Bill Belichick is known for some unconventional draft selections, but even he opened eyes by taking former rugby player Nate Ebner. Ebner, a special teams standout at Ohio State, in the sixth round (197 overall) Saturday, despite the fact that he has played just three snaps on defense. "We think he has a lot of good football in front of him," Belichick said. "Of course, we had good connections at Ohio State. Obviously, that played a part in it." In 2009, the 6-foot, 205-pound Ebner walked on to the Ohio State football team, playing primarily on special teams although he was listed as a safety. "I enjoy running down as fast as you can," Ebner said of special teams. "It's exciting. ... It's just one big blur, then it's over. I don't know, maybe I've got a screw loose."

The Patriots have inquired with the Seahawks to see what it would take to acquire the twelfth overall pick, sources with direct knowledge of the situation said. New England owns the 27th and 31st picks in the first round.

Former Patriots defender Willie McGinest isn't happy that Wes Welker is thinking about skipping workouts with the team as he awaits a long-term contract. "I just don't like the diva attitude," McGinest, who played in New England from 1994 to 2005, said on NFL Total Access. "Let's keep it real. Prior to the Patriots, this is a guy who played three years, had 96 receptions, never had a 1,000-yard season. ... "This $9 million-plus that they're offering is half of his last contract. That's a lot of money. Let's not forget that they signed Brandon Lloyd, they signed (WR Anthony Gonzalez), they signed (WR Deion) Branch back, they got the two tight ends; they have weapons on that offense. So look, Wes, it's time to take off the leopard-printed cowboy boots, get off the party tour and get back to work."

The Patriots officially placed veteran offensive lineman Matt Light on the reserve/retired list Tuesday, according to a source. With Light on the reserve/retired list, he doesn't count against New England's 90-man roster limit. Light, 33, played his entire career with the Patriots after the team selected him in the second round of the 2001 draft.

It doesn't sound as though Wes Welker plans to sign his franchise tender with the Patriots. "Through my body of work, through the past five years, I think what I've done -- I've earned a long-term deal," Welker told ESPN Boston. "It's what I am looking for and what I want. Hopefully that's the case and hopefully we come to something where we can make that happen." Welker was a no-show last week for the start of New England's voluntary workout program. The team's minicamp from June 12-14 is mandatory, but Welker is threatening to steer clear. "I'm not 100 percent sure on that. I don't know if I will or not. I'm thinking I'm probably not going to, but things could change," Welker said. "We'll just see how it all plays out."

Kevin Faulk has announced his intention to return to the NFL for a 14th season, but the running back is not expecting a decision from the Patriots on his future soon. Faulk said that he is not working out at Gillette Stadium for the first time in his 13-year career with the Patriots -- even though unsigned unrestricted free agents are allowed to participate in their former team's offseason conditioning program.

The Patriots appear to be searching for another running back. Joseph Addai and Tim Hightower visited with the team this week, according to a source. ESPN also reported former Packers running back Ryan Grant was scheduled to meet with New England on Friday.

Wes Welker did not report to the start of New England's voluntary workouts on Monday, according to a source. Welker, who was tagged as the team's franchise player last month, has yet to sign his tender and has thus far been able to come to agreement on a long-term deal with the Patriots. "Still looking to try and decide on that," Welker said last week. "I'm in no rush and we'll figure it out. Me and my agent, we're all on the same page with everything. Just looking to move forward and looking forward to the 2012 season."

The Patriots hosted USC defensive end Nick Perry for a visit on Saturday. New England holds the 27th and 31st overall picks in this month's NFL draft and could be in a position to take Perry, whose stock appears to be all over the board.

Dan Koppen will re-sign with the Patriots after spending a month on the free-agent market, according to a league source. The 32-year-old center has spent his entire career in New England, starting 120 of 121 regular-season games.