New England Patriots Links 3/28/16 - Patriots Pre-Draft Positions of Need

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart and Paul Perillo debate which returning player is poised to enjoy a breakout season in 2016.
• Angelique Fiske wants us to check out Martellus Bennett's Patriots art on Instagram.
• 2016 Draft Prospect Highlights: Cornerbacks.
• In memory of Julius Adams and Kevin Turner.
• Player Spotlight: Malcolm Butler.
• Patriots Today - Jerod Mayo on his retirement. (3.20 min. video)
• Jerod Mayo - career highlights. (3.28 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss posts some quick-hit weekend thoughts from the Patriots and around the NFL: New touchback rule could increase returns.
• Ben Volin Sunday Football Notes: Here are the rules changes the NFL should make.
• Christopher Price Sunday NFL Notes: Team-building focus starts to turn more toward draft.
• Kevin Duffy takes a look at the Patriots' needs -- from most pressing to least -- as we enter the next phase of the 2016 offseason.
• Jim McBride reviews the cornerback position from last season and said the group had it covered.
• Karen Guregian thinks moving touchbacks to the 25-yard line could force a new strategy for Stephen Gostkowski.
• Mike Reiss notes Howie Long likes the fit of son Chris joining the Patriots and playing for his hometown team.
• Tom Darcy (Beantown Beat) With the Patriots out on Nick Fairley, could they turn to Terrance Knighton next?
• NFL Sunday guest Mike Reiss talks offseason moves, Roger Goodell and deflategate. (16.59 min. video)
• WEEI looks at potential Patriots: DT Jarran Reed (Alabama) and OLB Leonard Floyd (Georgia).
• Kevin Duffy says the Patriots need a tackle, running back, cornerback and linebacker in the Draft.
• Instagram: Devin McCourty posts a picture of himself with some other Patriots and ex-Pats at Aqib Talib's wedding this past weekend.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots Mock Draft 1.0: Free agency edition.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Howie Long: Son Chris left money on table to sign with Patriots.
• Griffin Smith (isportsweb) Could the New England Patriots be challenged for the AFC East?
• Cameron DaSilva (Fox Sports) Julian Edelman just realized this Blockbuster rental is 12 years overdue.
• Joe Redemann (NumberFire) How much does the new NFL touchback rule affect the NFL?
• Andrew Perloff (SI) Against the Grain: In defense of the four-point FG, a long shot rule change.
• Peter King (The MMQB) MMQB: On RG3, rules and the NFL's reaction to concussion story.
• Zac Jackson (ProFootballTalk) Only three of the top 50 free agents remain unsigned.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL realizes officials aren’t inclined to eject.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Goodell won’t rule out Las Vegas as a future Raiders home.

DEFLATEGATE, DUMPSTER DIVE

• Tom E. Curran writes an excellent article on how the NFL must start showing some humility and humanity.
• Daniel Werly (The White Bronco) Sportslaw Mailbag: Ousting Goodell, Chiefs’ appeal, Josh Gordon, and splitting the Erin Andrews verdict.
• Edwin Rios (Mother Jones) The NFL really doesn't like being compared to Big Tobacco.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Congress probes NFL intervention into selection of brain researcher.
• Matthew Perlman (Law360) NFL tells 3rd cir. exec's CTE statements aren't relevant.
• Doug Farrar (SI) NFL’s admission of CTE link does nothing to calm players’ fears.
• Ron Borges writes 'the truth is playing football killed Kevin Turner.'
• John Sapochetti reports the federal government won't do much in fighting the NFL over concussions.
• Melissa Jacobs (SI) Week under review: Being open to a new perspective on CTE.
• Bill Reynolds is puzzled that Robert Kraft is still talking about deflategate when the rest of the sports world moved on long ago.