Patriots news

[EvilDon]

Moss, Brady, 3 LBs not at practice
By HOWARD ULMAN, AP
Wed Dec 9, 5:41 PM EST
Tom Brady wants his teammates to prepare harder to keep a playoff berth from slipping away. On Wednesday, Randy Moss and three key defensive players didn't even make it to practice.

Coach Bill Belichick declined to elaborate on their absence from the first practice since the New England Patriots' lead in the AFC East dropped to one game. Moss and linebackers Adalius Thomas, Gary Guyton and Derrick Burgess were sent home after showing up late for an 8 a.m. team meeting, according to the Web site of the Providence Journal.

``That's coach's decision,'' said Brady, who made it to work despite a moderate snowfall that caused traffic snarls. ``I've got to do my job. I've got plenty of things to do. Like I said, I've got to show up every day and bring whatever I have - the energy and the leadership that I have - to this team, because that's what all those guys (do). That's what our job is.''

Brady went to work the day after his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, gave birth to their son. He said they hadn't chosen a name and she and the baby were doing well.

``I didn't get much sleep,'' he said.

Brady didn't practice either. He was listed by the team, as he's been all season, with a right shoulder injury. The practice report also listed a right finger, which, he said ``is hanging in there.''

The finger didn't stop him from throwing a 58-yard touchdown pass to Moss on the first series of last Sunday's 22-21 loss at the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots fell to 7-5 and suffered their third loss in four games for the first time in seven seasons.

``We didn't change much'' because of the injury, Belichick said.

He probably won't change much for Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers (5-7) just because Moss and the linebackers missed practice. All were listed on the practice report as missing the session for reasons not related to injury. Moss has been listed on the Wednesday report several times this season with that designation.

Belichick declined to discuss their absence.

``Anything that happens with discipline on the team stays between me and the players on the team,'' he said.

After the latest loss, Brady said the Patriots don't always show enough fight.

``It's not about playing hard on Sundays. I mean, we do that,'' he said Wednesday. ``That's three hours a week that you have to show up and really commit yourself to. I don't think that's too much to ask of anybody and guys do that. It's not like we think we're not fighting out there in the game.

``I think what coach tells us and what I was alluding to was probably more of just the other six days of the week. We've got to make the commitment to each other. ... I think at times we all feel a little bit sorry for ourselves and you're beat up and you're tired and you're sore and it's the end of the year and you go, 'Why is (Belichick) doing this?' But, in the end, you're either gaining ground on a team or you're losing ground, and I always prefer to be gaining ground.''

As a team leader, Brady's comments carry weight with other players, but he was saying what some of them already knew.

``It's dead-on. We need to respond to adversity better,'' running back Sammy Morris said. ``I think we all either know it or felt it and I think him just saying it kind of just put a little more emphasis on it.''

Carolina coach John Fox said players must be disciplined.

``I'm not likening players to children,'' he said, but ``everybody has roles and jobs and needs to be held accountable and needs to be dependable people. As a head coach, that's what you have to do. Sometimes, it's not easy.''

Players who did practice Wednesday deflected questions about how Belichick handled the situation regarding Moss and the three linebackers.

``That's why he's the coach and I'm the player,'' running back Kevin Faulk said.

The Associated Press

[EvilDon]

Brady misses second straight practice

Thu Dec 10, 3:50 PM EST
Tom Brady has missed practice for the second straight day.

The New England Patriots listed Brady with right finger, right shoulder and rib problems although none seemed serious. Before practice on Thursday, Brady walked through the locker room, holding a plate of food and smiling.

The quarterback's wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, gave birth Tuesday to their son. Brady said Wednesday he didn't get much sleep.

The finger didn't stop him from throwing a 58-yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss on the first series of last Sunday's 22-21 loss at the Miami Dolphins. Brady went to the locker room early in the game with an arm injury, but didn't miss a play and finished 19 for 29 for 352 yards and two touchdowns.

The Associated Press

[EvilDon]

Brady back at practice for Patriots
 


Fri Dec 11, 3:43 PM EST
Tom Brady is back on the practice field.

The New England Patriots quarterback returned to practice on Friday after missing the previous two sessions with right finger, right shoulder and rib injuries. Brady was listed as questionable on the injury report for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.

Brady has a lot going on this week. His wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen (jih-ZEHL' BUN'-chen), gave birth on Tuesday to their son.

Brady went to the locker room with an arm injury early in last week's loss to the Miami Dolphins, but didn't miss a play and finished 19 for 29 for 352 yards and two touchdowns. The 7-5 Patriots hold a one-game lead over the Dolphins and New York Jets in the AFC East.

The Associated Press

[EvilDon]

Patriots mascot arrested in RI sex sting

Fri Dec 11, 7:29 PM EST
A man who acts as a mascot for the New England Patriots is among 14 people who have been arrested for prostitution-related crimes in Rhode Island since a new law went into effect that banned indoor prostitution.

The bill signed into law in November made prostitution a misdemeanor crime regardless of where it occurs. Previously, indoor prostitution was allowed because of a legal loophole.

State Police say Robert Sormanti of Warwick was among those arrested in an undercover sting at a hotel. The Providence Journal reports Sormanti is among the team's mascots.

The Patriots said in a statement that multiple people wear the mascot costume and that the ``individual in question'' has been suspended.

A phone message left at Sormanti's home Friday evening was not immediately returned.

Copyright 2009 STATS LLC

[EvilDon]

Moss resigned to not being re-signed



 
MORE PATRIOTS OFFSEASON NEWS

 Leigh Bodden wants to return to New England

 Stephen Neal's not quitting, and may head to free agency
 The Seahawks say they won't cut Deion Branch
 Tully Banta-Cain is optimistic he'll return to the Patriots
 ?By Tom E. Curran
CSNNE.com

Randy Moss' contract runs through this season. After that, he figures the Patriots will send him on a go-route.
"With what I think and what I know, I don't think they're going to re-sign me back so, after this season, if there is not a lockout I'll be looking for a new team," Moss told Chris Gasper of Boston.com.

Speaking to Gasper at a charity softball event in Jupiter, Fla., Moss showed a tremendous grasp on reality that, frankly, a lot of NFL superstars don't have. He'll be 34 after 2010 and -- while he's probably got three reasonably productive seasons left after this year -- the Patriots aren't likely to be interested in signing up for those three years considering Moss probably isn't into price slashing for his services.

Moss was clinical in discussing what figured to be an uncomfortable situation.






"I understand the beast, the nature of it," he told Gasper and other gathered reporters. "I got a lot of respect for the Patriots and what they did for me and my family. So, the only thing I can do is just play this year out and see what my future holds after that.


"It's the business of it, man," Moss added. "You got to understand the business of football. There is not bad blood. There is no animosity on my side or their side. I think it's just the nature of the business of the NFL. You know the Patriots don't really pay, so when I got my second contract from them that was a blessing in disguise. I understand the business. I don't think they're going to re-sign me back. I'm not mad. I'm not bitter. It's just the way things are in this NFL, so like I said, after this year I'll be looking for a new team. I think so."

The Patriots should be overwhelmingly satisfied with their purchase of Moss' talents over the past three years. He's caught 250 passes for 3,765 yards and 46 touchdowns. In three years. I know, right? Even if his effort has been sketchy at different junctures and people might not like the cut of his jib for whatever personal reason, you'd have to be a card-carrying moron to classify those numbers as anything other than spectacular.

We'll see whether Moss can behave with such clinical detachment in November if his numbers are down and he's got no offer whatsoever from the Patriots. Business being business, the chance exists Moss would be inclined to protect the commodity that is No. 81.

Either way, click on the link. Gasper went to Florida, I'm not going to swipe every syllable. And it's a good read.


Tom E. Curran can be reached at tcurran@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Tom on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tomecurran


http://www.csnne.com/pages/landing_patriots?Moss-resigned-to-not-being-re-signed=1&blockID=183915&feedID=3946

[EvilDon]

http://www.csnne.com/pages/landing/?blockID=184503&feedID=3352

[EvilDon]

Patriots bring back veteran WR David Patten


Wed Feb 24, 2:04 PM EST
The New England Patriots have re-signed veteran wide receiver David Patten, a key offensive contributor in the early part of the last decade when the team won three Super Bowls.

Patten played in 54 regular-season and six playoff games with the Patriots from 2001-2004. He caught a touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the 20-17 upset of the St. Louis Rams in the 2002 Super Bowl.

Patten's 91-yard touchdown reception from Brady at Indianapolis on Oct. 21, 2001, remains the longest pass play in team history.

After leaving New England, the 35-year-old played for Washington and New Orleans. He was out of football in 2009 after being released by the Cleveland Browns in training camp.

The Associated Press

[EvilDon]

Ex-Patriot Mosi Tatupu dies at 54


 
 Patriot ownership and former teammates mourn the death of Mosi Tatupu

Mosi Tatupu, a native of American Samoa who grew up in Hawaii and went on to become a cult hero at the old Foxboro Stadium during his 13 seasons with the New England Patriots, has died at the age of 54.

Tatupu died at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Mass. There was no immediate word on cause of death, though he was known to have suffered from high-blood pressure and other ailments.

Tatupu -- honored by fans who hung a banner entitled "Mosi's Mooses" in the end zone -- played for the Pats from 1978-90 and participated in the 1985 Super Bowl with the team.

"They are great fans, but just to have your own section is an honor," Tatupu said in a 2004 interview with the Boston Globe. "I am sure if everybody had their own fan section like I did they would play just as hard as I tried to play. It inspired me to play harder because they were cheering for me and backing me up."

He settled in Massachusetts after his career and coached at both King Philip High School and Curry College.

He was the father of Seahawks All-Pro linebacker Lofa Tatupu.

http://www.csnne.com/pages/landing/?blockID=185679&feedID=3352

[EvilDon]

Patriots to sign WR Torry Holt
 
Tom E. Curran, CSNNE.com
Tue Apr 20, 2:39 PM EDT
Torry Holt may not be what he once was but the seven-time Pro Bowler apparently had enough left in the tank to attract the attention of the Patriots.

A league source confirms that the 33-year-old wide receiver will sign with New England.

Holt, who turns 34 in June, had the least productive season of his 11-year career in 2009 with the Jaguars. Even that wasn't too bad as he caught 51 balls for 722 yards (a very respectable 14.1 average).

From 2000 to 2007, Holt was easily one of the NFL's top wideouts. During that span, he never caught fewer than 81 passes and his lowest yardage output was 1,188.

His production waned in 2008, his final season with the Rams, as St. Louis became abysmal and he was released.

I spoke to a Jaguars executive last season about Holt and he raved about the overall impact Holt had on the team and the wideout corps, specifically crediting Holt with helping Mike Sims-Walker to develop so dramatically in 2009.

So for the Patriots, this is a signing that could help on a few fronts. First, it brings in another "professional" to a team that suffered from its lack of veteran leadership in 2009. Holt can help with the development of younger Pats wideouts Brandon Tate and Julian Edelman, one supposes.

Second, it helps the offense in giving Tom Brady one of the league's most technically skilled players at his position. It's impossible to state whether or not Holt has the best hands in the NFL over the past 20 years but the list of guys with better mitts isn't long. (Note, we are not saying "best-looking" hands).

The reason to remain tepid in one's excitement about Holt pretty simple. He's old. And, given veteran wideout fails the Patriots have had recently (free agent Joey Galloway, deal for Greg Lewis), there's a kneejerk tendency to say this is another Building 19 purchase.

The Patriots wideout corps heading into Thursday's draft will now be Wes Welker, Randy Moss, David Patten, Sam Aiken, Isaiah Stanback, Julian Edelman and Holt.

UPDATE: Holt's deal is for one year and $1.7 million according to reports. This story bubbled up because someone dropped a dime on Twitter and ESPN'S Michael Smith retweeted it. A fella on Patsfans.com linked to that on a message board and I happened to see that entry and did some checking. Pretty amazing when you think of the way information is learned, disseminated, confirmed, advanced and analyzed. Now, within an hour of my having seen that entry, every Boston outlet has also confirmed and analyzed and the national pulse of the NFL, Profootballtalk.com has posted on it.

© 2010 Comcast Interactive Media

[EvilDon]

Patriots release linebacker Adalius Thomas
 

By BOB SALSBERG, AP
Mon Apr 26, 3:39 PM EDT
The New England Patriots on Monday released former Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas, who joined the team as a high-profile free agent in 2007, but fell into disfavor with coach Bill Belichick last season.

The decision, announced by the team on Monday, leaves Thomas, 32, free to sign with any other NFL team. His agent, Bus Cook, did not immediately return a phone message.

The linebacker signed a five-year, $35 million deal with the Patriots after seven seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he played alongside Ray Lewis. He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2003 and again in 2006.

Thomas had 14 1/2 sacks in his three seasons in New England. But his lowest total came in 2009, when he had only three sacks.

He was a healthy scratch for the Patriots in two games last season, and was one of four players sent home by Belichick after arriving late for practice during a snowstorm in December.

While the three other players, wide receiver Randy Moss, defensive lineman Derrick Burgess and linebacker Gary Guyton largely remained quiet about the snowstorm incident, Thomas spoke out strongly the following day, saying he was ``dumbfounded'' and ``can't figure out what Bill thinks or knows.''

Thomas said he showed up nine minutes late for an 8 a.m. team meeting and had called ahead to say he was going to be late.

After being inactive in a 59-0 win over the Tennessee Titans in October, Thomas, asked by reporters why he was benched, said: ``Ask Bill. He has all the answers.''

Thomas said after the season he would not be surprised if he was released by the Patriots.

In his first season with the team, Thomas had 6 1/2 sacks along with 78 tackles. He also had two sacks in the 17-14 Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants, which spoiled the Patriots' bid for a perfect season.

The Patriots drafted linebacker Brandon Spikes in the second round last week and also selected his Florida teammate, Jermaine Cunningham, who played defensive end in college but may be converted to linebacker in the pros.

Thomas' departure leaves New England thin at outside linebacker, with Tully Banta-Cain the top returning veteran.

The Associated Press

[EvilDon]

Patriots release veteran CB Shawn Springs

Tue May 18, 3:50 PM EDT
The New England Patriots have released veteran cornerback Shawn Springs, who played sparingly after being signed to a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the team prior to last season.

The 35-year-old Springs appeared in 12 games and had 39 tackles and one interception for the Patriots.

The 13-year veteran has also played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins.

The Patriots drafted Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty in the first round of last month's draft and re-signed veteran cornerback Leigh Bodden. They also have Darius Butler, a second-round choice last season, and third-year player Jonathan Wilhite.

The Associated Press

[EvilDon]

Brady says contract talks won't be distraction

Fri Jul 30, 12:49 PM EDT
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is known for being able to focus on his receivers in the face of oncoming rushers.

This season he plans to put that single-minded approach to another use - keeping his contract negotiations from becoming a distraction to the team.

``Nobody here can solve it but myself and the team,'' Brady said after practice Friday morning at New England's training camp. ``I'm in the position a lot of guys are around the league and on this team. I'm under contract and it's my responsibility to come out and play as well as I can. I've always felt that's what I love to do anyway - to come out here and compete.''

Brady, who turns 33 Monday, said that he would like to play another 10 years, hopefully for the Patriots. He is making $6.5 million in the final year of his contract.

Brady believes he has the mental toughness to not let the contract talks or anything else become a distraction that would affect his play.

``We all deal with different stuff in our life - some more challenging than others - but I'm a leader on this team and I've been a captain for a long time. You just put those things off the field behind you and come here with a good attitude and show good leadership.''

Coach Bill Belichick said that Brady has things he needs to work on during camp, just like every player and is confident he will get the work done.

``Now's the time to really start developing timing and consistency, feeling the rush and all those things a quarterback has to deal with such as time management, game management, so forth and so on.

``He works as hard as anybody does. He's very professional. He's got a great work ethic. ... but there's no substitute for being out there with 21 other players.''

Brady said the contract talks have not affected his relationship with the organization or the Kraft family.

``I've always been privileged to play for Coach Belichick, who I've always said is the best coach in the history of the league.''

Brady said his goal is to play his entire career with the Pats, but noted that's he's only under contract for one year and that no one's future is guaranteed in the NFL.

Besides Brady's contract, the absence of All-Pro guard Logan Mankins, who is holding out after refusing to sign a contract in the offseason, has been the other story at the first two days of camp.

``Logan's been a good player and a great representative for this team,'' said Brady, who also serves as a player representative for the NFLPA. ``We miss him. He has a lot of good friends on this team.''

Brady said his surgically repaired left knee, which he injured nearly two years ago, feels ``great.''

``I'd like to play for another 10 years, hopefully,'' he said.

NOTES: Veteran linebacker Derrick Burgess still has not reported to training camp. Burgess, who had five sacks in his first season in New England and signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract in the offseason, was a no-show Thursday.

The Associated Press

[EvilDon]

Patriots WR Welker returns from knee injury

Sun Aug 1, 12:29 PM EDT
Patriots receiver Wes Welker was removed from the physically unable to perform list and placed on the active roster Sunday, seven months after tearing ligaments in his knee.

Welker practiced with the club Sunday morning.

Welker was injured early in the final regular-season game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 3. He underwent surgery for a torn ACL and MCL a month later.

Welker participated in organized team activities in June. On Sunday, he ran pass patterns and participated in non-contact drills. He was loudly applauded by fans every time he touched the ball.

``It's a tribute to Wes and his work ethic,'' said Nick Casario, director of player personnel.

Casario said Welker passed his physical before taking the field.

``I'm not fully there,'' Welker said. ``We're getting closer. I can't point out one thing. I think I can get better at a lot of things, whether I was 100 percent or not. We're working toward that.''

He said his knee and the shoulder he injured during the season, forcing him to miss two games, both feel great.

Welker said he didn't know when he would be cleared for contact, leaving it up to coaches and doctors.

He said he wasn't really thinking about the knee during drills, although he would continue to wear the brace he sported Sunday at least for a while.

``Obviously if I was favoring it (the knee) or something, I wouldn't be out here,'' he said.

Welker said there was no chance to relax in the offseason as he rehabbed.

``There was no vacation time,'' he said. ``A nice weekend here, a nice weekend there, or anything like that. It was six hours of work each day, making sure I was bringing it every day, and that was the toughest part.''

Welker, a seven-year veteran from Texas Tech, caught a team record 123 passes for 1,348 yards last season despite missing almost three full games. It was the third straight year he caught more than 100 passes after the Patriots obtained him in a 2007 trade with the Miami Dolphins.

NOTES: Casario deflected questions on any possible negotiations with All-Pro guard Logan Mankins, who is holding out after refusing to sign a contract in the offseason. ``I'm not going to get into that,'' said Casario. ``We're focusing on the players that are here.'' ... Casario also said he expects a resolution soon on linebacker Derrick Burgess, who has not reported to camp and is reportedly contemplating retirement. Burgess, who had five sacks last year, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract in the offseason. Because of Burgess' failure to report and the retirement of David Patten, the Patriots have two open roster sports for the time being.

The Associated Press

[EvilDon]

http://www.csnne.com/08/15/10/Training-Camp-Central-Bradys-hand-injury/v1_landing_patriots.html?blockID=290660&feedID=3352

[EvilDon]

Burgess practices with Patriots

Sun Aug 15, 6:35 PM EDT
The New England Patriots' once-muddled linebacking situation is starting to clear.

Linebacker Derrick Burgess was reinstated Friday to the active roster from the reserve-did not report list after being missing since the start of training camp. After passing a physical and conditioning test, he practiced for the first time with the team Sunday.

Burgess a veteran of nine NFL seasons, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract in May, attributed his absence to personal reasons. There had been speculation he might retire, but Burgess didn't mention that.

``I had to take care of my family business before I could report,'' he said.

Burgess said he had kept Patriots officials updated about what he was doing and that his absence had nothing to do with any issue with the team itself.

``I'm happy to be here,'' Burgess said after reiterating the reason for his absence was family related.

Burgess said he was ``a little rusty'' in his first practice back, but that he felt good.

He said he wasn't sure how long it would take him to get back and see game action. ``I'll work hard at it and take it day by day.''

Burgess is being counted on heavily to provide a pass rush from the outside along with fellow outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, but said his overall influence on the Patriots' fortunes is limited.

``It's a team sport,'' he said. ``All I can do is help the team.''

Burgess said his absence had nothing to do with the grind of the two-a-day practices of an NFL training camp.

``It wasn't like I was just missing camp,'' he said. ``I had too much on my mind and things to take care of. It was a relief when I was done with it and was able to come to camp.''

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday the circumstances behind Burgess' decision to report were ``personal conversations'' between him and the player and that things changed when he reported Friday morning and passed his physical and conditioning test.

Belichick, when asked if he was convinced Burgess is committed to playing football for the entire season, said ``Well, I'm glad he's here.''

Burgess, who played in 16 games last season with six starts and had 35 total tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, was viewed as a bit of a disappointment in his first year with the Pats.

He earned Pro Bowl honors in his first two seasons with the Oakland Raiders, with 16 sacks in 2005 and 11 sacks in 2006.

Rookie inside linebacker Brandon Spikes, a second-round pick out of Florida, impressed in his first NFL game, a 27-24 win over New Orleans on Thursday. He had three solo tackles and five assists, and said he is making the adjustment to the Patriots' 3-4 alignment.

``It's a change in the blocking schemes and how I take my reads, but it's the same game,'' he said.

He said he is already starting to work well together on the inside with Jerod Mayo.

``It's fun to play next to him,'' Spikes said. ``I know he's going to be there and make plays and I feel like I can do the same thing.''

Notes: The Patriots announced several roster moves Sunday. Veteran receiver Torry Holt, signed as a free agent in April, was placed on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, while free agent rookie defensive back Ross Ventrone of Villanova was waived. The Patriots filled the roster spots by re-signing receiver Buddy Farnham, a rookie free agent from Brown who was cut on Aug. 9, and signing Brian Simmons, a rookie free agent offensive lineman from Oklahoma.

The Associated Press