As the Patriots ready to add their first free agent of the offseason (that being Alge Crumpler), Team Globe's already got a big one signed up.

Welcome our new Patriots beat writer Shalise Manza Young, who comes over after covering the team deftly for the Providence Journal for the last four years. Shalise starts officially on Sunday from the owners meetings in Orlando, but snuck in the backdoor to help out and post in this space earlier in the day.

What I can tell you is our coverage of this team is about to get better, because Shalise can really bring it. For now, be sure to jump on board and follow her on Twitter, and keep it clicking right here. I'm already in Florida, and we'll have full coverage of the meetings, and all other things football, this week from the Sunshine State.

(Update 2:41 p.m.: Wanted to clarify something for you guys ... Crumpler's the first UFA to come aboard. Patten was a street free agent, and Marques Murrell was an non-tendered RFA.)