New England Patriots Links 7/26/12 - Expectations High For Season, Defense

Jeff Howe reports expectations are as high as ever for the Patriots at the start of camp.

The Patriots have gotten sick of waiting. Today, they finally get their chance to unleash some frustration from February’s Super Bowl XLVI loss when they return to the field for the first practice of training camp.

Expectations are as high as ever, perhaps rivaling the same level of preseason anticipation from 2008, after the Patriots dropped Super Bowl XLII, but loaded up in the offseason. There’s been plenty of hype from the outside again this year, but the players know how good they can be, too.

"I’m very hungry," defensive tackle Kyle Love said. "I’m on ‘E’ (empty). I’m ready to get full, just like a gas tank. I’ve been dreaming about this day since the Super Bowl. After that day, I was ready to go back at it."

"I’m definitely excited," Love said. "It’s going to be a real good year this year."

"At this point, you just want to go into it as healthy as possible," cornerback Kyle Arrington said. "Try to get off your feet, relax, clear your mind because it’s a long season, but it’s going to be a good one."

Karen Guregian notes Vince Wilfork trusts Bill Belichick brought in the right people to get the defense over that final hurdle.

"We haven’t had great defenses over the past few years. We’ve had OK defenses. But I know this guy won championships with some great defenses all the way back to New York. I have faith in him no matter what he pulls out," Wilfork said of Belichick.

"Whatever is the best fit for this defense . . . we can’t compare to any other of his defenses. We just have to trust what he’s doing for this one.

"Last year with the lockout, everything was moving fast. We were throwing stuff in with all the new guys. This year, we have a good opportunity to do something that we started in OTAs and minicamps. To lay the foundation and move forward.

"I was always taught defenses win championships. I’m sticking by that. It’s too early to predict about this defense, but we’ll see where it goes."

TEAM TALK

• Patriots.com takes a look inside the numbers as the Patriots prepare to take the field for the 2012 season.
• The PFW crew answers some key Patriots Training Camp questions.
• Patriots Transactions - Signed: DL Tim Bulman and TE Visanthe Shiancoe; Released: RB Joseph Addai.
• Patriots Today - Patriots Today preps for camp. (2:45 min. video)
• Training Camp-Cast - A preview of all the story lines heading into camp. (20 min. program)

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran notes the 'Patriots' excellent adventure' begins again and tells us why he won't be taking them for granted.
• Karen Guregian says the real barometer of this year’s Patriots and how they will ultimately fare lies with the defense.
• Field Yates draws on his experience of spending six training camps with NFL teams to share some of the goals the Patriots may be setting for 2012.
• Tony Massarotti tempers the talk of the Patriots going undefeated with a list of all the things that could derail this team from that goal.
• Paul Kenyon believes the reworked roster positions the Patriots to win the division crown.
• Mike Rodak explains how Wednesday's moves affect the roster.
• Tom E. Curran would have been more surprised if Brian Waters did report for the start of training camp.
• Shalise Manza Young and Greg A. Bedard suggest veteran G Brian Waters may just be holding off attending training camp for as long as possible.
• Christopher Price takes a closer look at the Patriots' decision to release Joseph Addai.
• Field Yates posts a sampling of happy-camper Twitter comments from players at the start of camp.
• Jeff Howe looks at the skill-set of the Patriots top cornerbacks, how the Patriots plan to use them and whether Ras-I Dowling can play to his potential.
• Jeff Howe details the head-to-head matchup between cornerbacks Kyle Arrington and Ras-I Dowling.
• Mike Reiss, Mike Rodak and Field Yates each offer their version of the Pats 53-man roster projection.
• Tom E. Curran explains why he isn't buying Chad Johnson's blame-game. "...the sucking started before the Patriots even bothered to try and stifle him."
• Christopher Price takes a quick look at how each position shakes out at the start of camp: Offensive Line and Defensive Back.
• NESN reports the New England Patriots are heavy favorites to win the AFC East, and that they also have the NFL's easiest schedule.
• Joe Zorbano posts the WEEI Power Rankings: Training Camp edition. Pats 2nd behind the Pack.
• Timothy Killian notes the Patriots are the most popular NFL team in China.

NATIONAL NEWS

• James Walker (ESPN) Patriots Camp watch.
• Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Camp preview: Patriots, Packers.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Preseason Power Rankings: Packers pace contenders.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Power Rankings: Giants start on top, but how long do they last?
• Clark Judge (CBS Sports) NFL divisional breakdown: AFC North's best, AFC West most competitive.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Joseph Addai dumped by Patriots.
• James Walker (ESPN) Both Patriots and Chad Johnson are at fault.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Brian Waters doesn't report to Pats camp, doesn't say why.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalkI) Shiancoe gives Pats more flexibility, versatility, depth.
• SportsCenter (ESPN) Mike Reiss on Gronkowski injury. (2.39 min. video)
• First Take (ESPN) 19-0 for Patriots? (4:15 min. video)
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Gronk family could land on TV.
• Chris Burke (SI) Injuries for some mean opportunities for others as NFL camps open.
• Jack Bechta (Nat'l Football Post) Will the new CBA hurt rookies?
• Mike Freeman (CBS Sports) Owners' support for 18-game slate waning.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Owners could be planning to squeeze players into wanting 18 games.
• Pat Kirwan (CBS Sports) NFL officials lockout should be agent for change; put real officials in booth.