Ian Rapoport notes Matt Light's beard needs work, but there's no question every other part of him is ready to go.
"There’s not been a time in my life when I’ve been more ready to play the game of football," Light said yesterday in his first comments since finalizing a two-year deal.
"There’s always doubt," Light said. "Unfortunately it’s a business, and throughout the whole process, we were hopeful that this would be the outcome. We’ve been sitting around waiting for this moment, and for me and my family, we’re real excited to be back here in New England."
"At the end of the day," Light said, "we’re back here where we belong. . . . I shared with the Kraft family what it meant for me to be a part of this over the last decade. I’m just happy to be a part of it for another year . . . or two."
"Hey, competition’s the name of the game," Light said. "There’s always going to be guys pushing everybody at every level when you have a coach like Bill (Belichick) and the rest of the staff. It drives all of us. Drafting a guy that’s coming to fill in for these old bones, it was inevitable. Hopefully we’ll have some fun teaching him a thing or two."
DJ Bean notes Devin McCourty wants to get better, but wonders how much better can he get?
"You either get better or you get worse," McCourty said Wednesday. "Right now we’re trying to make sure each day we get better. Sometimes you can’t get as good as you want to get, but we have to always be moving forward."
Leigh Steinberg (Nat'l Football Post) Heroes of the CBA. Touching tribute to Robert Kraft.
In the midst of suffering the greatest grief of his life, both sides called on him to bridge the end of the deal. His calm, soothing manner, astute business judgment, and sense of humor proved the perfect balm in the last days of the deal. The players inherently trusted him and he was necessary to insure that the last minute conflicts didn't derail the deal. He compartmentalized his incredible sorrow and was able to play a critical role in helping to save the sport he loved. What an amazing testimony to courage and character Robert Kraft's behavior was this past week. He defines greatness.
TEAM TALK
- Andy Hart let's us see his Wednesday night practice notes from the press box.
- Paul Perillo details the Patriots annual practice for season-ticket holders last night, that had a terrific crowd on hand to watch.
- Andy Hart reports Matt Light couldn't be more excited to hit the practice field today.
- Patriots re-sign RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis; sign 3 free agents.
- Nick Caserio Interview transcript.
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Player Interviews: BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Matt Light Transcripts.
- Patriots Today - Wednesday nuggets on the Pats. (3.31 min. video)
- Patriots Today - In-stadium feel for the Pats. (1.38 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Thoughts from Green-Ellis, McCourty (2.35 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Light stays on in N.E. (1.36 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Greg A. Bedard is keeping an eye on the evolution of the Patriots defense.
- Karen Guregian senses a whole new & nastier attitude building with this year's defense.
- Ian Rapoport tells us what happened at last night's practice.
- Greg A. Bedard gives us a rundown of last night's practice inside Gillette Stadium.
- Mike Rodak offers his observations from Wednesday evening's practice.
- Tom E. Curran details the best and worst from last night's practice.
- Jeff Howe says Darius Butler was absent from the Gillette Stadium practice and Stevan Ridley changed his number to 22.
- DJ Bean gives us the highlights from Wednesday night's practice.
- Mike Reiss reports RB Shane Vereen left practice with what appeared to be a leg injury last night.
- Monique Walker reports on Matt Light's return to the Patriots and how he feels about the deal.
- Tom E. Curran says Matt Light was happy to return, mainly because of the organization's way of doing things
- Jeff Howe points out Devin McCourty has the luxury of practicing against Tom Brady and Chad Ochocinco on a daily basis.
- Christopher Price highlights the Q&A with the media with Matt Light and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
- Tom E. Curran likes New England's trade for Albert Haynesworth, but will wait and see if he can walk the talk.
- Michael Hurley lists the Top 10 gifts for Tom Brady on his 34th birthday.
- Ian Rapoport shares what we learned from the visit from the NFL referees yesterday.
- Tom E. Curran notes Nick Caserio sidestepped questions on Roth, Brock, Green-Ellis, and Solder's holdout.
- ESPNBoston posts a video showing 18,000-plus fans at the Patriots practice held for season-ticket holders last night.
- Ian Rapoport Patriots Notebook: BenJarvus Green-Ellis is back and ready to run; The start of practice today depends on if the new CBA is ratified; Patriots worked out DE Raheem Brock yesterday and will bring in DE Quentin Moses today; NFL officials talked to the team about the rule changes for 2011; Brandon Spikes signed autographs for 70 min. last night.
- Dan Shaughnessy still can't get his arms around Chad Ochocinco's call for a group hug.
- Ian Rapoport notes Randy Moss filed his retirement papers right before being called by Philadelphia with an offer, but he hasn't budged.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Jack Bechta (Nat'l Football Post) One crazy week: What normally takes five months was done in five days.
- Matt Williamson (ESPN) AFC East post-lockout grades. Patriots: B+
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NFL Total Access (NFL.com) A closer look at the Patriot Way. (5.27 min. video) Tell it Willie.
- Clifton Brown (Sporting News) NFL free agency impact. Patriots the AFC team to beat. (3.23 min. video)
- Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) How free agency has affected Super Bowl odds.
- Kerry J. Byrne (SI) Cold Hard Football Facts: Defending traditional passer rating.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Schefter: Holdout fines don't start before League Year begins.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Goodell talks about his unwillingness to give up control over conduct policy.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Goodell bristles at suggestion NFL has gone "soft."