Christopher Price highlights Rob Gronkowski's Q&A with NFL Network.
On if he agrees with the argument that Super Bowl XLIV would have been different if he had been healthy: "Not necessarily. I was out there, I was giving everything I had and when you’re out there playing in the game, you’re accountable for your teammates, you’re accountable for your play. I was just out there giving 100 percent, everything I had and no excuses. That was the situation that happened. If I was healthy, it could have maybe gone a different way. If I was healthy, it could have gone a positive way, so you just never know that the outcome is. That was the situation; there is not even any point in thinking of what might have happened because that was the situation and there is no changing it from here on out."
On if he agrees with the argument that if he had been healthy then he would have been able to get to the Hail Mary at the end of the game: "Well, then you could also say if I was healthy we could have maybe been up then. If it would have been a whole different outcome throughout the whole game, [maybe] there would have been no Hail Mary. It’s just crazy situations. There are no excuses; the Giants are a great team and they have a great players. Just unfortunately that was the situation; that’s what you have to deal with, that’s what you have to play with. From here on out just trying to get healthy now to make sure I’m 100 percent coming into next season."
Mike Reiss notes Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. identified the Patriots as one of five teams that solidified a specific position on their rosters through free agency.
"How do you dramatically improve an already dominant passing offense? Well, you keep it together while adding the right parts to broaden what you can do. Right now, this Tom Brady-led offense looks almost unstoppable," Horton writes, adding that Brandon Lloyd "may be the guy the Patriots have been looking for to stretch the field and loosen up defenses."
TEAM TALK
- Patriots Mock Draft Tracker: Find out what the experts are predicting the Patriots will do in the first round.
- Erik Scalavino reports Branch, Larsen and Fiammetta have been officially signed and added to the roster.
- Erik Scalavino goes Inside the Helmet to help us get to know Danny Woodhead.
- Paul Perillo notes Amanda Belichick will be coaching at Gillette Stadium Saturday, leading the Ohio State women's lacrosse team against Northwestern.
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss sees Rob Gronkowski as a man in demand as he looks over his recent public appearance schedule.
- Matt Pepin posts the transcript of Rob Gronkowski's chat session on Boston.com yesterday.
- Ian Rapoport writes the Patriots are making the most of free agency with 12 signings, but they have also missed on a few targets as well.
- Tom E. Curran says New England may still pick up a wide receiver in this year's draft.
- Ian Rapoport hears Alabama coach Nick Saban explain what happens when Bill Belichick comes to town.
- Tom E. Curran notes Bill Belichik visited with his close friend, Alabama coach Nick Saban, and takes a look at some of the Crimson Tide's talent.
- Mike Reiss shares some notes from Nolan Nawrocki's media conference call this week, as it relates to the Patriots.
- Steven Sanchez reports Patriots OL Donald Thomas sends a message to Taunton H.S. students at The Hall at Patriot Place, that "education makes you a better person in life."
- Christopher Price posts the video clip of Wes Welker's latest commercial. (Will he get ribbed by his teammates? That Depends... )
- Mike Reiss revisits Michael Lombardi's thought that the Patriots need to redefine the offense. Interesting.
- WEEI profiles potential Patriots in this year's Draft: WR Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers), CB Trumaine Johnson (Montana) and CB Brandon Boykin (Georgia).
- Mike Reiss reports DL Kyle Love was honored by his alma mater, North Clayton (Ga.) High School, when his No. 72 jersey was retired. Good for him.
- Tom E. Curran notes Bill Belichik visited with his close friend, Alabama coach Nick Saban, and takes a look at some of the Crimson Tide's talent.
- Mike Reiss posts the transcript of his weekly online chat. Terrific insight here as usual.
- The Herald Inside Track reports the Hingham home Bill Belichick shares with Linda Holliday is featured in a new digital magazine, Coup Boston, that launches Monday.
NATIONAL NEWS
- James Walker (ESPN) AFC East free-agency assessment.
- Dan Hanzus (NFL.com) Fighting words: Jets CB Revis calls Belichick a 'jerk'.
- Don Kausler Jr. (AL.com) Alabama Pro Day notes: NFL big shots show up this time.
- NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Growing up Gronkowski (2.39 min. video)
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) How does new CBA affect offseason?
- Mike Tainier (Football Outsiders) Walkthrough: The Taint.
- Mike Pereira (Fox Sports) Replays should stay on field.
- Albert Breer (NFL.com) Option or Wildcat? Whatever it's called, NFL offenses evolving.
- Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) NFL Draft: Ranking the 4-3 LB Class by tiers.