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…

• Musket Fire’s Ryan Hannable provides a first-hand account of Sunday’s Patriots send-off rally.
• The Madden simulation has the Giants defeating the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Should Patriots fans be worried?
• Did Tom Brady trash-talk the Giants? That’s what the New York media would have you believe.
• Go HERE for a collection of Patriots player press conference transcripts.
• Good news for Patriots fans: Wes Welker plans on returning to New England next season. He will be a free agent once this season is over.
• NFL.com’s Steve Wyche examines Chad Ochocinco’s fall from prominence.
• Bill Belichick teaches through humiliation in Monday film sessions.
• The Giants are expecting to win in the Super Bowl.
• The Patriots offensive linemen don’t mind being labeled as “dirty.”
• Tom Coughlin is hoping that Indy fans are backing the Giants in the Super Bowl.