Q&A with Mike Reiss

Mike, you mentioned a couple of months ago that Peppers needed to sign his franchise tender as a precursor to any trade. Do you see anything happening with him now since he signed the tender yesterday?

Hi Gregg. I see Peppers playing for the Panthers in 2009. I don't see him coming to New England.
--Mike

Mike, can you talk about what makes a player a good punt returner versus a good kickoff returner? And why don't the best "pure returners" get the job for both roles?

I think that the addition of Fred Taylor on the off season will give Lawrence Maroney a kick start, much like Corey Dillon did.

Hi Mike,

Is Gary Guyton going to be the guy to finally replace Ted Johnson? Also, I saw your 53 man guess the other day - I don't think Slater will make it, would put Tank ahead of him - also think they go with 5 TEs...

Thanks for doing this.

Do you have any insight as to why David Thomas has not delivered to his ability? Is it more about not being either the best blocking TE and not being the biggest threat to take it deep and so being #2 in each situation? Is it more about the 3 WR sets over the last 2 years? Is it not living up to expectation in practices? I still have significant expectations for him whether here or elsewhere if he is in the right system to use his skills.

Mike,

Of all the personel groups, which one do you think is the weakest on the Patriots? Linebacker, Defensive backs?

Thanks,

Before the draft when the Pats selected Laurence Maroney, I had advocated for them choosing DeMeco Ryans. At the time he was projected to be a possible top 10 choice. You had said that the Pats probably would not trade up, and they didn't. I still wish they had taken Ryans. What can we realistically expect out of Maroney this season and moving forward?

Before the draft when the Pats selected Laurence Maroney, I had advocated for them choosing DeMeco Ryans. At the time he was projected to be a possible top 10 choice. You had said that the Pats probably would not trade up, and they didn't. I still wish they had taken Ryans. What can we realistically expect out of Maroney this season and moving forward?

Mike, in an uncapped year do you think teams can allocate all signing bonuses that particular year and allow them more cap space when a new labor agreement and salary cap is in effect? If possible Im thinking signing all your major players, Wilfork, Seymore, Brady and allocating the entire signing bonus next year.

Mike:

Who will have more sacks in 2009. Wooble Banta-Redd for the Pats at ROLB, or Julius Peppers for the Panthers?

Significant improvement back four chung free agents and two w`s make Pats in top five nfl.Ol improved with of two or new players. Dl solid will sign wilfork and seymore will be resolved. Inside linebacker will shine lenon is more than hoped. Olb will improve via trade.Wr best group in years. Rb my only concern all is my opinion assumes no mjajor injuries Super bowl here we come. BE POSITIVE!

Oh Mike! Did you have to remind us of the Pats moving up to get Chad Jackson when a number od lower picks turned out to be stars now?

Fair is fair though, projection of how a college player will pan out in the NFL is difficult . But the Pats had not done as well as Indy or the Giants in the draft department.

are we really still going to london? tell me that got cancelled.

Regarding "Mike, everyone including myself considers Belichick defensive master mind. But in his time with the Pats he has not had one player win the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Why do you think this is? Why have guys like Rosie Colvin and Adalius Thomas not worked out in NE? If he could turn someone on this team into a defensive player of the year who do you think it would be? My guess at this time would be J.Mayo. "

It should be reminded that the patriots run a team defense filling gaps and it is not designed for individual achievment

relax Dave. The Giants played in London the season they destroyed the Pats in the Super Bowl.

Still like to hear the date for the Super Bowl in 2010.and where.