New England Patriots links 5/16/16 - Offense stocked with smart, character-players

TEAM TALK

• Patriots re-sign RB Joey Iosefa.
• Paul Perillo passes along the report that LS Joe Cardona will be able to continue his NFL career with the Patriots in 2016.
• Angelique Fiske explains how to celebrate Gronk's birthday in a few easy steps.
• Angelique Fiske notes Gronk stopped by "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to talk about "GQ," Madden and, of course, ghosts.
• Patriots.com celebrates Rob Gronkowski's 27th birthday with a 27 spike salute. (1 min. video)
• From the NFL - The "NFL HQ" crew discusses the expectations for Rob Gronkowski in 2016. (3 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts from the Patriots and around the NFL: Eastern Illinois has an unlikely NFL pipeline to the Pats.
• Christopher Price Sunday NFL Notes: How does birthday boy Rob Gronkowski measure up to other NFL greats at age 27?
• Ben Volin Sunday Football Notes: Hey rookies, here is some advice to help you adjust to the NFL.
• Tom E. Curran blasts out 34 lines on 17 topics: Julian Edelman injury in focus.
• Karen Guregian sees the Patriots' arsenal full of Tom Brady's kind of guys.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) For the Patriots WRs, opportunity knocks with Edelman out.
• Mike Reiss notes RB Joey Iosefa turned down another NFL visit to stick with the Patriots.
• Christopher Price notes Russell Wilson poked fun at himself, referencing Super Bowl XLIX interception against Tom Brady.
• Karen Guregian and Adam Kurkjian report the Patriots re-signed Joey Iosefa to the crowded backfield.
• Tom Darcy (Beantown Beat) Selection of QB Jacoby Brissett shows Patriots have faith in Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Christopher Gasper writes how Rob Gronkowski has brilliantly managed to parlay his frat boy persona and Bunyan-esque football exploits into a lifestyle brand
• Zack Cox reports Rob Gronkowski is ‘super excited’ to play alongside ‘scary’ Martellus Bennett
• Cameron McDonough notes Tom Brady extends 'spirit animal' Rob Gronkowski's curfew for his birthday.
• NESN reports Adrian Peterson says Teddy Bridgewater reminds him of Tom Brady.
• Mike Reiss helps us get to know some fun facts about rookie guard Ted Karras.
• Cyrus Geller (MusketFire) Patriots: Assessing the cornerbacks .
• CSNNE notes Bill Belichick's girlfriend Linda Holliday posts some photos of the couple's "#WeekendEscape" boat trip.
• Connor Fulton (MusketFire) Here are the 61 colleges represented on the Patriots roster.
• Matt Burke declares Danny Ainge is the best GM in sports.
• Mike Reiss revisits the topic of retiring jersey numbers.
• CBS Boston wonders which three classic Patriots games should be featured on YouTube.
• Henry McKenna posts a pic of Vince WIlfork rocking his denim overalls in a charity softball event.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Erik Frenz (Bleacher Report) Aaron Dobson will be in the fight of his life for a roster spot in 2016.
• Shawn Spencer (NFL Mocks) New England Patriots: How 2015 Draft class looks now.
• Oliver Thomas (247 Sports) SportsLine gives Patriots a 65.6 percent shot at taking AFC East.
• Videos (NFL.com) Rob Gronkowski: Top 10 plays of 2015. (3.43 min. video)
• Brian Baldinger (Yahoo! Sports) How Gronk dominates the AFC East. (3.41 min. video)
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Patriots rookie Ted Karras embracing his inner Mongo.
• Peter King (The MMQB) MMQB: As one freely walks away, two badly want back in NFL.
• Chris Burke (SI) 2015 NFL draft trade grades: Early winners of last year’s deals.
• Joel Childers (SpinZone) Running backs are losing their value.
• Chris Wesseling (NFL.com) Six most interesting players still on free-agent market.
• Analysts (NFL.com) NFL Media's former players reveal how they spent first paycheck.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Las Vegas would be the NFL’s fifth-smallest media market.
• Alysha Tsuji (USA Today) The quiet redemption of Jonathan Martin, the man at the center of the NFL’s infamous bullying scandal. /Redemption?