FROM BOSTON TO ORLANDO -- Quick-hit thoughts around the NFL and Patriots, while getting ready to head to Florida for the NFL's annual meeting:

1. News that the Patriots and free-agent tight end Alge Crumpler are closing in on a deal didn’t overwhelm. But if this is an indication that the Patriots are thinking about playing more smash-mouth football, that wouldn’t be a bad thing.

2. When the Patriots traded Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2009 second-round draft choice, it was a reminder that it’s good business drafting and developing quarterbacks. That thought was reinforced with last week’s surprising trade in which the Seattle Seahawks gave up a lot (2011 third-round pick, and a swap of 2010 second-rounders) for little known San Diego Chargers backup Charlie Whitehurst.

3. I wasn’t buying the storyline of the San Francisco 49ers possible rise in 2010, and especially not now that personnel chief Scot McCloughan is out of the mix five weeks before the draft. Something just doesn’t seem right in San Francisco.

4. Curious what it’s like to go through a pre-draft workout with the New England Patriots? Clemson defensive end Ricky Sapp tells the Times & Democrat: “The New England Patriots are a very private organization, our workout was private and extremely long. I started around 9 that morning and did not finish until 3 that afternoon.”

5. Unlike some other NFL teams which belong to a national scouting service (BLESTO) that shares information with various clubs, the Patriots take pride in standing on their own with system-specific scouting. That might explain, in part, why Sapp described the Patriots as “private” and why there seems to be a new report each day about the Patriots putting a prospect through a private workout.

6. My feeling on the league’s modified overtime proposal is that if it’s implemented, it should be for the regular season and the playoffs, not just the playoffs.

7. Titans coach Jeff Fisher walks a fine line when he publicly endorses the modified overtime proposal. As co-chairman of the league’s competition committee, he sometimes sends a mixed message on whether his thoughts reflect the committee's, or if he's solely speaking as a head coach.

8. In 2005, the Patriots selected offensive lineman Logan Mankins in the first round (32^nd overall). It was a pick with little sizzle, but it was obviously the right one. My feeling is that Florida center Maurkice Pouncey is this year’s Mankins.

9. If he stays healthy, defensive end Dwan Edwards could be the best value signing of free-agency. Edwards said the Seahawks and Broncos had concerns with his previously injured neck, so he landed in Buffalo on a reasonable four-year deal for a player at the position.

10. I enjoy stories about former Patriots in their post playing careers, and Brian Lowe of Patriots Today on Patriots.com delivers a good one on Rosevelt Colvin this week.