On Monday the players were given the day off due to new rules in the CBA which state that all teams must have one off day during the first week of training camp.  So while the players were away the coaching staff and front office were busy.

First off as we reported in the wee hours of the morning the team brought in former Chicago Bear DT Tommie Harris for a workout today.  Harris, 28, is a three time Pro Bowl selection and two time All-Pro selection out of Oklahoma.

There has been no word yet as of press time on how Harris’ workout and meeting with Bill Belichick and the staff went.

There was another camp casualty announced this evening the team released QB Jonathan Crompton.  The former Tennessee Volunteer was signed last November to the practice squad and in camp had slid to fourth on the depth chart behind 3^rd round pick Ryan Mallett, a former Arkansas Razorback.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Speaking of Mallett, the NFL disallowed his contract and that of fellow draft pick RB Stevan Ridley due to some language in the pact which will need to be tweaked.  This is the third rookie contract the league has kicked back to the Patriots, so it looks like not everyone is quite up to all the nuances of the new CBA.

As for the three remaining unsigned draft picks, they’re still unsigned.  Right now there has been no movement on deals for Nate Solder, Ras-I Dowling and Shane Vereen.  Word is that agents are all looking to get the fourth year guaranteed and the Patriots, as well as other teams with unsigned picks, are balking.

With Matt Light back in the fold and the release of Crompton the team now has 88 players towards the 90-man roster limit.

The training camp schedule for the next few days is as follows:

Tuesday

Practice held from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Practice at Gillette Stadium for season ticket holders only from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For all the latest training camp information go to patriots.com/trainingcamp or call 508.549.0041.

Stay with Sox & Dawgs for all the latest Patriots news through the free agent frenzy.   We will post larger signings and trades as soon as we can and will recap the minor moves near the end of the day.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Former New England Patriots WR Randy Moss has decided to retire rather than pursue a contract with another NFL team.  Any hope Moss had of returning to New England was dashed last week when the team traded for disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco.

A 13-year veteran, the 34-year old wide receiver is considered one of the Top 5 to ever play at that position, and quite possibly the best true deep threat to ever play the game.

Five times Moss lead the NFL in receiving TD’s for a season, in his career he had 29 TD catches of 50 yards or longer, second most all-time to only Jerry Rice.  He also had 10 1,000 plus yards seasons, 64 career 100 yard games and 153 TD catches all 2^nd all-time in NFL history.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

In 2007, his first season with the Patriots, Moss had a record setting year as he and NFL MVP Tom Brady teamed up for 23 TD’s of the record 50 Brady threw.  In fact on the same play that Brady set the record with his 50^th TD pass, Moss caught his NFL record 23^rd TD reception against the New York Giants in what would be the Patriots 16^th win of the season.  Moss finished 2007 with 98 total catches good for 1,493 yards.

Moss was a 1998 1^st round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings out of Marshall University.  After 7 seasons in Minnesota he was traded to Oakland were he spent two unproductive seasons.  It was a draft weekend trade to New England in 2007 that rejuvenated his career.  Just weeks into the 2010 season the Patriots traded Moss back to the Vikings were after just a couple weeks he was released by Minnesota following a blow up in the locker room.  He was placed on waivers and claimed by the Tennessee Titans where he played out the season without incident.

Moss was a five-time All Pro, a seven time Pro Bowl selection, MVP of the 2000 Pro Bowl Game, a member of the New England Patriots All-2000’s team and a member of the NFL’s 2000’s All-Decade Team.  He is also on the NFL Network’s Top 100 of All-time list.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: Getty Images

According to league sources, the New England Patriots have re-signed free agent offensive tackle Matt Light to a two-year contract.  Light, a 2^nd round draft choice in 2001 out of Purdue, was an unrestricted free agent and returns for his 11^th NFL season.

This is big new for the Patriots now with Light re-upping and Guard Logan Mankins having signed his franchise tender, Tom Brady’s very valuable backside is once again well protected for 2011.

Light, a 2007 All-Pro selection, has also been a three-time Pro Bowl selection and is a member of both the Patriots 50^th Anniversary and All-2000’s teams.  In addition to Brady and RB Kevin Faulk, they are the only remaining players to have been with the Patriots for all three Super Bowl victories.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: AP Photo

Former Chicago Bears DT Tommie Harris has been flown into Foxboro by the New England Patriots.  According to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald, the team has scheduled a visit and work out for Harris on Monday morning.

Harris, a two time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection, had an off year in 2010 when he recorded only 2 sacks and 15 tackles in 15 games, and the 28-year old was cut following the season due to diminished production.  In 2008, he was a huge force in the middle of the Chicago defense sacking opponent’s quarterbacks 8 times and adding 35 tackles.

The 6’3”, 300 lb. Harris was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by Chicago out of Oklahoma University.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: AP Photo

Well today was the trading deadline and as we all expected…oh wait sorry wrong sport.

Today was the 4^th day of training camp for the New England Patriots and the 6^th and 7^th sessions overall. Some quick notes from the practice today.

Media gathered for the session felt that the defense was better than the offense at this point which is understandable it’s like the pitchers being ahead of the hitters in February during spring training.

DT Albert Haynesworth passes his conditioning run and was on the field for practice today.  During the pads session in the afternoon he was involved in about half of the practice and it was reported that when he was on the field he looked “dominant”.  Also it was noted that when paired with Vince Wilfork inside the two were a wrecking crew and gave a glimpse of what it could look like in Foxboro this year.

Other stellar defenders were LB Brandon Spikes, who was a hitting machine, and by all accounts the best player on the field.  Other defenders earning praise from viewers were Jerod Mayo and Dane Fletcher.  DB Leigh Bodden looked good as well grabbing a pick on a Brian Hoyer pass.

The offense tended to struggle and everyone associated seemed to have a tough day.  The quarterback’s weren’t sharp, the running backs had a tough time hitting holes and holding onto the ball, the line had a tough time getting those holes open and the receivers had a case of the dropsy’s.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

WR Chad Ochocinco had a couple bad drops and leaped too early for another ball.  He spent an extra 20 minutes after practice with the DB coach Josh Boyer going over some stuff.

Aaron Hernandez struggled in blocking, while QB Tom Brady has some low throws and miscommunications with some of the receivers.

A pair of rookies QB Ryan Mallett and RB Stevan Ridley each had a fumble, as did RB Danny Woodhead.

Brady even stayed after practice to do some more running while Mallett hung around to work on his footwork.

While it may not have been great I believe this was only the second session in pads so far and the players missed a lot of time due to the lockout.  So things that would be worked on during OTA’s now have to be compressed into the short time they have in training camp.

One other note from camp Boston Celtic All-Star guard Rajon Rondo was seen hanging out during practice and made contact with some of the Patriots players.  The two teams have been linked the last few seasons with players from both teams supporting the other.

Earlier in the day Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio met with the media and he had a few things to day that were of interest.

First he expects “The Lawfirm” BenJarvus Green-Ellis to be in camp very shortly.  Green-Ellis is a restricted free agent and can sign with any team but New England can chose to match the offer.  It almost sounds like he is just going to end up re-signing with the Patriots this week.

He also noted that contract discussions are on going with OL Matt Light.  Hopefully they will have Light wrapped up and signed fairly shortly.

And on rookie Marcus Cannon, Cesario says “he looks great, he has done everything he has been asked to do and we’re optimistic.”  Current Cannon is on the Active/Non-Football Injury List due to his cancer treatments.

The team will not be practicing on Monday as they were given the day off. The new CBA calls for one day off during the first week of practice. For all the latest training camp information go to patriots.com/trainingcamp or call 508.549.0041.

Stay with Sox & Dawgs for all the latest Patriots news through the free agent frenzy.   We will post larger signings and trades as soon as we can and will recap the minor days near the end of the day.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

The New England Patriots made a couple additional announcements regarding player personnel late Saturday afternoon.

The club announced they re-signed free agent safety Brendan McGowan and linebacker Tracy White to contracts.

McGowan, who came to New England in 2009 after four seasons with the Chicago Bears, missed all of 2010 with a chest injury after playing in all 16 games (11 starts) in 2009. That season McGowan set career highs with 66 tackles, 10 passes defensed 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.  He is expected to get most of his time as a special team’s member.

White, a nine-year veteran, has previously played for Seattle, Jacksonville, Green Bay and Philadelphia prior to coming to New England last season as part of a trade for future considerations with the Eagles.

White was a big time contributor on special teams in 2010 making 18 special teams tackles.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Here is the transcript of newly acquired WR Chad Ochocinco’s meet the media session.

The team also announced the release of rookie linebacker Anthony Leonard, who was signed just Wednesday as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia.  So like former Nevada linebacker Ryan Coulson who was also a UDFA, Leonard was sent packing just mere days after signing.  You have to wonder what the deal was with these two.  Did they fail to disclose a previous injury to the team?  Did they flunk the conditioning test? Are they not following rules? Can they not grasp what is being taught?  Are they lazy?  Is it a matter of roster numbers? With the Bill Belichick and the Patriots we will probably never know.

The Patriots also released their training camp schedule for the next few days.

Sunday

On field sessions are from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Patriots experience is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday

The team will practice, times to be announced.

For all the latest training camp information go to patriots.com/trainingcamp or call 508.549.0041.

Stay with Sox & Dawgs for all the latest Patriots news through the free agent frenzy.   We will post larger signings and trades as soon as we can and will recap the minor days near the end of the day.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

The Patriots have placed 2011 draft pick OL Marcus Cannon on the active/non-football injury list.  Cannon, who was drafted out of TCU, is recovering from a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and currently is not expected to practice.

If he were to start practicing the team would remove him from the list and place him on the active roster.

Tight End Aaron Hernandez who was sporting a new uniform number on Friday has been activated from the PUP list. He had his first practice session on Saturday.

Newly acquired WR Chad Ochocinco had his first session with the Patriots media members today after practice.  Ochocinco promised to be a chameleon and lay low and just be Chad.

Ochocinco also confirmed that Hernandez wanted nothing in return for #85 though he did say he would let Hernandez drive his Toyota Prius on the weekends and give him some McDonald’s coupons.

Hernandez said he’d rather drive Ochocinco’s Lamborghini.

After he spoke, Chad asked reporters for a group hug.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

The NFLPA is now officially re-established as a union.  This was one of the points of the new CBA that needed to finalized by August 4^th.

Head coach Bill Belichick spoke on newly acquired DT Albert Haynesworth saying that the deal with Washington was finally complete.  I originally reported this week that Haynesworth was in the group of players who couldn’t practice with the squad until August 4^th because he was restructuring his contract.  Apparently that isn’t so and Haynesworth is eligible to practice.

When asked when he expected Haynesworth on the field Belichick said, “he will be out there when he was ready.”  And that’s all he would say leaving that statement up to interpretation.

So does that mean Haynesworth is running into the same conditioning issues he had in Washington?  Or is because he has gone so long with out football contact that Belichick wants him to decide when he is ready to go full bore?  Here’s hoping this is a non-issue.

So far there is nothing further to report in signings of the three remaining draft picks, Nate Solder, Ras-I Dowling and Shane Vereen, other than that there is some haggling going on but I hear there’s progress being made

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Patriots offensive lineman Logan Mankins signed his franchise tender on Friday.  Mankins, who was designated as the team’s franchise player, could have signed the tender or negotiated a long-term contract with the club. 

As of now he has chosen to sign the tender which is worth a reported $10.1 million for the 2011 season.

Mankins a 2005 first round draft pick is a three-time Pro Bowl player and a three-time NFL All-Pro.  He is a huge key in the protection of NFL MVP Tom Brady.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: AP Photo

Veteran running back Kevin Faulk has been re-signed by the New England Patriots.  Faulk, a 1999 draft pick out of LSU, has played his entire career with New England, the 13-year veteran played in just two games last season before tearing his ACL.

He said today that before the lockout he was contacted by head coach Bill Belichick who told him he wanted him on his team in 2011.

Faulk reiterated today that he was going to play for the Patriots or no one in 2011.  His contract terms were not disclosed but it is believed to be a one-year contract.

The Patriots also announced the signing of free agent DL Steve Williams.  Williams played the last two seasons in the Canadian Football League with the British Columbia Lions.

An undrafted free agent in 2006, Williams signed with the Kansas Chiefs with whom he has his only NFL playing experience.  Williams has also spent time on the roster of the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots.

Williams signed with the Patriots in May 2009 and was part of the last roster cut made by the club that September.  He then went on to the CFL

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit: AP Photo

The New England Patriots locked up defensive back Kyle Arrington for two more seasons.  The former undrafted free agent was an exclusive rights free agent and he could have chosen to sign his exclusive rights tender or negotiate a deal. 

He chose the deal.

The two-year extension can be worth as much as $3.275 million over the two years with contract escalators for playing time.  The new contract also gives Arrington a bunch of up front money.

The Hofstra product had 71 tackles and 1 INT returned for a touchdown last season.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Photo credit:  Getty Images