New England Patriots Links 7/14/11 - Brandon Tate Working Out With Teammates in MA

Mike Reiss spent some time with Brandon Tate at the McCourty/Milloy Sports International football camp. Here are some highlights from his Q&A with campers.

Being part of the camp: "It feels good to come out here and interact with the kids. This is my first camp, so it's all going to be fun for me. It's good to see [everyone] out here, doing something positive."

Favorite career kickoff return: 103 yards for a touchdown vs. Miami on Oct. 4, 2010 (video here)

What he's learned in the NFL: "Just growing up and becoming a man, because you're really on your own. You have to mature. ... It's a dream come true. I'm still dreaming right now. There are still a lot of things I want to get done."

Favorite team growing up: Carolina Panthers

Thoughts on the lockout: "There isn't anything I can do about that. I can just control what I can do. Today, that's to be out here and have fun with you."

Most difficult catch: "Probably the Miami game at Gillette Stadium [Jan. 2, 2011]. The [42-yard] touchdown."

Favorite player growing up: Barry Sanders

Favorite current player: Tom Brady [laughing]

Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East's best: No. 7 Jerod Mayo.

About the choice: The New England Patriots' inside linebacker was voted All-Pro and went to his first Pro Bowl. In just his third season, Jerod Mayo was a defensive captain for the second time. Mayo led the team with an astronomical 193 tackles (according to the Patriots' coaching staff's review of game film), ranking third in franchise history. He notched two 19-tackle games. He also had two sacks, a forced fumble and three recoveries (most in the AFC).

Key fact: A Football Outsiders review of last season found Mayo led the NFL with 72 tackles on pass plays and was one of only two non-cornerbacks in the top dozen.

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino reports that according to Twitter sources, Brandon Spikes injured himself playing pickup basketball.  His agent denies he is anything but perfect.
• Patriots Football Weekly picks the best playmakers from the Championship era.

LOCAL LINKS

• Shalise Manza Young looks at how the NFL lockout will affect the Patriots and whether they might be better off than other teams.
• Ian Rapoport hopes that the statement by Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning will light a fire under the negotiators to close the deal.
• Mike Reiss posts his video of Brandon Tate as a guest instructor at the McCourty/Milloy football camp. (1.40 min.)
• Mike Reiss breaks down the theme from each Patriots 2011 season ticket.
• Shalise Manza Young reports Forbes magazine ranks New England as the sixth most valuable sports franchise in the world.
• ESPNBoston introduces fans to Pro Scout Patrick Stewart, with the team since 2007.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Brandon Spikes isn't injured, despite Twitter evidence to the contrary.
• Kevin Fishbain (Pro Football Weekly) Not simple, nor necessary, for Pats to add a WR.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Underrated NFL stats: Red-zone receiving prowess. Gronkowski and Welker lead these stats.
• Bill Barnwell (ESPN) The 25 least Valuable Players in the NFL. Ex-Patriot Lawrence Maroney plus current Patriot Darius Butler make this list.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Underrated NFL stats: First-down rushing production. Patriots 7th.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East's biggest future stars.
• Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Don't forget about the undrafted rookies.
• Kerry Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) The Hog Report: Best & Worst D-Hogs of 2011.
• Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Bears-Rams Hall of Fame game highly unlikely.
• Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) Randy Moss ready to be a difference maker again, agent says.
• Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Randy Moss in "freakish shape" in bid to keep career going.
• Richard Rothschild (SI) What will be the dominant team of the post-lockout decade?
• Adam Rank (NFL.com) An award named after Ryan Leaf? The time has come for some fresh ESPYs.
• Adam Rank (NFL.com) Ways to make NFL's all-star event more interesting.
• Ashley Fox (ESPN) James Harrison's words dull his point.
• Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Harrison's comments as unprofessional as they get.

LABOR LUNACY

• Howard Fendrich, AP (Yahoo! Sports) Big contingents of players, owners for NFL talks.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Wednesday's talks are expected to continue into the night.
• Albert Breer (NFL.com) Labor deal still eludes NFL owners, players after 11-hour day.
• Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Little progress reported in labor talks Wednesday.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Wednesday is the latest key date for labor talks.
• Don Banks (SI) Deadline for losing revenue has NFL in a deal-making mood again.
• Sam Farmer (LA Times) NFL players look for a deal to be done soon.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Drew Brees: "We're very close to a settlement".
• Michael Silver (Yahoo! Sports) Sources: NFL deal not as close as Brees suggests.
• Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) NFLPA disputes the notion that an agreement is close.
• John Clayton (ESPN) Rookie wage scale solutions in sight.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: "Hard work" remains to get a deal done.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) NFL lockout may increase quality of football come fall.
• Mike Freeman (CBS Sports) However it happens, NFL, players must apologize to fans.