USA Today's "Inside Slant" writes that the Patriots didn't tinker heavily with their defense during the offseason. Two of the biggest moves on the defensive side were the release of linebacker Willie McGinest and the promotion of Dean Pees to defensive coordinator. The potentially biggest change to the New England defense remains in the rumor stages. The Patriots have shown plenty of interest in free agent cornerback Ty Law, who recorded 10 interceptions last season with the Jets after spending the first decade of his NFL career in New England. Should the Patriots outbid teams like Kansas City and Arizona and land Law, a signing that won't likely take place until late July or early August, it would send ripples throughout what is already a jumbled New England secondary.

Glenn Guilbeau of The Daily Advertiser (Louisianna) reports that Patriots running back Kevin Faulk was inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame during a ceremony last night on the LSU campus. Faulk gained 852 yards in his first season in 1995 as LSU finished 7-4-1 with its first bowl victory - 45-26 over Saban's Michigan State team - since 1987. He went on to become a first team Associated Press All-American in 1996 and win two SEC rushing titles as LSU won bowl games the next two seasons. He was a second round choice after the 1998 season by the Patriots. "You never think about something like this when you're being recruited or while you're playing," Faulk said. "But this is really special. This is what you want to accomplish - for people to remember you."

Ever wonder what a particular NFL player gets paid? USA Today offers it's NFL salaries database where you can look up NFL players / teams salaries for each year up to 2005. According to this online database, the Patriots had the seventh highest total payroll in 2005 with $94,409,059.

Previously in the Blitz...

The Boston Globe offers NFL notes and also examines five issues the Patriots must cope with this season.

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe offers his daily Patriots blog with notes and quotes.

Reiss also offers his latest mailbag where he shares his thoughts about minicamp and answers readers questions about the kicker situation, Deion Branch, and more.