Christopher Price gets an opposing scout's take on the Patriots' offseason moves. Here are a few:
"Brandon Lloyd gives them another weapon in their offense that teams have to prepare for. Not a legitimate deep threat, but sneaky and a good route runner that has been productive with whoever is throwing him the ball. It allows them to get in ‘12 personnel’ and have four productive receivers that can do multiple things to a defense. Donte Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney provide competition for vertical spot."
"Chandler Jones gives them a guy with length and pass rush presence. He is very similar in stature and play style to Andre Carter, who they got some mileage from before the injury last year. Dont’a Hightower is a solid football player that has come up in the type of system and coaching that prepares him for New England. They made their defense better in the front 7 with those two picks."
"Fullbacks Spencer Larsen and Tony Fiammetta were both signings that hint that Bill Belichick has something up his sleeve in terms of personnel if either one of them pans out. Both are good enough as lead blockers and can be outlet options as receivers." Read more...
The Patriots announced that Troy Brown has been voted by fans as the 18th player and 19th member to enter the Patriots Hall of Fame.
"Troy Brown is the ultimate team player and one of the greatest competitors I have ever had the privilege of coaching," said Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. "Offense, defense, special teams - if there was a job to do, Troy embraced it and did it at a championship level. No matter the situation or conditions, Troy raised the bar of excellence and helped create a winning tradition we strive to uphold. The bigger the game, the more Troy stepped up. There is no more deserving player of any accolade that comes his way than Troy Brown."
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo breaks down the roster position by position: Offensive line.
- Locker Room Uncut - The sounds of OTAs. (3 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Jeff Howe reports Troy Brown never captured the vote (by a record-setting margin) that will give him a permanent residence at Gillette Stadium, in the Hall of Fame.
- Boston.com posts a photo gallery of Troy Brown over the years of his distinguished career in New England.
- Jeff Howe reports Kevin Faulk has resumed his training regimen for the upcoming season, badly hoping for one more opportunity with the Pats.
- Nick Underhill reports the competition is heating up between Deion Branch, Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth.
- Field Yates checks up on the status of some of the players who may be dealing with injury issues.
- Mary Paoletti finds Alfonzo Dennard is doing some good things that are going under the radar because of the consequences of being charged with assaulting a police officer.
- Christopher Price reports Troy Brown is one of six former Patriots who are headed to 'NFL Broadcast Bootcamp' at NFL Films in M.t Laurel, N.J.
- Christopher Price gets us caught up with what's happening with the Jets.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Two tight end formations will hit NFL by storm in 2012.
- Adam Teicher (Kansas City Star) Chiefs expect better results at tight end.
- Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) The NFL's $60 million attendance problem.
- Mike Freeman (CBS Sports) Trust me: Player DUI arrests are about more than poor judgment.
- Sam Borden (NY Times) Aribitrator affirms commissioner's power to punish in bounty scandal.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) NFLPA will appeal Burbank decision.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Bounty case further strains relations between NFLCA, NFLPA.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Labor dispute with officials could be next front in NFL-NFLPA fight.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL will start hiring, training replacement officials this month.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL says lockout of officials has begun.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFLRA fires back at the NFL.