COVERITLIVE.COM

11:31

Boston.com - The Globe's Chris Gasper will be joining us at noon. Get your questions in now before the chat kicks off.

11:56

Christopher Gasper - What's up everyone? I hope you're enjoying this alleged "summer" we're having. I can't believe that training camp kicks off four weeks from today. The off-season has flown by. Let's kickoff the chat. I'll get to as many of your questions as I can, but admittedly me doing this chat in place of Mike is a little bit like going from Tom Brady to Matt Cassel, so bear with me. Let's go.

11:57

[Comment From MIKE OBRIEN 19-0]
i am really excited about the addition of Joey Galloway and Fred Taylor but how do you think they will hold up for an entire 19 game season; notice that is Superbowl included!

12:01

Christopher Gasper - I definitely think this bears some watching, especially Taylor. Statistically, he's coming off the worst "full" season of his career -- he played 13 games last year and had 556 yards and and a score. The list of running backs at age 33 who have rushed for more than 800 yards in a season is not very long. Only Franco Harris, John Riggins and John Henry Johnson topped 1,000. I'm not as bullish on Galloway as others. He's 37 and coming off a foot injury. I'm not even it's a lock he makes the team, just my opinion, not based on sourcing.

12:01

[Comment From Jim Keddy]
Is there any word on negotiations between the Patriots and their

12:03

Christopher Gasper - I'm going to assume Jim is talking about the draft picks here. They're alread signed fourth-rounder Rich Ohrnberger. They're close on fifth-rounder George Bussey and one of the sixth-rounders Myron Pryor. Those could get done after the Fourth of July holiday.

12:03

[Comment From Charlie]
I think its grate that Willie wants to come back and teech the kids at lb. Your thoughts?

12:05

Christopher Gasper -

There is no doubt the Patriots would benefit from having McGinest in the locker room. He's a class act and a leader, but I just don't know if they can devote a roster spot on that alone. I think if BB decides that McGinest, who only had one sack last season, still can be a disruptive pass rusher in 20-25 snaps a game then they're bring him in. But I'm not sure that's the case for Big Mac at age 37.

12:05

[Comment From JerodMayo51]
I look great in those pictures from Tedy's camp. So why haven't I been on the practice field?

12:07

Christopher Gasper - This is a frequently asked question by fans. Jerod politely declined to comment when I saw him at the team's "Summer Safety Blitz" earlier this week. I thought it was a good sign that kids were crashing into him at Tedy's football camp later that day. My sense is that Jerod will be ready to go the first day of training camp. I don't think his absence from OTAs and mini-camp was anything serious. We'll keep working on this one though to try to get definitive news for you.

12:07

[Comment From Skinless]
Hey Chris, thanks for filling in! Am I alone in thinking we ought to just grade the Pats incomplete at Linebacker until we have at least a sliver of the insight into the LB corps Bill and co. do? I see a lot of people thinking we're doomed, especially since the Pats expressed interest in vets. Personally, I'm excited to see if we stumble over a couple of pro-bowl LB's by mining/developing what we have already. Are you with me?

12:09

Christopher Gasper - I think this is fair. Personally, I'm excited to see what Shawn Crable can do after he red-shirted last year with a shin injury. His long arms and athleticism hint at the ability to be an effective pass rusher. I also think that Tully Banta-Cain can be effective in spots. Don't forget Adalius Thomas was having a pretty good season until he broke his forearm. There is no doubt that OLB is the team's biggest question mark, and I wouldn't be surprised to see an addition there. But I think saying the Pats are doomed is definitely too strong.

12:09

[Comment From Rob]
Chris, have there been any talks between wilfork and the patriots?

12:11

Christopher Gasper - Talks have continued between Wilfork and the Patriots. It seems like Wilfork's agent, Kennard McGuire, and Floyd Reese, who is handling the contract for the Patriots, have a good rapport and open line of communication. I'm still not sure, however, that this get's resolved before training camp. It's a good sign that the sides are talking, but I think there remains a difference in what the Patriots are willing to pay Vince and what Vince is worth.

12:11

[Comment From Bj Penn]
Chris, you think theres a slight chance Vick will come to NEw england?

12:13

Christopher Gasper - I don't see it. Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post, who is close with Belichick, had a story earlier this week saying it wouldn't happen, and I just can't see Patriots owner Robert Kraft inviting this kind of negative publicity and potentially damaging the team's brand, as he likes to refer to it. I just don't think the risk of Vick, who would be used as a wide receiver or Wildcat QB, is worth the reward for the Pats.

12:13

[Comment From MIKE OBRIEN 19-0]
Chris who do you resign first and why? Wilfolk, Mankins, Seymour, Growtowski.

12:15

Christopher Gasper - Mike, you're very active. I would re-sign Wilfork because I feel that big-time nose tackles that can play the Patriots style of 3-4 defense are not easy to find. I know the Patriots drafted Ron Brace, but remember even Wilfork had a learning curve at the position. He shared time with Keith Traylor as a rookie. My second choice would be Mankins. I think he's the best lineman the Patriots have.

12:15

[Comment From Billy]
Chris, to me James Sanders is too inconsistent in the backfield, how long will it take chung to become the starting SS?

12:18

Christopher Gasper - I don't think James Sanders is inconsistent. I think he's a very steady, but not spectacular presence in the secondary. The one thing I think the Patriots would like to see out of Sanders is more game-changing plays. He doesn't make a lot of mistakes and executes his assignments, but he had just one pick last season. I don't think Chung will be able to overtake Sanders this season because Sanders knows the defense better and is the chief communicator in the secondary.

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