the players and the coaches’ work ethic is what has made the New England Patriots a dominating franchise in the past decade. I’m very excited to be part of such a successful organization the following year."
Mike Reiss reports Kyle Arrington has been working out in Maryland during the lockout and is focused on his quest for a starting role at CB.
"Competition. Great competition," he said. "With [Patriots coach] Bill [Belichick], whoever is playing well, that's who is going to play. There is no favoritism with Bill. "I'm going to try to come out better next year. It was a great learning experience this year and I am going to try to build on that and be even better, which I know I am capable of being."
Ian Rapoport catches up with Sergio Brown at a charity event.
"Just been hanging out with my mom, working out, trying to stay busy," said Brown, during the St. Baldrick’s Foundation event at Dillon’s Restaurant to raise money for childhood cancer research. "I’m used to having something to do all the time, and now everything slowed down a lot."
TEAM TALK
- The New England Patriots announced the addition of Moses Cabrera to the coaching staff as assistant strength and conditioning coach.
- Erik Scalavino updates his Patriots pre-draft prospect list.
- Mike Reiss will appear at The Hall at Patriot Place on April 21 to answer your NFL Draft and general Patriots questions.
- Andy Hart and Erik Scalavino debate who's the best source for draft analysis: Mel Kiper, Todd McShay or Mike Mayock?
- Patriots Today - 2011 Draft preview: WRs. (5.27 min. video)
- Patriots Today - 2011 Draft preview: TEs. (5.17 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss reports Tom Brady was back on the football field Thursday for a workout that included throwing.
- Christopher Price reports Tom Brady was spotted hanging out with the UCLA softball team on Saturday. Includes video clip.
- Ian Rapoport looks at Tom Brady's name on the former union's class-action suit, and the impact that may have on his off-the-field celebrity status.
- Ian Rapoport notes the intriguing off-the-field numbers and Q rating for Tom Brady and his peers.
- Ian Rapoport catches up with some players during the lockout to see what they're up to and how they're keeping busy.
- Mike Reiss reports Zoltan Mesko is using the lockout period to dip his toe into the business world.
- Shalise Manza Young notes Kyle Arrington has been prepping for 2011 in his home state of Maryland, mixing basketball with weights and other drills.
- Karen Guregian reports Leigh Bodden is ready for some action and eager to get out there and play.
- Karen Guregian hears Mark Ingram could top the Patriots' list, according to some mock drafts.
- Mike Reiss offers some quick-hit thoughts from around the NFL and the Patriots.
- Mike Reiss analyzes Peter Schrager's mock draft selections for the Patriots.
- WEEI mocks the Draft for the 7th time. Patriots select DE Cameron Jordan (California) at 17 and CB Brandon Harris (Miami) at 28.
- Shalise Manza Young scouts the Draft: DE Cameron Jordan (California).
- Mike Reiss highlights which recent players have been picked at the 28th draft slot and the 17th draft slot to get a feel for who the Patriots might select at that position.
- Christopher Price updates his list of Patriots' private workouts and pre-draft visits.
- Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa report the three men who were working security for Tom and Gisele's wedding will go on trial later this month.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Stroud expects reawakening with Patriots.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Speed dial: Impact of new kickoff rules.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Randy Moss promises he'll play 2011 at a high level.
- Kyle Stack (ESPN) Bledsoe goes deep into wine business.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Draft Watch: AFC East.
- Eric Edholm (Pro Football Weekly) Drafted players' rights could be for sale.
- Adam Caplan (Fox Sports) Draft lingo is a special language.
- Mike Tanier (NY Times) As busy an NFL Draft as one can possibly imagine.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) NFL Draft rumors.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Picks can't be traded this year after they're used.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Inside the film room: the CB position.
- Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) NFL mock draft 4.0. Patriots select OT Anthony Castonzo (Boston College) at 17 and DE/LB Brooks Reed (Arizona) at 28.
- Staff (USA Today) Mock Draft 1.0.
- Don Banks (SI) Five compelling prospects who took unconventional routes to NFL draft.
- Brian Billick (Fox Sports) Billick on defensive lineman prospects.
- Andrew Perloff (SI) Cause for concern: Top 2011 NFL Draft prospects all have red flags.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB: 2011 NFL Draft: There's never been a crazier year for quarterbacks.
- Dan Pompei (Nat'l Football Post) Sunday Blitz: NFL players becoming head coaches, draft scuttlebutt and more.
LABOR LUNACY
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Brady case gets rolling on Wednesday.
- Judy Battista (NY Times) With stakes high, NFL relies on a star lawyer.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Hillenmeyer admits players refused financial info for P.R. reasons.
- Jeff McLane (Philadelphia Inquirer) Jaworski on the Eagles, the Soul and the NFL lockout.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Jaworski: Players don't give a damn about guys who laid the foundation.
- Ohm Youngmisuk (ESPNNY) Michael Strahan: Lockout not going well.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Agents, financial advisors lining up lockout money for players.
- Darren Rovell (CNBC) Anheuser Busch president explains why new NFL deal makes sense.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) No max lockout cash for most players.
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Former and future players collide. Rookie savings to fund retirees?
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) In "lockout insurance" case, players ask Judge Doty to end the lockout.
- Darren Rovell (CNBC) Networks could be net losers in worst case NFL lockout scenario.