Karen Guregian says Kyle Arrington is ready to see what this young defense can accomplish in 2012, with a full offseason program.
"We’re a relatively young team," Arrington said. "We’re looking forward to improving individually as players and collectively as a team. We should be right back where we want to be this time next year."
"We’ll start from scratch. That’s what we’ll work on from Day 1," he said. "We just need to be around each other more. I think that will benefit us a lot. With the offseason program, we’ll be working out together, watching film together, hanging out together, just being together more. It’ll be beneficial for everyone."
What would Arrington like to do better? "There’s always areas of improvement. Basically you’re just trying to turn your weaknesses into strengths," he said. "Build on what you do well. You always work to try to be the complete player. A lot of the self-scouting, which I did last season, I think I made some improvement in areas of my game I needed from last season. It’s still not good enough. I’ll continue to work on those."
Mike Reiss posts some key NFL dates ahead for 2012.
Feb. 20 -- First day for clubs to designate franchise or transition players.
Feb. 22-28 -- NFL Combine (media access Feb. 23-Feb. 26).
March 1 -- Clubs no longer required to grant permission to another club to discuss position of head coach with an assistant coach.
March 5 -- Deadline to designate franchise or transition tag players (prior to 4 p.m. ET).
March 13 -- Free agency begins at 4 p.m. ET, marking start of 2012 league year (trading begins).
March 26-28 -- NFL annual meeting (Palm Beach, Fla) -- compensatory draft picks awarded etc.
April 2 -- Clubs that hired a new head coach at end of '11 regular season may begin offseason programs.
April 16 -- Clubs with a returning head coach may begin offseason workout programs.
April 20 -- Deadline for signing of offer sheets by restricted free agents.
April 26-28 -- NFL Draft.
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo has had enough of the Moss dance.
- Patriots.com posts a list of Super Bowl records set or tied in Super Bowl XLVI.
- "Super People" take dream trip to Super Bowl, courtesy of the Kraft family.
- Patriots' Berlichick makes cut at AT&T National Pro-Am.
LOCAL LINKS
- Greg A. Bedard reports the Patriots were but a few plays from being world champions, and that is a resounding success, no matter how it happened.
- Ian Rapoport explains why the situation around WR Brandon Lloyd got a little more complicated recently for the Patriots.
- Christopher Price notes Kyle Arrington is intent on getting away from football so he can come back stronger in the spring.
- Tom E. Curran sees the Patriots in prime spending shape with the opportunity to carry over last year's under-the-cap balance and lack of multiple big-ticket free agents.
- Karen Guregian reports Randy Moss wants back in the game.
- Mike Reiss offers his opinion on whether Randy Moss should be on the Patriots radar as a WR to pursue.
- Christopher Price gives us five reasons why Randy Moss won't be back with the Patriots.
- Tedy Bruschi thinks that a return to the Patriots for Randy Moss is a possibility.
- Tom E. Curran talks about the 'tepid' interest the Patriots had in Randy Moss in '11. (1.36 min. video)
- Mike Reiss posts Chad Reuter's first round mock draft selections for the Patriots.
- Tedy Bruschi (ESPN) Biggest Pats need is DB help. (1 min. video)
- Mary Paoletti asks if we want to watch Rob Gronkowski spike a hockey puck? Of course we do.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Will anyone bite on Randy Moss?
- James Walker (ESPN) Does Randy Moss fit in AFC East?
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) With Moss returning, Pats are the first team to watch.
- Report (ESPN Stats & Info) Five things to remember about Moss.
- Steve Wyche (NFL.com) Moss' agent claims interest, but final options could be limited.
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Raiders cut Routt; Randy Moss wants back in.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Randy Moss' NFL return hinges on his dedication.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Cris Carter says Randy Moss can still run a 4.3.
- Nate Davis (USA Today) NFLN's Evans: Moss can run 4.35 40, says Owens is 'cancer'.
- Video (ESPN) Wendy Nix with Sterling Moore on 'NFL32'. (3.17 min. clip)
- Will Brinson (CBS Sports) What players will get franchise tagged in 2012?
- Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Hot 100: The best 2012 prospects heading into April.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) NFL Combine snubs: Offense.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) NFL looks to enhance fan experience. Robert Kraft offers some thoughts.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL examines how the stadium can compete with the couch.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) New RFA rules should end three-year deals for draft picks.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Weekend rewind: Teams can carry over cap space.