Mike Reiss talks football and hockey with Tedy Bruschi. Here' part of the interview:
Thoughts on the Patriots’ informal workouts at Boston College. "It was around the same time when the [annual mandatory] three-day minicamp usually is, and they did it for three days, and then you say goodbye for your last little vacation. I don’t think there was any coincidence with that. We’ve had players in the past, here, that weren’t a part of offseason programs but they always came back for those three days. To have that participation they had for those three days, I think that kept it regular for them."
The value of those informal workouts. "Talking to the guys, I think they got a lot out of it. It can be productive if you have guys that know what they’re doing that are arranging it. Tom [Brady] was that guy, Jerod [Mayo] was that guy, Vince [Wilfork] was that guy." On the NFL labor situation. "I’m getting optimistic and so are some of the guys, having talked to them. They’re hearing the same thing, it looks like a few weeks maybe, or something like that."
The Patriots’ ‘advantage’ in the lockout. "There is a strong advantage. I think it’s obvious, to be comfortable with the system, with your coaching staff. I remember getting used to Pete Carroll, getting used to Coach Belichick, and it took a little bit of time with what [they] wanted and what was expected of me. Then learning the system they wanted to implement. There is a little bit of a process. How long does that take? Not having that, I think you’re ahead of the curve."
Hosting his minicamp for the fourth year. "It’s a great camp for us. I’m sure it feels good for Jerod [Mayo] and Stephen [Gostkowski] also, to be on the field a little bit, since they haven’t been on the field in so long, since March. For the kids, they all had to do something to get here – write an essay on what’s important to them, goals, sports-oriented, and I think it’s good for them to get it down on paper so they know what the formula is to achieve what they want to achieve."
Nolan Nawrocki (Pro Football Weekly) Matching passing talent to schemes keys QB success.
4. New England Patriots (AFC): New offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien has gained increased responsibility each year since he arrived as an offensive assistant in 2007, working with the receivers, quarterbacks and helping coordinate the offense the past two years after Josh McDaniels departed. Bill Belichick remains significantly involved in streamlining packages, but O'Brien deserves a share of the credit for Tom Brady's NFL-best 36-4 TD-to-interception ratio last season. The early season trade of Randy Moss placed a greater emphasis on the Patriots' two rookie tight ends, with Aaron Hernandez filling a stretch-the-seam role until he got hurt. Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Danny Woodhead thrive in the Patriots' offense because they are quick, crafty and can be trusted to cut off routes at the exact length — a huge part of the reason for Brady's NFL-low interception total. Brady will take deep shots, but is at his best exploiting matchups with a precision passing game.
TEAM TALK
- Ask PFW: Forecasting football's future.
- Patriots Today - Bruschi & SBLI youth camp. (2.37 min. video)
- PFW in Progress - 6/14/11: The PFW crew discusses the latest lockout news and more. (2 hour program).
LOCAL LINKS
- Ian Rapoport reports Jerod Mayo ran a tackling station at Tedy Bruschi's youth football clinic at Gillette Stadium. Here's a neat pic.
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Mike Reiss notes Tedy Bruschi hosted 54 children at Gillette Stadium for his annual SBLI football mini-camp. Here's a video clip.
- Mike Reiss notes Bill Belihcick was a surprise guest at Bruschi's camp.
- Mike Byrnes (Financial Planning) Belichick shares success startegies with advisors.
- Comcast SportsNet Central reports the NFL may be close to a deal, with a new CBA just days away. (1 min. clip)
- Mike Reiss reports ESPN analyst/writer Ross Tucker pointed to Kevin Faulk as the best third-down running back of all time.
- Jeff Howe thinks Bret Lockett's teammates are getting a kick out of his Kim Kardashian scandal (here's one example), and 19 other thoughts.
- Mike Reiss answers his weekly reader mailbag: Which Patriots players deliver the most bang for the buck?
- Ian Rapoport posts part two of his interview with Jermaine Cunningham. (2.48 min. clip)
- Ian Rapoport posts an Ablevision interview of Tom Brady and Wes Welker following the flag football game at Harvard Stadium a couple of weeks ago. (2.32 min. clip)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) 2010 Patriots not disappointing enough.
- Pat Yasinskas (ESPN) Power Rankings: Top 10 left tackles. Matt Light makes the cut.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) How well does your quarterback fit?
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Hall of Very Good an interesting club.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB Tuesday Mailbag; NFL, players enter very important offseason stretch.
- Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Fantasy football diehards about to sweat.
- Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Protect and serve: NFL's best O-linemen come in all forms.
- Greg Gabriel (Nat'l Football Post) Free agents who won't break the bank.
LABOR LUNACY
- Mike Freeman (CBS Sports) NFL source: Labor negotiations 80-85 percent complete.
- Dan Wetzel (Yahoo! Sports) Source: CBA framework may be ready by weekend.
- Mike Florio (ProFooballTalk) Throwing some water on the "lockout will end soon" talk.
- Chris Mortensen (ESPN) Sources: NFL, players meeting once again.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The lawyers get the boot, again.
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) The Ten Step Program: The top ten issues being resolved towards a new CBA.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) An agreement in principle will be the first step toward a new CBA.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Revenue growth likely will be a big part of the new CBA.
- Josh Katzowitz (CBS Sports) What the NFL, NFLPA should NOT do.
- John Holler (Fox Sports) Can corporate America apply lockout pressure.
- Alan Schwarz (NY Times) Lockout could cost former lineman care at dementia facility.