The Boston Herald's Albert Breer reports that prominent NFL agent Vance Malinovic is, indeed, still working on first-round draft pick Laurence Maroney's contract with the Patriots. And he says any report to the contrary is "erroneous." According to a report in Tuesday's Boston Globe, Maroney recently fired Malinovic and was already in the midst of the league's mandated five-day waiting period for hiring new representation. That, it appears, was simply a mix-up.
Glen Farley of The Enterprise confirms that Tulsa tight end Garrett Mills became the latest draft pick to sign on Monday, agreeing to a four-year contract reported to be worth $2.072 million. According to ESPN.com, Mills received a signing bonus of $462,500 as part of a contract that contains minimum base salaries for all four years and an escalator clause that could allow him to increase his pay in 2009 based on predetermined playing time and performance levels.
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe questions whether whether Deion Branch and the Patriots can reach an agreement that will bring Branch to training camp.
With Training Camp right around the corner, Laura Meade Kirk of the Providence Journal offers an article about the Patriots Experience, a portable playground filled with inflatable football players, jumping toys and a variety of activities. The Patriots Experience is a popular destination to visit on your way to Patriots Training Camp and is set up in the parking lot on the west side of Gillette Stadium
Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa of the Boston Herald claim word around town is the Rolling Stones will be coming through Foxboro again this fall, kicking off the final leg of their "Bigger Bang" tour at Gillette Stadium. We hear Mick & Co. will do six to eight stadium stops in the United States once they wrap up the European leg of their tour. The first stop reportedly will be in Foxboro in the third week of September...
Previously in the Blitz...Training-camp is rapidly approaching and deals will be struck with increasing frequency as it gets closer, but it appears as though Patriots first-round draft pick Laurence Maroney is on the hunt for a new agent. Mike Reiss offers an explaination in his Boston Globe article, saying "Maroney ... has left the Lock, Metz & Malinovic Sports firm he originally hired to represent him, according to NFL Players Association records. As of late yesterday, Maroney had yet to file paperwork with the NFLPA that indicated who would be representing him."
Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com reports that fourth-round pickup Garret Mills from Tulsa has signed a deal with the Patriots.
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe offers a position breakdown on Patriots running backs in his daily blog.
