The Saga (Of Ross Ventrone) Continues

It feels weird to say it since the loss in Super Bowl 46 is still so fresh (it was only two nights ago) but the New England Patriots have officially begun their offseason.

Today, the team made its first moves since the Super Bowl as they signed seven guys to futures contracts. In addition, head coach Bill Belichick also announced what we all knew already: that Josh McDaniels will be the offensive coordinator next season. I'm so excited about that, I think I might drive Bill O'Brien to Happy Valley (home of Penn State). Good luck with that Bill!

The guys signed were mostly practice squad heroes but its headlined by wide receiver Tiquan Underwood-who will forever be known as the guy cut on the eve of the Super Bowl-and safety Ross Ventrone. The other five are linebacker Markell Carter, wide receiver Britt Davis, offensive lineman Matt Kopa, defensive end Aaron Lavarias and linebacker Mike Rivera.

It promises to be a busy offseason for the Patriots. The 2012 NFL Draft combine is back in Indy in a few weeks (starting Feb. 22), free agency opens on March 13 and the Draft itself begins on April 26. I mention that since New England possesses two first-round and two second-round picks. Let's all start thinking positive thoughts that they'll use all of those or package them to move up for once, rather than trade down like always.

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Tom Brady Wins AFC Offensive Player Of The Week For The 3rd Time This Season

For the third time this season and 20th time in his legendary career, Patriots quarterback and icon Tom Brady was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

He tied Colts quarterback Peyton Manning for most times winning the award. I know stats are for losers, blah blah blah but it would be cool to see Brady overtake Manning on that one.

In last Saturday's 27-24 comeback win over the Dolphins, Brady was 27-for-46 for 304 yards and one touchdown. He also had two rushing touchdowns (a career-high). By his insane standards, it wasn't his best performance by any means but I guess nobody around the AFC could top it.

Brady has a good chance to break Drew Brees' (formerly Dan Marino's) NFL record for passing yards which the Saints QB set on Monday. Brady sits 190 yards behind Brees and you'd have to think that New Orleans is more likely to sit Brees at some point vs. Carolina on Sunday.

The Pats (12-3) host the Bills (6-9) and like the Saints, the Patriots are trying to lock up home field throughout the NFL playoffs. We all know how much Bill Belichick hates sitting guys and they'll never say it but they care deeply about important records like this.

In scrub Patriots news, and who's scrubbier than Ross Ventrone, came word today that the safety has been signed to New England's practice squad. Would you believe it was his 21st transaction with the team since mid-August? It's a good thing he has no friends or family, otherwise this would be a rough period in his fake life.

New England also signed undrafted rookie defensive end Aaron Lavarias (Idaho) to the practice squad. He was here for the preseason and spent Week 1 on the practice squad before being released on September 14. He later spent time on Detroit's practice squad. He gives some defensive line depth to the practice squad after Alex Silvestro (haha No. 69 on your roster) was promoted last week to the 53-man roster.

UPDATE 12/29: The Silvestro era is over in Foxborough. He was released by the Pats today after playing against the Dolphins last Saturday. If he clears waivers, he's likely to return to the practice squad.

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