John Tomase of the Boston Herald writes that despite being the top free agent left on the market, the veteran cornerback has yet to receive an offer to his liking. Law reportedly seeks a $10 million signing bonus, but with salary cap dollars tightening as draft picks sign, his odds of cashing in appear to be shrinking by the day. Kansas City, considered a prime suitor for Law's services, has not hosted him for a visit or a physical. Law has instead stayed in touch with coach Herman Edwards, who had him with the Jets last year. The Chiefs have balked at Law's asking price. Their interest could be affected by this weekend's minicamp, which will provide a clearer answer of what they have at corner opposite Patrick Surtain. Law has visited the Pats and Titans, but hasn't discussed money with either team. He passed a physical with the Titans last week, but is not considered a priority because they only have $100,000 in cap space.
The Providence Journal reports in it's NFL notebook that the Patriots waived rookie safety Sam Smith yesterday.
The Sun Chronicle reports that town of Foxboro officials who reviewed Wednesday the New England Patriots organization's plans for a mammoth mixed-use commercial development surrounding Gillette Stadium praised the concept as a powerful economic catalyst for the area. Building Commissioner William Casbarra said the project on 265 acres, to be called Patriot Place, will total about 1.2 million square feet. Filed Monday with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs in Boston, the plan details a mix of hotel, retail, restaurant, theater, office, stadium-related and other development in two clusters around the stadium.
Carol Beggy and Mark Shanahan of the Boston Globe report that Benjamin Watson and Vince Wilfork joined Pats Hall of Famer Andre Tippett at the opening yesterday of Body By Brandy 4 Kidz Gym in Roxbury, MA.
USA Today's Inside Slant" writes that in many ways Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is very different from the team's average fan. Three Super Bowl rings, two MVPs, a Hollywood actress girlfriend, visits with the Pope and endless other worldly travels tend to separate him from the average man. But for most of the off-season, Brady was very much in the same boat as the average fan as he watched veteran teammates such as Willie McGinest, Adam Vinatieri and No. 2 wideout David Givens depart through free agency. Despite his role as a team captain and franchise player, Brady, like those filling Gillette Stadium each Sunday in the fall, was resigned to watching from afar as his team went through a surprisingly extreme off-season makeover.
Mark Farinella of the Sun Chroncicle writes that Doug Flutie is no longer a Patriot, no longer a professional football player as well, and now he can finally settle comfortably into the unique niche of fame that he carved for himself out of four years at Boston College and 21 years of bucking the odds in the pro ranks. Make no mistake, he's earned it. Flutie's trek from Natick High School to the Gillette Stadium media workroom, where he announced his retirement, was truly the stuff of legend — not only for what was actually accomplished during that lengthy career, but also for the embellishments that were attached to it by over-enthusiastic New Englanders who regarded Flutie as their football messiah.
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes. Reiss also offers his latest Patriots mailbag.
Tom Curran of the Providence Journal offers his daily sports blog with Patriots notes and commentary.
