Karen Guregian hears from rookie OL Nate Solder on how he's handling the lockout.
"Things have slowed down; a little too slow right now," Solder said Tuesday. "I’m kinda bored."
"I’ve talked to Logan and I’ve talked to Sebastian (Vollmer). That was suggested to me by some of the guys with the Patriots, some of the coaches. Those were two good guys to contact," Solder said. "They told me, ‘You’re not trying to run for governor. But it would be good to get to know some people.’ "
"I’m still in the dark. But they’re going to put some stuff together for me," Solder said. "I don’t know what it’s going to be. But I hope it’s some vocabulary stuff, some general play kind of stuff so I can get familiar with it."
"Sebastian mentioned to me today that he had some DVDs," Solder said when asked if someone had film he could study. "When I go out there, we can look over that stuff and talk football. I’m counting on that."
"Logan was kind of telling me, ‘Make sure you’re in good condition because (offensive line coach Dante) Scarnecchia is going to be tough on the position drills, so be ready for that,’ ’’ Solder said.
"I’m living with my strength coach, so I’m saving some money," Solder said. "I’m definitely saving as much as I can."
It’s the same strength coach who puts Solder through a three-hour workout every day to help him prepare for Scarnecchia.
"I’m disappointed not having rookie camp, and getting to know the other rookies, and getting to know the plays and the coaches," he said. "I am disappointed that’s not going on. But what can you say?"
TEAM TALK
- Patriots Today - Cannon has many in his corner. (2.35 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian notes that if the league considers expanding team rosters, rookie-rich teams like the Pats wouldn't object.
- Greg A. Bedard reports rosters could expand if lockout drags on.
- Mike Reiss talks about the friendship between Rob Gronkowski and Dane Fletcher, and how they push each other.
- Bill Reynolds believes that even with no NFL, we'll all survive and find other things to do. He tells Ray Lewis: "You need us a lot more than we need you."
- Mike Reiss discusses Bill Belichick's track record with kickers.
- Tom E. Curran looks at the secondary depth on the roster, and which available free agents might fit well with the Patriots.
- Mike Reiss posts a poll to see which player will make the biggest sophomore jump.
- Ron Borges continues his one-sided reporting from the owners meetings in Indianapolis: Owners are greedy conniving bastards and players are the helpless victims.
- Ian Rapoport posts one more cool pic of BenJarvus Green-Ellis ready for flight in his F-16 fighter plane.
- Bill Burt reports on Eagle-Tribune photographer Mary Schwalm, whose picture of Aaron Hernandez won a contest by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Patriots believe Dowling could improve third-down 'D'.
- Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Super Bowl-winning QBs top list of game's best signal-callers.
- Clark Judge (CBS Sports) NFL has every 'intention' of playing 2011 season.
- NFL.com 43rd Annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Photo Contest. Winner is one of Aaron Hernandez scoring against the Packers.
- Arthur Arkush (Pro Football Weekly) Procedure on neck similar to one Manning had last year.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Video: Goodell acknowledges fan impact. (1 min. clip)
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) NFL rule could be costly to Steelers.
- Dennis Dillon (Sporting News) James Harrison: NFL rules makers are 'idiots'.
- NFL.com Report: Focus on fines, penalties takes away from game, Woodley says.
- Greg Couch (Sporting News) Changing football culture just has to happen to make it safer.
- Leigh Steinberg (Nat'l Football Post) The concussion question: Who is to blame?
- Damon Hack (SI) Eli Manning among many players organizing makeshift workouts.
LABOR LUNACY
- Jack Bechta (Nat'l Football Post) An agent’s answer to: "Why don't we have football?" Is the future of the NFL in good hands with the court system?
- Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Roger Goodell: Time coming soon to cancel first NFL game due to lockout.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Bleak outlook if NFL can't get CBA deal.
- Barry Wilner, AP (Yahoo! Sports) NFL sees signs fans are turned off during lockout.
- AP Report (SI) Coaches back players in lockout.