Thursday's chat with Reiss

Mike,

With the Patriots pulling out of the league's pension program for coaches, how will that affect their ability to retain or hire new coaches?

Unabashed Patriots lover but……

1. I liked the draft choices and approach to draft but was nervous about linebacker. Now, with McKenzie out are we going to see Colvin and Seau back? That would be a shame. We rebuild the secondary with picks in ’08 and ’09 and bring in free agents but we can’t find more help at the most important positions in this defense? Are we going to play with 2 linebackers and 6 DB’s?

2. We can no longer claim the Pats have a stellar record with first round draft choices. Watson, Maroney and Graham were all unworthy of first round selections and “busts” taken in those spots. Nice guys but all busts.

Nervous about ‘09

Hi Jim. I don't know enough about it, but it seems to me that it wouldn't be a positive development along those lines. ... "Has Been", on the LBs, I think they'll see how Gary Guyton progresses before making a move like a Seau or Colvin. McKenzie projected more as a fourth option, not a starter. I wouldn't rule out Shawn Crable and Vince Redd as possibilities at OLB, and Guyton emerging at ILB.
--Mike

Mike:

Now the draft is over... What is the status of contract negociations with Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour. We gotta get these guys locked up.... Ted Washington has left the building

Thanks Jon from Louisiana

Hi Jon. I haven't heard anything on those negotiations. I believe all is quiet right now.
--Mike

Have there been any free agents in for tryouts since the

minicamp ended?

Hi Jim. The Patriots had three WRs in for tryouts -- the Patriots Tweeted that -- and I'm working to find out who they are.
--Mike

Hi Mike,

The long-snapper that was drafted by the Pats - - does he offer any more position flexibility (i.e. can he play some OL, etc.) than Lonnie Paxton did?

Is it crazy to think that McKenzie's injury might not be so bad, but any rookie injury gives them a chance to effectively "redshirt" them? Keeps them protected for a year while they learn.

Mike - Roy Williams is still on the free agent market, right? Any chance the Pats (or another team) try him at linebacker?

Mike,

How does McKenzies injury change things at the linebacker position?

My Crease,

Why do we play the colts in indy this year?

Who are the 3 receivers the Pats had in for tryouts?

What about the 3 Navy players the Pats signed? Can they keep them? Or is it another situation like Army safety Caleb Campbell?

Mike,

Could you quickly describe the playoff compensation for NFL players? I've always believed that Barry Sanders didn't want to be on a playoff team because he wanted to avoid the wear and tear of playoff games. And I wonder how many NFL players with big contracts have that attitude.

Hi Mike,
What's with Brady ? He seems to be globetrotting all over the world with Gigi when I think he should be busting his butt in the weight room with the rest of his teamates. Is he committed or what ?

any update on jason taylor

Any word on Edgerrin James being asked to come to the stadium for a look-see?

Roy Williams is a Cincinnati Bengal, david, and will play safety for them. I doubt the Patriots would have any interest in him whatsoever.

Someone always has to knock Brady's work ethic. Brady will be just as prepared as anyone else on that team, he'll be there when the rest of the team show's. Ask Fred Taylor what happens when you lift on your own!!!

People must be jealous, they can't walk around town sportin a very rich, beautiful sweetheart like her under thier arm!!!!!!

What's with the McKenzie kid? He seems to be supporting his family by working nights and running drills so hard be blows an ACL instead of globetrotting all over the world with supermodels like the rest of his teammates. Is he committed or what?

Shemssy, I don't see Jake Ingram offering much more position flexibility than Paxton. ... David, looks like Williams agreed to join the Bengals today after this comment was posted. ... Sean in Taunton, I saw McKenzie as the No. 4 option at ILB. I think it affects them more in the future than present. ... Kahl McCoy, I sense some sarcasm and it made me laugh ... Mark, working on those tryouts. Don't have the info yet. I'd need to do more research on the Navy guys. ... Bill, players get a share for the playoffs, which is less than what many well-paid veterans earn salary-wise, but for rookies, it's certainly an added bonus based on what they earn. ... Mike, I think Brady is committed. ... Nothing new on Jason Taylor right now ... Don't see Edge coming here; looks like N.O. could be his best option.
--Mike

Mike,

Do you see the Patriots having a "strategy" going forward of moving out of the first round and using that pick to add 2nd round choices? They had 3 2nd's this year, already have 3 next. Could they look to trade the '10 first for multiple '11 seconds? Is this a way of getting more players at a more reasonable price?

Mike, it feels like economic considerations trumped everything else in the 2009 draft, more so than in the past. Has the Kraft family's business situation deteriorated to any significant degree and has that had an impact on the Patriots' degree of flexibility this year?

Are the pats going to try and move Maroney this year or anytime? It seems like every game he is injured.