The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ...he Patriots and Brandon Lloyd are talking, and the assumption is that they are working toward a deal. In light of previous reports that a deal was close, Herald staffer Ian Rapoport did some checking and a Patriots source said, bluntly, there is nothing to report.

Diehards Line:The problem? According to Rapoport, Lloyd will still need to bring his price down, and the two will still have to come together. If you'll remember, when free agency began that Lloyd communicated to Patriots players that he would be "reasonable." But he hasn't been reasonable enough in the Pats mind. ... Also worth noting, Lloyd's agent, Tom Condon, has been intricately involved with the situation surrounding Peyton Manning, who is still trying to choose a team. As one would expect, that has delayed things. With Manning wrapping it up within a matter of days, figure the Pats and Lloyd will have his full attention. Another reason why it could get done soon.