Tom Brady met the media as the Patriots began camp yesterday. After spending the offseason at beaches around the world trying to wash the disaster of last season off himself, he says the time off was good for him, and he's ready to join Coach Bill and the team in the singleminded pursuit of finishing the job this year. (Bostonist has to admit, we're partial to the idea of tanking opening day against the Chiefs, then running the table, so we can wear 18-1 shirts, too).

Brady lost his primo parking place as the most devoted offseason worker-outer (a fact the Herald and the Globe both made hay of on this slow news day.) He's going to limit his throwing at first and pace himself. If it's OK with Bill, it's OK with us.

The Pats did come to an agreement with linebacker Jerod Mayo, their first-round pick, signing him for five years to a total (including bonuses and incentives) of about $19 million. Eat your Wheaties, kids.

Bob Ryan shows what a good columnist can do, helping us all let go of last year, and keep their eyes on the prize:

They will play not to vindicate themselves, but to satisfy and amuse themselves. They will play to hoist a fourth championship flag, and when and if they do, they will enjoy it immensely, knowing how many people they had just frustrated and annoyed.

Yeah. YEAH.

Meanwhile, David Ortiz is back, and the Yankees are in town, three games back. Beckett and Chamberlain. And Kevin Cullen is clucking about the Yankees Suck chant. What's not to love?