Monday Patriots Headlines

The Patriots will return to work this morning as they begin their final day of preparations before the New Orleans Saints come to New England for joint practices beginning on Tuesday. Today the Saints
are making a stop at the White House for a meeting this morning at 9am, and will come to Boston after the event.

Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe has an article this morning on the fact that NFL officials will be on hand over the next few days as the team hosts the New Orleans Saints for joint practices, and will be going over rule changes - including the fact that they line up behind the offense now instead of the defense.

Rich Garven of the Worcester Telegram has an article this morning on the Patriots runningbacks, saying that "the usual suspects" are back and battling to determine who will have the majority of carries this season.

The Boston Globe has an article discussing the ratings battle that continues to rage on between WEEI and 98.5 The Sports Hub here in New England, with WEEI finding themselves being challenged for the first time by the rival radio station.

The Globe also has an article this morning on Ben Jarvis-Green Ellis, and wonders if he'll finally prove he's the same runningback who gained nearly 4,000 yards in college while averaging 20 carries per game.

Glen Farley has a piece that appears in this morning's Taunton Daily Gazette on Tully Banta-Cain, who says after a career in which he's won two rings that he considers New England his home.

"I was drafted here. I won Super Bowls. So naturally I'm going to feel like this is a second home to me. I've experienced so many great things and positive things since I've been here," outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain said recently.
"San Francisco was a chance for me to go home and play in my backyard. I grew up a 49er fan so it was a great experience, but I obviously feel very comfortable being in a New England Patriot jersey."

Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald has an article this morning as the team returns to work to prepare for tomorrow's first joint practice against the Saints, and says that this weekend's break came at a good time for the team. She also looks at several different things that have gone on so far, and it's a good read if you're looking to get caught up a bit on things you may have missed.

She also has a piece on the fact that Tom Brady and owner Robert Kraft got together yesterday morning to play some golf, which shows that if there's a rift between the two regarding Brady's contract - it certainly doesn't look that way.

Robert Lee of the Providence Journal looks at the stiff competition going on at the safety position, with James Sanders, Brandon McGowan, and Patrick Chung battling for the opportunity to line up with Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather.

Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald reports that Darius Butler has been working hard as he battles against rookie Devin McCourty for the starting spot opposite Leigh Bodden, and has been catching balls after practice from the JUGS machine to try and improve.

Levan Reed of WBZ.com looks back at what he says was a great week at Gillette, and points out some of the highlights from week 1.

Christopher Price of WEEI.com has a good article this morning on five players who he feels may be on the bubble so far during training camp.

And finally, the Associated Press has an article on runningback Laurence Maroney, who says he plans to run harder this season and rebound from a year which saw him with fumbling issues for the first time in his career.

That's it for this morning, but with practice resuming today be sure to check back for updates throughout the day.