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New England Patriots

By drafting Alabama tight end Rod Rutledge, the Patriots weren't trying to light a fire under Ben Coates. Rather, they hope to use Rutledge to occasionally spell Coates, who looked worn down in the playoffs (four receptions in two games).... Why should the Pats be nervous that Dave Wohlabaugh is one of the NFL's best young centers? He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and because the Jets hoisted the market value of centers by paying $3.4 million a year to lure Kevin Mawae from Seattle, the Pats could be in for a bidding war if they don't sign Wohlabaugh to a long-term deal by season's end.... Coaches were concerned about the development of rookie wideout Tony Simmons, because he played in a run-oriented offense at Wisconsin. But Simmons's crisp routes and soft hands have surprised everyone in camp.

—by Richard Deutsch

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