Patriots' Phillip Dorsett prepares for 'different' free-agency approach

2. Weis relays his text exchange with Brady: Former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis always had a direct, blunt way of delivering a message, and that has continued in his role as a co-host on Sirius XM NFL Radio’s “Opening Drive” program. Weis has remained close with Brady, and in response to rampant speculation on Brady’s future, he relayed the following on Thursday’s show: “I do have one bit of scoop for us. I’ve been texting with Tommy. I don’t [usually] pass along these conversations, but one thing he told me — ‘Nobody knows anything. So anyone who is telling you they know, they don’t know.’ I’m not going through any other part of the conversation [but] I followed up and he said, ‘Clean it up.’ So I’m cleaning it up.”

3. Brady’s future in the red zone: When Brady tells Weis no one knows anything, this is my translation from Brady’s viewpoint: How can anyone know anything about my future team when I don’t know myself, as there is currently no indication of the type of financial/annual commitment coach Bill Belichick is willing to make? Once Brady gets that information definitively, and knows what he is agreeing to or walking away from, then the pieces should fall into place. That’s why news that the players’ vote on the collective bargaining agreement is to be completed by March 12 is significant; it will determine the financial rules under which all teams operate and should finally force Belichick to show his hand with four days on the calendar before other teams can legally negotiate with Brady’s agents.

4. CBA from a Patriots perspective: Dorsett told me he is undecided on how he’ll vote for the CBA, and plans to study it and reach out to Patriots player representative Matthew Slater before deciding. It highlights Slater’s important role behind the scenes as a conduit to his teammates. “I’ve seen him a couple times this offseason. He talks about it, and is doing everything he can [to keep us informed],” Dorsett said. Offensive lineman Ted Karras and long-snapper Joe Cardona are alternate reps. Karras, by the way, told me he voted for the new CBA.

5. Rivers’ workout crew at Gillette: A handful of players are continuing to work out at Gillette Stadium this offseason, including fourth-year defensive end Derek Rivers, who told me the group includes veteran cornerback Jason McCourty, core special-teamer Brandon King, practice squad linebacker Terez Hall and practice squad safety Malik Gant, among others. “It’s a good group of younger guys and older guys. We get our work in, then laugh and joke with each other,” said Rivers, the 2017 third-round pick from Youngstown State who spent his rookie season and last season on injured reserve with a knee injury. “Coming off the injury, praise God, the knee feels awesome. I’m looking forward to seeing all the guys back, offseason workouts, and then camp. And we’ll see what happens from there.”