Mark your calendars now -- well, sort of. The New England Patriots announced their 2008 preseson opponents by weekend, with only one date firmly set. Those will be announced at a later time.

The team will open up the preseason at Gillette Stadium vs. the Baltimore Ravens, and will play it anytime from Thursday, Aug. 7 to Monday, Aug. 11.

The one date that is set is an NFL Network game at Tampa Bay on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.

 The team's other home exhibition game is vs. Philadelphia sometime from Aug. 21-25. The preseason wraps up with a weeknight finale at Giants Stadium either Thursday or Friday, Aug. 28 or 29, vs. the now-hated New York Giants in a Super Bowl rematch.

-- TOM KING