By Tom E. Curran
CSNNE.com Patriots InsiderFollow @tomecurran
Poor James Dearth. The newly-acquired long-snapper flew in from his home in Houston to join the team and the airline lost his luggage. The result? He had to attend the semi-formal kickoff gala in a striped golf shirt, jeans and workboots. He was able to lie low until the player-by-player announcements made by emcee Rich Eisen hauled Dearth into the spotlight where his dearth of dress clothes was highlighted.Talking to fans at the Kickoff Gala Tuesday night, you get the same comment often. That the players are really decent guys and very approachable. It's understood that they're not going to stand there and discuss scheme and injuries. It's against company policy. But by and large, the Patriots' on-field employees are pretty solid people. One guy people will warm to as they get to know him? Rookie running back Stevan Ridley.It was good to see defensive lineman Mike Wright back in the locker room Tuesday. He's not a great talker but in checking in with him I mentioned how outstanding he played in the first few days of camp before disappearing with an undisclosed injury. "Thanks for noticing," he answered. "I really worked hard this offseason." Gerard Warren's locker room spot has been moved. He's currently among the defensive backs. Albert Haynesworth now has Warren's old spot among the defensive linemen near the weight room. After cuts are made, Warren may be shuffled back to the defensive lineman area. But his sage presence over with the DBs might not hurt either.Ryan Mallett's unfortunate rookie haircut had an Arkansas "A" shaved into his melon. He wasn't happy with it because he believes it looks like an Alabama "A." Nate Solder marched around the gala with a baseball hat on not wanting to unveil his male-pattern baldness look. Given that he was the only rookie to do so, it was a little weak.It was funny to see Tom Brady trying to avoid the media horde gathered at Chad Ochocinco's locker on Tuesday. Brady, trying to tie his cleats while sitting on the folding chair in front of his locker, was being buffeted by the unpleasant sight of reporter and cameraman derrieres in his grill.Newly-signed wide receiver Tiquan Underwood was teammates with Devin McCourty at Rutgers and the two stayed close Tuesday night at the gala. Underwood is the proud owner of a Kid and Play-looking fade. And I liked it. Tom E. Curran can be reached at tcurran@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Tom on Twitter at http:twitter.comtomecurran