The Boston Globe offers an interesting piece on Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. Welker added a new fan through his 112-catch season last year. Wideout Randy Moss has taken a specific interest in Welker's footwork in tight spaces. Welker pointed out to Moss that it is his background in soccer that has made him such a successful receiver.

"I really feel that it's helped with my footwork, getting in and out of breaks, and it seems like I can take a bunch of little steps in a very quick amount of time," Welker said yesterday during a break from the Patriots' passing camp at Gillette Stadium.

Moss was so impressed with what he saw from Welker last season that he's added his own soccer-specific drills to his training this offseason.

"We've kicked the ball around a little bit and I showed him some of the drills I've gone through," Welker said. "It's pretty impressive how he's gotten it in a short amount of time. He juggles it really well now, moves it around."

The Boston Herald notes that Wes Welker will be honored on Saturday for his accomplishments when he receives the 2008 Pop Warner Inspiration to Youth Award in Orlando, Fla., joining the likes of former winners Tim Brown, Drew Bledsoe, Emmitt Smith and Junior Seau.

Charlotte Hutnak from South Attleboro as well as three other children and their families had the chance to hang out with Tom Brady and Randy Moss in a visit made possible by the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Angels Above of Massachusetts General Hospital for Children on Tuesday. The Sun Chronicle offers a piece on their visit.

The NCAA men's lacrosse championships for divisions 1,2 and 3 are coming to Gillette Stadium this weekend. *The Patriot Ledger * notes that Bill Belichick, an avid fan of lacrosse, is excited to see this weekends lacrosse tournament.

"I love lacrosse," said Belichick. "It's speed, skill and contact. All of that makes it pretty exciting. I think it's great for the sport to get that kind of championship exposure up here."