If the Patriots decide to release linebacker Adalius Thomas, as expected, the Jets will likely court him. New York coach Rex Ryan coached Thomas to a pair of Pro Bowl appearances in Baltimore.

The Patriots have re-signed veteran wide receiver David Patten. Patten played in 60 total games for New England from 2001-2004 and caught a touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the team's upset of the Rams in the 2002 Super Bowl. His 91-yard touchdown reception from Brady at Indianapolis on Oct. 21, 2001, remains the longest pass play in team history.

Patriots owner Bob Kraft disagrees with Randy Moss, who believes that the team won't pay to keep top talent. Moss told reporters at a charity softball event recently that he didn't think he would return to New England after the 2010 season because it would cost the Patriots too much to keep him. Kraft said Wednesday that Moss had made more than $20 million over the past two seasons and insisted that was an indication that New England would do whatever it takes, in terms of contracts, to win.

The Patriots put the non-exclusive franchise tag on Vince Wilfork on Monday, tendering him the one-year, $7.003 million offer accorded with the designation for defensive tackles. This is the sixth time in nine years the Patriots have used the tag -- it was also used on Adam Vinatieri (2002, 2005), Tebucky Jones (2003), Asante Samuel (2007) and Matt Cassel (2009). Only Jones and Cassel left the team in the year they were franchised, although all four players wound up taking off in the long run. The last four times the Patriots have used the tag, the sides have failed to reach a long-term deal.

Deion Branch says that Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will catch up just fine following surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Branch knows the drill. He suffered the same injury during Seattle's divisional playoff game against Green Bay in January of 2008. He didn't return to action until Week 5 of the next regular season. "Wes will be OK. To me, the biggest thing about the injury is not the injury, it's not the surgery, it's not the rehab, it's how mentally strong you are," Branch said. "If you're strong mentally, you will overcome everything about this injury. "My thing was I wasn't going to let this injury hold me back. Wes has a great work ethic. He's positive. With that combination of work ethic, being positive and being mentally strong, he'll be OK. He'll be fine. "The only downside to it is the duration of time. It's a long time to have to be patient. You have to understand you're not going to be making big jumps and strides. You have to take baby steps with it. Some guys want to see the production immediately. But it doesn't happen with this type of injury."

Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss doesn't care that the team may not have an offensive coordinator in 2010. "All I hope is, we get this offense back to where it was when I got here," Moss told the Boston Herald. "I don't care who's the offensive coordinator, who's calling the plays. I think that a lot of us had a lot of excitement in '07, and I don't think a lot of things have changed. ... I don't see why we can't get back to that same potent offense we had two or three years ago."

Randy Moss isn't sure if he'll be in New England beyond the 2010 season. "I don't think they are going to extend my contract here," said Moss. "I understand the beast, the nature of it. I think that just 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. 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. "

Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfolk wants to leave the team if they don't provide him with a long-term contract. Wilfork has been asking New England for a contract extension for two seasons, but talks have never gone anywhere. The Patriots are expected to place their franchise tag on the tackle, but Wilford says he's ready to play hardball. "We've been waiting for two years. Been trying to talk for two years. I did all the things I could do. Did all the right things to the point people questioned me why I did it. Why I was the good soldier. Why I playing through pain and risking my career for one year. But I loved the game of football," said Wilfork. "I signed a six-year deal [as a rookie] when a lot of people weren't. I played it out. I did the right thing and it's time for me to move on. This is definitely not on me. We'll see where it goes from here." Wilfork, who played high school and college football in Florida, isn't shy about his desire to return to the state. He said playing for either the Dolphins or Buccaneers would be "a dream come true."

The Patriots are believed to have the most interest in free-agent defensive end Julius Peppers. During a chat on NFL.com, Pat Kirwan wrote: "I still think the Patriots are the team that had the most interest in him, and they struggled in the pass rush. Belichick has had great success with the hybrid players, like Willie McGinnest, who can play in both the three- and four-man fronts. The Redskins are notorius for spending money. But I think Peppers wants to play for a playoff contender, along with making a ton of money."

Unlike last offseason when New England franchised Matt Cassel on the first day possible, Thursday ended without any movement in regards to Vince Wilfork. Wilfork has repeatedly stated he wants to move on from the Patriots and sign a long term deal. The Patriots have two weeks to make a decision on the franchise tag.