New England Patriots Links 1/07/15 - Dan Connolly a Steadying Force on the Line

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino passes along his notes and locker room chatter from Tuesday at Gillette: LaFell returns as Patriots resume practice.
• Paul Perillo scouts the matchups: Suggs, Dumervil vs. Solder, Vollmer.
• John Rooke is sensing some angst among the Faithful heading into the playoffs.
• Andy Hart tackles this week's Ask PFW Mailbag: Fearing the Ravens?
• Briana Palma reveals Rob Gronkowski is featured on the cover of this week's issue of Sports Illustrated.
• Patriots Quotes 1/6: Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and more.
• Press Pass - Gronk and others talk playoff practice. (4.47 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Patriots distribute coats to the homeless. (2.24 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Do Your Job. (1.07 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Christopher Price reports Bill Vinovich will work as referee for Pats-Ravens.
• Lee Schechter reports the Patriots had full attendance at practice yesterday as they returned to the field after six days away.
• Mike Reiss posts some notable milestones in reach for the Patriots in the playoffs.
• Adam Kurkjian focuses on how Dan Connolly has been a calm, steadying force on the O-line that has served the Patriots well this season.
• Karten Guregian thinks it's best to hit Flacco early to turn him into just your average Joe.
• Jeff Howe thinks it's time for Chandler Jones to crack the goose egg in his postseason sack column.
• Chris Villani tells Patriots fans, "Don't fear the Ravens'.
• Tom E. Curran notes that LeGarrette Blount says there's no place he'd rather be than here in New England.
• Lee Schechter posts the fun exchange Brandon Browner has with reporters talking about the Baltimore Ravens.
• Mike Reiss sorts the Patriots roster by playoff experience.
• Mike Reiss answers his Patriots Mailbag: Is fear of the Ravens stronger than faith in the Patriots?
• Mike Reiss discusses Tom Brady's reaction to a reporter's question about what it would mean to him "at this stage" of his career to bookend things with another Super Bowl title. (1 min. clip)
• Mike Petraglia and Chris Price talk about what to expect in another Patriots-Ravens war. (10.13 min. video)
• Planet Mikey brings you Mikey's new song to get fans fired up for the playoffs: "Brady's Heart" /with apologies to Bruce Springsteen. (2.19 min. video)
• Eric Wilbur points to Terrell Suggs as another case of hypocrisy for the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL.
• Jack Andrade recaps Terrell Suggs' beef with the Patriots over the years.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Nate Solder said his knee injury won't keep him out of Saturday's game,"It's great competition"; Brandon LaFell returned to practice after appearing to injure his left shin in the 4th quarter of Week 17 against the Bills; Chris Jones walked through the locker room after practice with ice wrapped around his right knee; Patriots had a full-pads practice in 17-degree weather yesterday; Brandon Browner said the playoffs won't change his intensity level.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jamison Hensley (ESPN) Ravens are big admirers of Darrelle Revis.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Patriots a little late to get in on Steve Smith derby.
• Jamison Hensley (ESPN) Stopping Rob Gronkowski. (1 min. video)
• Jamison Hensley (ESPN) Suggs on Brady's praise: 'Say what?'
• Dan Hanzus (NFL.com) Mailbag: Ranking the best quarterbacks still standing.
• Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) NFL Power Rankings: Ravens, Panthers fly into Divisional Round.
• Josh Levin (Slate) Why is Terrell Suggs still in the NFL?
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tannenbaum hire in Miami creates awkward situation for the Jets.

VIEW FROM BALTIMORE

• Phil Gentile (Purple Reign) Torrey Smith & Steve Smith have poor track records on Revis Island.
• Ryan Mink (BaltimoreRavens.com) Eugene Monroe, Timmy Jernigan could return in New England.
• Aaron Wilson (Baltimore Sun) Gary Kubiak praised for 'singular focus' on Patriots instead of pursuing jobs.
• AP (Washington Post) Brady shrugs off past playoff problems against Ravens.
• Jeff Zrebiec (Baltimore Sun) Once again, Ravens must beat Patriots in NFL playoffs.
• Sarah Ellison (BaltimoreRavens.com) Mood in New England after learning of Ravens matchup.
• Clifton Brown (CSN Baltimore) Five reasons why Patriots should worry about Ravens.
• Kenneth Arthur (Rolling Stone) Are you ready to believe in the Baltimore Ravens?
• Sports Talk Live (CSN Baltimore) Harbaugh stands by comment, thinks Flacco is best QB in NFL. (4.25 min. video)
• Bo Smolka (CSN Baltimore) Boston writer: Ravens 'most hated' team in NFL.