With Rodney Harrison's status for the start of the 2006 season in doubt, the Patriots could take a hard look at a safety early in the 2006 draft. Albert Breer of the MetroWest Daily News writes that director of pro personnel Nick Cesario held a private workout on March 20 with Tennessee's Jason Allen on the Knoxville campus, the Daily News has learned. Allen, a two-time team captain with the Vols, has risen up the charts and could be a first-round pick. According to a source, the Patriots also dispatched defensive coordinator Dean Pees and regional scout Bob Quinn for a private workout with Iowa linebacker Abdul Hodge on the Iowa City campus on March 20.

Tom Curran of the Providence Journal profiles Michigan nose tackle Gabe Watson. Leading up to the NFL Draft, Curran will profile a player at a "need" position for the Patriots each day. New England has 11 picks in the draft, six in the first four rounds. The Pats' first-round pick is the 21st overall.

The Boston Globe reports that the New England Revolution decided to stay in-house with the naming of Brian Bilello as the team's chief operating officer yesterday. Bilello, 31, has worked in several marketing and sales posts for the Revolution as well as for the Patriots and Gillette Stadium since 2003. He replaces Lou Imbriano, who resigned earlier this month to start a sports marketing business.

Carol Beggy & Mark Shanahan of the Boston Globe reports that Patriots QB Tom Brady will be the honorary guest speaker for City Year's annual Starry Starry Night benefit, the nonprofit youth organization confirmed yesterday. Brady was at a New York auto show over the weekend to cohost a radio show for Sirius NFL Radio with host Steve Cohen.The three-time Super Bowl champ will speak about teamwork and leadership at the May 25 event that will take place on Boston Common. Previous guest speakers have included former president Bill Clinton and Tim Russert of NBC's "Meet the Press."

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes. Reiss also offers his latest Patriots mailbag.

Tom Curran of the Providence Journal offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes and commentary.