Mike Reiss responds to a chat question on if it would make more sense for Tom Brady to hold out, since that might force the Patriots to move things along more quickly.
If Brady held out, it would seemingly create more urgency for the Patriots to move things along quickly. But at what cost? Brady, to me, has been mostly about winning and making memories with his teammates over his 10-year career. If he decides to hold out, he'd be putting business ahead of that. So I think we'll find out what is truly more important to him in this case. I think I already know the answer. He'll be there.
Tim Graham (ESPN) Eric Allen's top questions for the AFC East.
New England Patriots: How effectively will their defensive backs perform?
"When you look at this football team, they've always had outstanding playmakers in the back end. Not so of late. They drafted Pat Chung last year, a safety out of Oregon. This year, [cornerback] Devin McCourty. These guys need to step into the shoes of Asante Samuel and Ty Law to make plays and solidify this defense. Then, on a side note, the coaches. Where are all the Romeo Crennels and Charlie Weises, those great coordinators of the past?"
Tim Graham (ESPN) Cris Carter's top questions for the AFC East.
New England Patriots: Who will be their defensive playmaker?
"In critical games, critical situations, they've always had a number of veteran players who would [step] up: Richard Seymour, Ty Law, Tedy Bruschi, who's now making big plays for us. Who are going to be these players? We know [Vince] Wilfork, they signed him back to the middle. We know [Jerod] Mayo, they signed him back, and he's a good player. But around those players, who will make plays?"
TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino profiles rookie CB Devin McCourty. "When I think about Devin, the first thing that comes to mind is not his athleticism," [championship head coach Tony Karcich] insisted "He was just an awesome, awesome kid. A team player. It was never about him, it was always about the team."
- Andy Hart breaks down the most important position battle of the summer, outside linebacker.
- PFW in Progress - 7/22/10 Edition. Training Camp Preview. (1:59:53 audio)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss sets the record straight on Brady.
- Albert Breer notes that with the Patriots' bottom eight draft picks now taken care of, it's time to start the more difficult negotiations with the higher level rookies.
- Karen Guregian spoke to Devin McCourty who was at Modells in Medford to help Pop Warner kids prepare for their season. McCourty said, "I think it will be done pretty soon so I can move on and start playing football."
- Mike Reiss notes the team has won six straight season-openers, which is the second longest active streak in the NFL. Only the Steelers have won more (7).
- Ian Rapoport reports WR Julian Edelman also hung out with a group of Pop Warner kids in Brockton yesterday. Edelman revealed he stepped up his training to prepare for camp.
- Albert Breer sees the deal between Cowboys and first round draft pick Dez Bryant as a framework for the Patriots-Devin McCourty deal to get done.
- Tom E. Curran says Logan Mankins has the Patriots O-Line in Limbo.
- Mike Reiss Countdown to Camp: TEs and red-zone.
- Jeff Howe sees Alge Crumpler as part of a versatile group of Patriots TEs after a complete overhauling of the position.
- Albert Breer scouts the schedule: Indianapolis Colts.
- Christopher Price rates the roster, Training Camp edition (part 1).
- Christopher Price says the Pats could end up near tops of the league in two-a-days.
- Tom E. Curran lays it out that training camp will be make or break time for three guys: Lawrence Maroney, Terrence Wheatley and Shawn Crable. (1.30 min. video)
- Jeff Howe asserts increased leadership across the entire Patriots roster is essential for 2010 success.
- Jim Donaldson golfs with the guys that covered the Patriots from the Billy Sullivan era. Some pretty good stories from covering 'your father's Patriots.'
- Albert Breer notes Forbes ranks the Patriots organization fifth out of the worlds most valuable sports franchises. I'm sure Brady and Mankins are thrilled.
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.
- Albert Breer offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) First Take broached one of this generation's classic NFL topics. Who would you rather have on your team, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? No debate. All three chose Brady.
- Adrian Hasenmayer (Fox Sports) NFL pre-camp power rankings. Pats 10th, with an "under-reported cold war between Tom Brady and the organization." Huh???
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Speculation persists of a Tom Brady holdout. Yeah, thanks to speculators like you.
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Scouts' views: Top 20 quarterbacks plus analysis.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Another look at first-half scoring.
- Don Banks (SI) Inside the NFL: Pre-camp musings and insight.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Ranking the AFC East's backfield trios.
- Aaron Wilson (Nat'l Football Post) Mike Ditka on possible lockout: 'Don't be greedy'
- Barry Jackson (Pro Football Weekly) NFLPA cries foul over TV contracts.
- Robert Boland (Nat'l Football Post) 2010 NFP franchise rankings: Part four
- Randy Cross (Nat'l Football Post) NFL Player Safety and the 2010 Playoff Dozen.
- Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) Face it: Wembley Stadium could one day be host to a Super Bowl.
- DJ Gallo (ESPN) Tips to becoming an unscrupulous agent.
- Patrick Hruby (ESPN) Bring back these bygone sports items!
- Kurt Snibbe (ESPN) Chris Berman earns our tip of the cap.