New England Patriots

By Zuri Berry, Globe Staff INDIANAPOLIS -- With legacies on the line in Indianapolis, it's fitting that two teams with so much history, both this season and in the Super Bowl, face each other in the culmination of the 2011-12 season and playoffs. Tom Brady can join Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as only the third quarterback in NFL history to win four Super Bowls if he can lead his New England Patriots to a win over the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium today. Brady, who has 16 career postseason wins, would also pass Montana for most wins in the playoffs if he wins today.

The New England Patriots say they are "deeply saddened" by the death of linebacker Junior Seau, who spent parts of the last four of his 20 NFL seasons with them. The 43-year-old Seau was found shot to death at his Oceanside, Calif., home Wednesday in what police said appeared to be suicide. The Patriots said Seau's "unrivaled passion for the game quickly made him a fan favorite here in New England. " Seau spent most of his career with San Diego and also played for Miami.

For years, a majority of Patriots fans have lived by the mantra "In Bill We Trust. " But that belief in Bill Belichick wavered last season when New England lost back-to-back games in Weeks 8 and 9 after struggling to beat Dallas in Week 6, before its bye. By the end of the season, however, the trust was restored, as Belichick led a team with a statistically terrible defense to the Super Bowl. That trust will be tested again during the draft – fans have been clamoring for a young pass-rushing specialist, a player who can pin his ears back and get to the quarterback, and also would like to see...

Several members of the New England Patriots have reacted to news of Junior Seau's death on Twitter. Here are some of those reactions.

INDIANAPOLIS -- On one last Hail Mary try, Tom Brady heaved it up for his two star tight ends in the end zone. Neither Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez, who both got a hand in the play, could come down with it. The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI, the second time the Giants beat the Patriots in the last four years in the NFL's title game. Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw scored the go-ahead touchdown with 0:57 left in the game. 0:35 4th quarter: Giants 21, Patriots 17 -- Justin Tuck just sacked Tom Brady on third-and-10.

Several members of the New England Patriots have reacted to news of Junior Seau's death on Twitter. Here are some of those reactions.

New England Patriots defensive backs Kyle Arrington and Patrick Chung celebrated after Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missed a field goal, cementing a Patriots win and sending the team to the Super Bowl.

The New England Patriots held cheerleader auditions at the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. Hundreds of women lined up to stretch, jump, and dance for the coveted gig, which can involve cheering for 70,000 people or representing the Pats at community events. The cheerleading squad is run by Tracy Sormanti.

New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara says his old Nebraska teammate Alfonzo Dennard has the ability to be a seventh-round steal for the New England Patriots. Amukamara and Dennard formed one of the best cornerback combinations in college football in 2010. The Super Bowl champion Giants picked Amukamara in the first round last year. Dennard had been projected as high as a second-round pick before getting arrested for allegedly punching a police officer in Lincoln four days before the start of last week's draft.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski did not practice Monday because of his high left ankle sprain. Gronkowski suffered the sprain during the third quarter of the Patriots' 23-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship in Foxborough, Mass. Gronkowski, who has not practiced since the injury, has 15 catches for 232 yards and three touchdowns this postseason. Coach Bill Belichick said on Sunday that Gronkowski would be day to day. Monday's practice was New England's first in Indianapolis, as the Patriots prepare for Sunday's...

New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara says his old Nebraska teammate Alfonzo Dennard has the ability to be a seventh-round steal for the New England Patriots. Amukamara and Dennard formed one of the best cornerback combinations in college football in 2010. The Super Bowl champion Giants picked Amukamara in the first round last year. Dennard had been projected as high as a second-round pick before getting arrested for allegedly punching a police officer in Lincoln four days before the start of last week's draft.

FOXBOROUGH -- He might have been the surprise of the second round, but Tavon Wilson didn't admit to being stunned when the New England Patriots made him the 48th overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Wilson, a 6-foot safety from Illinois, flew up from Washington, D.C., on Saturday morning, and met with the media a few minutes ago at Gillette Stadium. "I was excited," Wilson said, describing his reaction to his selection. "I'd heard things all over the place, but I was excited that they believed in me at that pick.

The defending AFC-champion New England Patriots selected defensive back Nate Ebner of Ohio State in the sixth round of the NFL draft on Saturday. The Patriots used the No. 163 overall pick — acquired in a trade with the Green Bay Packers on Friday — to take Ebner, 22, who is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds. He finished his senior season with the Buckeyes with 11 tackles and one sack. He was primarily used on special teams. "I'm just so excited about the opportunity," Ebner said.

The New England Patriots selected wide receiver Jeremy Ebert of Northwestern with their second pick in the seventh round of the NFL draft on Saturday. Ebert, 23, is 6-feet and 195 pounds. He caught 75 passes for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior with the Wildcats in 2011. He is the Patriots' first offensive pick. New England acquired three picks earlier on Saturday, after trading their fifth-rounder, No. 163 overall, to the Packers. Earlier, the Patriots spent a sixth-round selection, 197th overall, on Ohio State defensive back Nate Ebner.

By Michael Whitmer, Globe Staff FOXBOROUGH -- He might have been the surprise of the second round, but Tavon Wilson didn't admit to being stunned when the New England Patriots made him the 48th overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Wilson, a 6-foot safety from Illinois, flew up from Washington, D.C., on Saturday morning, and met with the media a few minutes ago at Gillette Stadium. "I was excited," Wilson said, describing his reaction to his selection. "I'd heard things all over the place, but I was excited that they believed in me at that pick.

The New England Patriots have selected Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower with their second pick in the first round of the NFL draft. The Patriots traded their own first-rounder, the No. 31 pick overall, to Denver along with a fourth-rounder for the No. 25 overall pick. Hightower is 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds. Earlier, the Patriots traded the No. 27 pick and a third-rounder to Cincinnati for the right to pick Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones.

The New England Patriots have selected Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower with their second pick in the first round of the NFL draft. The Patriots traded their own first-rounder, the No. 31 pick overall, to Denver along with a fourth-rounder for the No. 25 overall pick. Hightower is 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds. Earlier, the Patriots traded the No. 27 pick and a third-rounder to Cincinnati for the right to pick Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones.

The New England Patriots on Friday signed restricted free agent quarterback Brian Hoyer, and officially announced the addition of receiver Donte' Stallworth. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Stallworth, 31, who agreed to the deal earlier in the week, spent the 2007 season with New England and finished with 46 receptions for 697 yards and three touchdowns. Hoyer, 26, has been the backup for three seasons to Tom Brady. He has played in 13 games, throwing for 286 yards and a touchdown.

The New England Patriots have selected defensive end Chandler Jones of Syracuse in the first round of the NFL draft. The defending AFC champions made a trade to move up six spots to get Jones. The Patriots sent the No. 27 pick and their third rounder, the 93rd overall pick, to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 21st overall pick. Jones is 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. The Patriots also had another first-rounder, the 31st overall selection. They traded that one to Denver along with a fourth-rounder for the No. 25 pick and used it to take Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower.

Wes Welker publicly said for the first time Tuesday he would like a long-term deal from the Patriots, and he feels he deserves one. That night, former Patriot Willie McGinest, who works as an analyst at NFL Network, had some strong words while discussing Welker's situation. "I just don't like the diva attitude," the former linebacker/defensive lineman said. "Let's keep it real: prior to the Patriots, this is a guy who played three years, had 96 receptions and never had a 1,000-yard season.