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06/27/2009
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Photo by Jeff Poulandfrom the Kennebec Journal
FAIRPOINT PLAN TARGETS DEBT
Wind project off Mass. meets strong resistance
Three bills seek tougher rules for petitioners
New rules for special education debated
Happy apples
AUGUSTA: Cuts to French curriculum run into opposition
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL: Hall-Dale drops MVC title game to Mountain Valley
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NOTEBOOK: Different stakes in Gardiner-Winslow rivalry
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
'At the time ... he was psychotic'
Man answers door, is attacked with Mace and then robbed
FairPoint reorganization plan aims to slash company's debt
Concerns over special-education changes aired
FAIRFIELD: Clinton man, 21, arrested on rape, assault charges
Stun gun, arrest of suspect end high-speed, 2-town chase
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NOTEBOOK: Gardiner, Winslow take to ice again
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Skowhegan wins KVAC A title game
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
WATERVILLE -- New England Patriots' linebacker Vince Redd introduced himself to the campers at the Central Maine Youth Football Clinic with a simple question.
"How many of y'all know me?" Redd said.
A few, but nowhere near a majority, campers raised their hands. If the upcoming season goes as Redd hopes, even the most casual Patriots fan will recognize his name.
Redd, a second-year linebacker, joined veteran New England linebacker Eric Alexander and former Patriot defensive tackle Ray Hamilton, the current defensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons, as instructors at the three-day football clinic, which runs through Sunday at the Alfond Youth Center fields on North Street.
An undrafted free agent out of Liberty University, Redd was signed to New England's practice squad at the end of training camp. On Nov. 22, Redd was added to the active roster and saw his first NFL action the next day against the Miami Dolphins.
Redd played in five games last season, seeing action mostly on special teams.
"I couldn't have picked a better place to come," Redd said of the Patriots. "If I'm lucky enough, hopefully I'll remain on the team."
Now entering his sixth season, Alexander is also fighting for a spot in New England's linebacking corps. Predominantly a special teams player throughout his career, Alexander missed most of the 2008 season with a lower leg injury. Before beginning drills with campers on Friday afternoon, Alexander said he feels healthy.
"I don't think anyone who plays this game wants to be hurt," Alexander said, "but I don't think (the injury) was a setback... I just want to be the best football player I can be."
Alexander is listed as a backup inside linebacker on the latest unofficial Patriots' depth chart on the team's Web site, while Redd is listed as a third-team outside linebacker. Redd, who will turn 24 two weeks before the start of the regular season, thinks his age might be his best asset in a crowded field of linebackers, although he won't limit his chances to make the roster to just one position.
"Youth, more than anything else," Redd said. "I want to get out there and play anything the Patriots want me to."
This weekend is the first visit to Maine for Redd, a native of Tennessee.
"It's beautiful, just like they said it is," Redd said. "It's always good to teach kids."
This is the second year in a row Alexander has coached at the Central Maine Youth Football Clinic.
"Just being with the kids and teaching them something they can take with them is good," Alexander said.
Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242
tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
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