Bill Speros (ESPN) meets up with BenJarvus Green-Ellis to talk boxing, his nickname, and the 'surreal' offseason.
"It's been a surreal offseason," he said Wednesday. "Everything has been a very humbling experience with the lockout. But when I go to the boxing gym and see those guys work out, I want to work harder."
On the field, "Law Firm" has several partners. "People call me the "Law Firm" because I have a lot of names," Green-Ellis said. "I look at the "Law Firm" as also being the line. They're really the "firm" because they make it happen up front. You can't be a law firm with just one guy."
What about Coach Bill Belichick? "He's the Supreme Court. He's the highest of the high. Mr. Kraft, he's the owner of the court." "Everything is different" between boxing and football, he said.
"Boxing was difficult when I started because it is so technique-driven. You have to be more of a gym rat, and be more precise." Green-Ellis wants suggestions via twitter (@TheLawFirmBJGE) for a pugilistic moniker like "The Subpoena."
"You don't let anyone else outwork you," he said, while adding it's still not the same as training at the Patriots facilities with the rest of the squad. "We're not able to build team chemistry right now. We're not getting the one-on-one coaching or get to study film," Green-Ellis said.
John Clayton (ESPN) Seeking the best? Look for longevity.
Best coaching staff: New England Patriots. Most people outside New England don't know the names of Bill Belichick's assistants. Get to know them. Belichick has found the right formula to developing assistants. Many start in the personnel office and then move to the field. No coach in football gets more out of role players than Belichick, who is a master at recognizing what a player can do and what he can't do. The staff keeps the Patriots ahead of other franchises in what they do on the field.
TEAM TALK
- PFW in Progress - 6/30/11: The PFW crew discusses the latest lockout news and more. (2 hour program).
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss gives his take on Pat Kirwan's breakdown of linebackers and his assessment of Jerod Mayo and Rob Ninkovich.
- Ian Rapoport says the Patriots have the strongest group of QBs in years and would most likely leave that position alone in free agency.
- Jerry Thornton details The Tradition, a tradition where Boston honors it's own and one that truly lives up to the name. Good read.
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat. Terrific insight here as usual.
- ESPNBoston introduces fans to Assistant Equipment Manager John Hillebrand, with the team for 17 years.
- Ian Rapoport posts a picutre of Ryan Mallett taking part in a community service event that included a YMCA summer camp.
- Mike Reiss posts the video clip of Ty Law and Robert Kraft doing their original dance from February 2002. (3.13 min. video)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Best of NFL: AFC East teams.
- Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Willis, Harrison highlight list of NFL's best linebackers. Jerod Mayo gets some love.
- Jeffri Chadiha (ESPN) Best coaches: Styles, strengths vary.
- Andy Benoit (NY Times) Top 10 tight ends in the NFL. Pats' TEs were passed over for Chiefs Tony Moeaki because he's 'more valuable to his team.'
- Jonathan Comey (Cold Hard Football Facts) The numbers that defined 2010: 5.6. The Patriots', and the Falcons', problem last year was a flawed defense.
- Len Pasquarelli (Fox Sports) Special teams may be more crucial than ever.
- Leigh Steinberg (Nat'l Football Post) A tale of two realities: The ongoing battle of image vs. stereotype in regards to athlete's behavior.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Report: AFC team "aggressively sending out playbooks."
- Doug Williams (ESPN) The Big Bang Theory: Fireworks' storied history in sports.
LABOR LUNACY
- Judy Battista (NY Times) NFL deal is said to be weeks away as talks restart.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: Week of July 10 is the new target.
- AP Report (Fox Sports) NFL labor talks resume after marathon session.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Sense of urgency apparently has arrived, but will it last?
- Albert Breer (NFLN) NFL owners, players burn midnight oil in Thursday labor talks.
- Michael Silver (Yahoo! Sports) 'Bizarre' twists stifle NFL labor talks. Good read.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Silver summarizes the status of the talks, as of Thursday.
- Chris Mortensen (ESPN) Talks trending 'backwards'.
- Aaron Wilson (Nat'l Football Post) Labor talks reportedly going in negative direction: Players say owners changed terms of proposal.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) It may be time for Eighth circuit, Judge Doty to issue rulings.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The critical difference between "close" and "closed".
- Albert Breer (NFL.com) NFL owners, players join Goodell, Smith in labor talks.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Key figures arrive for Thursday's talks in Minnesota.