INDIANAPOLIS -- Sights, sounds and picked-up pieces through a Patriots-like lens at the NFL combine:
1. Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson and punter Chris Hanson, anticipates that both won't be re-signed by the Patriots before free agency begins March 5. On Watson, Rosenhaus said "I can't say for sure he will be gone, but I think he'll become a free agent."
2. The Patriots and left guard Logan Mankins have not entered talks on a long-term extension at this point. Mankins enters the final year of his contract in 2010 and is a restricted free agent this offseason. The Patriots have not yet made their tender offers to restricted free agents, but Mankins is likely to receive the highest possible tender, at $3.04 million.
3. Bus Cook, the agent for Adalius Thomas, said he is unaware of the Patriots' plans with Thomas. While Thomas is under contract for two more years, it has been widely speculated that the team will release him once the new year begins and there is no salary cap.
4. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, who drew the largest media crowd of any prospect, on his relationship with Bill Belichick: "I feel like I have a good relationship with Coach Belichick. He was a very close friend of Coach [Urban] Meyer’s so I feel like I knew him in college. He came and spoke to us quite a few times. I got to know him through that and I respect him as a coach and as a person. He just does a great job.”