2008 schedule is due out today

FOXBOROUGH - In each of the last three NFL seasons, the Patriots and Colts could count on one thing: They'd be butting helmets in a much-anticipated clash on the first weekend of November. A Patriots-Colts meeting ensured skyrocketing ratings during the all-important TV sweeps period.

Will 2008 be more of the same?

The answer will come today at 2 p.m., when the NFL releases its complete 2008 schedule.

The Patriots already know the opponents they will face - both home and away - but today they will discover the all-important when.

At the NFL's annual meeting earlier this month, Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the Globe that he has petitioned the league for as many 1 p.m. home games as possible, because he felt 2007 was tough on the club's fans. He was hopeful the team would open its season Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m., which is expected.

The Patriots will have home games against the Bills, Broncos, Cardinals, Chiefs, Dolphins, Jets, Rams, and Steelers. Road games come against the Bills, Chargers, Colts, Dolphins, 49ers, Jets, Raiders, and Seahawks.

While the regular-season schedule will be unveiled today, the team finalized dates and times of its preseason schedule yesterday. There will be home games Thursday, Aug. 7, against the Ravens (7:30 p.m.) and Friday, Aug. 22, against the Eagles (7:30 p.m.), with road contests Sunday, Aug. 17, against the Buccaneers (8 p.m.) and Thursday, Aug. 28 against the Giants (7 p.m.).

Get with the program

Tedy Bruschi said he met newly signed linebacker Victor Hobson for the first time yesterday at the team's offseason program. Bruschi said he looked forward to forming a bond since both are planning to be regular participants in the team's offseason program. Bruschi added that the program, which officially began March 24, has shifted into another gear. "At first, I think it starts slow," he said. "It was a long season, ending in early February, so you take it a little bit slow, but now that we're getting into the fourth week, guys are really starting to work hard and getting ready to do it again." . . . Hobson will wear No. 59, last donned by Rosevelt Colvin . . . Bruschi hosted a group of runners from "Tedy's Team" at Gillette Stadium yesterday. This marks the third straight year Bruschi has organized a team to run in the Boston Marathon to raise stroke awareness through the American Stroke Association.

Christopher L. Gasper of the Globe staff contributed to this report.