The Patriots’ First Shot

Good morning! The First Shot provides you with a healthy helping of links to the top Patriots-related stories around the internet to get your day started. Enjoy your breakfast, your coffee, put off your work (just keep an eye out for the boss), and get your early morning football fix. The links begin after the jump…

• The Carolina Panthers’ asking price for WR Steve Smith is reportedly a third-round pick. Are the Patriots interested?
• Ty Law will be honored tonight at “The Tradition” with the Football Legacy Award. Here are some Ty Law memories and the latest from Law himself.
• Deion Branch predicts that injuries will be up this season due to the NFL lockout.
• Karen Guregian from the Boston Herald takes a look at free agent possibilities for the Pats’ defensive line.
• Greg Knopping from Pats Pulpit continues his countdown of the Patriots’ roster, looking at #97 Ron Brace.
• Boston sports fans are “obnoxious,” “condescending,” and “smarmy”? That appears to be the view from Philly.