Q&A with Mike Reiss

I'm very disappointed in Ben Watson. I expected greatness out of him and he hasn't even been close.He hasn't been a "great " blocker the way Daniel Graham was and it is just sickening to watch him drop pass after pass. I know he's here next year but I am hoping Thomas steps up this year at least as a receiver.

Mike, I know you've posted this before but can you post the list of relevant dates again when you get a chance. Days when the rosters need to be reduced, etc.. Thanks for all your hard work!

Are contracts for the Pats getting shorter? Seems like we're signing up for constant contract issues. Great for the agents but...

Mike,

I think the moves by the Patriots as far as tight ends may really help the Patriots. In particular, the signing of Chris Baker could help the Patriots in two ways. I can see Baker playing two positions, tight end and fullback. Baker already has the reputation as a good blocker and I can see him really helping the Patriots by playing both positions. What do you think?

Hi Dean. Here is a link for the key NFL dates. http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/06/nfl_calendar.html. .. Jay, I think you've hit something here on the contract length, as the Patriots are leaving themselves flexibility with the uncertain labor forecast. ... Rick, I like Baker more as an in-line type of blocker than a fullback type. I see the H-back type lead blocker being Alex Smith/David Thomas.
--Mike

Foursome - Tim Tebow, Theo Epstein, Simon Cowell, Bill Gates - They talk the talk and walk the walk. This country needs more decision makers.

Mike, There seems to be no news coming out about our 1st selection overall in the draft "Patrick Chung". Did you have a chance to watch him in the mini camp, do u see him doing anything this year (like....maybe in the starter role alongside Meriweather). Also, what are your thoughts on Ron Brace, does he have the potential to turn into the kind of player Vince is? Thanks.

Staggering contract length only matters if you are looking at one draft class. If the Pats signed half of this year's group to 4 year contracts and half to 3 year contracts, and did the same next year, they would have the same number of contracts coming up for renewal 2013 as if they signed all of both year's classes to 4 year contracts.

How could everyone leave Larry Bird out of their golf foursomes? Bird, Bourque, Flutie, Rice

Bird, Cam the man, Brady and Wes Welker

McHale, Orr, Moss, Brady

Lance Armstrong, Phelps,YAZ & Vinnie Paz

Rosie O'Donnell, Al Franken, Michael Moore, George Soros

Cam Neely, Ulf Samuelson, Aaron Ward & Scott Walker? The golf gloves would come off long before hitting the back 9...

The big money deal Matt Cassel signed with KC proves in a very objective way his true value as a quarterback in the eyes of the league in general, and the Chiefs in particular. In light of that, Mike, are you at last prepared to acknowledge that the trade of Cassel and Vrabel for a second round pick was completely imbalanced in favor of the Chiefs? Looks to me like the Chiefs think they got one of the best quarterbacks in the league, plus a serviceable linebacker, for a second round pick...

Cornbread Maxwell, Lyndon Byers, Oil Can Boyd, Dick McPherson

journalismmeansobjectivity , I agree with you except for the salary cap aspect. By trading Vrable and Cassel to KC the Patriots decided where they would go. They did not end up with the Jets or Denver and hurt their ablity on one of the wild card slots. The cap relief enabled them to make fantastic pick-ups like Taylor, Galloway, Baker and Alex Smith to name a few. Look at Carolina with Peppers 18M cap with his bonuses. What do you want?, One or two players for 18M cap or 6 very good players for the same cap space?

Hi Mike

With all the rookies being signed (or close), do you have a sense of how much cap space the Patriots have remaining to negotiate with Wilfork or others?

Right on hawkbird! I also wonder how well Cassel does outside of the Pats system. He will not have the weapons he had last year!

Hawkbird - So you too have fallen for the silly argument: "We traded a very good quarterback (worth $60m+) and a good veteran linebacker (team leader and multiple SB ring wearer) for just a second round draft pick so that we would have an enough cash to sign 6 role players, none of whom are likely to be difference makers?" That is the favorite line of every team when they make a mistake. Personally, I would have rather had the mulitple draft picks Cassel obviously was worth (as now proven by what he signed for), or a game changing veteran. But instead, I think Belichick was sending a love note to Scott Pioli for turning down multiple offers in previous years.