Monday Patriots Headlines

The countdown begins to training camp on this Monday, with 38 days remaning until it all starts down in Foxboro. We'll do our best to have new content to read each morning here at PatsFans.com, so be sure and check back for new stories each day. Now let's get to today's headlines.

The Patriots have individual game tickets on sale today beginning at noon ET, which will be available at Ticketmaster.com. The challenge will be that you MUST pay with a VISA card, so make sure that's the card you have available when you call - they won't accept another.

Christopher Price of WEEI.com has a great article today talking about the Patriots rookies, who went from being stars at each of their own respective schools, to battling for a position here with their new team in the NFL.

Albert Breer spoke to Chargers QB Philip Rivers last week, and has a story this morning that gives fans another reason to be optimistic on a big season from quarterback Tom Brady.

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston starts an ongoing series looking at each position on the Patriots roster and how it is viewed when compared to the rest of the NFL, with today's edition being on the quarterback position.

The Gloucester Times has an article this morning on former Patriots wide receiver David Givens, who apparently is opening a smoothie bar in Beverly Massachusetts.

"Each smoothie includes at least three full servings of fruit," he said. They're all-natural, lactose- and gluten-free, and can serve as a substitute for a meal, he said. There's also a list of "power smoothies" designed for different purposes, including the "Breakfast Smoothie" and the "Iron Man" for a pre-workout beverage before hitting the gym.

MSNBC has an article discussing Wes Welker, quoting a statement by Mike Reiss recently where they believe he'll start the year on PUP.

While this article isn't completely related to sports, Mediaweek.com has an article discussing the fact that Boston makes good use of its electronic cross-media ties despite the fact that newspapers continue to struggle.

John Beattie of NESN.com follows up on a story from last week, where former Patriot Drew Bledsoe has teamed up with quarterback Troy Aikman in support of a company called Ecosphere Technologies, and is looking to get involved with helping deal with the oil disaster going on off the coast of Louisiana. This company specializes in water clean-up, and Bledsoe says their method is better than what BP's current plan is.

"[BP's chemical dispersant] keeps it underwater and out of sight, out of mind, which we don't think is the long-term answer," said Bledsoe. "It just keeps the oil in the water. What we're proposing is using our technology to help get the oil to the surface in a more contained environment, so we can more efficiently strip the oil out of the water."

Good news for Patriots fans who have been anxiously awaiting this week's PatsCast podcast, Episode 7 was released this morning and is available for download. It's a great podcast put on by members of our forum, and I definitely recommend listening to it if you haven't already.

Moving on to news around the AFC East:

An interesting article in the Florida Sun-Sentinel who mention that former Dolphins head coach Nick Saban is apparently apologizing for the way he left the Dolphins. Saban is probably the least favorite guy in Miami after that fiasco - so I'm guessing fan reaction there won't be good.

There may be a potentially big story brewing, with the Buffalo News reporting that a federal probe is being conducted, and NFLPA employees will be interviewed to find out whether former union leaders attempted to collude with the NFL.

The Jets may have added LaDainian Tomlinson to their roster this offseason, but the NY Post feels that the former San Diego Chargers star is washed up, and questions the move made by Rex Ryan's team.

That it for this morning. Hope you all have a great day and check back later on for updates.