PFW would just like to take a second and thank all of the Patriots fans who have made our blog such a success. We have received tremendous feedback so far regarding the blog and we’re hoping to do more with it in the future. This thing will really be pumping next year during the NFL Combine. A special thanks to all the Patriots online communities that have linked to our blog. Thanks again for all your support as we continue to build this blog in the coming months.

SI.com put out their list of the “Best Brains in Sports,” which includes Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. The article noted Belichick’s complex defensive schemes and attention to deal – not to mention his three Super Bowl wins – as reasons why the meticulous coach made their rankings. Belichick joined the likes of Tiger Woods, Pete Carril (Former Princeton men’s basketball coach), Tony Dungy and Phil Jackson, among others. To view the entire list, go to:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0706/gallery.best.brains/content.1.html

Meanwhile, CBS Sportsline’s Senior Writer Pete Prisco ranked his top 50 players in the NFL. Tom Brady came in second on the list, just behind Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Prisco says Brady ranks a hair below Manning but that this could be a special season for the Patriots quarterback with all the new weapons he has in New England.

Richard Seymour (11) and Ty Warren (43) were the other two Patriots who cracked the top top 50. Prisco calls Warren the most underrated player in the NFL and predicts he could be headed to his first Pro Bowl at season’s end. Asante Samuel, Vince Wilfork and Logan Mankins just missed making the list.

With mini-camp now behind us, here are some final thoughts after watching the three-day practice:

-This receiving corps is going to be scary. Randy Moss, Donte’ Stallworth, Wes Welker and Reche Caldwell would be productive on any team. Throw in Tom Brady and that’s not good news for defenses around the league. In my opinion, the guys listed above are the top four receivers right now, with Jabar Gaffney and Kelley Washington battling it out for the final spot if the team carries five receivers.

-Keep an eye on the Patriots possibly bringing in Chris Brown at some point if he’s still available. When Laurence Maroney isn’t on the field, I don’t have a good feeling that anyone else can carry the load. Just from what we saw at mini-camp, it appears that Sammy Morris is going to be used in a Kevin Faulk-type role. If anything happens to Maroney, the Patriots really don’t have another guy on the roster who can carry the load on the ground. Then again, if this passing attack takes off, it may not matter.

-If Adalius Thomas stays healthy, linebacker won’t be a problem. It’s always fun to complain around draft time that the Patriots need to add a young linebacker, and maybe they do. However, with Thomas’ versatility and the other quality starters on this team, I think the linebackers will be just fine this year, barring a rash of injuries. And if Thomas stays healthy, he could push for NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.

- Watching him right now, I don’t think Eugene Wilson can make the switch to corner like some other people are suggesting. I’m not talking about lining up at cornerback from time-to-time, I’m talking about starting at corner. As of right now, Wilson doesn’t look to me like he has the speed or instincts to be successful at corner. My guess is he starts the year at safety, just like he always does.

- In six months, anyone who says they still wouldn’t trade a second round draft pick for Wes Welker will probably just be lying through their teeth. Welker looks like he’s been playing in this offense for years. He’s just a perfect fit for this team. There’s no other way to say it.

- And for the last time, Kyle Brady is an absolute beast. In my lifetime, he’s the third biggest man I’ve ever seen in person behind The Undertaker and Patrick Ewing. I have no idea how defenses stop this guy near the goal line. I’m predicting 7-8 touchdowns for Kyle “The Beast” Brady this season.

Thanks for checking out the blog. We appreciate all the feedback and support. We’ll be back blogging for training camp, so be sure to stop by and check it out. Take care and enjoy the rest of the summer.

Following practice, the quarterbacks were working on their dropkicks. Just before they walked off the field, the ageless wonder, Vinny Testaverde, drove one through the uprights. I guess there’s just something about the Patriots and ex Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks over the age of 40 converting dropkicks.

Just to review, at practice on Thursday we had a receiver kicking a field goal and a quarterback making a dropkick. Just some more of that Patriots versatility that Bill Belichick is always preaching about.

Wes Welker came onto the field at the end of practice to attempt a couple of field goals. After missing his first try wide left, Welker nailed his second attempt to the cheers of his teammates. I guess Wes had to make up for that drop by showing he could do more than one thing on the field.