by Chris Warner
Chris.Warner@patriotsdaily.com

Sunday morning felt like Christmas: a little festive, yet a little nerve-wracking in that we didn’t know what we were going to get.

Sure, Christmas. Except the moment we stepped back to admire our gifts, safety Bernard Pollard scuttled out from under the tree and tackled us. And just like that – halfway through the first quarter of Game One – the shiny ten-speed bicycle we’d been asking for since last winter turned into one rusty rollerskate.

The Patriots won the game. (Good news, Achilles! It’s just a flesh wound!) Time to cater to those of us with small attention spans who want to focus on New England’s 17-10 victory, however Pyrrhic it might have been.

Brady came out firing in all his empty-backfield glory, hitting his first two passes and appearing invincible. (Sigh.) But Welker fumbled, and after New England’s defense got the ball back, the Patriots lined up in a running formation to showcase Laurence Maroney, who responded with 13 yards in two carries. After a Brady completion to Moss, Maroney shot ahead for another nine. Heath Evans ground out a first down on third-and-one. Pats on the Chiefs’ 42.

Then you-know-what happened. I’m moving on.

By Chris Warner
Chris.Warner@patriotsdaily.com

I’ve often said that the Patriots don’t care much about preseason scrimmages. This year I’m hoping beyond hope that I’m right, because if they’re playing like this when they do care, it’s going to be a lo-o-ong autumn.

David Carr led the home team to a 7-0 lead on an 80-yard opening drive that included New York hopeful Darcy Johnson taking New England starting cornerback Fernando Bryant on a hayride for eight yards into the end zone. Long before the 19-14 loss came to an end, Pats fans had to wonder what was happening, and whether it would change in time for Kansas City.

Speaking of Darcy Johnson, if you didn’t know who he was before last night, you weren’t alone. The NFL didn’t have him listed on the team’s depth chart. He looked like an all-star, as did much of the Giants roster. The receivers and running backs broke tackles like plates at a Greek wedding, shattering the Patriots defenders on two extended scoring drives in the first half (the first took 4:25; the second, ending in Sinorice Moss’ 9-yard TD catch, lasted 7:05). And those came against the bulk of New England’s starters for a 13-0 halftime lead (Josh Huston’s extra-point kick clanged off the upright. No word as to whether New England claimed the upright off waivers).

For those who figured backup Matt Gutierrez would put an end to the madness, his chance with the first team offense was, to put it kindly, disappointing. Early in the second quarter, Gutierrez was sacked by Renaldo Wynn and Dave Tollefson, who sound more like attorneys than defensive ends. It has gotten to the point where my stress dreams will no longer involve lateness for an exam in a far-off classroom; instead, I’ll be quarterbacking the Patriots on third and long with Wesley Britt at left tackle. I just hope I wake up before I hit the ground.

by Chris Warner
Chris.Warner@patriotsdaily.com

Like a riddle that might have made you laugh in elementary school, this isn’t funny anymore.

During preseason games of years past, watching Matt Cassel had some entertainment value, like checking out a freshman trying to talk his way into a senior party (Look at him work so hard! What a precocious lad!). Now, though, it’s three years later and the kid still finds himself on the outside looking in. That’s not so entertaining.

Including Friday night’s 27-17 snoozer vs. the Eagles, the Pats’ three losses of the preseason have shown one consistent element of Cassel’s play: his inability to lead the team to touchdowns. He had a passing performance that you could find next to the definition of “mediocre” (8 of 14, 60 yards). Using the short passing game is great, but dinking and dunking without first downs is like a sprinter stopping at each hurdle: he just doesn’t get anywhere. When Cassel’s on the field, no touchdowns get scored (well, except by Tampa Bay safety Sabby Piscitelli. Let’s just move on).

by Chris Warner
Chris.Warner@patriotsdaily.com

For Patriots fans, watching Sunday’s preseason 27-10 loss against the Buccaneers was like getting tickets to see Michael Phelps swim, only Phelps got replaced with a junior lifeguard from the community pool whose relay teammates tripped off the diving block.

How best to describe this debacle? Try this: in the first half, Tampa had 114 yards rushing, 120 yards passing. Meanwhile, New England had 174 yards total for the entire game.

Sure, sure: it’s only a preseason scrimmage. Someone just forgot to tell the Bucs.

On the opening possession, Brian “My Dad is Famous!” Griese drove Tampa Bay through the New England defense like a duck boat over the Charles, hitting all eight of his passes for 39 yards on a 17-play, 80-yard drive that took almost 10 minutes off the clock. The Buccaneers added to the misery late in the second half on a drive led by Luke “My Brother is Famous!” McCown, who finished up with two dump passes in a row to get the ball into the end zone.

by Chris Warner
Chris.Warner@patriotsdaily.com

With just over six minutes left in the Patriots’ 16-15 loss to the Ravens Thursday night, Coach Belichick decided to go for two when an extra-point kick would have tied it. As many starters from both teams looked on from the beginning, no one was forced to stumble into overtime.

It felt great to watch live football again, but we’ll look forward to August 17 when players like Brady and Moss hit the field. (They will, right? Oh please, please, pleeeez).

As with every preseason game – what the NFL refuses to call a “scrimmage”  – many questions dogged the Pats coming into the matchup. Like a series of Zen riddles, their answers just resulted in more questions. With that in mind, we look at what we learned and what we need to figure out after Scrimmage One.

by Chris Warner
chris.warner@patriotsdaily.com

In 2002, with the team fresh off of their first Super Bowl win, my best friend and I attended our first Patriots training camp session at Bryant College in Smithfield, RI. We had many questions: could the team repeat? Would Tom Brady thrive for a full season? Would seventh-round receiver David Givens win the roster battle over NFL Europe standout Scott McCready? (Okay, some questions were less pertinent than others.)

My clearest memory of that afternoon involved standing in the hot sun, polishing off a Del’s frozen lemonade. Let’s just say that the venue switch has changed the experience.

Because most fans never get a chance to attend camp, we here at PD have taken it upon ourselves to give a blow-by-blow account of Friday, July 25 (oh, the things we do for our readers). The skies finally cleared to allow fans to watch the first open practice of the 2008 season. Both the stands and the hill beyond the southwest end zone were packed. On the team’s site map, the fields sit southeast of the stadium. Fans sit in bleachers along the southwest sideline (between the fields and the Dana Farber practice bubble) and on the aforementioned hill close to the stadium.

Here’s a rundown of the day.

2:30 p.m. – Arrival. My best friend and I have nephews Johnny and Owen in tow. One of the first things I notice is how far away we have to park due to construction (I’m almost 40; it’s 86 degrees. Distance means something to me). No big deal, though: we’re off and walking (and walking), passing a fan wearing a Logan Mankins jersey. When you see offensive lineman represented, you know you’re headed where the fans are. 

We walk past The Patriots Experience located in the parking lot southwest of the stadium. The Experience (a name that makes me wonder what Jimi Hendrix’s band is up to) contains about a half-dozen versions of the old carnival moonwalk. You can jump over inflatable defensive lines, run through inflatable linebackers, or slide down inflatable slides. And by “you,” I mean the young people with you. As with every area, refreshments are available. On a day like today, that’s a very good thing.

In order to get up on the hill, we have to go through the same giant inflatable helmet that the Patriots emerge from on game day. This always makes me smile. I resist the urge to raise both index fingers and shout, “Number one!” like the last time I came here. We take our post on the top of the hill (there’s really nowhere else to sit) and absorb the football action.

2:35 p.m. – Special teams. Coach Brad Seely puts his players in position for a kickoff return. He has a certain tone in his voice, a mix of encouragement and urgency, where even I want to get out there and do right by him. Rookie Terrence Wheatley looks like the returner with the most potential: he seems on the brink of breaking a run, even at half speed.

On the far field (or “northeast” for those of you blessed with a sense of direction), quarterbacks take shotgun snaps from Dan Koppen, Mankins and an assistant coach. This, I would imagine, is why some players resent QBs.

2:42 p.m. – A horn sounds. Offense stays on the near field while the defense moves to the other. During full team offensive drills, Brady hands off to Laurence Maroney against a scout team defense to give the linemen a look. Rookie QB Kevin O’Connell plays safety. I hope this is the only situation where that’s true, for everyone’s sake.

On the far field, Vince Wilfork gets instruction on technique and has a question (I can tell because he’s pointing at certain spots and the coach is answering). Even from 75 yards away, that dude looks big. In the defensive drills, rookie linebacker Vince Redd plays running back and goes in motion. From pros to preschool, everyone wants to play halfback. Meanwhile, in the narrow space between sidelines, Lonnie Paxton snaps to punter Chris Hanson.

I get that “Oh, I recognize him!” mind flash and, as a reflex, wave to NBC’s Tom Curran like we’re old pals. Here’s what a nice guy Curran is: he waves back. Could have left me hanging in front of my nephews, but even though he had no idea who I was, he gave a little return recognition. Remind me to bookmark his blog.

AC-DC’s “Hell’s Bells” is playing on the stadium P.A. Not sure if that’s the proper warm-up for the Country Music Festival, but fine.

2:52 p.m. – Horn. The entire team meets on the sideline between the fields.

2:54 p.m. – Sprints on the far field, sideline-to-sideline.

2:55 p.m. – Stretching. Players call this calisthenics, from the Greek “kallos,” or beauty, and “sthenos,” strength. Watching this for a few minutes, I don’t see much resembling either one. From now on, I’m just calling it stretching.

I make an effort to find Belichick in the crowd. I know he’s wearing a blue shirt and blue shorts, but only because everyone is. From my perch on the hill, I might as well be watching from Norwood.

Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” comes on the P.A. If I use my imagination, the players’ back stretches look like slow-motion breakdancing. (Ah, 1983. You really had to be there.)

3:03 p.m. – Position drills. Backs show off their footwork running over pads. At the end zone of the far field, the O-line sprints out of three-point stances. The D line works on technique. I realize that within one month these same types of drills will be happening in just about every town in the country.

3:06 p.m. – Horn. More position drills, on the technique side. Quarterbacks gather midfield and toss medicine balls to each other to warm up. The crowd cheers because the QBs are close enough to hear. Once loose, they throw five-yard spirals to each other. I wonder if Damon Huard dreaded catching those passes from Drew Bledsoe. I mean, I dig Drew, but he didn’t show a ton of touch on the close ones, you know?

On the far field, Seely works with special teamers (of course) in one-on-one drills where one blocker drops back to take on an onrushing defender. Some cool collisions over there. Defensive backs practice three-step drops and reacting to passes. Linemen go against various pads. The pads do not fare well.

Linebackers simulate pass rushes, trying to get to a phantom QB. Rookie OLB Shawn Crable avoids his “blocker” (an assistant coach) with a swift move to the outside.

3:12 p.m. – Horn. Position drills, with some matchups. The crowd cheers for one-on-one blitz drills, with pass-rushing linebackers vs. pass-blocking running backs. Tedy Bruschi has some success, to much fanfare. At this point, Bruschi’s following is such that he could get applause sipping Powerade. O’Connell plays the scout QB. It’s surprising to see Eric Alexander shuffle past Kevin Faulk. Larry Izzo busts through rookie RB Benjarvus Green-Ellis like an action-movie hero through a door. As Rookie Jarod Mayo gets blocked, a fan yells, “Come on, rookie!” in a tone that makes me wonder how much leeway the first-rounder will get. Not sure if rookie Gary Guyton will be around long, but his quickness makes him tough to block one-on-one.

The wide receivers have been warming up in the other half of the field. Robert Ortiz makes a nice catch. Who is Robert Ortiz?  Someone who looks good on Youtube. Be prepared for an O’Connell/Ortiz San Diego State reunion this preseason. (Editor’s Note: Um, well. Heh, heh. This is awkward, isn’t it? Ortiz was waived Saturday to make room for Lamont Jordan. The way things go around here, though, he could be back ten times over before the season starts. The clip stays!)

3:19 p.m. – Horn. Position drills, with more one-on-one. Outside linebackers take on tight ends. Defensive backs work on press coverage vs. each other. QBs throw to running backs, while wide receivers try blocking downfield during so-called bubble screens (those quick passes along the line of scrimmage that helped make Brady a star).

The offensive line has been as far away as possible (the other field’s distant end zone) for a long time. Makes me wonder if the team likes to keep Coach Dante Scarnecchia’s colorful language away from the fans. Given what I’ve seen on various “Three Games to Glory” DVDs, that’s understandable.

3:25 p.m. – Horn. Linemen/backer scrimmage. The offensive linemen, on their best behavior, join the offensive backs. The defensive line joins the linebackers. We’ve got a running game, my friends! The crowd cheers Maroney’s solid scoot up the middle.

On the far field, DBs compete with WRs. Brady zips a pass to Chris Dunlap who makes a nice catch, or at least I think it’s nice until I compare it to Randy Moss’ reception over Antwain Spann. Remember when Moss first practiced last year and certain members of the media thought he was dogging it? Think of a gazelle among wildebeests. A pack of wildebeests has speed, but you see the effort required for them to lumber along. A gazelle glides by, taking what look like impossible strides. Is the gazelle “dogging it,” or is he just a different type of animal?

I think 2007 answered that one.

3:31 p.m. – Horn. Full team scrimmage. The offense’s running plays have some success, but it’s hard to tell without full contact. This reminds me of the lettuce in my fridge: not the most crisp in the world.

3:39 p.m. – Horn. Passing drills in groups. LBs team up with DBs to practice dropping into a zone. RBs and WRs take passes from QBs. Once again in the far corner, the OL and DL go through drills together.

3:45 p.m. – Horn. Seven-on-seven drills. Two linebackers and five defensive backs (the ol’ nickel package, which had an entirely different meaning in high school) defend against backs and receivers. Jabar Gaffney catches several passes, mostly underneath. Rookie DB Jonathan Wilhite knocks a Brady pass away from Kelly Washington. Not exactly oracle-worthy, but a pleasant sign nonetheless.

3:53 p.m. – Horn. Special teams revisited. The crowd rises and moves to the rope, but they’re jumping the autograph gun by over 30 minutes. Chad Jackson runs back some kicks. So does C. J. Jones. Rookie Matt Slater makes a sharp cut to the right side for a potential TD. You go, fifth-round pick!

What I’m saying is, I have no idea what any of these returns mean, personnel-wise.

4:00 p.m. – Horn. The players take a water break. Bunch of pansies.

4:02 p.m. – Full scrimmage. Brady takes command, hitting Faulk and Moss in succession. He tries a fake end-around bomb that glances off Moss’ fingers. When Moss eventually gets back to the line of scrimmage, Belichick take a few seconds to talk to him alone. I’d give all the money in my wallet to hear that conversation. Of course, that’s about $21 right now.

A fan in front of me notes that “the defense doesn’t look so good.” They’d look better if they could touch the QB.

4:10 p.m. – Whistle (What? No horn?). The offense moves to the far end zone and works their way toward the hill. Slater has a tumbling catch along the sideline. Green-Ellis makes a strong cut to find space and gain about 30 yards. Wilhite almost picks off an O’Connell sideline pass.

4:18 p.m. – Whistle. Two minute drills. Brady moves the offense along with help from Moss, Jackson and Benjamin Watson. Everything stops as Jackson fails to run a route. Sounds like a miscommunication, with which the coaches are not pleased. Gaffney converts a fourth down with a catch along the sideline. Time runs out. On the way back to the opposite 20-yard line, Brady walks with Jackson and talks to him. I’m going to assume that’s a positive sign.

Cassell’s turn at the helm. Completes three (two to Sammy Morris, one to Jones), misses one, then Jones, Sam Aiken and David Thomas move the ball to the five before time runs out. Gutierrez takes over and revels in the fact that QBs go untouched, taking a couple of extra seconds and stepping up in the pocket to complete a pass even though Redd had him sacked. When O’Connell takes the field, rookies and players less familiar with the Pats’ system keep scrimmaging in seven-on-sevens as the rest of the team takes the far field to run sprints. Wheatley knocks down one pass and intercepts another.

4:35 p.m. – Horn. Extra-point kicks. I can’t reveal details about the fake field goal because I don’t want to provide a scouting report for future opponents, but let’s just say it involves a trampoline, the Pat Patriot mascot, and six tubs of ice water. And it’s amazing.

4:39 p.m. – Whistle. Players huddle in the middle of the field. After a couple of minutes, they take their spots with fellow position members and stretch (or, hey, do calisthenics. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder). Slater receives kickoffs from Stephen Gostkowski. The defensive linemen head toward the stands to sign autographs. Randy Moss does, too, which comes as a pleasant surprise to everyone. I just hope he doesn’t dog it this year.

 by Chris Warner
feedback@patriotsdaily.com

Outside of my cynical outer shell, I am essentially a sentimental creature. I love stories with happy endings for underdogs. I still consider myself president of the unofficial Bam Childress Fan Club (aka “The Bamwagon”), even though he’s gone to the Eagles.

Coach Bill Belichick has taught Patriots fans that sentimentality will get you a biscuit and a pat on the head, but not much more. From Bernie Kosar to Drew Bledsoe to Lawyer Milloy, the coach has eschewed fan favorites to build what he considered a better team.

So, how does New England improve this year? On the negative side, they can’t do any better than 16-0; on the positive, we all know what 16-0 got them last season. In 2008, look for the team to take some chances. Time to rebuild with youth, get better as the season progresses and gain momentum going into the playoffs. Hey, it beats peaking in November at Buffalo.

Hence, some measured (and somewhat unfounded) predictions of where the Pats will make changes, keeping a consistent theme of youth.

Quarterback - The ballad of Tom Brady continues. I like to think of it as a happy, heroic song with many verses yet to be written.

Rookie to watch: Kevin O’Connell. A standout leader on a bad college team.

Replacing: Matt Cassel. More than any other position in football, the role of backup quarterback resembles that of an understudy. If the star goes down, you take the stage and all eyes look to you. Maybe Cassel’s big, it’s the pictures that got small.

(Okay, I’ll make you a deal: no more “Sunset Boulevard” references if you promise to bookmark Patriots Daily. Do it now before I change my mind.)

Running Back – Let’s match the player with his prototype: Laurence Maroney, starting RB; Sammy Morris, backup RB; Kevin Faulk, third-down RB; Heath Evans, utility RB (not quite any of the previous three, but a solid contributor).

Rookies to watch: Benjarvus Green-Ellis, Kenny Cattouse. Green-Ellis runs with power up the middle. Cattouse has great quickness. I’m teetering near my “Patrick Cobbs will make the team!” debacle of 2006, but they need a smaller, quicker RB to backup Faulk. I think Cattouse makes it. (Check this morning to see if I’m already wrong.)

Replacing: Right now, Kyle Eckel is a between-the-tackles-type runner who backs up at least two other between-the-tackles-type runners. Green-Ellis also fits that description. Shouldn’t the most prolific passing team in history get a backup receiving RB? Hello? Is this thing on?

Wide Receiver – Except for Donte Stallworth, the main gang returns: Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Jabar Gaffney. Chad Jackson gets his last chance to make Belichick look like the savvy dealmaker we thought he was when he traded up in round two in 2006 to get him (and by “we,” you know I mean “I”).

Rookie to watch: Matt Slater. He’s fast and he can return kicks. I know so little about him that I’m beginning to suspect a witness protection program at work here.

Replacing: Just as Jackson will get every chance to show what he can do, so shall Slater. He’d have to do something awful – like get videotaped taunting puppies – in order to have the front office fail to justify his selection in the fifth. Slater may take Troy Brown’s roster spot, although he will never take the same spot in our hearts (see the sentimentality?). If New England keeps only six receivers, say goodbye to free agent special teamer Sam Aiken.

Tight End – Do you think Benjamin Watson and David Thomas talk a lot while they’re in the trainers’ room? And if so, do you think they discuss their myriad injuries, or do they ignore them and, for example, list movies they both want to see?

Rookies to watch: Jonathan Stupar caught 40 passes last year at Virginia. Tyson DeVree caught 37 for Colorado. Both arrived last week as undrafted rookies. Thomas needs a backup and either Stupar or DeVree could fill that role. Stupar has a slight advantage as he seemed to stand out more in camp.

Replacing: Not sure where free agent Marcus Pollard fits. If they need a blocker, I see keeping Stephen Spach for a lot less cash. Most of the other TEs on the roster fill the pass-catching role.

Offensive Line – For a while after his last performance, I nicknamed Matt Light “Matt Darkness-Shall-Reign-Over-All-That-Is-Good,” but I’m over it. The starting o-line will stay intact. Maybe this year they’ll excel all the way through, instead of deciding at the Super Bowl to SMEAR FILTH ALL OVER MY DREAMS.

(Deepgreenforest, coolbluelake; deepgreenforest, coolbluelake. There. Better.)

Rookie to watch: Ryan Wendell, the center out of Fresno State, has the reported technique to become a developmental player. Early reviews of Josh Coffman haven’t been as positive, skills-wise.

Replacing: No one that I can tell. Unless the 6-7 Coffman puts on another 40 pounds (a feat he accomplished in college), Ryan O’Callaghan doesn’t have much to worry about.

Defensive End – If Richard Seymour can get back to his old self, he, Ty Warren and Jarvis Green make a ferocious rotation (Actually, they were still pretty awesome with the 2007 version of Seymour). Hang on, Mike Wright fans: he’s listed as a nose tackle below.

Rookie to watch: Casey Tyler. He’s got the proverbial motor of overachieving 3-4 defensive ends (much like Wright does). Would at least contribute as a strong practice squad player.

Replacing: I don’t see anyone. LeKevin Smith is better suited at end than tackle but has too much flexibility for the Pats to let him go (hope I haven’t jinxed him). The Patriots’ defensive line is like a T.V. makeup department: when they don’t do their jobs, it all goes ugly in a hurry.

Nose Tackle – Vince Wilfork plays mountain in the middle, with Wright spelling him for some passing downs. Wilfork has become one of the best in the game and has that certain je na sais quois of 3-4 nose tackles. Actually, no mystery here: he’s huge, quick and strong.

Rookie to watch: Henry Smith comes from Warren’s alma mater (Texas A&M), but that seems to be the only comparison thus far.

Replacing: As great as it would be to give some of Wilfork’s early downs to a younger player, those are some huge shoes to fill. Quick and strong shoes, too.

Inside Linebacker – Welcome back, Tedy Bruschi. Hope you get some help with Victor Hobson aboard. (Hey, you know what I just realized? The Patriots’ linebackers were old last year. Surprised no one said anything about that.)

Rookies to watch: Jerod Mayo, Bo Ruud. Despite dealing with the inevitable condiment jokes, Mayo appears to be the right find. He’s a heavy-hitting, intense player who should see lots of playing time. In other words, they won’t go light on the Mayo. (Ha! See? No one can resist!) Ruud, at 234 pounds, seems out of position in the middle but took reps there during mini-camp.

Replacing: I assume that Junior Seau shall continue to enjoy surfing. Eric Alexander hasn’t seen significant playing time since he started the 2006 AFC Championship (go figure). If someone can explain why Mayo shouldn’t be a part of the ILB rotation from day one, I’ll listen. (Then I’ll scoff. Fair warning.)

Outside Linebacker – Adalius Thomas and Mike Vrabel make the type of bookends you want to see in Gillette. Pierre Woods has been a strong special teams player but hasn’t made strides on defense that some expected (again, by “some,” I mean “I”).

Rookies to watch: Shawn Crable, Vince Redd. We’re looking at two tall, rangy athletes with experience in hoops (Crable in high school, Redd briefly at Virginia). Though New England’s defense is only slightly less difficult to figure out than cold fusion, each player’s versatility should accelerate the process.

Replacing: Woods and Ruud may not find their happy-ever-after in Foxboro. Crable could get the Wolverine welcome over Woods. Redd’s build and experience in a similar 3-4 college system mean that a UDFA will make the roster over sixth-rounder Ruud (look forward to the headline “Ruud Awakening”).

Cornerback – This position has seen more shifts than a hospital intern. Asante Samuel and Randall Gay left. Free agents Fernando Bryant, Jason Webster and Lewis Sanders arrived. Ellis Hobbs remains, along with practice-squad member Antwain Spann and second-year player Mike Richardson. Hmm. My chest hurts.

Rookies to watch: Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite, whom I shall officially nickname The Dubs (you read it here first, people). Small and fast, like rabbits but with better awareness, we hope. Of course, as rookies they’ll get burned – it’s only a matter of how badly, how often, and how quickly they learn.

Replacing: Wheatley and Wilhite (I won’t really call them “The Dubs” – it’s a little too skater-speak for me. But please, feel free to do so at home) will take over for Spann and Sanders. At over six feet tall, Sanders no longer belongs in Foxboro. They actually have signs outside the locker room that say, “You must be this short to play corner.” Richardson could stick around because he’s another young, quick guy whom the coaches seemed to like last year before his arm injury.

Safety – At free safety, James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather make up a strong duo. While Meriweather has been rumored to take over cornerback duties, the rookies will allow him time to develop at safety. Tank Williams will step in to relieve Rodney Harrison, who’s approaching his fiftieth birthday (I’m not exaggerating as much as I’d like to be).

Rookies to watch: They signed Mark Dillard (La. Tech) to a contract, but it’s tough to make a dent in the above rotation. Other than that, it’s possible that Slater will take the defensive side of the ball. Shoot, they’ll try Slater out at option QB to make sure he sees time on the field.

Replacing: Eugene Wilson signed with Tampa Bay (or, as I like to call it, Massachusetts South. You snowbirds know what I’m saying). The description of Willie Andrews as “blazing” refers to more than his speed after his February charge for marijuana possession. They’ll miss his special teams prowess, but the Patriots have paid a lot of attention to getting those types of players this off-season. Speak of the devil…

Special Teams – Longsnapper Lonnie Paxton and kicker Stephen Gostkowski have little rookie competition as yet (although TE Stupar reportedly snapped the ball over the weekend). The battle for punter has been ongoing for over two seasons now, with a virtual posse passing through Gillette. Incumbent Chris Hanson will face off against free agent Scott Player.

Rookies to watch: Mike Dragosavich had a successful tryout over the weekend, booming his punts inside the practice bubble. Out of 158 career attempts at North Dakota State, he had 47 over 50 yards and 61 inside the 20.

Replacing: Belichick and Co. want youth. Player is 38 and Hanson is 31. The situation looks solid for so-called Drago. Besides, any specialist with a nickname that involves “Rocky IV” is fine with me.

Here’s to a younger team with the leeway to rebuild. All the way to the Super Bowl.

(Deepgreenforest, coolbluelake. There. Better.)