<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>

<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/">
	<channel>
		<title>GridironFans.com - PATRIOTS News</title>
		<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums</link>
		<description>GridironFans.com - PATRIOTS News</description>
		<language>en</language>
		<lastBuildDate>Mon, 28 May 2012 11:13:15 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<generator>vBulletin</generator>
		<ttl>5</ttl>
		<image>
			<url>http://gridironfans.com/forums/rss/patriots/images/misc/rss.jpg</url>
			<title>GridironFans.com - PATRIOTS News</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums</link>
		</image>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots Sign OG Jamey Richard, Reach 90 Man Roster Limit</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190926</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 May 2012 01:05:36 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[The New England Patriots have signed OG Jamey Richard. Richard was originally a 7th round pick of the Colts in 2008 out of the University of Buffalo. He played in 48 games over four seasons with Indianapolis, with 11 starts (seven in '08 and four in 2010). Richard is the 90th man on the Patriots' roster, meaning they have now reached the NFL off season limit.

Source: Shalise Manza Young, The Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2012/05/ol_jamey_richar.html)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The New England Patriots have signed OG Jamey Richard. Richard was originally a 7th round pick of the Colts in 2008 out of the University of Buffalo. He played in 48 games over four seasons with Indianapolis, with 11 starts (seven in '08 and four in 2010). Richard is the 90th man on the Patriots' roster, meaning they have now reached the NFL off season limit.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2012/05/ol_jamey_richar.html" target="_blank">Shalise Manza Young, The Boston Globe</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Saintsfan1972</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190926</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots WR Brandon Lloyd Already Up To Speed</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190866</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2012 14:05:52 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[New Patriots receiver Brandon Lloyd has been impressive during the team's OTAs, but many people expected that. After all, Lloyd is on his third stop with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and knows the playbook and play calls like the back of his hand. Lloyd has been so impressive that the Boston Globe reports that Patriots quarterbacks have been looking for him all week because he's been exactly where he needs to be on every play. Lloyd was coy when it came to his role and his goals for this season but gave a pretty simple explanation on why he wanted to follow McDaniels to New England. "You find something good, you stick with it," he said. "I think that's the case for everybody, with everything in life." 

Source: CBSSports (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/396021/rss)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[New Patriots receiver Brandon Lloyd has been impressive during the team's OTAs, but many people expected that. After all, Lloyd is on his third stop with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and knows the playbook and play calls like the back of his hand. Lloyd has been so impressive that the Boston Globe reports that Patriots quarterbacks have been looking for him all week because he's been exactly where he needs to be on every play. Lloyd was coy when it came to his role and his goals for this season but gave a pretty simple explanation on why he wanted to follow McDaniels to New England. &quot;You find something good, you stick with it,&quot; he said. &quot;I think that's the case for everybody, with everything in life.&quot; <br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/396021/rss" target="_blank">CBSSports</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190866</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Patriots WR Chad Ochocinco Struggles During OTA's]]></title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190836</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2012 21:01:51 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Chad Ochocinco was a man set adrift in the offense of the New England Patriots last season, the light never went on. With a full off-season to pore over the playbook, the veteran wide-out is running out of excuses. Ochocinco, however, "seemed to pick up where he left off" at Thursday's OTA session, according to the Boston Globe, teammate Deion Branch had to instruct him where to line up on one play. Ochocinco later proceeded to draw an off-sides penalty and was asked to run a lap by coaches. Let's not melt over this, it's a couple of plays in May and veterans are shaking off the rust, besides, the man was robbed on Wednesday and he's shaken and vulnerable. 

Source: NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82952123/article/chad-ochocinco-stuggles-during-pats-practice)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Chad Ochocinco was a man set adrift in the offense of the New England Patriots last season, the light never went on. With a full off-season to pore over the playbook, the veteran wide-out is running out of excuses. Ochocinco, however, &quot;seemed to pick up where he left off&quot; at Thursday's OTA session, according to the Boston Globe, teammate Deion Branch had to instruct him where to line up on one play. Ochocinco later proceeded to draw an off-sides penalty and was asked to run a lap by coaches. Let's not melt over this, it's a couple of plays in May and veterans are shaking off the rust, besides, the man was robbed on Wednesday and he's shaken and vulnerable. <br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82952123/article/chad-ochocinco-stuggles-during-pats-practice" target="_blank">NFL.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190836</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots Sign First-Round Pick DE Chandler Jones</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190755</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2012 20:51:35 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>The New England Patriots most important rookie pick since they selected Jerod Mayo in 2008 is now under contract. The team announced that defensive end Chandler Jones has signed his rookie deal. The Patriots traded up six spots to grab the No. 21 overall pick from Syracuse. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the labor agreement signed last year will give Jones a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth year.

Source: NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8294aa94/article/patriots-sign-firstround-pick-chandler-jones)</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The New England Patriots most important rookie pick since they selected Jerod Mayo in 2008 is now under contract. The team announced that defensive end Chandler Jones has signed his rookie deal. The Patriots traded up six spots to grab the No. 21 overall pick from Syracuse. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the labor agreement signed last year will give Jones a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth year.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8294aa94/article/patriots-sign-firstround-pick-chandler-jones" target="_blank">NFL.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190755</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Owner Robert Kraft Wants WR Wes Welker To Be 'Patriot For Life']]></title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190645</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 May 2012 16:17:16 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Wes Welker was in attendance at Patriots OTAs on Monday, but the week before practice started was far more eventful. After Welker signed his franchise tender, he commented that negotiations with the team were getting worse and that reportedly drew the ire of the Patriots organization and had Welker backtracking over the weekend. Patriots owner Robert Kraft sounds ready to be a peacemaker. "Well we’d like to see him be a Patriot for life but it takes two sides," Kraft told Kim Jones of NFL Network Tuesday at the league meetings in Atlanta. "We’re just happy he’s back in the system. He’s a wonderful young man, and a special guy. I think both sides would like to do a deal, but it requires intelligence and putting our team first." An ugly dispute between the Patriots and a star player is nothing new, it happens almost every year and Kraft was asked about the report that the team was disappointed with the public turn things have taken. "Anyone can say whatever they want. He’s done a great job for us, we’re always trying to do whatever we can do to put our team in the best position to win, that means balancing a lot of things, understanding what the cap is, what the cap growth is, how things fit in the system and we try to have values for every position and every player," Kraft said. Possible translation: We aren't going to bust open our salary structure for a slot receiver, it's the Patriot Way.

Source: NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82941ef8/article/robert-kraft-wants-wes-welker-to-be-patriot-for-life)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Wes Welker was in attendance at Patriots OTAs on Monday, but the week before practice started was far more eventful. After Welker signed his franchise tender, he commented that negotiations with the team were getting worse and that reportedly drew the ire of the Patriots organization and had Welker backtracking over the weekend. Patriots owner Robert Kraft sounds ready to be a peacemaker. &quot;Well we’d like to see him be a Patriot for life but it takes two sides,&quot; Kraft told Kim Jones of NFL Network Tuesday at the league meetings in Atlanta. &quot;We’re just happy he’s back in the system. He’s a wonderful young man, and a special guy. I think both sides would like to do a deal, but it requires intelligence and putting our team first.&quot; An ugly dispute between the Patriots and a star player is nothing new, it happens almost every year and Kraft was asked about the report that the team was disappointed with the public turn things have taken. &quot;Anyone can say whatever they want. He’s done a great job for us, we’re always trying to do whatever we can do to put our team in the best position to win, that means balancing a lot of things, understanding what the cap is, what the cap growth is, how things fit in the system and we try to have values for every position and every player,&quot; Kraft said. Possible translation: We aren't going to bust open our salary structure for a slot receiver, it's the Patriot Way.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82941ef8/article/robert-kraft-wants-wes-welker-to-be-patriot-for-life" target="_blank">NFL.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190645</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots Agree To Terms With 6th Rd Pick CB Nate Ebner</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190594</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 23:45:31 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[The New England Patriots have signed sixth-round defensive back Nate Ebner to a four-year contract. The deal is worth roughly $2.195 million. The 6-foot, 205-pounder was selected 197th overall. Ebner is prized for his special-teams ability. A former world-class rugby player who walked onto the Buckeyes' program three years ago, Ebner was named the most outstanding special teams player last season. 

Source: Scout.com (http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=9&c=2&cid=1188364&nid=5775685&fhn=1)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The New England Patriots have signed sixth-round defensive back Nate Ebner to a four-year contract. The deal is worth roughly $2.195 million. The 6-foot, 205-pounder was selected 197th overall. Ebner is prized for his special-teams ability. A former world-class rugby player who walked onto the Buckeyes' program three years ago, Ebner was named the most outstanding special teams player last season. <br />
<br />
<b>Source: </b><a href="http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&amp;p=9&amp;c=2&amp;cid=1188364&amp;nid=5775685&amp;fhn=1" target="_blank">Scout.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>SteveRobWhatever</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190594</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Free Agent TE Dallas Clark Works Out For The Patriots</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190374</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 18:01:44 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Perhaps the greatest game of Dallas Clark's career came against the New England Patriots in the 2006 AFC Championship. Bill Belichick is aware of what Clark can do on the field -- or at least what Clark used to do. Belichick apparently wanted to find out how Clark is looking these days. NFL Network's Michael Lombardi confirmed Friday a Boston Globe report that Clark visited the Patriots on Tuesday. It appears New England was just performing "due diligence", and at this point no deal looks imminent.

Source: NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8292f9a1/article/dallas-clark-works-out-for-new-england-patriots)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Perhaps the greatest game of Dallas Clark's career came against the New England Patriots in the 2006 AFC Championship. Bill Belichick is aware of what Clark can do on the field -- or at least what Clark used to do. Belichick apparently wanted to find out how Clark is looking these days. NFL Network's Michael Lombardi confirmed Friday a Boston Globe report that Clark visited the Patriots on Tuesday. It appears New England was just performing &quot;due diligence&quot;, and at this point no deal looks imminent.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8292f9a1/article/dallas-clark-works-out-for-new-england-patriots" target="_blank">NFL.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190374</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots WR Wes Welker And Willie McGinest Make Peace</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190456</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 May 2012 14:41:07 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[On Saturday, ATL's Marc Sessler wrote how franchised New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker had shifted into "good soldier mode" last week, signing his $9.515 million tender, backtracking from comments he made about contract talks with the Patriots and stating his intention to report for the start of OTAs on Monday. Welker had also spared with former Patriots linebacker and current NFL Network analyst Willie McGinest on Twitter, with McGinest calling Welker out for his "diva" attitude McGinest discussed the dust-up with Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald and indicated that it had been squashed. "I’m cool with Wes. I never had a problem with him in the beginning," said McGinest. "I was just trying to give him the blueprint of how things go down (in Foxboro). If you’re franchised, and you have a chance to make $9.5 million, grab it. It’s more than half of your last contract. If they want to franchise you again next year, that number goes up. That’s $20 million in two years. That’s quarterback money." There are no guarantees that the 31-year-old Welker will get the multi-year extension he's seeking, or that a 32-year-old Welker will receive a second franchise tag (estimated cost: $11.418 million) in 2013. Welker may eventually have to move on from New England, a path McGinest is familiar with. "If they don’t give you that contract ... I mean, that’s why I left," McGinest said. "I didn’t want to break the bank. I would have taken way less. But they didn’t want to do that. I understood that. I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to retire there. So I had to do what was best for me and my family. I moved on and wound up with a pretty big deal for the last few years of my career. But I understood how the dynamics of the business worked when it came to that. That’s all I was trying to tell Wes: Look at the big picture."

Source: NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82938454/article/wes-welker-and-willie-mcginest-make-peace)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[On Saturday, ATL's Marc Sessler wrote how franchised New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker had shifted into &quot;good soldier mode&quot; last week, signing his $9.515 million tender, backtracking from comments he made about contract talks with the Patriots and stating his intention to report for the start of OTAs on Monday. Welker had also spared with former Patriots linebacker and current NFL Network analyst Willie McGinest on Twitter, with McGinest calling Welker out for his &quot;diva&quot; attitude McGinest discussed the dust-up with Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald and indicated that it had been squashed. &quot;I’m cool with Wes. I never had a problem with him in the beginning,&quot; said McGinest. &quot;I was just trying to give him the blueprint of how things go down (in Foxboro). If you’re franchised, and you have a chance to make $9.5 million, grab it. It’s more than half of your last contract. If they want to franchise you again next year, that number goes up. That’s $20 million in two years. That’s quarterback money.&quot; There are no guarantees that the 31-year-old Welker will get the multi-year extension he's seeking, or that a 32-year-old Welker will receive a second franchise tag (estimated cost: $11.418 million) in 2013. Welker may eventually have to move on from New England, a path McGinest is familiar with. &quot;If they don’t give you that contract ... I mean, that’s why I left,&quot; McGinest said. &quot;I didn’t want to break the bank. I would have taken way less. But they didn’t want to do that. I understood that. I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to retire there. So I had to do what was best for me and my family. I moved on and wound up with a pretty big deal for the last few years of my career. But I understood how the dynamics of the business worked when it came to that. That’s all I was trying to tell Wes: Look at the big picture.&quot;<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82938454/article/wes-welker-and-willie-mcginest-make-peace" target="_blank">NFL.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190456</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots WR Wes Welker Backtracks From Contract Talks</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190412</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 May 2012 16:32:55 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Wes Welker has shifted into good-soldier mode, telling reporters he will report for organized team activities with the New England Patriots on Monday. The wide receiver met with the media on Saturday at his football clinic in Peabody, Mass., and it didn't take long for questions about his contract to bubble up. Welker said he regretted describing contract dealings with the team as taking a turn for the worse, he clarified that wasn't the case. "That was probably a bad choice of words," he told ESPNBoston.com, adding that talks have stayed the same. Welker acknowledged he signed his franchise tender with hopes of landing a long-term deal with the Patriots. He called it a "leap of faith" on Saturday. Welker told the crowd he's not surprised with how negotiations have progressed with the team. As valuable as he is to the offense, Welker understands he's dealing with an organization that won't bend to meet the demands of its players, a long-term deal might eventually materialize, but Bill Belichick won't be held hostage in the process.

Source: NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82934f23/article/patriots-wes-welker-backtracks-from-contract-talks)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Wes Welker has shifted into good-soldier mode, telling reporters he will report for organized team activities with the New England Patriots on Monday. The wide receiver met with the media on Saturday at his football clinic in Peabody, Mass., and it didn't take long for questions about his contract to bubble up. Welker said he regretted describing contract dealings with the team as taking a turn for the worse, he clarified that wasn't the case. &quot;That was probably a bad choice of words,&quot; he told ESPNBoston.com, adding that talks have stayed the same. Welker acknowledged he signed his franchise tender with hopes of landing a long-term deal with the Patriots. He called it a &quot;leap of faith&quot; on Saturday. Welker told the crowd he's not surprised with how negotiations have progressed with the team. As valuable as he is to the offense, Welker understands he's dealing with an organization that won't bend to meet the demands of its players, a long-term deal might eventually materialize, but Bill Belichick won't be held hostage in the process.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82934f23/article/patriots-wes-welker-backtracks-from-contract-talks" target="_blank">NFL.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190412</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Patriots Unhappy With WR Wes Welker's Contract Comments]]></title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190351</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 13:57:24 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker said yesterday the Patriots’ offer for a long term deal is now less than the two-year, fully guaranteed $16 million the team proposed during the 2011 regular season. Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe reports that according to a  team source, Welker’s decision to go public in recent weeks about negotiations has not gone over well with the Patriots; two weeks ago, when he made appearances on various ESPN programs, he made reference to holding out at least through full-team minicamp next month. His words have only increased the chances that 2012 will be his final season with the team. Welker and the Patriots have until July 16 to hammer out a longer-term deal, or Welker must play the coming season under the franchise tag.

Source: The Redzone (http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=26354)</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker said yesterday the Patriots’ offer for a long term deal is now less than the two-year, fully guaranteed $16 million the team proposed during the 2011 regular season. Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe reports that according to a  team source, Welker’s decision to go public in recent weeks about negotiations has not gone over well with the Patriots; two weeks ago, when he made appearances on various ESPN programs, he made reference to holding out at least through full-team minicamp next month. His words have only increased the chances that 2012 will be his final season with the team. Welker and the Patriots have until July 16 to hammer out a longer-term deal, or Welker must play the coming season under the franchise tag.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=26354" target="_blank">The Redzone</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190351</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots Sign Rookie OT Jon Opperud</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190385</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 20:01:20 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>The Patriots signed rookie free-agent OL Jon Opperud on Friday, the team announced. Opperud originally signed with the Seahawks on April 29 before being released on May 15. He was a three-year starter for Montana and played left guard and left tackle.

Source: ProFootball Weekly (http://www.profootballweekly.com/2012/05/18/patriots-sign-rookie-ol-opperud)</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Patriots signed rookie free-agent OL Jon Opperud on Friday, the team announced. Opperud originally signed with the Seahawks on April 29 before being released on May 15. He was a three-year starter for Montana and played left guard and left tackle.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.profootballweekly.com/2012/05/18/patriots-sign-rookie-ol-opperud" target="_blank">ProFootball Weekly</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190385</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots Sign 7th Rd Pick CB Alfonzo Dennard To 4-year Deal</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190323</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 23:51:15 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>The New England Patriots have signed seventh-round pick Alfonzo Dennard to a four-year deal, according to the Boston Globe. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dennard earned All Big-Ten honors as a cornerback during his senior year at Nebraska and was projected to be selected within the first three rounds of the draft, but his stock took a hit after he was charged with punching a police officer in Lincoln five days before the start of the draft. Dennard will be arraigned on a third-degree felony assault charge on May 30.

Source: The Republican (http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2012/05/patriots_sign_cornerback_alfon.html)</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The New England Patriots have signed seventh-round pick Alfonzo Dennard to a four-year deal, according to the Boston Globe. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dennard earned All Big-Ten honors as a cornerback during his senior year at Nebraska and was projected to be selected within the first three rounds of the draft, but his stock took a hit after he was charged with punching a police officer in Lincoln five days before the start of the draft. Dennard will be arraigned on a third-degree felony assault charge on May 30.<br />
<br />
<b>Source: </b><a href="http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2012/05/patriots_sign_cornerback_alfon.html" target="_blank">The Republican</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>SteveRobWhatever</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190323</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Patriots Coach Bill Belichick No. 1 On Forbes' List Of Highest-Paid Coaches In Sports]]></title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190271</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 17:01:57 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots is the highest-paid coach in sports, according to Forbes magazine's annual list. His annual salary: $7.5 million. National Football League coaches occupy eight of the list's top 10 places. Other North American professional sports are represented in the list by two NBA coaches. Winning a Super Bowl is not necessarily a requirement for high monetary compensation, but it doesn't hurt, consider the NFL coaches behind Belichick on the list. Three are tied for second place: Mike Shanahan of the Washington Redskins, Jeff Fisher of the St. Louis Rams and Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks. Shanahan, Fisher and Carroll each are paid $7 million annually.

Source: Sporting News (http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2012-05-17/bill-belichick-new-england-patriots-no-1-on-forbes-list-of-highest-paid-coaches-)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots is the highest-paid coach in sports, according to Forbes magazine's annual list. His annual salary: $7.5 million. National Football League coaches occupy eight of the list's top 10 places. Other North American professional sports are represented in the list by two NBA coaches. Winning a Super Bowl is not necessarily a requirement for high monetary compensation, but it doesn't hurt, consider the NFL coaches behind Belichick on the list. Three are tied for second place: Mike Shanahan of the Washington Redskins, Jeff Fisher of the St. Louis Rams and Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks. Shanahan, Fisher and Carroll each are paid $7 million annually.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2012-05-17/bill-belichick-new-england-patriots-no-1-on-forbes-list-of-highest-paid-coaches-" target="_blank">Sporting News</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190271</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots WR Wes Welker Says Contract Talks Are Getting Worse</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190281</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 17:26:13 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Wes Welker recently signed his one-year franchise tender and that would seem to indicate that the relationship between the New England Patriots and Welker is improving, but that's not the case. Welker is further away than ever from a long-term deal. "There have been talks, but nothing that's brightened anything at all," Welker told Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. "It’s actually gotten worse." Welker revealed that the Patriots have lowered the two-year, fully guaranteed $16 million offer that they initially proposed. Welker is guaranteed $9.5 million after signing his tender. “(Organized team activities) are about to start. The team's all getting together. You get all these months off and everything else. I don't know, you're just kind of bored," Welker said. "You want to be up on the field. You want to be up there competing and trying to get better." The Patriots don't always react well to players holding out. "I think those techniques work better with other teams. I think the best thing you can do, as far as the Patriots, is be there and let them make the decision if they want to do something longterm or not. Obviously, I want to be there," Welker said. He will be there next week when the Patriots OTAs start. After all, he's got $9.5 million reasons to play this year. "At the end of the day, if it's one year, $9.5 million, it's one year, $9.5 million. I'm good with that," Welker said.

Source: NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82929160/article/wes-welker-says-contract-talks-are-getting-worse)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Wes Welker recently signed his one-year franchise tender and that would seem to indicate that the relationship between the New England Patriots and Welker is improving, but that's not the case. Welker is further away than ever from a long-term deal. &quot;There have been talks, but nothing that's brightened anything at all,&quot; Welker told Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. &quot;It’s actually gotten worse.&quot; Welker revealed that the Patriots have lowered the two-year, fully guaranteed $16 million offer that they initially proposed. Welker is guaranteed $9.5 million after signing his tender. “(Organized team activities) are about to start. The team's all getting together. You get all these months off and everything else. I don't know, you're just kind of bored,&quot; Welker said. &quot;You want to be up on the field. You want to be up there competing and trying to get better.&quot; The Patriots don't always react well to players holding out. &quot;I think those techniques work better with other teams. I think the best thing you can do, as far as the Patriots, is be there and let them make the decision if they want to do something longterm or not. Obviously, I want to be there,&quot; Welker said. He will be there next week when the Patriots OTAs start. After all, he's got $9.5 million reasons to play this year. &quot;At the end of the day, if it's one year, $9.5 million, it's one year, $9.5 million. I'm good with that,&quot; Welker said.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82929160/article/wes-welker-says-contract-talks-are-getting-worse" target="_blank">NFL.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190281</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots Agree To $2.148M With 7th Rd Pick WR Jeremy Ebert</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190229</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 01:19:02 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[The New England Patriots have agreed to a four-year, $2.148 million contract with seventh-round rookie wide receiver Jeremy Ebert, according to a league source. The deal includes a $48,200 signing bonus. Ebert was selected 235th overall. For his career, Ebert caugth 156 passes for 20 touchdowns. Last season, he caught 75 passes for 1,062 yards. 

Source: Scout.com (http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=9&c=2&cid=1187083&nid=5455338&fhn=1)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The New England Patriots have agreed to a four-year, $2.148 million contract with seventh-round rookie wide receiver Jeremy Ebert, according to a league source. The deal includes a $48,200 signing bonus. Ebert was selected 235th overall. For his career, Ebert caugth 156 passes for 20 touchdowns. Last season, he caught 75 passes for 1,062 yards. <br />
<br />
<b>Source: </b><a href="http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&amp;p=9&amp;c=2&amp;cid=1187083&amp;nid=5455338&amp;fhn=1" target="_blank">Scout.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>SteveRobWhatever</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190229</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Patriots Rookie CB Alfonzo Dennard's Arraignment Set For May 30]]></title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190154</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 13:40:37 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Alfonzo Dennard, the former University of Nebraska cornerback accused of hitting a police officer, will be arraigned on a charge of third-degree felony assault of an officer on May 30, says the Omaha World-Herald. Dennard was charged with the crime just five days before the NFL Draft. He had expected to be a second or third-round choice, but the cornerback slid all the way to the seventh round before the New England Patriots finally took a chance on him. He had been the Big Ten's Defensive Back of the Year in 2011. If convicted, Dennard could face up to five years in prison.

Source: National Football Post (http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Dennard-arraignment-set-for-May-30.html)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Alfonzo Dennard, the former University of Nebraska cornerback accused of hitting a police officer, will be arraigned on a charge of third-degree felony assault of an officer on May 30, says the Omaha World-Herald. Dennard was charged with the crime just five days before the NFL Draft. He had expected to be a second or third-round choice, but the cornerback slid all the way to the seventh round before the New England Patriots finally took a chance on him. He had been the Big Ten's Defensive Back of the Year in 2011. If convicted, Dennard could face up to five years in prison.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Dennard-arraignment-set-for-May-30.html" target="_blank">National Football Post</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190154</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots WR Wes Welker Signs His Franchise Tender</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190110</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 18:25:02 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[Last month, Patriot wide receiver Wes Welker said he was "in no rush" to sign his tender, and two weeks ago said on ESPNBoston radio that he was leaning toward not taking part in the team's June mini-camp. Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe reports that Welker announced on his Twitter feed that he did sign, writing: "I signed my tender today. I love the game and I love my teammates! Hopefully doing the right thing gets the right results.  For the moment, Welker will receive a one-year, fully guaranteed $9.515 million for the 2012 season, though he and the team could still negotiate a different, longer-term deal.

Source: The Redzone (http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=26285)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Last month, Patriot wide receiver Wes Welker said he was &quot;in no rush&quot; to sign his tender, and two weeks ago said on ESPNBoston radio that he was leaning toward not taking part in the team's June mini-camp. Greg Bedard of the Boston Globe reports that Welker announced on his Twitter feed that he did sign, writing: &quot;I signed my tender today. I love the game and I love my teammates! Hopefully doing the right thing gets the right results.  For the moment, Welker will receive a one-year, fully guaranteed $9.515 million for the 2012 season, though he and the team could still negotiate a different, longer-term deal.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=26285" target="_blank">The Redzone</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190110</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Bills Sign Former Texans WR/TE Dorin Dickerson</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190054</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 02:08:32 GMT</pubDate>
			<description>The Buffalo Bills have signed former Houston Texan receiver/tight end Dorin Dickerson. Dickerson is a former seventh-round pick of the Texans (2010) and appeared in seven games as a rookie mainly on special teams. Released by Houston last September during final cuts, he had short stints on the Pittsburgh and New England practice squads. The Bills see him as an off the line tight end/H-back prospect, which is where he saw most of his work during the club’s three-day rookie minicamp. 

Source: Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com (http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-sign-pair-of-tryout-players-and-undrafted-free-agent/87d315bf-6512-4cef-8ca1-e15c0de6b9b6)</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Buffalo Bills have signed former Houston Texan receiver/tight end Dorin Dickerson. Dickerson is a former seventh-round pick of the Texans (2010) and appeared in seven games as a rookie mainly on special teams. Released by Houston last September during final cuts, he had short stints on the Pittsburgh and New England practice squads. The Bills see him as an off the line tight end/H-back prospect, which is where he saw most of his work during the club’s three-day rookie minicamp. <br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-sign-pair-of-tryout-players-and-undrafted-free-agent/87d315bf-6512-4cef-8ca1-e15c0de6b9b6" target="_blank">Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Saintsfan1972</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190054</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Patriots WR Wes Welker Has '9.5M Reasons' Not To Miss A Game]]></title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190016</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 19:15:56 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[In his most definitive statements yet regarding his contract status, New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker said Monday on sports radio WEEI that he won't miss any regular season games according to Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. "There are 9.5 million reasons why I wouldn't miss any regular-season games," Welker said on the "Mut & Merloni" program. Welker was referring to the $9.5 million franchise tag figure, which is guaranteed to him once he signs the tender. One of the next important dates on the football calendar is the Patriots' mandatory minicamp, which will be held June 12-14. Last month, Welker told ESPNBoston radio, "I'm thinking I'm probably not going to (attend the camp), but things could change." His tone seemed different in Monday's interview on WEEI. "I think we're still kind of waiting, but I'd really like to be there," Welker told hosts Mike Mutnansky and Lou Merloni. "I don't know. To say I'm going one way or another right now, I'm not going to say it's definite or anything like that, but I would definitely like to be at those minicamps for sure."

Source: The Redzone (http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=26258)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[In his most definitive statements yet regarding his contract status, New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker said Monday on sports radio WEEI that he won't miss any regular season games according to Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. &quot;There are 9.5 million reasons why I wouldn't miss any regular-season games,&quot; Welker said on the &quot;Mut &amp; Merloni&quot; program. Welker was referring to the $9.5 million franchise tag figure, which is guaranteed to him once he signs the tender. One of the next important dates on the football calendar is the Patriots' mandatory minicamp, which will be held June 12-14. Last month, Welker told ESPNBoston radio, &quot;I'm thinking I'm probably not going to (attend the camp), but things could change.&quot; His tone seemed different in Monday's interview on WEEI. &quot;I think we're still kind of waiting, but I'd really like to be there,&quot; Welker told hosts Mike Mutnansky and Lou Merloni. &quot;I don't know. To say I'm going one way or another right now, I'm not going to say it's definite or anything like that, but I would definitely like to be at those minicamps for sure.&quot;<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=26258" target="_blank">The Redzone</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>Sweets</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190016</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Patriots QB Tom Brady Worked With MLB Pitching Coach Tom House In March</title>
			<link>http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189925</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 21:14:45 GMT</pubDate>
			<description><![CDATA[After the sudden passing of longtime mentor and friend Tom Martinez, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has had to try and seek a new personal coach during his offseason training. Instead of looking for someone with a football background to work him, he's turned to the sport of baseball, instead. According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Brady was one of many NFL quarterbacks that have confided in Tom House, a former Major League Baseball pitcher in order to improve their throwing mechanics. Brady, along with Alex Smith, Matt Cassel, Carson Palmer worked out with House.

Source: SBNation.com (http://www.patspulpit.com/2012/5/13/3018030/tom-brady-worked-with-former-mlb-pitching-coach-in-march)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[After the sudden passing of longtime mentor and friend Tom Martinez, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has had to try and seek a new personal coach during his offseason training. Instead of looking for someone with a football background to work him, he's turned to the sport of baseball, instead. According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Brady was one of many NFL quarterbacks that have confided in Tom House, a former Major League Baseball pitcher in order to improve their throwing mechanics. Brady, along with Alex Smith, Matt Cassel, Carson Palmer worked out with House.<br />
<br />
<b>Source:</b> <a href="http://www.patspulpit.com/2012/5/13/3018030/tom-brady-worked-with-former-mlb-pitching-coach-in-march" target="_blank">SBNation.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
			<category domain="http://gridironfans.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109">Latest NFL Headlines</category>
			<dc:creator>SteveRobWhatever</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="true">http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189925</guid>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

