March 2009 - New England Patriots Wiretap
Taylor: 'It'd Be Tough To Play For Pats'
Former Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, a free agent, says that it would be tough to play for New England, a bitter rival of Miami.
"As far as the football stuff is concerned, it's not for me to talk about. It's for the organizations," Taylor said this weekend. "Whenever I come to an agreement with a team, obviously, we'll both talk about it. There's been a lot of talk about New England. I don't know where it's all coming from. I don't know who's starting it. I don't know what level of talk is between me and my agent. But it's tough to play for one team for 11 years, and then go to play for your bitter rival. That's tough to do."
LB Cushing A Perfect Fit For Patriots?
Many feel as though USC linebacker Brian Cushing is a perfect fit for the Patriots because of his versatility.
Cushing played both linebacker and defensive end for USC during his career, and New England's Bill Belichick prefers players that he can plug in multiple holes.
Patriots Plan To Workout Safety Prospects
With Rodney Harrison's status unclear, the Patriots plan to host three promising safety prospects on predraft visits to Gillette Stadium.
Patrick Chung (Oregon), William Moore (Missouri), and Louis Delmas (Western Michigan) will visit New England, according to NFL sources.
Haley: Cassel Is A Lot Like Warner
New Chiefs coach Todd Haley sees a lot of Kurt Warner in quarterback Matt Cassel.
"I just came off two years of working with one of the best guys I've ever been around in Kurt Warner," said Haley, who was Arizona's offensive coordinator the last two seasons. "In 'best guys,' I mean guys that are into football, like to talk about football. It's not about much else for Kurt Warner. This Matt Cassel feels and acts a lot the same way. He is football 24/7 to the point where I've had to pull back the reins on him a couple of times and say, 'Listen, Matt. These next couple of months are about getting in shape and getting your body ready for the season. There's time enough for football.'
"He's all about football. I've been telling everyone I hope he can play because he's got all of the intangible things you get excited about as a coach."
NFL Adds 'Brady Rule' To Protect QBs
The NFL's Competition Committee has adopted a clarification of the current rule on hits to a quarterback in the knee area or below.
The amendment, a direct result of the season-ending knee injury Tom Brady suffered in Week One of the 2008 season, specifically prohibits a defender on the ground who hasn't been blocked or fouled directly into the quarterback from lunging or diving at the quarterback's lower legs.
"I think all the quarterbacks in this league are critical to what the game is about," said Patriots owner Robert Kraft. "It's like if Peyton Manning were gone for a season, I think the whole NFL suffers, the same way the NFL suffered with Tommy out. So whatever we can do to protect quarterbacks and to minimize the opportunity of them being taken out with a year-ending injury I would support.
"It's not good for the league. What makes it special is special players. It's like going to see a great movie and the star isn't in the movie. It's the same principle."
Ramsey Deciding Between Patriots And Titans
Former Broncos backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey is reportedly trying to decide whether to sign with the Patriots or Titans.
Belichick Skipping NFL Owner's Meetings
Because of all the shuffling in New England's front office, coach Bill Belichick will miss the NFL Owner's meetings as he scouts for the team.
The meetings will begin in Dana Point, California starting Sunday.
Belichick: Talk That He Helped Pioli Is 'Ludicrous'
Patriots coach Bill Belichick can't believe rumors that he gave Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli a deal in the Matt Cassel trade last month.
"It's pretty ludicrous," said Belichick. "I have all the respect in the world for Scott and everything that he's done. He's a great friend. He's a terrific executive and personnel manager, but I work for the Patriots. I have no loyalty to anybody or any team other than the New England Patriots. Everything I do is for our team to win and be successful. I can't imagine that anybody would think that's any different."
Patriots Sign WR Joey Galloway
New England has signed wide receiver Joey Galloway, giving the Patriots two of the most prolific active receivers in the NFL, according to an Associated Press report on Thursday.
Galloway has a 15.7 yards-per-reception career average. That leads all active NFL players with 300 or more career receptions and is just ahead of Randy Moss, who has a career average of 15.6.
Patriots Can't Afford Peppers?
Julius Peppers would like to play for the Patriots, but the team may not be able to afford the defensive end's salary.
A league source confirmed on Tuesday that no trade is imminent between the Panthers and Patriots, based on the fact that Peppers has yet to sign his franchise tag tender with Carolina, and thus cannot yet be traded.
Under the rules of the franchise tag system, Peppers will earn $16.68 million in 2009 once he puts ink to paper.
New England was believed to be between $15 million-$18 million under the cap after dealing Matt Cassel to Kansas City, but that was before they signed Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden, and re-signed James Sanders and Mike Wright.
Report: Patriots, Cowboys On Peppers' List
Julius Peppers still wants out of Carolina, and two of the four teams he'd welcome a trade to are the Patriots and Cowboys.
Panthers Deny Peppers Trade Talks With Pats
The Panthers have denied a report on Monday that they've discussed trading DE Julius Peppers to the Patriots.
Sources: Patriots Expected To Land Peppers
It is appearing more and more likely that the Patriots' cost-cutting trade with the Chiefs will allow them to land Julius Peppers.
Brady Heads To Brazil To Meet In-Laws
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has reportedly traveled to Brazil to meet new wife Gisele Bundchen's entire family for the first time.
Galloway Excited To Play With Patriots
Veteran wide receiver Joey Galloway is excited to play for the Patriots, the team he signed with on Saturday.
Galloway Signs One-Year Deal With Pats
The Patriots have signed wide receiver Joey Galloway to a one-year contract.
Chris Carr To Steelers, Lions, Browns Or Patriots
Chris Carr was in Pittsburgh on Thursday for a visit with the Steelers.
Patriots Land Another Cornerback In Bodden
The Patriots have reached an agreement with another cornerback in free agency, giving Leigh Bodden a one-year deal.
Source: Springs, Patriots Finalize 3-Year Deal
The Patriots and cornerback Shawn Springs have reportedly finalized terms on a three-year deal worth more than $10.55 million.
Patriots Interested In Jason Taylor?
The Patriots could show interest in Jason Taylor, who was released by the Redskins on Monday.
Vrabel: I Can Still Play
Veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel has pledged his dedication to the Chiefs, and is confident that he can still play at a high level in the NFL.
Springs To Sign With New England
Cornerback Shawn Springs will reportedly sign with the Patriots, picking the team over the Eagles, who he visited with this week.
Pats Acquire Greg Lewis From Philadelphia
The Patriots have acquired wide receiver Greg Lewis from the Eagles in a trade.
Galloway Meets With Patriots
Joey Galloway visited the Patriots at Gillete Stadium on Wednesday.
Chiefs Mum On 'Lopsided' Cassel Deal
The Chiefs have said little in the wake of their blockbuster trade with the Patriots that landed them Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel for just a second-round pick.
Pats Interested In Peppers?
The Patriots saved a tremendous amount of money by trading quarterback Matt Cassel, but where will they spend it?
Patriots Leave Door Open For Harrison
Veteran safety Rodney Harrison is considering retirement, but the Patriots haven't closed the door on a possible return to New England.
Shawn Springs Will Visit The Patriots
Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs will reportedly visit with the Patriots on Sunday.