Here’s a rundown of the Patriots 2008 NFL Draft, one in which they went predominantly with defensive and special team players. In fact, the only real true offensive player they took was a quarterback out of San Diego State, certainly not something they seem to need.It seems they finally have succeeded in, as Bill Belichick said tonight, getting “younger and faster on defense. I’ve been saying that for six years.”Meaning it’s easier said than done. FIRST ROUNDNo. 10:  LB JEROD MAYO, 6-1, 242, TENNESSEEA solid choice with smarts (already has his degree) and versatility (played all three linebacker spots). Is an obsessive film watcher who can chase down running backs as well as drop back in coverage. May be suited more for the inside spot than outside in a 3-4 defense. SECOND ROUNDNo. 62: CB TERRENCE WHEATLEY, 5-9, 183, COLORADOMany had projected him to be a fourth or fifth rounder at best, but Wheatley has something the Patriots love: Speed (4.50 40 time). He also seems to be a ball hawk, third in school history with 14 career interceptions. Some feel he lacks strength and intensity, but the Patriots should handle that problem. THIRD ROUNDNo. 78: LB SHAWN CRABLE, 6-5, 243 MICHIGANA ‘tweener defensive end/linebacker who has shown some big play ability and has also played well against the pass. He’s got good pass rushing skills, and some feel he’ll be better off bulking up a bit to play defensive end where he can use those skills to the fullest. Case in point: He had 28.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage his senior year. No. 94, QB KEVIN O’CONNELL, 6-5, 225 SAN DIEGO STATEAdd him to the Matt Cassel backup club. First player in school history to lead the team in both passing and rushing in the same season. Passed for 1,950 yards and 19 TDs his final season and showed a strong arm, but also holds school career rushing record (1,312) and TDs rushing (19) by a QB. FOURTH ROUNDNo. 129, DB JONATHAN WILHITE, 5-11, 185 AUBURNSaid by many to have starting talent. Had 14 pass breakups in three seasons with three interceptions, and can also function well as a nickel back. Scouts like his ability in coverage, and what he lacks in speed he might make up for in technique. Main problem: Wasn’t deemed to be a starter, as he failed to start in 11 of his 34 career games. FIFTH ROUNDNO. 153, CB-WR MATT SLATER, 6-0, 198, UCLAPerhaps the most interesting pick of the entire Patriots draft, as Slater – son of Hall of Fame lineman Jackie Slater --  came into school as a wide receiver, then became a safety and a cornerback, and finally, in 2007, settled on being a kickoff return specialist for the Bruins and turned into a good one, with three TDs, tied for the lead in the nation.  He also saw time on kick coverage units. Believe it or not, the Patriots traded up to get this guy. SIXTH ROUND NO. 197, LB BO RUUD, 6-2, 234 NEBRASKAThe first thing written about him in The Sporting News Draft Guide is “smart”, so you can see why he was attractive to the Patriots. He’s played both weakside and strongside linebacker, not exactly an agile player, but is said to read the quarterback well. Brother of Tampa Bay LB Barrett Ruud. But this Ruud looks like a backup, but you never know. He did return two passes for touchdowns last year. -- TOM KING 

The first day of the 2008 NFL Draft is in the books for the Patriots, and they predictably chose to get help at two positions onlookers thought they needed to: Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo is a solid player, taken with the 10th overall pick, and Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley appears to be a ball hawk, aka Asante Samuel.

The question is, could they have had either at picks further down the draft? Many felt Mayo wouldn't be picked until late in the first round, and Wheatley was, according to one publication, a fifth rounder at best.  But they appear to be solid players. Wheatley had 14 career interceptions, third all-time for the Buffaloes. Mayo seems to be a tackling machine. And a smart one at that, with his degree already attained and his wit is pretty good, as evidenced by his media conference call. "What headlines am I going to get with the Mayo last name?" he asked. ".....Oh, so everybody goes quiet now?"

Wheatley, meanwhile, is third on Colorado's all-time interception list with 14 picks. But some say he lacks the strength to really make an impact.

"Anybody who has watched tape (of Wheatley) knows that he's pretty good," Colorado coach Dan Hawkins told the Denver Post late last October. "We've kine of been on him a little bit because his expectations are high, and ours are as well. We kind of challenged him a little bit. He definitely answered."

--- TOM KING

Let the anticipation begin. What will the Patriots do in about an hour to 90 minutes from now? It's hard to say, because it depends on any coveted players that free fall....the guess here is that the Patriots will be sorely tempted to trade down and get out of the big money picks they don't feel are worth the cash.

If they do stay.....I still say Keith Rivers out of USC would be their best choice, but this high they like the beef: an offensive or defensive lineman.

We'll know in a bit.

-- TOM KING

Sorry, fans, make that as many as FIVE 1 p.m. home games, not six. The Nov. 23 game against Miami is on the road, not home, which also means the team does not have four straight home games during the stretch from Nov. 9 to Nov. 30 (it's three out of four, interrupted by the Miami road game).

My apologies.

-- TOM KING

The New England Patriots schedule is out, and, as owner Robert Kraft wanted, there is the potential for, depending on flex scheduling, as many as six 1 p.m. home games. Right now there are three NBC Sunday night appearances (all on the road), and two prime time games at Gillette -- Monday Oct. 20 vs. Denver and an odd Thursday, Nov. 13 vs. the Jets on the NFL Network.

The Patriots open up at home at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7 vs. Kansas City; are at the Jets on Sept. 14 for a 4:15 game, host Miami on Sept. 21 at 1. The bye week in Sept. 28, followed by an Oct. 5 game at San Francisco (one of four west coast trips). The team is then at San Diego the following week, Oct. 12, for a Sunday night game. Their next game is also in prime time, the MOnday nighter (8:30) at home vs. Denver.

Another 1 p.m. game at home vs. St. Louis takes place on Oct. 26, and then the Patriots have their annual early November game vs. Indianapolis, this one a Sunday night, Nov. 2 game in Indy's new stadium.

They return for the first of four straight at  home to host the Bills at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9, followed by the Thursday night home game vs. the Jets, a scheduled 1 p.m. home game Nov. 23 vs. Miami (flex scheduling starts here), and then a 4:15 home game Sunday, Nov. 30 vs. Pittsburgh.

The Patriots then make their second back-to-back west coast stretch, at Seattle for a Sunday night game on Dec. 7 and Sunday Dec. 14 at 4:15 vs. Oakland. The team's final regular season home game is Sunday, Dec. 21 vs. Arizona at 1 p.m. (again, remember flex scheduling) and the regular season finale is at Buffalo at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28.

-- TOM KING

 

Stop the presses. The New England Patriots on Monday signed a linebacker that is actually under 30 year of age.

Welcome former New York Jet Victor Hobson into the Patriot fold. It's a good move for the Patriots, who needed to get younger at the position and did so by inking the 28-year-old free agent who started 14 games for the Jets last season and has proved durable, missing only four games in his five-year NFL career. Last year Hobson made 62 tackles with two sacks and had a career high three passes defended. He has three INTs and 11 sacks over his career, all of which was spent with the Jets, who drafted him in the second round in 2003.

"Victor is a good young player with considerable playing experience," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in a release.  "We are excited about his addition to our linebacker unit."

Hobson's signing makes up in part for the release of Rosevelt Colvin and also will presumably give the Patriots  more options on draft weekend, which is less than three weeks away.

-- TOM KING

Stop the presses. The New England Patriots on Monday signed a linebacker that is actually under 30 year of age.

Welcome former New York Jet Victor Hobson into the Patriot fold. It's a good move for the Patriots, who needed to get younger at the position and did so by inking the 28-year-old free agent who started 14 games for the Jets last season and has proved durable, missing only four games in his five-year NFL career. Last year Hobson made 62 tackles with two sacks and had a career high three passes defended. He has three INTs and 11 sacks over his career, all of which was spent with the Jets, who drafted him in the second round in 2003.

"Victor is a good young player with considerable playing experience," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in a release.  "We are excited about his addition to our linebacker unit."

Hobson's signing makes up in part for the release of Rosevelt Colvin and also will presumably give the Patriots  more options on draft weekend, which is less than three weeks away.

-- TOM KING

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

The New England Patriots on Thursday did indeed, as was rumored, sign former Detroit Lions cornerback Fernando Bryant. Bryant began his career as a first-round draft choice by Jacksonville in 1999 and last year with the Lions had two intereceptions and 76 tackles, his highest single season total since his rookie year. It's a solid veteran, second-tier free agent signing by the Patriots, who are hoping quantity produces quality at the cornerback position. Nothing more, nothing less. -- TOM KING

Patriot fans can breathe easy, as various internet and television reports have confirmed an earlier report this morning from the NFL Network that the Patriots and Randy Moss have not only closed in but agreed to a deal, worth a reported $27 million for three years. Stay tuned for an official announcement.

--- TOM KING

Asante Samuel is now a former New England Patriot, having agreed to a reported 5-year, $47.2 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, with likely at least $25 million of it guaranteed, something the Patriots would not commit to. It's an example of how players are valued differently from team to team; the Patriots were not about to commit that much money to a player, despite his production, came into the league as a mid-round draft choice and feel there are other ball-hawking cornerbacks out there in the draft.

Tedy Bruschi, of course, is back in, along with Kelley Washington, Eric Alexander, Lonnie Paxton and Pierre Woods, and Jabar Gaffney should be soon to follow.

Randy Moss? No word yet, but there is also no word that he is visiting any other teams at this point, either. Expect a deal to be reached soon.

-- TOM KING

The Patriots release today of linebacker Rosevelt Colvin was curious, and then again, it wasn't. It's not immediately known if the team was trying to restructure the final year of his deal, but the contract as was was going to cost the Patriots $7.6 million on the salary cap.

On the flip side, Colvin was the best pass rushing linebacker the Patriots had, and despite his injury problems, linebacker is a spot the club could be paper thin at, especially if Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau decide not to return. Some feel both will, because they want that one final shot at a ring and don't want to go out with the memory of Eli Manning beating them. My guess is Bruschi comes back and Seau does not. Either way -- the team also released the promising Oscar Lua,whose rookie year never materialized due to injury -- linebacker is a pressing issue for the New England Patriots.

Stay tuned.

-- TOM KING

Eight years ago, when they were searching for a head coach and possible general manager, the New England Patriots were looking as a backup plan if they couldn't reach an agreement with the New York Jets for Bill Belichick, to hire former Steelers (and future Bills GM) Tom Donahoe to run the personnel department and Dom Capers as the team's new head coach.

It never happened, but tonight Capers was announced as the Patriots new secondary coach, also given the title of special assistant. He's been coach 22 years in the NFL, 16 of which have been as defensive coordinator (Miami this past season) or head coach (expansion teams Carolina and Houston).

"I have known Dom for a long time and respect him tremendously as a coach, particularly defensively," Belichick said in a statement. "To add a coach of his caliber is an outstanding opportunity for us. I look forward to getting to work with Dom and Dean (Pees) immediately."

Also, the Patriots hired Bill O'Brien as wide receivers coach, replacing Nick Caserio, who was promoted to director of player personnel. Caserio had worked in the personnel department for three years prior to last year. O'Brien was an offensive assistant last year.

-- TOM KING

Now the plot thickens, possibly, in the New England Patriots' attempt to keep Randy Moss. News that the team declined to use the NFL's safeguard, the dreaded (from the players' point of view) Franchise Tag, on Moss. That means they have a week to try to lock up a long-term deal with the heralded wide receiver prior to his becoming an unrestricted free agent. Their inability to come to any agreement by Feb. 29 would create a free-for-all that may certainly see Moss move on to greener -- literally -- pastures. It's quite possible the team has a deal already done with Moss, and reportedly by rule aren't able to officially announce anything until Feb. 29

If they had at least applied the tag to Moss, one of two big free agents they have (cornerback Asante Samuel being the other), the Patriots would have been on the hook for one year between some $7 million and $8 million, but at least would have had time (until mid July) to work out a long term deal. This likely means they feel confident they can get a deal done with Moss (or already have one done)  that spreads the money out over a few years. A Franchise tag would have had some salary cap implications otherwise.

-- TOM KING

The University of Phoenix Stadium is mass of confetti right now, What happened tonight was shocking, simply shocking, as the New York Giants took a page right out of the New England Partiots playbook.

For all of their success, the 2007 Patriots will now go down in history as being a team that couldn't take that next step. All they had to do was stop the Giant offense one more time, but the New England defense, which had escaped danger in the past several times and was not nearly as dominant during the year as its offense, couldn't do it.

"We knew we were one stop (away) and we just couldn't get that stop," Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. "...It's a tough way to finish. Not even what was on the line, or anything like that. It's the Super Bowl. The winnoner is the World Champion and the loser is just grouped into the other 31 teams."

One wonders just what will happen now with Bruschi, and linebacker Junior Seau, and even Randy Moss. Moss is even money to re-sign, but Seau will likely retire, the guy who loves to say "We have a chance" probably out of chances. Bruschi? No one knows. He seemed close to calling it quits a year ago but decided to come back, and if the Patriots had won tonight, he'd have certainly said that's that. He still may, although you wonder if he wants a Super Bowl loss to be his last game.

Meanwhile, NFL Network people are getting a platform ready in the middle of the stadium. Some corporate types and helpers are tossing the football around. The Patriots are sequestered somewhere likely in Scottsdale. Teams usually have post game parties win or lose because of all the planning involved, but this one is probably going to be the quietest party of them all.

It's too bad, 18-1 is such a huge difference from 19-0, when that "1" is a last minute loss in the Super Bowl.

To the victors, the Giants, go the spoils.

--- TOM KING

 Eli Manning MVP? In New York two months ago, he was MHP – most hated player.Perhaps “hate” is too strong a word, but Manning kept his cool, directed the Giants to the playoffs and on the heels of Sunday night’s 17-14 win in Super Bowl XLII, he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for directing a game-winning drive, capped off by his 13-yard TD pass to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left.“A lot of people got down on him early in the year, a lot of criticism, but he stayed true to himself,” Burress said. “He stayed Eli, kept upbeat, kept his focus, didn’t let anybody get in his head and just kept playing.”And as a result?“We’re the champions, baby,” Burress said.Manning’s march was Brady-esque, especially his escape of a near sack and 32-yard completion to David Tyree down to the New York 24, Tyree holding the ball against his helmet while the Patriots were stunned.“”I saw Tyree in the middle of the field,” Manning said. “I tried to get the ball to him and it just floated. He made an unbelieveable catch, jumping up , holding up to that ball. Guys hanging all over him and then later on with Plaxico.”As a result, it’s back-to-back for the Manning family, much to the chagrin of the New England Patriots, who lost to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in last year’s AFC championship game and then Eli and the Giants last night in the Super Bowl./p“I didn’t know when it would happen,” Eli, who narrowly missed being intercepted by Patriots defensive back Asante Samuel on that final drive,  said when asked when he thought he would win a Super Bowl.  “You have to be patient with these things. All of the pieces. You got to be in the right spot. This year it all came together and with so many clutch players on this team and big wins throughtout the whole season to get to this point. Again the same tonight.”/p“We knew we were one stop (away) and we couldn’t get that stop,” Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said,. “Like I said, we had our chances….but those plays we didn’t make, the Tyree catch, the Manning escape – I think three of our guys had hands on him. Those are plays that will be on highlights for years and years.”And Patriot lowlights. --- TOM KING 

INACTIVES ARE OUT –  so is Brown Sorry, Troy Brown fans. The veteran wide receiver did not find a spot on the 45-man roster and was a presumably healthy inactive for this Super Bowl, likely his last.Joining him is newly signed defensive lineman Santonio Thomas, tight end Stephen Spach (eliminating the third tight end option, unless another player is used out of position), offensive linemen Billy Yates and Wesley Britt, cornerback Antwain Spann, and second-year wideout Chad Jackson. Matt Gutierrez is the emergency third QB.For the Giants, perhaps the only notable inactive was young wideout Sinorice Moss. Others included running back Danny Ware, defensive back Geoffrey Pope, tackle Adam Koets, defensive tackle Manny Wright, tight end Sinorice Moss, tight end Jerome Collins, and DT Russell Davis.Also for the Giants, Cory Webster was designated as a starter at right corner in place of Sam Madison. ---- TOM KING   

EARLY PRE-GAME It’s a variably to mostly cloudy, cool day in Glendale, and the roof here at the University of Phoenix Stadium is still closed, and because of a threat of rain, the roof shall remain closed.Meanwhile, the grounds crew is rolling the natural grass field. That crew, as usual, includes Nashua’s Dan Leblanc, the Holman Stadium groundskeeper who has a fixture at the Super Bowl for nearly the better part of a decade under the direction of old friend George Toma…The Patriots announced they filled the final spot on their 53-man roster, signing defensive lineman Santonio Thomas who has been on and off the roster in the past. The inactives for the game have yet to be announced.-- TOM KING

SATURDAY SNIPPITS, INCLUDING KING’S SUPER CALL It is a beautiful sunny day in the Arizona desert, finally having warmed up to the mid 60s, but the focus is on fans arriving, some have finally filtered into the downtown area. But it’s also a continuing weekend of Super parties, none of which yours truly, of course, has an invitation to.Take the Playboy party, for example, as Hugh Hefner is indeed in town for the function at the Playboy Desert Oasis and Resort. Accoring to today’s Arizona Republic, we’re talking a four figure ticket price ($1500-$2500), for 28,000 mini appetizers, 8,000 cocktail napkins, 840 bottles of Cuervo tequila,  1,000 mini honey walnut tacos and 1,600 Route 66 mini-burgers with smoked cheddar and green chiles. Oh, and to show that this is definitely a Playboy party, a busload of girls from the University of Arizona is going to be bussed in.There’s also a Taste of the NFL party here at the Phoenix Convention Center. Cities from around the league will be displaying their signature foods from top restaurants, wth the band Cheap Trick performing. Cost: $500 a ticket. Not going to that one, either.The freebie? Counting Crows at Tempe town Lake, starting at 6:30 with a fireworks show to follow at 9:40 MST. Contemplating that one, but transportation might be an issue.At any rate, it’s time. Let’s play the game and get it done. KING’S SUPER CALLThe Giants aren’t making this easy, judging from their loose demeanor and way the plowed into the Patriots in their regular season finale. But while they harassed Tom Brady, they didn’t take him down nearly enough (one sack) to stop him from throwing for 356 yards and two TDs. New England’s defense and special teams were the problems that night, allowing a kickoff return for the touchdown and Eli Manning to throw for four TDs. Do you think that’s going to happen again? Highly doubtful. It just seems a simple fact of this: if the Patriots protect Brady, he can pick apart the Giants secondary and be the main reason the Pats win. Which, even though it’ll be a struggle, it says here they will.RECORD: 18-0PREDICTION: Patriots 34, Giants 28 --- TOM KING 

FRIDAY’S NOTABLES: --- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in his annual State of the NFL press conference that the Patriots videotaping had “a limited effect, if any effect, on the outcome of any game. But that doesn’t change my perspective of if you are violating the rules, you should be punished for that. You should be disciplined, and I think we did that very aggressively.”He also said that what the Patriots did in going 18-0 this season “was certainly done within the rules on a level playing field.” --- The Patriots are completely healthy. Receiver Jabar Gaffney, bothered by a bad shoulder much of the week, practiced fully and was not listed on the team’s injury report. Tom Brady’s ankle appears fine according to the pool report and he’s the only Patriot listed on the injury report with the obligatory right shoulder problem. The Patriots will not even have a walk-thru at the Univeristy of Phoenix Stadium on Saturday, but will go there for a team photo. --- The Giants Plaxico Burress did try some individual drills, but was unable to participate in the team practice. He’s listed officially as questionable for the game. Giant cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip flexor) and lineman Rich Seubert (knee) are questionable. SUPER BOWL PRICESWord is a cab ride from downtown Phoenix to the University of Phoenix Stadium is now $75 – each way. And hotels are certainly getting into the pricey act – a bottle of pain reliever in the Mariott gift shop, 24 caplets, cost….$14. Nothing like Super Bowl fever. -- TOM KING 

The final day of Super Bowl media access was this morning with both New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and New York Giants head man Tom Coughlin holding press conferences – many fans are familiar with the photos of the coaches in suit and tie standing next to or holding the Lombardi Trophy, and this is the day where that stems from.Not much news ever comes out of these, but Coughlin did say that Giant wide receiver Plaxico Burress’ injury woes.“It’s day-to-day with Plaxico,” the coach said. “The knee has bothered him in the past, and he’s had some swelling. I won’t know (anything further) until I get over there (to the Arizona Cardinals practice facility).Later this morning – remember, we’re two hours behind eastern standard time here – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will give his annual Super Bowl state of the NFL address, and many wonder if he’ll bring up SpyGate. We’ll let you know.-- TOM KING

Today was Entertainment Day at the Super Bowl Media Center.This was the day when the performing musicians held their press conference in front of reporters, star gazers (guilty as charged).Actually, one of them, the pre-game entertainment press conference starring Alicia Keys and Jordin Sparks, had a football backdrop. Sparks, the American Idol star, is actually the daughter of former New York Giant defensive back Phillipi Sparks, and the family lives here in Arizona. She’ll sing the National Anthem, while Keys will perform pre-game.“I told my father I was going to the Super Bowl,” Sparks said. “He said, ‘At least one of us made it.’”Keys, meanwhile, is from New York, which, she was quick to add, is “the home of the Future Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.”That’s today’s celebrity update.-- TOM KING

Ah, yes, if you think it's glamorous covering the Super Bowl, at times it can be. The Phoenix Host Committee put on a fabulous party for visiting media on Tuesday night at the Corona Ranch in Laveen, Ariz., just south of Phoenix. The performing group was the Gin Blossoms.

However, here's the grinding part: The Patriots press conferences are at 8 a.m. today and tomorrow, and media busses depart the hotel at the ripe hour of 6:30 a.m. for the Patriots hotel in Scottsdale, which is a resort with a lovely golf course. Here in the desert, it doesn't get light in the morning until around 7:30, 7:45, but on the flip side the sun doesn't set until around 6:15.

As for the weather, yes, beautiful sunny skies with daytime temperatures in the 60s, but the nights are similar to a mid to late October night in New England, lows down near 40 or below.

---- TOM KING

The practice pool report has just come out and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is reportedly looking fine, moving even better than he did on Monday, without a noticeable limp, and did not even have his ankle taped outside his shoe during the two-hour session at Sun Devil Stadium. His ankle isn't even listed on the team's injury report, a full copy of which was not available at this time.

"Everybody practiced, they're fine," head coach Bill Belichick told pool reporter Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, but the report added that wideout Jabar Gaffney was limited due to a shoulder injury.

Despite Brady not being limited, the passing game Fox TV's Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Curt Menefee, Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, Pam Oliver, Chris Myers and others. FOX is televising the game.

--- TOM KING

Two significan things did happen during the Media Day madness on Tuesday:

First, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, as expected, said his injured ankle is doing fine.

"It's doing good," he said. "I'm feeling better each day. I'm glad we had the week off and I had the chance to rest a little bit. I really feel that by the game it's going to feel great, and there will be no issues. Not that I can run anyway, but hopefully I'll be able to skirt around some of those (Giants) who are trying to tear my head off."

Second, star wide receiver Randy Moss, who is working on a one-year deal, said he doesn't want to leave the Patriots when his contract is up.

"As a New England Patriot, I would love to finish my career just for the fact that they have everything that you want in a football organization...The team concept is not just on the field, it's outside the locker room. For me to be able to say that I would love to become a New England Patriot and finish my career here, that is something I can really believe in."

Remember those words come contract time in the next month.

-- TOM KING

Ah, there's nothing like the sights and sounds of Super Bowl Media Day, where sports and entertainment collide in a strange sort of way..

How strange? Well, how's a Mexico City television personality walking around in a white wedding dress, proposing marriage to, of course, none other the Patriots quarterback Tom Brady?

Brady was also asked "what's his purpose". Huh?

"Wow, that's a deep question," he responded. "My purpose in life? My God. I play football. I happen to do that good enough to get here and have this platform, but I don't think any of us cure cancer. I don't think any of us, you know, think about the impact you have on people, and if we can perform some type of entertainment for people to change the subject a little bit in life, I think that's a great thing."

Brady then got serious. "People say living a dream, but we truley are living a dream. All of us grew up and you wanted to be a professional athlete. All of us wanted to play in a Super Bowl, and to have this spectacle and to enjoy this and to have this experience, we are going to remember this for the rest of our lives."

 Giants defensive lineman Michael Strahan seemed to use the Media Day platform as a stage for his one-man comedy show. Very few questons -- or at least answers -- were about football.

"This is like walking down Broadway," Strahan said of Media Day. "This is no big deal. Where is the Naked Cowboy? Is he out here strumming his guitar in some tighty white shorts? This is what it is. That's one thing about Media Day the first time (in Super bowl XXXV). ..I don't know if it's because you are in New York, you are used to answering a lot of questions every day. At least they let some nice people in this group."

The roof was open at the University of Phoenix Stadium, but it appears to block out most of the sun, sending a chill through the facility. It was much warmer outside....

Tomorrow all the Patriots will be available to the media, as they were today, at there hotel in Scottsdale at the ripe hour of 8 a.m. MST, and it will be the same for Thursday. The Giants media sessions are at 10 a.m. both mornings at their hotel. Following that, the only other availability is the press conference with the two head coaches on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Phoenix still appears to be a city that hasn't gripped Super Bowl fever. Scottsdale will likely be the gathering for Patriot fans -- and celebrities. Phoenix is putting in a light rail transportation system, so there is construction everywhere.

--- TOM KING

New England Patriot fans can be happy now, as quarterback Tom Brady returned to practice and field action for the first time since the AFC Championship game. When teams hold practices during Super Bowl week, the media is allowed to send one pool reporter to each practice for a daily report, and the Chicago Tribune's Dan Pompei has that duty for the AFC sessons.

Brady, according to Pompei, had his ankle taped "but he participated in all phases of practice, including jogging the length of the field twice at the end of drills. Brady appeared to have a slight limp."

The team practiced at the Arizona State facility for about one hour and 40 minutes in sunshine with temperatures about 60 degrees.

"We just wanted to get a good crisp practice and work on our timing," Pats head coach Bill Belichick said. "We had a lot of contact last week."

Belichick met with the media on Monday along with six players: Rodney Harrison, Matt Light, Junior Seau, Ty Warren, Wes Welker and Adalius Thomas.

Tomorrow, everyone is available by rule for Media Day at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Usually a wild and whacky day, the Patriots session will go from 10 to about 11 a.m., with the Giants going from around noon to 1 p.m. MST. Remember, being on Mountain time, Arizona is two hours behind eastern standard time.

Most of the media does its daily work at the Phoenix Convention Center, which is located in downtown Phoenix. Speaking from the experience of Super Bowls past, the way things are set up inside here, you would never know you were in a different spot from the sites in Houston, Jacksonville, and New Orleans.

-- TOM KING

While being invisible as far as the media was concerned at Foxboro last week, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his possibly sprained right ankle emerged from the shadows at a rally for the team prior to them leaving Gillette Stadium for their charter flight to Phoenix on Sunday morning.

Brady, who appeared to move without a limp, even spoke to the fan gathering tht took up the lower bowl at Gillette, thanking them for their support and adding "We're doing this for one reason and one reason only -- to win and bring a title back to Foxborough. Go Patriots!"

The Patriots are scheduled to arrive in Arizona later today and will have a few players and head coach Bill Belichick available to the media tonight. The Giants don't arrive until Monday afternoon.

-- TOM KING

Veteran wide receiver Troy Brown, a playoff staple of Patriot teams past, was a presumably healthy scratch for the Patriots yesterday, one of seven eight inactives.The only other real notable was second year receiver Chad Jackson, who returned kicks just last week in the divisional round game vs. Jacksonville – albeit ineffectivedly. Also on the list were injured safety Mel Mitchell (biceps), tackle Wesley Britt, guard Billy Yates, and defensive lineman Le Kevin Smith.Matt Gutierrez was the Patriots’ emergency third QB, while Charlie Whitehurst filled that role for the Chargers.

Charger inactives did not include any notables, despite their injury woes. Out were kicker Dave Rayner, cornerback Cletis Gordon, cornerback Paul Oliver, linebacker Anthony Waters, wideout Malcolm Floyd, tight end Scott Chandler, and defensive tackle Brandon McKinney.

-- TOM KING