Wendesday Patriots Headlines

The Patriots held their first day of their mandatory minicamp on Monday, their final meeting before they break for the last time before training camp starts.

To no one's surprise head coach Bill Belichick wouldn't discuss Logan Mankins' contract situation, with Tom King of the Nashua Telegraph reporting that none of Mankins' teammates felt like talking about it either.

Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe notes that Belichick was quite as well, but offers some notes on some of the other players, along with what went on in Mankins' absence yesterday.

Ian Rapoport looks at the options the Patriots have as they try to potentially move on should Mankins not return.

Mark Farinella of the Attleboro Sun Chronicle has a piece on Vince Wilfork, who's excited about the coming season and looking forward to working with the younger guys.

"I feel good," Wilfork said. "I'm having fun getting the defense down, working the kinks out right now, and hoping that we can put something together that's good this year."

Karen Guregian reports that Wilfork is one of a few Patriots who watched last night's Celtics game and is hoping to see the Celtics beat the Lakers.

Andy Vogt of the Milford Daily News has a great article this morning on Ty Warren, who spent this offseason working toward finishing his degree at Texas A&M. He's now 11 cedit hours away from reaching his goal, although being away from Foxboro cost him a $250,000 roster bonus. However, Warren doesn't regret the move one bit and simply wants to be ready for life after football.

"I've had offers to do things, but I don't want to just work because I'm a Super Bowl champion, New England Patriot, former A&M Aggie," Warren said yesterday at the start of the Patriots' mandatory mini-camp. "I'm the type of person that wants to earn what I've got. ... If a lockout was to happen, I'll have my degree and working with credentials."

Ian Rapoport has an article this morning that briefly touches on Belichick's comments on Mankins, but offers up some other good news and notes, including Warren's reaction to the younger guys.

"The new energy we have going out here is real good," Warren said. "I got to witness that firsthand. It seems like everybody's in tuned and listening and learning."

Karen Guregian also touches on Warren's return, but has some terrific comments from Wilfork who is thrilled to have Warren back in the fold.

Christopher Price also has an article on Warren, pointing out that Warren has inspired other teammates to want to go back and finish their degree.

Glen Farley of the Patriot Ledger has some news and notes from practice yesterday, looking at rookie Taylor Price who impressed during his time on the field. Tuesday's practice was the first time Price had been able to work out with the team, as the third-round draft pick was forced to adhere to the NCAA-NFL agreement banning players from attending pro workouts while their schools are in session.

Finally, new PatsFans.com contributor Mike Saver takes a look at some of the new Patriots on the roster and wonders if youth will hold this team back in 2010.

That's it for now. I'm off to work, but we'll have more throughout the day as it becomes available.