According to a report in today's Boston Globe, it now appears unlikely that WR **Troy Brown** will be back with the Patriots in 2008.
The paper cites a source with knowledge of Brown's situation. The article states that "the Patriots recently informed the 15-year veteran, who is a free agent, that he was not in their immediate plans and that if he was interested in returning for a 16th NFL season he was free to field offers from other teams."
As for former Patriot Ty Law, the cornerback has been rumored to be angling for a possible return to New England. But the New York Jets, another former team of Law's, is pursuing him as well.
"I'd say we're definitely on good terms," Law said of Pats head coach Bill Belichick in the same Globe story. "He did express his interest in me coming there and I expressed mine, but I don't know if it's something that can get handled soon enough."
We know that WR Wes Welker will be back, but for the past few weeks, he's been enjoying some time away from New England. In a story in today's Boston Herald, Welker revealed that he's been back home in Oklahoma and has taken a trip to Las Vegas with some friends.
"It's been nice just kind of getting away from it. It was such a long season," said Welker. "Being able to get back and really hang out with family and just relax, go on trips and different things like that, it's nice."
Yet, Welker is looking forward to getting back to work with his Patriots teammates this month.
"I become more and more driven every year," he said. "I feel like I pick up things: training, eating habits, different things that I can do to make myself a better player."
Welker will soon have some new teammates with whom to get acquainted, after the team makes its selections in the upcoming NFL Draft. In today's Patriot Ledger of Quincy, Mass., you'll find one writer's opinion about what the Pats should do in the draft next month.
And if mock drafts are what you're looking for, there are plenty out there.
FOXSports.com has New England taking a linebacker with the 7th overall pick, while NFL.com has the Pats picking a cornerback. Defensive tackle is the selection that NBCSports.com predicts. However, offensive tackle is where the Pats will choose in CBSSportsline.com's mock draft.
