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College ties

When looking at the pipeline between the New England Patriots and University of Florida football program, the most promiment link is between head coaches Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer. The two have spent time together in recent years, trading ideas on team-building and Xs and Os.

But the pipeline goes deeper than just Belichick-Meyer, and it includes a strong New England connection.

Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli played football at Central Connecticut State from 1983-87. Florida assistant coach Steve Addazio played at Central Connecticut State from 1978-81. Also, Patriots special assignment scout Frank Leonard played and coached at Central Connecticut State.

"We're all proud Blue Devils," said Addazio, a longtime friend of Pioli and Leonard.

That connection could be part of the reason that five University of Florida players will participate in the Patriots' rookie minicamp this weekend. The Patriots drafted receiver Chad Jackson in the second round and outside linebacker Jeremy Mincey in the sixth round, while signing cornerback Vernell Brown, offensive tackle Randy Hand and safety Jarvis Herring to free-agent contracts.

Central Connecticut State, which now competes in the Northeast Conference, has a few other distinguised alumni in the NFL, including Texans assistant coach Mike Sherman and Jaguars assistant coach Dave Campo. In the college ranks, Iowa State defensive coordinator John Skladany, who helped Ellis Hobbs develop into a NFL-caliber cornerback, is a Central Connecticut State alum.

"There's a great fraternity from the school out there," said Addazio.

Addazio first met Pioli in 1985, when Pioli was a player at the school. He said the two struck up a friendship at that time, and 20 years later, Addazio jokes that sometimes he's mistaken for Pioli "because we're kind of built the same way, have the same hairline, and are both Northeast guys."

Both Central Connecticut State guys, too.

"That's something we're proud of," Addazio said.

EXTRA POINTS: Former Patriots offensive tackle Tom Ashworth, now with Seattle, will work at backup guard in training camps and the preseason, coach Mike Holmgren told the Tacoma News Tribune. ... Former Patriots cornerback Ty Law, now a free agent, visited with the Titans and passed a physical Thursday, according to the Tennessean. ... Former Boston College standout Mathias Kiwanuka, a first-round pick of the New York Giants, is profiled in Newsday.