Ty Warren

Wes Welker, designated as the Patriots' franchise player, said on Tuesday he "isn't sure" if he'll report to Foxborough for the offseason training program April 16. The veteran receiver, who was in New York City for the unveiling of the new Nike-designed NFL uniforms - other than the Seattle Seahawks, the jerseys are nearly identical to the ones Reebok rolled out for the previous several years - modeled the Patriots uniform. "I don't know," Welker said about organized team activities, according to NFL.com.

Usually, the Patriots treat first-round picks like they do the opening coin toss -- they always defer. This year they flipped their philosophy. Perhaps coach Bill Belichick was influenced by the last-minute loss in Super Bowl XLVI, or the winnowing window of his franchise quarterback, or having turned 60 earlier this month experienced the coaching equivalent of a mid-life crisis. But to borrow a slogan from the team that beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl, Belichick went all in during round one of the 2012 NFL draft.

The Patriots have released seven players, including defensive lineman Ty Warren, who missed last season because of a hip injury. Tight end Alge Crumpler, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, cornerback Tony Carter, tackle Nick Kaczur, defensive lineman Marcus Stroud, and rookie free agent linebacker Ryan Coulson were the other players released. The Patriots also announced the signing of quarterback Ryan Mallet and offensive lineman Marcus Cannon, who were both chosen in April's draft.

The NFL draft is a particularly nebulous exercise in team building. Fans, media, draftniks, not even Patriots coach Bill Belichick know with certainty whether any of the players the team has selected in the first two days are going to end up with busts in Canton or just end up as busts. So, while it looks as if the Patriots helped themselves and appeased their fans by addressing dire needs on defense, the reality is the picks are still unknowns in the team-building equation - they put the solve for X in X's and O's. But what is clear is that when it comes to draft philosophy,...

A week from tonight, the NFL draft will start, and Patriots fans will split into two camps. The hardened realists will expect the Patriots to make a selection with one of their two first-round picks - 27th overall from the Saints, and their own at No. 31 - and trade the other for future picks. It's hard to blame them. Bill Belichick has elected to trade down in the first round in each of the past five drafts, including twice in 2009 and '10. Then there are the dreamers.

There are few housekeeping items we have confirmed if you're keeping up with the roster. Rookie tight end Lee Smith, who had his contract disallowed due to contract language yesterday, was back on the field today, indicating all minor matters were resolved. There are a few players who are on the active/non-football injury list rookie offensive lineman Mike Berry and safety James Sanders. On the physically unable to perform list are defensive lineman Ron Brace, defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick, tight end Aaron Hernandez, defensive lineman Myron Pryor and defensive...

Usually, the Patriots treat first-round picks like they do the opening coin toss -- they always defer. This year they flipped their philosophy. Perhaps coach Bill Belichick was influenced by the last-minute loss in Super Bowl XLVI, or the winnowing window of his franchise quarterback, or having turned 60 earlier this month experienced the coaching equivalent of a mid-life crisis. But to borrow a slogan from the team that beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl, Belichick went all in during round one of the 2012 NFL draft.

The New England Patriots have signed quarterback Ryan Mallett, one other draft choice and released seven players. Mallett, a third-round pick from Arkansas, and offensive lineman Marcus Cannon, a fifth-round choice from TCU, signed Friday. There were some notable names among those released — defensive end Ty Warren, tight end Alge Crumpler and offensive tackle Nick Kaczur. All carried salary cap numbers of at least $3 million. Warren spent last season on injured reserve after being a regular starter for six seasons.

I spoke briefly with Ty Warren about his release, and while it is possible that a couple of the other veterans released today - possibly Alge Crumpler or Nick Kaczur - might re-sign with the team for less money, it is pretty clear Warren will not be returning. "I am definitely not mad about my release," he said. "I appreciate the Patriots and our journey together, and I appreciate the Krafts for drafting me in 2003 and providing an opportunity. "I look forward to doing bigger and better things.

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.

FOXBOROUGH – As soon as you think you have Bill Belichick figured out, he does just the opposite of what you expect. That was reinforced Thursday night. The Patriots moved up in the first round not once but twice, first trading with Cincinnati to get to No. 21 and take Syracuse defensive end/outside linebacker Chandler Jones, and then trading with Denver for the 25th pick, where they chose Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower. To get Jones, a 6-foot-5 ½-inch, 266-pounder, they gave the Bengals the 27th pick (acquired last year from the Saints)

After months of speculation, mock drafts, and opinions that range from highly educated to purely passionate, the 2012 NFL draft will at long last get under way tonight at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The Patriots currently own just six picks, but all are in the first 126 spots - in the first round, they own spots 27 and 31, the earlier selection coming via a trade with the Saints at this time last year. In the second round, the team has picks 48 and 62. The 48th pick came from a trade last year, this time with Oakland.

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.

A week from Thursday, the NFL draft will start, and Patriots fans will split into two camps. The hardened realists will expect the Patriots to make a selection with one of their two first-round picks - 27th overall from the Saints, and their own at No. 31 - and trade the other for future picks. It's hard to blame them. Bill Belichick has elected to trade down in the first round in each of the past five drafts, including twice in 2009 and '10. Then there are the dreamers.

A week from tonight, the NFL draft will start, and Patriots fans will split into two camps. The hardened realists will expect the Patriots to make a selection with one of their two first-round picks - 27th overall from the Saints, and their own at No. 31 - and trade the other for future picks. It's hard to blame them. Bill Belichick has elected to trade down in the first round in each of the past five drafts, including twice in 2009 and '10. Then there are the dreamers.

Wes Welker, designated as the Patriots' franchise player last month, said on Tuesday he "isn't sure" if he'll report to Foxborough for the offseason training program April 16. The veteran receiver, who was in New York City for the unveiling of the new Nike-designed NFL uniforms - other than the Seattle Seahawks, the jerseys are nearly identical to the ones Reebok rolled out for the previous several years - modeled the Patriots uniform. "I don't know," Welker said about organized team activities, according to NFL.com.

Wes Welker, designated as the Patriots' franchise player, said on Tuesday he "isn't sure" if he'll report to Foxborough for the offseason training program April 16. The veteran receiver, who was in New York City for the unveiling of the new Nike-designed NFL uniforms - other than the Seattle Seahawks, the jerseys are nearly identical to the ones Reebok rolled out for the previous several years - modeled the Patriots uniform. "I don't know," Welker said about organized team activities, according to NFL.com.