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Bledsoe Happy With Receivers / Wohlabaugh Satisfied With Contract. Drew Bledsoe says the playbook looks pretty much like it did last season, even though Ernie Zampese was hired from Dallas to replace Larry Kennan as offensive coordinator. "We're not changing that much," he reported. "The only thing is we're going to try and get rid of the ball a little quicker on some routes. Initially, I struggled a little to find my best tempo and now there probably are three or four routes I need to work on." Bledsoe said the Pats are "stacked" at wide receiver, to the point they can go "six, seven and maybe even eight deep" and still find quality. "I'm looking forward to a very productive offensive year," he said. "Ernie's going to help our team. He's obviously been very successful in the past and so far I've found him very easy to work for." Bledsoe acknowledges that the Pats lost quality players when Curtis Martin, Sam Gash, Keith Byars went to other teams and when David Meggett was released. He believes they can be replaced. Drew Bledsoe said about Robert Edwards: "It's early, but in a very short time he's going to have to figure out where he's supposed to be and what he's supposed to be doing. That's half the battle for a rookie. From that standpoint, he's ahead of most guys." Wohlabaugh Satisfied With Contract. Center Dave Wohlabaugh says he wasn't unhappy to sign a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Pats after other teams didn't offer him big money when he became a restricted free agent following the '97 season. "I've got no complaints because I got a nice raise," said Wohlabaugh, who was being paid about a third of what he is being paid now. Wohlabaugh, who followed the lead of tackle Bruce Armstrong and guards Todd Rucci and Max Lane in re-signing, hopes his agent can work out a long-term deal with the Pats before next season. "I enjoy playing here," he said. "Hopefully, things'll work out." |
