Patriots Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Over the years, the New England Patriots have had to deal with the loss of several key veterans who played important roles in their Super Bowl dynasty.

Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Mike Vrabel, Troy Brown, Drew Bledsoe - all have either found new homes or ultimately retired to cap long, successful careers.

Tedy Bruschi is one of the rare exceptions. Often considered the heart and soul of New England’s Super Bowl defense through the years, Bruschi has been a member of the Patriots his entire career and is one of only a small handful of players who’ve been on all three of New England’s championship teams.

As he enters his 14th season and the final year of his current contract, Bruschi is keeping his options open.

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NFL’s top 10 smurfs
Height isn’t everything in the NFL. Jets RB Leon Washington is just one of Adrian Hasenmayer’s top 10 smurfs in a league full of giants.

Positional Power Rankings: RB packages
The best ballcarriers usually come in pairs. Adrian Hasenmayer ranks the NFL’s top RB packages, headlined by a pair of Panthers.

Patriots first round rookie pick Patrick Chung.

The team hopes the brainiac can help the Pats repeat their victory in the “Ultimate Rookie Challenge” trivia contest which was won by then-draftee Jerod Mayo at last year’s rookie roundup.

Fla. judge asked to release Stallworth crash video
A judge in Miami is being asked to publicly release surveillance video of the drunk-driving crash in which Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth struck and killed a pedestrian. The family of victim Mario Reyes doesn’t want the video released to news outlets. Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy set a hearing Tuesday on the issue. Stallworth is serving a 30-day jail sentence for DUI manslaughter in the March 14 crash. Tests showed Stallworth had a blood-alcohol level of 0.

VIDEO: Schein rants on Brandon Marshall
With a rap sheet, injury issues and his stock at an all-time low, Brandon Marshall’s trade demand is a fantasy, Adam Schein says.

Summer two-a-days: AFC South, NFC North
Can Peyton uphold Indy’s playoff streak? Will Cutler win in Chicago? Peter Schrager continues our summer two-a-days by division.

Big Mac wants Patriots comeback

No. 55 back in Foxborough? Willie McGinest sounds interested. Outside linebacker remains a big question mark for the Patriots heading into the 2009 season and it’s possible the team could add another player at the position.

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CB Shawn Springs: Keeping Notes
Hot News for CB Shawn Springs

Bruschi hasn’t decided future beyond 2009 (PA SportsTicker)
By HOWARD ULMAN AP Sports Writer

Notebook: Patriots Ready For A Break
The Patriots are getting ready to take a break for the summer just before training camp. There’s still some news to report including comments about Brett Favre, tales from a notebook, retirement talk and more…

Top Contract Squabbles
The offseason is the time for contract issues to be addressed for many top players around the league. Julius Peppers was subject of trade talks with the Patriots due to his situation. Where does Peppers stand now and who are some of the others in similar situations?

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Improved AFC East Is Still Patriots’ Division to Lose

The AFC East is no longer made up of the Patriots and three other teams. However, while the Jets, Dolphins, and Bills are improving and could all challenge for playoff berths this season, the road to the AFC East title still runs through Foxboro… by Thomas Casale 9 135 reads Opinion The AFC East is no longer made up of the Patriots and three …

20-13 wild card victory

You would never have guessed that most of them had never been to the playoffs during yesterday’s 20-13 victory over New England in the Stadium.

SBLI & Bruschi Team Up For 2nd Annual Youth Football Clinic at Gillette Stadium

“54″ Lucky Kids Learn the Plays from the Pros At a One-Day Mini Camp with Bruschi & His Special Guest Coaches! The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts and Tedy Bruschi team up for a youth football mini-camp at Gillette Stadium.

How Michael Jackson helped start the Patriots dynasty (Yahoo! Sports)
Without Adam Vinateri, the New England Patriots wouldn't have won three Super Bowl titles.

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How Michael Jackson helped start the Patriots dynasty (Yahoo! Sports)
Without Adam Vinateri, the New England Patriots wouldn't have won three Super Bowl titles.

Improved AFC East Is Still Patriots’ Division to Lose

The AFC East is no longer made up of the Patriots and three other teams. However, while the Jets, Dolphins, and Bills are improving and could all challenge for playoff berths this season, the road to the AFC East title still runs through Foxboro… by Thomas Casale 9 135 reads Opinion The AFC East is no longer made up of the Patriots and three …

Michael Jackson played key role in Robert Krafta s victory tour

According to a 2005 Forbes magazine article, one of Kraft’s prized possessions is a poster from the King of Pop’s Victory Tour.

NFL reviewing Plaxico Burress shooting incident

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has started his review of the Plaxico Burress shooting incident under the league’s personal conduct policy.The league confirmed Friday that Goodell was examining the incident in which Burress shot himself in the thigh in late November in a New York City nightclub.

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New England Patriots Quick Hits

NFL Touchdown’s Andy Benoit lists the roster hits of New England Patriots. QB: Tom Brady Ready to play.

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Buzzwords: Latest news from every team’s camp
Minicamps are over, but questions remain: Like can Clinton Portis and his coach coexist in Washington? Get the latest NFL Buzzwords.

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Seahawks‘ Schmitt apologizes for alleged DUI
Seahawks fullback Owen Schmitt has apologized for “poor judgment” after getting arrested in a Seattle suburb for investigation of drunken driving. Schmitt issued a statement Thursday apologizing “to the team, the NFL, the fans and my family and friends for my actions and poor judgment.” Schmitt was arrested Saturday night in Black Diamond, southeast of Seattle, according to a news release from the Black Diamond police.

Updated Best Available Free Agents-Offense
There is still a lot of depth remaining at the running back position in free agency. Backs such as Edgerrin James, Warrick Dunn, Deuce McAllister, Ahman Green, Selvin Young, and DeShaun Foster should find work by some time in August.

Rookie revelations before training camp
Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez aren’t the only rookie QBs gunning for a starting job. Alex Marvez checks in on the new class.

AFC EAST ROUNDTABLE: Minicamp Questions Pt 4
In Part 4 of this series we asked AFC East beat writers: What sleeper really helped himself in minicamp?

Jurevicius sues Browns over staph infection
Former Cleveland Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius is suing the team and the Cleveland Clinic, accusing doctors of negligence over a staph infection in his right knee that kept him off the field last year. Shannon Polk, an attorney for Jurevicius, said the lawsuit was filed Friday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. It alleges that team physicians failed to warn Jurevicius that therapy equipment was not always cleaned at the team’s training facility.

Chung Is Good, But Not As Good As…
They say an NFL Draft can’t be judged for three years. That may be, but questions about players chosen in this year’s Draft can’t wait that long. Scott Wright of Draftcountdown.com stopped by to answer our questions about players the Patriots picked, and some they missed.

Positional Power Rankings: QB packages
Tom Brady is the game’s best QB, but one injury and the Pats miss the playoffs. Adrian Hasenmayer ranks every team’s QB corps.

Goodell focuses on Vick; no decision on timeline
Commissioner Roger Goodell says he is beginning to focus on evaluating Michael Vick’s future in the NFL. But Goodell said Thursday his decision on the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback will come “in due time” and not necessarily before the season begins. “I haven’t given a timeline,” on a decision about reinstatement, Goodell told The Associated Press during a telephone interview.

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Goodell focuses on Vick; no decision on timeline
Commissioner Roger Goodell says he is beginning to focus on evaluating Michael Vick’s future in the NFL. But Goodell said Thursday his decision on the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback will come “in due time” and not necessarily before the season begins. “I haven’t given a timeline,” on a decision about reinstatement, Goodell told The Associated Press during a telephone interview.

NFL’s top 10 clutch players
Forget what stat-heads say. Numbers just can’t fully define someone. Adrian Hasenmayer ranks the best players under pressure.

Rookie revelations before training camp
Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez aren’t the only rookie QBs gunning for a starting job. Alex Marvez checks in on the new class.

Pats’ Bruschi undecided about retirement (Yahoo! Sports)
Entering his 14th NFL season, New England Patriots lineback Tedy Bruschi admits it could be his final…

Peppers ends stalemate, signs with Panthers
Julius Peppers’ long stalemate with the Carolina Panthers is over. The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end signed his one-year, $16.7 million tender under the franchise tag Wednesday, ending the chances that Peppers could hold out at the start of training camp. Peppers said at the end of last season that he wanted to play elsewhere and pleaded with Carolina to allow him to become a free agent. The Panthers still placed the franchise tag on him, limiting his movement.

Source: Lions C Raiola banks $20M in new deal
In 2008, Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola was a member of the worst team in NFL history.

Steelers owner now ambassador to Ireland
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as U.S. ambassador to Ireland. The nomination was approved by voice vote. Rooney was a lifelong Republican who backed President Barack Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton during Pennsylvania’s presidential primary last year. He later campaigned for Obama in western Pennsylvania and helped him win the state in November.

Schein’s Nine: Cutler should grin and bear it
Jay Cutler may want the Bears to add a certain former teammate, but Adam Schein says his current wideout options are just fine.

Seahawks‘ Schmitt apologizes for alleged DUI
Seahawks fullback Owen Schmitt has apologized for “poor judgment” after getting arrested in a Seattle suburb for investigation of drunken driving. Schmitt issued a statement Thursday apologizing “to the team, the NFL, the fans and my family and friends for my actions and poor judgment.” Schmitt was arrested Saturday night in Black Diamond, southeast of Seattle, according to a news release from the Black Diamond police.

VIDEO: Schein on 49ers‘ QB battle
Everyone Adam Schein talks to around the Niners loves the renewed Alex Smith. But it doesn’t mean he’ll win the QB gig.

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CB Fernando Bryant: Former Firtst Round Pick Calls It Quits
Hot News for CB Fernando Bryant

Looking To The Future
The New England Patriots have multiple second round picks in 2010. Who are some of the names to consider? Scout.com Draft Analyst Chris Steuber shares this thoughts on five players to keep an eye on.

AFC EAST ROUNDTABLE: Minicamp Questions Pt 3
In Part 3 of this series we asked AFC East beat writers: Which rookie showed the most at camp and could contribute immediately?

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