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Latest Patriots Player Notes

Sep 2 2010 - Aaron Hernandez
TE Aaron Hernandez was lighting up the practice and game field until an injury sidelined him after the second preseason game. Depending on his health, he's still expected to get his chances as a spread, slot option in the Patriots' various passing sets.

Sep 2 2010 - Taylor Price
WR Taylor Price flashed early in camp but has regressed in recent weeks and caught just one pass for 7 yards in the first three preseason games. He'll be near the bottom of the receiver depth chart.

Sep 2 2010 - Rob Gronkowski
TE Rob Gronkowski has shown his abilities as a blocker and pass catcher in camp and drawn praise from Tom Brady. He will be a major part of the offense in a variety of roles as a rookie.

Sep 2 2010 - Devin McCourty
CB Devin McCourty has seen plenty of reps in camp and is battling for a major role on defense, if not a starting job early in his career.

Sep 2 2010 - Gerard Warren
DE Gerard Warren must prove himself in the 3-4 as he replaces the injured Ty Warren. If Gerard Warren struggles in the 3-4, the Patriots run defense may border on defenseless.

Sep 1 2010 - Mike Wright
DE Mike Wright has been a super sub in his five seasons in New England since joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati in 2005. But last year's trade of Richard Seymour pushed him into the starting lineup nine times in 2009 and a season-ending injury to Ty Warren this summer could make the undersized Wright (6-4, 295) a regular starter for New England.

Sep 1 2010 - Brandon Spikes
LB Brandon Spikes, a second-round pick, is under investigation by the NFL for an internet video in which he and a woman are engaged in a sexual act, ESPN Boston reported. His agent told the site: "It was something that occurred before he became an NFL draftee and a New England Patriot. I think for anyone it would be an embarrassing situation," Watson said. "Brandon has shown to many people the kind of person he is before and after being drafted in the second round. He's hoping to put this behind him and looks forward to having a great football season."

Aug 31 2010 - Darryl Richard
DL Daryl Richard is on injured reserve with a foot injury.

Aug 31 2010 - Bret Lockett
DB Brett Lockett, who ended last season on injured reserve with a groin injury, was placed on IR again -- on Aug. 31 -- with a chest injury.

Aug 31 2010 - Josh Barrett
S Josh Barrett, who came to New England on waivers from Denver with a shouler injury, was placed on injured reserve.

Aug 31 2010 - Leigh Bodden
CB Leigh Bodden was placed on injured reserve with a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder. Bodden had signed a four-year, $28.5 million deal in the offseason. He started 14 games in 2009.

Aug 29 2010 - Sam Aiken
WR Sam Aiken caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Known primarily as a special-teamer, Aiken has a solid chance at sticking around given the Patriots' lack of depth at wide receiver.

Aug 29 2010 - Rob Gronkowski
TE Rob Gronkowski caught two touchdowns in the loss to the Rams as he continues to battle for a roster spot in a crowded field of tight ends. His presence gives QB Tom Brady another weapon to work with in the red zone.

Aug 29 2010 - Wes Welker
WR Wes Welker made his return to the starting lineup after undergoing knee surgery last year and finished with two catches for 39 yards. Assuming there are no setbacks between now and the season opener, Welker will be ready for Week 1.

Aug 25 2010 - Stephen Gostkowski
PK Stephen Gostkowski has agreed to a four-year deal worth around $14 million, according to The Boston Herald. Gostkowski signed his one-year, $1.759 million restricted free agent tender in April. His new deal runs through 2014.

Aug 24 2010 - Logan Mankins
LG Logan Mankins, holding out in a contract dispute, is financially prepared to sit out the entire season, according to the Boston Herald. Mankins was tendered at $3.268 million with first- and third-round compensation, but that was dropped to $1.54 million after he declined to sign it by the June 15 deadline. "All we want is fair market value, and that's like comparing an apple to a watermelon," Mankins' agent, Frank Bauer, told the Herald earlier this month. "We're not asking for $8.5 or $9 million."

Aug 23 2010 - Ross Ventrone
DB Ross Ventrone re-signed with the Patriots one week after he was released.

Aug 23 2010 - Quinn Ojinnaka
OL Quinn Ojinnaka, a versatile backup for the Falcons, was traded to the Patriots, Atlanta announced. Ojinnaka could step in at guard with Nick Kaczur (back) and Logan Mankins (contract dispute) unavailable. Ojinnaka was suspended for the first game of next season by the NFL because of a May 2009 arrest on simple battery charges. Ojinnaka, a key reserve on the Falcons' offensive line, was arrested and charged with tossing his wife down some stairs and throwing her out of the house following an argument over his contact with a female through Facebook.

Aug 22 2010 - Leigh Bodden
CB Leigh Bodden continues to miss both practice and preseason game action with a knee injury suffered early in camp, though he's downplayed the injury.

Aug 22 2010 - Tully Banta-Cain
LB Tully Banta-Cain has been out of action for nearly a week with a reported ankle injury and did not play in the second preseason game.

Aug 22 2010 - Devin McCourty
CB Devin McCourty once again got the preseason start in Atlanta, and finished tied for a team high with five tackles. He also had a pass defensed as he remains very much in the mix at the top of the cornerback depth chart, especially with returning starter Leigh Bodden remaining out of action.

Aug 22 2010 - Zoltan Mesko
P Zoltan Mesko had a 44.5-yard net average on four punts against the Falcons. He remains a bit inconsistent in his directional and situational work at times, but clearly is making strides in his role as the team's only punter.

Aug 22 2010 - Zac Robinson
QB Zac Robinson hit both his pass attempts in limited action against Atlanta and remains a real long shot for the roster. But a practice squad role can't be ruled out.

Aug 22 2010 - Rob Gronkowski
TE Rob Gronkowski had a nice 24-yard touchdown against the Falcons, one of his four catches in the game. He also saw more offensive snaps than any other Patriot in the win and continues to display a wide variety of skills.

Aug 22 2010 - Ty Warren
DL Ty Warren underwent successful surgery last week to repair a torn labrum and micro fracture in his hip. Warren will now begin a rehab process that will take at least six months, with his eye on returning to the New England starting lineup for 2011.

Aug 22 2010 - Quinn Ojinnaka
OL Quinn Ojinnaka, a versatile backup for the Falcons, was traded to the Patriots according to multiple published reports. Ojinnaka could step in at guard with Nick Kaczur (back) and Logan Mankins (contract dispute) unavailable. Ojinnaka was suspended for the first game of next season by the NFL because of a May 2009 arrest on simple battery charges. Ojinnaka, a key reserve on the Falcons' offensive line, was arrested and charged with tossing his wife down some stairs and throwing her out of the house following an argument over his contact with a female through Facebook.

Aug 21 2010 - Nick Kaczur
OL Nick Kaczur could miss the 2010 regular season, The Boston Herald reported. Kaczur underwent surgery in the last 10 days. The team will delay any decision on his status for this season until they allow time for pain to subside. Kaczur was important to the Patriots because he was filling in for holdout Logan Mankins.

Aug 20 2010 - Aaron Hernandez
TE Aaron Hernandez has had a terrific camp. The fourth-round pick, who had some off-field problems at Florida, and got a contract that provided the Pats with plenty of protection against any relapses, is going to be a factor in New England's passing game in 2010. He has seven catches in the first two exhibition contests. --Len Pasquarelli

Aug 20 2010 - Randy Moss
WR Randy Moss is scheduled to earn $6.4 million in the final season of the three-year, $27 million deal he signed after the 2007 campaign. He would like an adjustment or an extension, and can become an unrestricted free agent next spring. Yeah, Moss will be 34 next spring, but the man who ranks 10th in NFL history in career receptions and fourth in touchdowns can still play. Just ask members of the Atlanta secondary, whom he torched twice (effortlessly) on deep balls during dual practices between the two teams this week. But there is no movement toward a new Moss deal. "Haven't heard a thing, nothing," said one member of the Moss camp this week. Probably won't, either, The Sports Xchange has confirmed. The approach of the Patriots' brass is that Moss can stew over his deal, and will probably, at full simmer and with money on the line, have a monster season. Then the Pats will make a determination about his future. Moss mused this spring that this likely will be his final season with the franchise. But if New England allows Moss to escape, it might do so at some peril. Moss has at least one touchdown in 28 of his 48 games with New England, two or more in 14 games. It's no coincidence that slot receiver Wes Welker has caught 100 or more passes in each of his three seasons playing with Moss lining up on the outside. Just ask Welker about the importance of Moss, who has averaged 15.7 touchdown receptions per year in New England. --Len Pasquarelli

Aug 19 2010 - Wes Welker
WR Wes Welker led the Patriots onto the field at the Georgia Dome Thursday night and then saw his first action since injuring his knee in the regular-season finale in January. Welker caught passes on his first two plays -- for six and 14 yards -- and played a total of six snaps.

Aug 17 2010 - Tom Brady
QB Tom Brady is in the final year of his contract and could demand to be the highest-paid player at the position. That would include, of course, Peyton Manning of the Colts, who is in the last year of his own deal. Brady said he's not trying to set a benchmark in a new deal. "Honestly, it's not about that," Brady said in a radio interview with WEEI. "I think, when it's all said and done, I'm not going to worry about who made more money. All these other quarterbacks in the league and what they make, I always felt that I don't care what they get. What I get, and what works for me and the team, that's what it will be. I don't really care who makes more."

Aug 17 2010 - Ron Brace
DL Ron Brace passed his physical, which for New England includes the conditioning run, and has already missed the first week-plus of camp in a follow up to a disappointing rookie season.

Aug 17 2010 - Wes Welker
WR Wes Welker did travel with the Patriots to Atlanta, coach Bill Belichick said, but it's unknown if he'll play Thursday. The Patriots werel holding joint practices in Atlanta beginning Tuesday. As eager as Welker might be to test his surgically repaired left knee in a game situation, he's less than nine months removed from torn ligaments and the Patriots are unlikely to put him in a situation that would risk a setback or re-injury. "You practice so much and rehab and do things like that, to get out there in real game action, with the crowd in the stadium and the adrenaline is kind of going, that's the atmosphere you want," Welker said Monday. "I'm able it to do it. But obviously, I have this knee brace on so it's not what I want it to be or where I need to be but we're slowly making strides and slowly getting there."

Aug 16 2010 - Wes Welker
WR Wes Welker is unsure if he'll play -- or even travel -- against the Falcons on Thursday. The Patriots will hold joint practices in Atlanta beginning Tuesday. As eager as Welker might be to test his surgically repaired left knee in a game situation, he's less than nine months removed from torn ligaments and the Patriots are unlikely to put him in a situation that would risk a setback or re-injury. "You practice so much and rehab and do things like that, to get out there in real game action, with the crowd in the stadium and the adrenaline is kind of going, that's the atmosphere you want," Welker said. "I'm able it to do it. But obviously, I have this knee brace on so it's not what I want it to be or where I need to be but we're slowly making strides and slowly getting there."

Aug 16 2010 - Gerard Warren
DE Gerard Warren has never come off the bench. Now that Ty Warren is out for the season, Warren will have a chance to be a starter with the Patriots. "I think he's made the transition pretty well," Belichick said. "I think he will have a good ability to contribute for us this year based on what I've seen so far." Warren will compete with Damione Lewis for the starting spot.

Aug 16 2010 - Derrick Burgess
DE Derrick Burgess, who finallly reported to camp Friday, was back on the field in full pads Sunday afternoon. He said he was late to camp because of "a personal situation going on. I had to take some time to take care of it. They told me to take my time and get my stuff together."

Aug 16 2010 - Tom Brady
QB Tom Brady had two fingers taped together at practice Saturday because of a minor injury to his middle finger, suffered during Thursday's game against New Orleans, but told WEEI on Monday "it's nothing." On Sunday, coach Bill Belichick said the injury wasn't "life threatening." Brady also said in the radio interview that he played golf over the weekend with team owner Robert Kraft and that they have a good relationship. Brady's contract situation has been the talk of the offseason. He's entering the final year of his current deal.

Aug 15 2010 - Brandon Spikes
LB Brandon Spikes continues to play alongside Jerod Mayo on the first-team defense, which may be a sign of things to come for the rookie as long as Gary Guyton continues to miss time with an injury. Spikes is learning at an accelerated pace, especially playing next to Mayo.

Aug 15 2010 - Ross Ventrone
DB Ross Ventrone was waived by the Patriots.

Aug 15 2010 - Buddy Farnham
WR Buddy Farnham signed with the Patriots. He had been with the team before he was waived Aug. 9.

Aug 15 2010 - Tom Brady
QB Tom Brady had two fingers taped together at practice Saturday because of a minor injury to his middle finger, suffered during Thursday's game against New Orleans, the Boston Herald reported.

Aug 13 2010 - Derrick Burgess
OLB/DE Derrick Burgess reported to the Patriots on Friday. He had reportedly been considering retirement. He's not here." The 31-year-old Burgess re-signed with the Patriots on May 27 with a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Burgess registered only five sacks last season.

Aug 13 2010 - Ty Warren
DE Ty Warren was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a hip injury that will require surgery as early as next week. "It's a tough break for Ty, but we have to move on," coach Bill Belichick said in a conference call. "He's missed quite a bit of time the last couple of years. We've had to deal with that anyway. It's unfortunate, but unfortunately that's part of the game. We'll just move ahead." Gerard Warren lined up in Warren's spot against the Saints on thursday.

Aug 11 2010 - Thomas Clayton
RB Thomas Clayton re-signed with the Patriots Wednesday five days after being waived.

Aug 11 2010 - Wes Welker
WR Wes Welker is practicing with no limitations in training camp. He credits Tom Brady, his workout partner throughout the offseason, for getting him to this point. "It was actually me having to tell Tommy, �Hey, we need to scale it back here,' Welker told Yahoo. "We'd be out there working, and he'd tell people, �He's good. He can do that.' I ran a lot of routes, and my body and legs would be getting tired, and he'd say, �OK, let's run a Go (route) here,' or �One more set of metabolics.' I'd look at him like, �Really? Are you kidding me?' "

Aug 9 2010 - DeAngelo Willingham
DB DeAngelo Willingham signed with the Patriots. He was released by the Bengals in June.

Aug 9 2010 - Buddy Farnham
WR Buddy Farnham, an undrafted rookie out of Brown, was waived by New England.

Aug 8 2010 - Eric Ghiaciuc
C Eric Ghiaciuc, a sixth-year veteran who's started 42 of his 48 games played, was signed Aug. 4. Ghiaciuc actually started all 16 games in 2008 for the Bengals, but didn't play in a single contest a year ago, finishing the season with the Chargers. At the very least he adds veteran experience to an interior New England line depth chart that seemingly gets thinner by the day.

Aug 8 2010 - Leigh Bodden
CB Leigh Bodden injured his left hip in a pass rush drill Aug. 5, slipping on a damp field. He has not practiced since.

Aug 8 2010 - Gary Guyton
LB Gary Guyton slipped in his back pedal in pass coverage and went down with an apparent left knee injury Aug. 1 and has not attended practice since.