Patriots Today - Belichick Birthday, Gaffney, Write on!

[0:00]" Toyota tundra just won the 2008 motor trend and truck of the year. And that's pretty. That's changing you know."

[0:11]" Coming up quickly noticed patriots today. We'll tell you what the head coach is wishing like this week after celebrating his birthday. In addressing the new season with the media."

[0:24]" And position them. To makes good decisions and try to improve our football team."

[0:30]" Let's say enough patriots owner Robert Kraft -- college bound students wishes come true in your music note. If we're picking up for the patriots white out here to -- stadium working hard in the off season."

[0:42]" Well guys what they were going on it and finish this season. From the us."

[0:50]" Welcome to Toyota's patriots today. Brought to you -- that Toyota tundra."

[0:57]" Hi everybody and welcome to Toyota's patriots today I'm Christina Akron we -- a major say I would like to wish -- very happy birthday. Head coach bill -- check -- chance to celebrate on Wednesday with -- all of this neighbor friend in the Boston media. Media members didn't come for just the head coach's birthday celebrations wanted to find out what his birthday which is our for the seventh pick in the upcoming draft."

[1:20]" It means something is a year or two on the road with a player you've taken -- and do what you selected candidate and it became and that's a good thing if you can't. It isn't so what will we want to try to measures we. It's a very -- Sox right sometimes wrong."

[1:41]" is scheduled -- this week one birthday surprise it was to set of back to back on the west coast. Belichick says staying out there between games is a possibility."

[1:51]" That's certainly a consideration. No -- early ones. Jones later on we don't want to see what the options on that but that's the only consideration."

[2:04]" As far as the schedule goes we've known those who -- we've -- aware now we know the way. Brian Lowe hasn't he tells I'm five key dates the spotlights on the -- and."

[2:19]" It all gets rolling for the defending AFC teams in September 7. -- actual 1 o'clock -- they -- at Gillette Stadium golden rail last season Herman Edwards indicated that he will be account for opening weekend. Led by running back Larry Johnson including the opener against KC. All of new England's first four opponents pitiful -- 500 -- Put that will change it's definitely -- With a catcher on the west coast for a rematch of the AFC championship game from the where he'll visit the -- Diego chargers prime time it will be the second of back to back games in California. More than a bit. The schedule with the yeah Clinton. -- always -- gone -- Taxes and patriots colts in week nine for the fourth straight season the rival would get together the first weekend of November. In this case in prime time on NBC. And being able to get a cold -- new home for 2008. Lucas oil stadium right next to the old RCA bill. Half of the past divisional play and forget it. Threads in November including the Thursday -- at home against the jets that November 13 did it by Eric made. Troops will be an NFL network it would come right after a whole -- with the builds. The week prior to the annual trip to south Florida -- keep stretching the if he. The third the last game of the regular season will be support it got to Oakland. From Reading boss and his -- to the path. How old boss he received at McAfee coliseum. This trip to the Bay Area is the final leg of the past second if you -- the back to back west coast games following a trip to Seattle. Fight and we should have a final -- The most frequent --"

[4:22]" Brian strain in his studio now to wrap up all the talk on the schedule in considering the records of some these teams last season. Looks overall like a pretty good."

[4:31]" They have the easiest schedule in the league based on 2007 opponent records now that's important keep in mind that's just 7 teams obviously can change coming to the next -- and I'm sure some of them will prove. Exactly half. Of the patriots sixteen games come against the seven worst teams from last year think about that it's really interest think again. Doesn't mean everything but it really is amazing that a team that did so well last year has such an easy schedule was --"

[4:56]" The downside might be I am you know. West coast teams back to back after the I have an effective."

[5:02]" You know what it might be the only significant detriment to the schedule that I that I can -- having it -- early isn't good especially if your team that's poised to go deep into the playoffs as the patriots are you rather have a middle of the season a little bit later on and I think the fact that -- before any of those west coast games kind of hurts and certainly ideally have that -- week after one of the west coast trips or at least. In the middle there on the back in 2004 they had a bye in week three. The earliest he could possibly have it. And they went on to win the Super Bowl that season so it's not beyond dollars just maybe not ideal."

[5:35]" And fans will be able to enjoy -- Monday Night Football game this season at -- shirts are special and then not in more importantly they have allowed 1 o'clock Sunday games and just as well. They've got a lot more figures today coming up right after."

[5:51]" Later we'll take a look at the choices in this week's play of the year primary. Up next Brian Lowe has the latest from a patriot who -- and is ready to roll for another season in New England."

[6:02]" The most important it is for the first incident."

[6:08]" beat Cuba. Pat on the back. The 2000 they motor trend truck of the year."

[6:19]" The drugs changing you know. 2008 is an election year and patriots today is getting into the act. You'll get your chance to vote on the 2007 patriots -- of the year. -- your voice be -- don't be left out of the voting go to patriots dot com and New York patriotic duty."

[6:50]" Welcome back to Toyota's patriots today now in week four of training in condition England patriots why daddy is looking forward to the upcoming season. After successful 2007 year recently resigning with the team right now is Brian well in Jabar Gaffney."

[7:06]" Our thanks Christina we are here with Jabar Gaffney and it is our first opportunity to talk to you since you officially re signed with the team at the beginning of free agency now that first week. You know all the focus we hear about its not its annual going here -- must come back here kind of quietly you re signed what was that process like for you how happy where you to know that you're staying here doing through this well won't be it was very difficult to. Wise transition into the 2008 season the schedule came out this week and we've all already known you know we going to be playing and where you be playing. The daily schedule comes out the fans are going crazy now they know they can make travel plans all that from a player's perspective is your curiosity with you guys on -- and -- and and what happens once -- you know let's get."

[7:53]" I was kind of kind of look at it kind of see what games like you're if you're gonna -- the plan -- the home or whatnot and whether it. And on what home games you have what other confident on film I'm just briefly then look over it but I mean the most important thing is their first one can fit."

[8:09]" That's the first one is fifteen of on my after that among those fifteen you mentioned staying close to home you know they're for west coast right."

[8:16]" Yeah I have gotten feed it to two two we can't truth -- on -- that a word from him with the but. We have do."

[8:26]" Now that nothing -- as he is the draft coming up next week is the draft something that you as a player pay attention to are you curious to know who's coming -- this team do you follow -- you followed the pre draft process."

[8:37]" I mean of course I mean if you look football and then love everything about -- in the -- as part of and so. And of course them you won't see -- you -- praising him and teammates wouldn't. Who would have had -- Oakland beat them."

[8:50]" It's it is though is good in that would be you know around. Now okay this offseason for you back -- doing rule out working out what is Jabar Gaffney doing to line proved himself. For the job on this trying to get back in shape and just focus and sharpen up everything and -- that room. -- politics birthday is today. What to the players -- head coach. They had to have had birthday to hear it -- them go about business anything yet that everything that do and you go -- pat Burke elements from definitely I think -- yeah thank you could have received competitors -- head and I thought."

[9:32]" Now really got a player's perspective on the draft let's take a look at -- salaries perspective on the linebackers in particular are another addition about patriots -- 2008. Draft previous."

[9:46]" Hey this is conference Hollywood that begin with -- at this time we'll talk it inside linebackers."

[9:54]" But so what -- the patriots stand -- linebacker they did some work this offseason on the outside we kind of covered the from the defensive -- and what -- pretty set there with Mike Vrabel. -- Thomas got two good pass rushers inside you -- and Teddy Bruschi. Sales kind of still up in the year will he was for over one final season haven't heard yet. And then they just sign -- free agent this off season TJ slaughter. In victor hobson hobson's more than -- say al doesn't -- Hopson going to be the starter he can move inside it. 150 pounds for the patriots. But they need -- outside and also do that it's. Flexibility to have with the patriots -- you have good starters but you don't have the young guys coming off the bench your words Alexander had to feel a lot. So today it would just focused only it mostly inside linebacker we talked about outside linebacker defensive line. You're not going to take -- been sidelined after seven there's the one good enough -- Dan Connor from Penn State. Curtis -- Oklahoma. That's the second round area. They probably won't be available for the patriots -- I don't like to see them kinda gets. Tangled up with Watkins too much and that Penn State I don't think he's the fit Lofton I think it's a good player I think that that your. He's had one season we really dominated when he became a starter so there's still some question Mark whether he can do wood over the long haul."

[11:22]" Rising the patriots hit an inside linebackers I'd in the middle -- sort of the problem area. You guys I really liked Jonathan Goff from Vanderbilt full belt from you they'll be. Office wanted to pick Ted Johnson's bumper on the line backers down ones suffer -- Probably won't play on passing downs that you -- win the with the bella definitely because so many things substitutions and running the but to a golf linebackers more valuable. -- as some other places like it was awfully good fit in the gulf of UNLV a lot of athleticism I really like I saw him on tape. Really who is well. He's he has -- it inside and outside linebacker sold us the flexibility again with the patriots like -- that he would be an excellent voice afterward the fourth round area. Then late rounds of people are still looking for linebacker help. Jameel McClain -- played outside linebacker inside linebackers most defensive end. For the -- their reversible. He showed good speed at the Columbine better than people expected kinda had that sixth seventh round area. So played around the draft patriots look for linebacker help but we're the first I'll play. The bottom line is here. It's hard to tell what kinda linebackers for the patriots scheme. But they need to go wow -- wondered who is right now they have some aging veterans and not a lot of young up behind."

[12:42]" Yes next week and the week of the draft some will be breaking down the second area a key focal point for the patriots. Preparing for the draft this season we'll be right back after this quick break."

[12:59]" Glittering year on the they have tons there is this big. The one you want business -- Tell you like them apples. Available on the tundra truck it's changing you know stop -- the store for some some Brendan. And two million dollars. The lotteries billion dollar blockbuster with lots of 1000000 and ten million dollar instant -- still waiting to be one what are you waiting for."

[13:33]" But you know destroy the whole league is set up in the you really need those players to come and perform for -- pretty quickly you know if you develop players who were three years and becomes a free agent it was difficult for somebody else."

[13:46]" You can hear more -- head coach bill bell a check in an exclusive interview on new edition of patriots all access this Saturday and that he CTV channel. Right now that the latest front buck's growing season. On Wednesday patriots owner Robert Kraft along with his wife -- and newly elected -- remember Andre did they posted 35 students in the family to Gillette Stadium -- college -- line here. It was all part of the organization right on scholarship programs featured on the television -- important -- The patriots charitable foundation along with fidelity investments handed out -- thousand dollars scholarships to local. I'm on track and it I don't know what that. Another thing this year. -- Tuesday the patriots all -- gathered to not many free kick it to be voted on by the fans the patriots. Dot -- I got there. Former patriots players and media members debated and -- up."

[14:59]" This meeting here. Handle a lot of good information good players and good nomination and it makes you wonder what how we're going to do especially."

[15:10]" And the next two weeks of those will be calculated and three nominees won't be announced the voting begins on May first and last through the fourth of July. One member of the enshrined this all the new home. If you're out cheering on the runners -- 112 running of the Boston marathon consider -- support to tell -- Did -- Connor will be out pounding the pavement to raise money in awareness for the American stroke association on behalf of ten teams."

[15:40]" The real stories of the Boston marathon other people who are running for something something they believe in someone does give -- inspiration for Arabia a loved one that's that that's -- stricken with cancer suffered a stroke survivors that that they get inspiration from those of the real stories of this race."

[15:57]" Ascent to take a look at the next group of candidates for the 2007 player of the year here the choices for the best deep at this touched."

[16:45]" be back the rover run keep players appears I've picked up. And just like just. The patriots are up by one --"

[17:04]" We continue to get rid of the ball it's round. Just -- got rid of the ball was hit it went right into the arms of Eugene Wilson and snowball over in the air influx."

[17:18]" So the choices are Derrick thomas' interception for the school mortgage see -- going to. Rosevelt Colvin fumble return off they Mike Vrabel stripped back. I think -- against his new teammates from Philly. For Eugene Wilson -- T against the Jake he -- that the -- big hit on planning knocking the ball loose and Clement. I last week we take a look at big plays by the patriots special teams -- with 68% of your vote Ellis Hobbs railway -- the competition. We'll move on to our general election. That's it right here this week -- that next week -- all the latest on the upcoming draft right here"