NFL Veteran Notes

Derrick Burgess: The two-time Pro Bowler joined the Patriots for practice today, after his reinstatement to the active roster on Friday. There were rumors swirling about Burgess' retirement, but if you saw him working out at the IPF on campus this summer, then you knew there was way too much gas left in the tank. Catch Bill Belichick's comments on Burgess from ESPN.com.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Elsewhere on the Pats' roster, the "Law Firm" earned the starting RB nod in New England's first preseason game, a 27-24 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Saints on Thursday. Green-Ellis was the workhouse on the Patriots' opening drive and capped it with a six-yard TD run. There is a great feature on BJGE in today's Boston Herald.

Trumaine McBride: McBride is in a tightly contested preseason battle for the Cardinals' starting right cornerback job. Media reports have him dead even with second-year player Greg Toler after Saturday's first exhibition. Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt said of McBride to KTAR: "He's a player that started 10 games in the league, there is an experience factor there especially with the direction we were going with that position and not having a lot of depth or experience."

Jermey Parnell: The former two-sport Rebel has worked out at several positions since joining the Saints as a project in May 2009. Parnell made the active roster in May 2010 and has settled in at left tackle this preseason. Check out a Q&A with the now 290-pounder from the Times Picayune.

Terrence Metcalf: Joining Parnell on the NOLA offensive line is Terrence Metcalf, who inked with the club in June. Metcalf's summer has also included helping launch new local sports magazine Game Time Rebels. If you're an Oxford resident, you've probably already picked up a copy, and if not, I'm sure you'll see it come Sept. 4.

Patrick Willis: P Willie's dominance on the field has extended to video games. In the Madden NFL 11 ratings, Willis is proud to be one of only six players in the league with the coveted 99 overall rating (Chris Johnson, Darrelle Revis, Jared Allen, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning are the others). Personally, I'm more excited about Willis' endorsement deal with K-Swiss and his latest commercial with world class athlete Kenny Powers. Check it out.