10:10 PM EDT on Monday, July 26, 2004

projo.com

Sean the Moderator: Welcome, everyone to the inaugural Pats Chat. Tom Curran will be arriving at 8:30 p.m. You can go ahead and submit questions early, though. We'll get them queued for him and we'll do our best to get to as many as possible.

Sean the Moderator: Just a heads-up: You won't see your messages or questions until the chat gets rolling.

Sean the Moderator: But rest assured we are seeing them, and Tom will get right to them as soon as he logs on.

Sean the Moderator: Meanwhile, feel free to run through Tom's interview with Tom Brady from yesterday's paper. You can also read more of Tom Curran's recent Patriots coverage here and here.

Sean the Moderator: Also, a programming note. Tom has graciously agreed to join us every other Monday at 8:30 p.m. between now and the beginning of the season. So mark Aug. 9, Aug. 23 and Sept. 6 on your calendars for a return visit.

Tom Curran: HEY! Is this thing on...

Sean the Moderator: OK, Tom is here, and we're rolling.

Tom Curran: Thanks to anyone who stops in ...

Sean the Moderator: I'll start with a softball for you.

Sean the Moderator: I reviewed the Pats schedule last night, and I've got them going 16-0. You?

Dad 818: Tom, I know you've been impressed with Randall Gay. Is he more of a PS player who needs time to develop, or can he help the defense right now?

Also with the depth along the defensive line, who will be the odd man/men out?

Tom Curran: What's up Dad? With a guy like Gay -- an undrafted free agent from LSU -- you kind of have to expect whatever you get from him in year one is gravy...that said, he showed an excellent break on the ball in mini-camp and had more than one person checking rosters to figure out who he was...he could fall flat and get cut or could contribute as a rookie...(Gay, for those who aren't completely conversant in all 80-odd players, is a defensive back

Sean Pa Pat: HI Tom , love your work and Your the best Pat beat writer, with the exception of Paul Perillo. Anyway enough of the suck up, how feel the Pats back up QB situation will play out , and who was the last Illini Qb to step behind center for the Pats

Tom Curran: Sean, you are too kind...I agree there is no writer like Paulie P. either (he lets me call him Peeps when nobody's around)...as for the backup, i think Davey will show he deserves to be no. 2. Jim Miller would probably be behind door no. 2... but he has to rehab an injury. the recently signed kittner is mainly in camp as an extra arm...the last fighting illinian was Champaign Tony, no?

Tom Curran: Sean, I figure them for 12-4, 13-3...seriously... bury the over

highhopes: What do you think the chances are of Gessner making it with the Pats

Tom Curran: For what it's worth, hopes, Gessner was an NFL Europe all-star...it at least shows he's able to somewhat translate his game from Ivies to playing with guys who played elite Division I football...he MUST make himself useful on special teams to have a shot, however

Sean Pa Pat: Love the interview with Tom Brady and also loved the Bill Belichick interview last yr when can we expect another Belichik one on one with you. And also how does the Ricky Williams situation in Miami affect the Pats in the division or was it a moot point that the Pats would win the division.

Tom Curran: I had a good rap with him the other day (Belichick) for a story running later thisweek on the psychology of defending a title...as for a 1-on-1, not sure...I would imagine the Ricky WIlliams situation makes the Pats even more odds-on favorites to win the division since he's no fun to try and knock over and whoever replaces him will be easier to knock over

Sean Pa Pat: How do you see the WR situation playing out in camp??

Tom Curran: This is really going to be enjoyable to watch play out because the only guys with completely safe jobs would be Branch, Brown, Bethel and Givens...after that, Patten, Stokes, PK Sam and Gessner are vying...I'd give Patten the inside track for the last spot because the team spent 250K on a bonus for him in March, and Sam will likely be a practice squad guy

Sean Pa Pat: Put you on the spot Tom , since all the talk is who owns the Boston Sports scene . You had tix for game 7 of say the world series and tix for a Pats vs Arizona Cardnail game ( for fictional purpose) . Which would you choose, I know I would be at Gillete. And yes unfortunitly Champagne Tony Eason was the Qb,( I know your like Mr Perillo with Pats Trivia)

Tom Curran: Sean, baby...that ain't apples and apples...I'd go to the World Series game and you should too...but if you say an mid-september game against the A's or a mid-September game against, say, Pittsburgh both on a Sunday night, I'd probably be wanting to be at a Pats game

CoachK: Hi TC. ...How do you see the battle between Traylor and Wilfork shaking out.

Tom Curran: What's up Coach..enjoy your posts on various boards...I think that the inside track early has to go to Traylor -- as it should. He's got time in the league and that nose tackle is a nasty address even for a guy as physically gifted as Wilfork..that said, if Wilfork isn't playing 15-20 plays a game by late September will we have missed our forecasts on his immediate potential

CoachK: Do you really think Sam will clear waivers and make it to the practice squad??

Tom Curran: Coach, I would imagine that's a risk but remember that, at the end of August, every other team has by then slotted its borderline players for their own practice squads so there isn't a ton of room for a young, unproven NFL commodity to be snatched up...still, as Belichick said to me the other day, we will have receivers we release who will play in the league elsewhere this year..

CoachK: Considering that Traylor has never played the nose...maybe all that experience reqally isn't that much of an edge.

highhopes: Tom: You have a "Great" knack for asking very insightful questions to these Patriots. It makes for enjoyable reading and gives (us) the fans a different perspective than most other columnist are able to extract. Great Work!!!

Sean Pa Pat: I hate being the only guy asking the questions so I will keep the chat rolling, how do feel about Corey Dillon and what his role on the team will be, and some say Ty Warren is a bust isnt that a little to soon.

Tom Curran: Keep firing, Sean...I'm here one way or the other....start with Warren first, it's hard to imagine that a guy unable to immediately crack a defensive line with Seymour, Washington, the underrated Bobby Hamilton and Jarvis Green in the mix could be viewed as a bust...especially given the fact he was a factor in the postseason...anyway, Belichick raved about the progress he's made this offseason when I asked about Eugene Wilson... he said something like, "A guy like Ty Warren made huge gains, a guy like Eugene (who hurt his groin in the SUoper Bowl) is spending more time getting better and back where he was than making strides

Tom Curran: Hopes, thanks a lot...with those things, I try to just figure out the stuff I like reading and throw it out there.. a lot of players seem to enjoy the inane questions...(and others say, 'Get the hell out of here))

Sean the Moderator: I liked Brady's response to the question about what he liked about his girlfriend... He deflected that one pretty well

Sean the Moderator: Guess he really couldn't say, "Nice gams!"

Kasmir: What's the prognosis for Klecko at ILB?

Tom Curran: Kas, hard to tell yet...we'll get our first indications by the end of August...I'm sure he'll play plenty there in the ealry preseason but if they pull the plug on the Great Klecko Experiment he'll be way under the radar at the end of preseason... personally, i think he can do it...i don't know how his hands are, but he does seem athletic enough to move laterally and backward

Tom Curran: Sean, I know, right...I was hoping for something more graphic than, 'She's very career-oriented'

CoachK: TC, I think you attended most of the rookie camps and passing camp. What are your impressions of Scott and Reid??

Tom Curran: K, Scott looked OK, if I remember right I think he "tightened up" (catchall Patriots phrase) and didn't see a ton of time...Reid got a lot of reps with the first team since Wilson was down and seemed ummm, comfortable...you know what I mean? He wasn't just conspicuously a rookie out there not knowing where to be....

petec: How will CWeiss use the running game in the first half of a game this year? Will he become "boring" with Dillon wearing away the defense and allowing Brady to pull off something. Also how will Miller as punter change the field position game.

Tom Curran: Hi Pete, Start with Miller, he just killed it during mini-camp. I mean killed it...now that may have been relative to Walter who -- seriously, couldn't have kicked for a lot of college teams last year -- but Miller was murdering the ball....I think the Pats would embrace the chance to be boring and let Dillon carry it 28-32 times and chomp the clock...Weis has had to be extremely innovative the past few years (sometimes it has even worked)...i see them giving Dillon every chance to be a workhorse back

Sean Pa Pat: What will be the biggest factor you feel in avoiding another slip the like the Pats had in 2002

Tom Curran: Sean, I honestly don't think the 2002 Pats slipped...they just weren't that great and certainly weren't good enough to handle every team's widow-maker every week...now they are not just the most mentally tough team in the league for the fourth year running they are, for the forst time, one ofi the most talented on both sides of the ball

Sean the Moderator: Yeah, but can Miller hold the ball "well" for Vinatieri?

Sean the Moderator: Or is that the real reason they got Jim Miller?

Tom Curran: Good question on Miller, Sean...actually, Vina likes the ball tilted away and to the right which is unique, but one would hope that's not too complicated to figure out

shark: Tom, who looks likethey have the inside track on the OL ? Neal, Hallen, Klemm, Gorin ?

Tom Curran: Good question...Klemm provides good competition for Ashworth at right tackle and Neal can push Hochstein at left guard...honestly, i don't know enough about Hallen to comment and Gorin doesn't quite seem to be on the same level as the other dudes...

highhopes: Tom: Any news on Stephen Neal? Will he be ready to help Andruzzi?
> Whats the prognosis on Rossie Colvin?

Tom Curran: Hopes, I don't have anything to offer on Neal ... He should be able to elevate to at least a backup role provided he stays healthy and i think he may be able to play either side since he didn't come in "married" to one side or the other (again, I don' tknow this to be a fact)...Colvin is going to be treated with kid gloves and should be because it would be a shame to see a 26-year-old kid end a career because he pushes to play in some preseason game before he's 100 percent ready in body and mind

clarkie: Hi Tom, what should be the major battles in camp, as far as roster spots and playing time...any surprise names we should look for?

Tom Curran: Claaaahhhhhhhkieeee, On defense, it'll be interesting to see how the d-line shakes out because there are so many good, excellent and potentially good players there (six) and not as many spots...watchign how Fauria, Watson and Graham are deployed at tight end will be interesting as well and the wide receiver situation is going to be a war... Don't be stunned if JJ Stokes makes an impact

CoachK: Tom, I agree Stokes might be the surprise of camp. Should that happen, isn't Patten in trouble??

Tom Curran: Definitely, coach...I think he would be...the thing that sets Patten apart is he has that insane downfield speed...if bethel johnson can emerge and show he's durable enough to be relied upon, Patten would be in trouble numbers-wise

bruschifan1: Hey Tom... Mrs. B here! I'm psyched about camp starting and I'm sure I'll see you there. Nice article Sunday. I always like the Q&A series. Hope you keep it up this season. What are your thoughts on Tully Banta-Cain?

Tom Curran: Hey, Mrs. B...how's your summer been? Thanks for the nice comments, as for TBC, I really like him as a special teamer a lot...his presence over the course of the season (remember, he was dinged early last year) mitigates the free agent loss of Chris Akins on teams...as for playing linebacker, he's in the mold of the other guys the team has at OLB. he was a productive defensive end in college at Cal and is now being moved to a new spot. he -- like Vrabel, Colvin and McGinest -- is a smart kid with a good burst. I think on ST alone he's a steal for a 7th rounder and could be a very good player

clarkie: Who benefits most from the addition of Dillon... Brady? , the tight ends? the defense? Bill Belichick???

Tom Curran: Clarkie, All of the above, no? And throw in Weis and the wide receivers...he's just a serious weapon...i remember Phil Simms saying the day after the Super Bowl he couldn't imagine how dangerous Brady would be if teams had to respect his play-action...now they'l have to

petec: Hey Tom E (I love that E by the way). Is Dante S a genius? Will he create a successful line out of whatever is thrown his way or are these guys truly talented?

Tom Curran: Pete, That's one of those unanswerable questions...How could a line with Bruce Armstrong and some other serviceable pros be wholly incapable of protecting Bledsoe and opening holes for Martin to gain a yard when he needed it in the late 90s, yet these jamokes keep Brady clean, block like fiends on screens and open holes for pedestrian backs...i think they're talented and Scarnecchia has a knack for coaching guys who listen which describes the group he currently has

bruschifan1: Glad to hear it. I like him a lot too. Known for taking flight to get to the QB like some "other" player near and dear to my heart...lol! Summer's flying too quickly but thank God for football!! It makes going back to school bearable. Question.. why the heck didn't we just keep Huard? Money? or did HE want out? He probably won't get any more play time where he is now and at least he already knew everything here.

Tom Curran: Mrs. B, I agree, why not keep Huard...he said he would have liked to stay but the team told him they were going to try and give davey the shot at backup and, with Klifford of Kingsbury in the mix, he was in danger of missing the boat and getting cut if he decided to insist on rolling the dice and trying to stay...it could still happen that Davey impresses enough to be no. 2 and Kittner and miller get whacked

clarkie: Have you interviewed Dillon yet? Just wondering your take on his personality, since I've read a variety of differing opinions on this, anywhere from pleasant to total jerk.

Tom Curran: Clarkie, He seemed fine...Certainly, he seemed smarter than a guy who's had a habit of making life harder on himself than it has to be...I don't think he'll be terribly candid with the media -- courteous in a necessary evil sort of way -- but that probably makes little difference to Everyfan as long as he runs well

CAPSLOCK: TC. How has C Morton looked thus far?

Tom Curran: Honestly, Caps, I can't tell just from the limited time I've seen him...in two weeks I'll know better...sorry, just being honest

bruschifan1: My son, a big TJ fan always holds his breathe every year around cut time. Do you think there's still enough room for Ted this year? (God.... the depth on this team makes me giddy!!)

Tom Curran: Consider this: Players who've treated the Patriots well are usually treated well at the end, meaning that if TJ is going to go, it will be early in camp to give him a chance to hook on somewhere else...

flickerfan01: hi tom,
> it was mentioned that Rodney Harrison still had a pin in his arm that was broken duing the superbowl, will he be ready for camp??

Tom Curran: hi flick, I read that too on an NFL Network transcript...I haven't heard he won't be good to go in terms of contact but they don't exactly reach out with that info either...you and i will probably find out at the same time

Sean the Moderator: Well, that'll do it for tonight, folks. Our apologies to those with questions unanswered. Save 'em up for two weeks from tonight (Aug. 9) -- same time, same place. Tell all your friends, neighbors and even a Dolphins or Jets fan, if you must. Our thanks to Tom Curran for getting this going. Should be a fun preseason and season! As Tom Menino might say, "Thankyaallfercomin'!"

flickerfan01: thanks again Tom C.

clarkie: good stuff, see y'all in two weeks

Tom Curran: thanks everyone