SB Nation Boston - Patriots Offseason 2012: Patriots Place Logan Mankins, Five Others On Active/PUP List

Chad Johnson Arrested After Domestic Dispute, Should Be Released, Suspended

2012-08-12T17:48:15Z

Chad Johnson is pushing his luck. He certainly didn't deserve the second (and likely final chance) he got when he signed with the Miami Dolphins this offseason after a 15-catch season with the New England Patriots one year ago. So what does he do? He allegedly head-butted his new wife, Evelyn Lozada, after an argument in their car coming home from dinner, a blow that was bad enough to draw blood and send her to the hospital, via TMZ.

Lozada apparently had to flee from Johnson to a neighbor's house after an argument (allegedly about condoms) got out of hand, according to TMZ.

According to the report, after Johnson allegedly head-butted Lozada during an argument about a receipt for condoms, Johnson began screaming at Lozada, saying, "I don't give a f**k! I don't give a f**k about my career!" According to the report, Lozada "fled on foot to a neighbor's house to get away from Johnson."

Simply put, this is inexcusable and abhorrent.

Like it or not, Johnson is a public figure that holds a position of influence (I really, really hope kids aren't looking up to this guy). For him to do something like this is shameful. At the very least, Johnson should be benched by the Dolphins, but it would be even better if they cut him loose all together. Furthermore, he should face a suspension from the league, and a long one at this. Playing football professionally is a privilege, and Johnson certainly isn't representing the league well with his actions.

Patriots Training Camp 2012: Brady-Lloyd Duo Turning Heads, No Practice Monday

2012-07-29T22:55:08Z

The New England Patriots announced on Sunday that the team will not practice on Monday (via WEEI). The Patriots completed their second practice in full pads and fourth practice overall on Sunday. The team announced an attendance record (14,000+) at practice for the third time out of the first four practices on Sunday as well.

During Sunday's practice the duo of quarterback Tom Brady and new receiver Brandon Lloyd were in sync. Brady found Lloyd on a 45-yard touchdown strike before hitting Lloyd in the in the back of the end zone later in practice. The veteran wideout is looking to return to the form he showed during his break out season of 2010 for the Broncos (77 receptions, 1,448 yards, 11 touchdowns).

Injuries finished the day early for Defensive end Rob Ninkovich, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and offensive lineman Jamey Richard. Rookie cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was out again with a hamstring injury. Linebacker Tracy White also did not practice. Rookie free agent defensive lineman Justin Francis returned to practice (via ESPN Boston).

The Patriots will return to the practice field on Tuesday from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The practice will be open to the public.

For more on the Patriots, please be sure to check out our blog Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Tim Bulman Signing: Patriots Ink Former Boston College Defensive Lineman

2012-07-25T19:34:17Z

The New England Patriots made a transaction Wednesday that many Boston College football fans will enjoy. Former Eagle defensive lineman and six-year NFL veteran Tim Bulman signed a free agent contract with the Patriots.

Bulman, 29, is a former second-team All Big East Conference selection (2004) for the Eagles, and comes to New England after spending the last five seasons with the Houston Texans. In '05, Bulman was signed by the Arizona Cardinals after going undrafted.

In his career, Bulman has compiled just 54 tackles and four sacks. The Patriots signed Bulman mainly to fill a roster spot and to compete for a job during training camp.

Bulman's grammar school years were spent playing for Boston College HS, where he helped is team win Catholic Conference titles in 1999 and '00.

For more on the Patriots, please be sure to check out our blog Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Dont'a Hightower Contract: 4-Year Deal Worth $7.7 Million

2012-07-20T00:49:01Z

Dont'a Hightower signed a four-year contract with the New England Patriots on Wednesday, making him the last of the Pats' 2012 NFL Draft picks to ink with the organization. According to reports, Hightower's contract will be worth approximately $7.7 million over the length of the deal, with $6.3 million guaranteed.

Report: Dont’a Hightower’s contract worth $7.7M, with roughly $6.3M guaranteed dlvr.it/1tJBBw
— WEEI (@WEEI) July 20, 2012

Hightower, a 6'3, 270-pound linebacker out of Alabama, should help a Pats defense that ranked 31st in the NFL in total defense and 24th allowing 4.6 yards per carry on the ground. He was a consensus All-American in his senior season with the Crimson Tide. He was selected in the first round at 25th overall this past April.

For more on the Patriots, please be sure to check out our blog Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Patriots Offseason 2012: Five Rookies, Including Jeremy Ebert, Fail Physicals

2012-07-19T23:46:01Z

New England Patriots rookies reported to Gillette Stadium for the first time on Thursday. According to a report, five of them did not pass their physicals (via WEEI).

The players who were reported to have failed phyiscals were seventh-round NFL Draft pick wide receiver Jeremy Ebert as well as undrafted defenisve lineman Justin Francis, wide receiver Matt Roark, offensive lineman Jeremiah Warren and offensive lineman Markus Zusevics.

Ebert had been limited in spring camp. He has been placed on the physically unable to perform list but is still active. The other four players are on the non-football injury list. The cause of these players failing the physical could be the team's conditioning test: "20 timed sprints of either 60 (skill players), 50 (TE, FB, LB) or 40 yards (linemen)."

Veteran players will report for their physicals on Wednesday. Next Thursday marks the start of training camp for New England.

For more on the Patriots, please be sure to check out our blog Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Patriots Offseason 2012: Daniel Fells Missed Workouts Due To Leg Injury

2012-07-19T17:21:44Z

Nobody has ever accused the New England Patriots of having an open-door policy with the media.

According to ESPN.com, Daniel Fells missed offseason workouts due to a leg injury, causing speculation on whether he'll be fully healthy for the start of training camp. It's a bit of news that's been slow in coming out of Foxboro, but an important piece none the less.

Fells was brought in to backup Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez after playing one season with the Denver Broncos, where he made 19 catches for 256 yards and three touchdowns.

With Fells perhaps not 100 percent, it's fair to wonder whether the Patriots will give some free agent tight ends a look. As stated in the article, Visanthe Shiancoe is coming in for a visit on Thursday. He's surprisingly still on the market and could be a very attractive option considering his past on the Minnesota Vikings.

For more on the Patriots, please be sure to check out our blog Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Dont'a Hightower Signs Four-Year Deal With Patriots

2012-07-18T18:55:09Z

The New England Patriots' first-round draft pick Dont'a Hightower has signed a four-year deal with the organization Wednesday, according to reports. Other media outlets are confirming the news, but no one is reporting how much the deal is for. Its expected Hightower will make a bit less than New England's No. 21-overall, Chandler Jones, who signed a four-year, $8.17 million.

Hightower, the 6-foot-4, 270-pound linebacker from the University of Alabama, was the Patriots No. 25-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Both Hightowner and Jones are expected to upgrade the Patriots defense, which struggled last season.

Third-rounder Jake Bequette is the only remaining draft pick who has yet to sign a contract. New England opens its 2012 Training Camp on July 25 at Gillette Stadium.

For more on the Patriots please be sure to check out our blog, Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.

Wes Welker Contract Situation: Patriots, WR Reportedly Fail To Reach Agreement On Long-Term Deal

2012-07-16T20:10:06Z

The New England Patriots and wide receiver Wes Welker have reportedly failed to meet Monday's deadline of 4 p.m. to agree on a long-term contract (via Albert Breer).

The team put the Franchise Tag on Welker during the offseason and he will play this season under a one-year tender of $9.5 million which he signed. Given Welker's past production for the Pats, the team could franchise him again next season for $11.4 million if he is able to produce as he has in the past.

Welker has caught 100-plus passes for 1,000-plus yards in four of his five seasons for New England. Thirty-one of his 32 career receiving touchdowns have been as a Patriot. No NFL receiver has caught more passes than Welker since the start of the 2007 season.

For more on the Patriots please be sure to check out our blog, Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston for all the latest news and updates.