01:51 PM EST on Friday, February 3, 2006

Frank the moderator: Tom Curran returns on Fri., Feb. 3 at noon for Pats Chat. Submit a question or random thought for Tom here.

talk: Tom -- How do you think the Pats will do this weekend against the Seahawks? Oh wait a minute... how do you think they would have done...?
Tom Curran: Hellloooo.....welcome to this...chat...I think they likely would have had success against a team like the Seahawks, especially given the way they were slowing down running games at the tail end of the season. I felt and still feel that Denver in Denver was the toughest possible matchup for the Patriots. Had they gotten ahold of Indy or the Steelers, I think things may have been different. But the Broncos are a bear for the Pats.

BSMW's LL: Ty Law... interest?
Tom Curran: Hello, Steve...sweet vest. I think they will dip a toe in the water on Ty. I also think Mangini will have something to say on that. Again, his decision will be money-driven and after talking to him in New York he liked it down there. Bet this, there will be more interest in him this year than last...pretty amazing the season he had in the condition he was in.

LJ Sandwich: I've been impressed with the story of Lofa Tatupu and his impressive rookie season. I know this is far off in the horizon, but do you have any sense of Belichick's opinion on him as a player and do you ever envision a scenario where he would end up in Foxboro via free agency. I'll hang up and listen to your reply.
Tom Curran : Hello, LJ...he definitely would be their kind of guy in terms of instinctiveness and reading plays and all those "intangibles" they seem to take so seriously down there... all that said, he would seem a teensy bit undersized for the 3-4. But I'm sure the Pats would find a spot for him. Unfortunately, I see him staying where he is a long while. Hello to the Finger Sandwiches.!

BSMW's LL: Tom, does Gordon Edes help you with your chats?
Tom Curran: Am....I....that....sllloooowwww?

Beaker: TEC: Why do the Patriots spend so woefully under the salary cap, as per Ron Borges' NFLPA 'source'? I, and my fellow Patriots fans, are tired of this 'winning on the cheap' business.
Tom Curran : I have to research that whole thing more, but check this...last offseason, the Pats gave out a $26M bonus (Brady), a $7M bonus (Vrabel) and I think a $5M bonus (Green). They throw the dough around pretty well. The question, of course, is do they throw around as high a percentage of their REVENUE as the teams like Indy and Buffalo...those owners say no and they want more of that revenue the Pats don't share (boxes, local tv, parking). The Pats feel they took the risk, they'll take the profit. The issue isn't between players and owners, though...it's between owners and owners. As Upshaw tried to state in the story.

S Starring: Will the press speculate for the next 5 months that Troy Brown is goner, then have to do an about face this fall when he catches 30+ balls as the 3/4th receiver?
Tom Curran: Not this time. Of course, if he gets hurt as he did in 04 and is useless for the first part of the season he won't catch any 30+ balls either.

BSMW's LL: Tom, any ideas how to get duck sauce out of a Brady authentic jersey?
Tom Curran: I know a little something about duck sauce...and...AHHHHH...try wisk...or buy a new one at the Patriots Pro Shop...they need revenue streams...DOWN THERE

BSMW's LL: I've seen a lot of speculation that Pioli and BB might try to make a big splash in free agency. Any ideas on who their targets may be under such a scenario?
Tom Curran: The areas they will target are Corner Linebacker WR DL Backup QB RB Of those, I'd say DL and RB are most likely to be addrssed in the draft...maybe corner too, although it's not a GREAT corner class. Wide receiver is an interesting spot to consider. I keep wondering if they can get ahold of Eric Moulds. But I haven't gotten too deep into it to be honest...another guy at WR i like is Kelley Washington of the Bengals and Josh Reed, also of the Bills, is listed as a UFA

denise: TEC, can Nick make the final three on Project Runway? Or do you think it's going to be all Santino? Oh, and are you looking forward to Belichick's tv appearance during the Super Bowl?
Tom Curran: I think it's hard to overlook all that Santino's done. I really do. That said, what about Nick? What about the heart. He just comes to model. Every. Day. And I am looking forward to Beli on the telly. After he did those breakdowns for us and having talked to him, I was thinking he could make 30K easy for an hour of work breaking that stuff down at a conference as a guest speaker. He has such confidence when explaining football things because he doesn't have to think, "If I say this, then they'll write/report this..." which is why he's so guarded. He measures everything.

LJ Sandwich: Hi Tom, second time poster here. Who do you envision as the departures from the 2005 roster due to such things as retirement, or replacements by draft or returning healthy players?
Tom Curran : Well, thank you for returning. Nice to have you. Here's a few: Bethel, Klecko, Floots, Chatham, Starks, Chad Brown...Givens I think is a coin flip...Mike Stone, maybe Fauria

handshakes: Do you think Belichick is going to maneuver to grab Greenway (of Iowa) in the draft due to the Ferentz connection or is there another prospective LB (or DE converting to LB a la Mcginnest/Bruschi) out there for Belichick?
Tom Curran: They absolutely have to get younger at LB. The cost to get up high enough for Greenway (isn't he a top-10 type guy) will be high...but he's 6-2, 243 and runs a 4.55...the Pats have not taken a LB higher than the fifth since they've been under this iron-fisted regime. But neither had they drafted a guard...so...They do have the currency to get after a player like Greenway, but only if he slips into the teens, I would think.

ConcernedDad: Tom, what are your thoughts, your feelings, your opinions vis-a-vis the Pats situation at MLB? Will they keep Vrabel (a strapping young man, BTW) there next year? Do they think Beisel will continue to develop?
Tom Curran: What are you, late 20s? I'm mid-to-late 30s here.... Vrabel would prefer to be outside. He was a good soldier this year and played well inside but he's better at OLB. They DO think Beisel will develop this offseason and I think how much he improves (and I'm guessing he will if he works on what he didn't do well) could have a real impact on how strong anversatile the front-seven is in 06.

Pats67: Tom, the Patriots will have 4 of the top 100 selections in this year's draft. What's your sense as to if these picks will slant defense, or offense?
Tom Curran: Pats, I think they'll deal a lot this year. I don't know if they have room for that many guys on the roster because there is depth at a lot of spots...corner, safety, LB (don't forget Ryan Claridge)...I really see WR and RB being draftable spots this year...

SoftShaun: TEC, what it is.
What's with everybody thinking this year's Soupey isn't interesting? Are these people football fans?
Also, tell me how Seattle is NOT going to run up all over Pitts. Thanks!
Tom Curran: Softy, you old saw....I don't find this a COMPELLING matchup...they are two better than average teams with quarterbacks who'll probably both go 15 for 26 for 204 yard with a TD and a pick. Neither team has an AMAZING defensive player, a great corner or anything, nor a great WR contingent.

Tom Curran: Sorry...I got cutted off for a second there...

Dave Poops: Tom - You wouldn't consider Polamalu, at least the way he's playing in the playoffs, to be at a top level?
Tom Curran : Hey, Dave...He is the exception...I think I have a built-in resistance to him because of the hair...it's fine and everything, and I think he has it that way because he likes it not to "stand out" but I also think the whole wild hair thing turns on the networks and producers so much I've seen enough Polamalu... But it takes a great player to overcome having too much hair and I think he's close to doing it... meanwhile, it takes an average writer with thinning hair to complete an hour-long chat while three kids play nerfoop upstairs because they're home for a half-day. It sounds like rhinos are mating up there.

LJ Sandwich: Tom, any opinions on great SuperBowl snacks? My pal Bruce is bringing baked rigatoni. Magoo is coming with his world renowned steak tips, and Brian said hold the caramel. What do you like to nosh on whilst watching Ye Ole Soupey?
Tom Curran: Sammich, glad you asked. I like the simple Lipton Onion Soup Dip. Then a pinch of Skoal cherry dip. 3 coronas... Calzone wraps.... Ribs 3 more coronas... Potato skins slathered in sour cream... half a corona nap... steak tips... Now we're ready for the pregame...

Tom Curran: Whoa...look at the time....thanks to all my peeps for coming out...keep it realish... And take the Steelers and the under.