New England Patriots Links 5/21/12 - OTAs Begin Today; Dennard's Former Coaches Have His Back

Field Yates reports former coaches of Patriots draft pick Alfonzo Dennard are willing to stake their reputations on his character, despite his arrest.

"That isn't who he is, that's never been who he is, and that's not going to be who he is in the future," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said. "And I put my reputation, and I put everything I stand for as a football coach behind that young man.

"He is a tremendous young man, and one who you want not only representing you as a football player, but the type of kid you want in your community, the type of kid you want representing your organization," Pelini continued.

"For four years, I didn't have a problem with that young man in any way. He did things exactly how we asked him to do them here, and the way we handle our kids, we don't make it easy on the kids in our program. We hold them to high standards every single day."

"We had some young [defensive backs] on our football team last year, and he was kind of the veteran guy, and I told them all, 'You just follow what Alfonzo does and you'll be fine. You just follow his lead and you do as he does.' He prepares the right way. He handles himself on the field and off the field the right way."

Karen Guregian notes Wes Welker hit on the importance of Tom Brady having trust in all of his weapons.

"You can have all the ability in the world in our offense," said Welker, "if you’re not where Tom wants you to be, it’s just not going to work. Ultimately, we all work together. It’s everybody being in the right spots, and the right spacing, at the right times. That opens everybody up, so when everybody’s doing that, there’s that trust out there.

"You know this guy’s going to be in the right spot. And this guy’s going to be in the right spot. And from there, Tom can just make his decisions and not worry about a guy being in the wrong spot, or not being there, or there, or there.," Welker went on. "It just makes things so much easier. It makes the offense flow so much better when everyone is where they’re supposed to be."

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart and Paul Perillo debate which Patriot would be most considered the best in the league at his position: Tom Brady or Rob Gronkowski.
• The New England Patriots signed rookie free agent OL Jon Opperud today.
• Patriots Today - Catching up with Welker. (1.58 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Patriots' rookies visit the hall. (2.28 min. video)
• Patriots Roster Report - The PFW crew break down the latest roster moves for New England. (9.18 min. program)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit thoughts from the Patriots and around the NFL.
• Greg A. Bedard reports Wes Welker backtracked from his earlier comments, changing his stance from 'frustration' to 'completely happy'.
• Karen Guregian catches up with Wes Welker at his annual football clinic, where he regrets his earlier comments on his contract negotiations.
• Mike Rodak & Field Yates post the Q&A with Wes Welker at his football clinic.
• Tony Massarotti wonders whether the Patriots' contract negotiations with Wes Welker are designed to keep him or drive him away.
• Mike Rodak reports the Patriots added another rookie free agent to their roster on Friday, signing OL Jon Opperud (Montana).
• Mike Reiss offers his thoughts on the Dallas Clark visit.
• Christopher Price tries to figure out why the Patriots would kick the tires on veteran TE Dallas Clark.
• Field Yates focuses on the reliability and dependability of the Pats pass-catchers.
• Shalise Manza Young gives her take on Pete Prisco's list of the top 100 players in the league, and where he ranks the 5 Pats who made the cut.
• Mike Reiss posts a snapshot look at key dates ahead for the Patriots and the NFL.
• Dan O'Brien reports former Patriots LB Ted Johnson felt compelled to share his horror stories of life with more than 100 concussions.
• Field Yates looks at the Patriots '09 draft class and assesses which of the five players left might get an extension prior to entering free agency next offseason.
• Mike Reiss serves up a few leftovers from Thursday's weekly online Patriots chat.
• The Boston Herald announces the hiring of Jeff Howe as its new Patriots beat reporter. Howe replaces Ian Rapoport who moved to NFLN.

NATIONAL NEWS

• James Walker (ESPN) Pressure points: Patriots - Bills - Dolphins - Jets.
• Staff Report (NFL.com) Tom Brady, Denver Broncos headline OTAs starting this week.
• John Clayton (ESPN) What will we learn from OTAs: 10 things to watch as new personnel, schemes and trends play out. Three involve NE.
• Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Calvin Johnson headlines seven most dominant players today. Rob Gronkowski makes his list.
• Mike Sando (ESPN) 'Best hands I've ever seen on a receiver'.
• John Clayton (ESPN) Top tight ends gallery. No. 1: Rob Gronkowski, No. 3: Aaron Hernandez.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Plenty of interconference intrigue ahead. 49ers at Patriots, December 16.
• Photo Gallery (NFL.com) In honor of veterans everywhere, how teams celebrate the military. Gillette Stadium included.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB: Making sense of the McCoy signing; pondering what Brees is worth.
• Dan Pompei (Nat'l Football Post) Sunday Blitz.
• Ashley Fox (ESPN) CBA loophole hurts injured players now and perhaps conditioning later.
• Don Banks (SI) Plenty of 2011's injured players are primed for bounceback seasons.
• Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Owners may make pads mandatory.
• Mike Klis (Denver Post) Ty Warren is balking at Broncos pay cut.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Roger Goodell to face more player safety questions at NFL meetings.
• Jason Whitlock (Fox Sports) Vilma right to take on dictator Roger.