New England Patriots links 12/22/16 - Flowers growing into top defender status

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Jets Wednesday Injury Report.
• Broadcast Information: Patriots vs. Jets.
• Roster Moves: Jacoby Brissett activated to the 53-man roster; Woodrow Hamilton released.
• Erik Scalavino shares the news, notes and locker-room buzz from Wednesday at Gillette: Hard work, technique help Flowers bloom.
• Press Conference Transcripts: Bill Belichick - Devin McCourty - Matthew Slater.

LOCAL LINKS

• Adam Kurkjian remembers how last year the Patriots lost three of their last five regular season games, that cost the team the number one seed.
• Mike Reiss emphasizes how the Patriots are determined not to stall at the finish like they did in 2015.
• Mike Petraglia notes Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater both mention how Bill Belichick is using last year's finish as a big motivation to finish strong.
• Karen Guregian highlights the 'embarrassment of riches' the Patriots have at running back, especially after finishing last season without much of a run game at all.
• DJ Bean notes LeGarrette Blount is having the best season of his career at 30 years old.
• Jeff Howe talks up Trey Flowers, who is rapidly becoming one of the team's best defenders.
• Alex Speier looks at how the Patriots defense is allowing the fewest points in the NFL.
• Mike Reiss thumbnails six key Jets players to watch on Saturday.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) A second look at the Jets: "They overpaid a bunch of veterans with the "win-now" approach attempting to re-ignite the fan base and put the new coach in a favorable position. It backfired."
• Chad Finn writes that even on Tom Brady's worst statistical days, he's still the NFL MVP, and remains the embodiment of the concept. /Good read.
  
• Jeff Howe tells us Tom Brady is back on the injury report (thigh), but he is "fine," according to a source.
• Henry McKenna (PatirotsWire) Woodrow Hamilton cut; Danny Amendola missing from practice.
• Rich Thompson finds Devin McCourty playing it humble after being named to a third Pro Bowl. "I'm just trying to keep my job."
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Malcolm Butler on Pro Bowl snub: 'I voted for every guy that's on the list'.
• James Conway (PatsPropaganda) Only choice for coach of the year.
• Christopher Price gets inside the heads of Patriots fans with a ranking of potential playoff opponents by anxiety level.
• Rachel G. Bowers explores whether there are any AFC Wild-Card teams who pose a threat to the Patriots.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Matt Light tricked Brandon Meriweather into giving his bar tab to Bill Belichick.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Rookie Joe Thuney hopes to bounce back from tough Denver game.
• Doug Kyed Patriots Mailbag: Assessing Malcolm Mitchell, Trey flowers' potential.
• Ryan Hannable thinks Michael Floyd should make a bigger impact for the Patriots than Steven Jackson did last year. /Wouldn't take much to be honest.
  
• Rich Thompson and Jeff Howe report Michael Floyd may be facing mandatory jail time.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Nunzio Ingrassia (Fox Sports) Bill Belichick admits he loves ‘caroling’ after being shown hilarious mashup video.
• Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point stance: 10. Power ranking the owners' fighting abilities. Robert Kraft No. 1 "Pure savage."
• Rich Cimini (ESPN) Recent history says Jets will threaten the Patriots, but that was then.
• Will Leitch (Sports on Earth) Best and worst cities for sports In '17.

VIEW FROM NEW YORK

• Gallery (NewYorkJets) Know the opponent: Patriots starters.
• Daniel Popper (NY Daily News) Jets’ Bryce Petty will likely start against Patriots after devastating hit.
• Kimberley A. Martin (Newsday) Jets’ Darrelle Revis knows why Patriots never have a bad year.
• Darryl Slater (NJ.com) 5 reasons to actually watch Jets' final 2 games.
• Connor Hughes (NJ.com) What do the Jets have to play for against the Patriots? (2.23 min video)
• Alex Giaimo and Eric Allen (NewYorkJets) 3 Players to watch: Jets-Patriots. (3.04 min. video)
• Manish Mehta (NY Daily News) Why Brandon Marshall should join Patriots if Jets cut star wide receiver next year.
• Brian Costello (NY Post) Disturbing ‘bad luck’ stat a big reason for Jets’ lost season. /That's a stat?
  
• Mark Cannizzaro (NY Post) Jets need these two young guns to fill gaping leadership void.
• George Willis (NY Post) Jets don’t have a Snapchat problem — they have a locker room problem.
• Connor Hughes (NJ.com) Jets-Patriots Notebook: Matchups to watch, factoids and more.