Nick Caserio

INDIANAPOLIS - The Patriots' brain trust has turned its attention toward the 2012 season, Nick Caserio said yesterday. New England's director of player personnel met with Boston-area reporters yesterday at the NFL Combine and addressed a number of topics. (Coach Bill Belichick is not expected to speak with the media this week.) One of the biggest questions surrounding the Patriots is what will happen with Wes Welker. The 30-year-old slot receiver is slated to become a free agent for the first time, though the team has the option of designating him as its franchise player.

FOXBOROUGH - By the end of the NFL draft, the Patriots had made enough trade downs (two) and off-the-wall picks (Tavon Wilson in the second round, and a former rugby player in the sixth) to make it a normal selection weekend for coach Bill Belichick. And it was also a very productive three days for the Patriots. In 21st overall pick Chandler Jones, New England landed the type of athletic front-seven player the team has lacked for some time. When Jones fully matures as a player, the Patriots could have a piece with a similar skill set to that of young Giants star Jason Pierre-Paul.

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff The Patriots have talked with the Seattle Seahawks about a possible trade for their No. 12 pick in the NFL draft tonight, according to a report from the NFL Network's Albert Breer. This inquiry is likely a matter of the Patriots covering their bases ahead of the draft. Last week, Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio said the Patriots have an open door in regard to trade talk. "Historically, there's been a lot of movement as it relates to our picks," he said.

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff The Patriots have talked with the Seattle Seahawks about a possible trade for their No. 12 pick in the NFL draft tonight, according to a report from the NFL Network's Albert Breer. This inquiry is likely a matter of the Patriots covering their bases ahead of the draft. Last week, Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio said the Patriots have an open door in regard to trade talk. "Historically, there's been a lot of movement as it relates to our picks," he said.

...That's what the Patriots are being in describing the disappointing performance of wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. Both director of player personnel Nick Caserio and offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien said the team was "happy" with Ochocinco at this point and pointed to him being a good practice player. It appears if Ochocinco can't clear the bar the Patriots are just going to keep lowering it for him until he can. As much as the Patriots try the nothing-to-see-here approach to Ochocinco's struggles, it's notable.

Bill Belichick, Nick Caserio and Bill O'Brien were just made available via conference call; Patriots coaches were given a couple of days off but were due back to work today. Players must return to the facility tomorrow. Here are some quotes from the call: BILL BELICHICK On the performance of specialists Stephen Gostkowski and Zoltan Mesko to this point: Overall they've done a pretty solid job. Zoltan showed a lot of toughness mentally and physically after getting banged up there [when he suffered a knee injury against San Diego]

Nick Caserio has aced the fill-in act before. As a freshman quarterback at John Carroll University in the mid-1990s, Caserio entered the season No. 2 on the depth chart, but was soon thrust into the top spot when the senior starter sustained a season-ending injury. "He never gave up the position, was a starter the rest of the way, and ended up setting a number of passing records for us," recalled Tony DeCarlo, the head coach at the time. "If one thing stood out from that time, it was his tremendous work ethic.

FOXBOROUGH - By the end of the NFL draft, the Patriots had made enough trade downs (two) and off-the-wall picks (Tavon Wilson in the second round, and a former rugby player in the sixth) to make it a normal selection weekend for coach Bill Belichick. And it was also a very productive three days for the Patriots. In 21st overall pick Chandler Jones, New England landed the type of athletic front-seven player the team has lacked for some time. When Jones fully matures as a player, the Patriots could have a piece with a similar skill set to that of young...

By Michael Whitmer, Globe Staff Patriots coach Bill Belichick has seen a good bit of the Baltimore Ravens, with four games between the teams in the past four seasons. The Patriots have had the upper hand overall, leading the series 6-1, but the Ravens have won the only playoff meeting, coming two seasons ago (33-14) at Gillette Stadium. None of the seven previous games had as much on the line as Sunday's does, with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

Hours after the Patriots defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, the Patriots are getting ready for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Bill Belichick, offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien and Nick Caserio, the Patriots director of player personnel wrapped up a conference call with the media a few moments ago. Here are a few highlights: Belichick on the Eagles: "The Eagles are an outstanding team, well coached. They're obviously very mentally tough. They've been through a lot of tough situations.

FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots finished the last of their 30 pre-draft visits Wednesday, and director of player personnel Nick Caserio would like to think that's the end of it. But he knows better. "I personally have gone out the day before the draft or maybe a few days before the draft to work out a player that maybe we haven't had as much exposure with during the spring or during the process," Caserio said. Just last year, he sent offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia to visit Nate Solder.

INDIANAPOLIS - Tom Brady has it all, fame, fortune, an endless supply of toasty UGG boots, and a very supportive supermodel wife. So, what do you get for the guy who has everything? If you're the Patriots, you get Brady a game-changing outside wide receiver who can stretch defenses like spandex. Most experts and fans are banging the table for coach Bill Belichick to augment the defense this offseason, rightfully so. Critiquing an offense that averaged 32.1 points and 428 yards per game and has a pair of tight ends who wouldn't look out of place at the NBA All-Star...

INDIANAPOLIS - The Patriots' brain trust has turned its attention toward the 2012 season, Nick Caserio said yesterday. New England's director of player personnel met with Boston-area reporters yesterday at the NFL Combine and addressed a number of topics. (Coach Bill Belichick is not expected to speak with the media this week.) One of the biggest questions surrounding the Patriots is what will happen with Wes Welker. The 30-year-old slot receiver is slated to become a free agent for the first time, though the team has the option of designating him as its franchise player.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has seen a good bit of the Baltimore Ravens, with four games between the teams in the past four seasons. The Patriots have had the upper hand overall, leading the series 6-1, but the Ravens have won the only playoff meeting, coming two seasons ago (33-14) at Gillette Stadium. None of the seven previous games had as much on the line as Sunday's does, with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl Feb. 5 in Indianapolis. "They're obviously one of the best teams in the league, they're very well put together, and it starts at...

By Michael Whitmer, Globe Staff Patriots coach Bill Belichick has seen a good bit of the Baltimore Ravens, with four games between the teams in the past four seasons. The Patriots have had the upper hand overall, leading the series 6-1, but the Ravens have won the only playoff meeting, coming two seasons ago (33-14) at Gillette Stadium. None of the seven previous games had as much on the line as Sunday's does, with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

FOXBOROUGH - The crowd spotted No. 92 as he strolled across the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium yesterday. He was hard to miss. Albert Haynesworth, dressed in full pads, carried his helmet next to his 6-foot-6-inch, 335-pound body. Cheers greeted Haynesworth and he waved a hand to acknowledge the fans gathered for the Patriots' afternoon practice. After passing a conditioning test earlier in the day, Haynesworth was officially able to participate in practice. In a few plays, Haynesworth provided a glimpse of what he could do this season after being traded to New England from the Redskins last week.

FOXBOROUGH -- There may be a lot of names dropping by Foxborough for workouts these days, but Nick Caserio, the Patriots director of player personnel, said the process isn't any different than in previous season. The Patriots have not worked out any more players at this point in the season than they did last year, said Caserio at today's press conference. Some basic information first. The practice squad will remain at eight players. And the roster cut will go from 90 players to 75 on Aug. 30. On the types of players brought in for...