New England Patriots links 6/27/16 - Fighting for position: Jordan Richards wants bigger role at safety

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart analyzes each position as it stands before Training Camp: Quarterback - Running Back.
• Andy Hart and Paul Perillo debate which new player the Patriots have added needs to make the biggest impact in 2016.
• Angelique Fiske notes Gronk made an appearance on the Late Late Show with James Corden last night, where he pelted him with footballs.
• Patriots Today - Julian Edelman and Dion Lewis visit children at Massachusetts General Hospital before joining a picnic with faculty and staff and playing a giant game of Operation. (1.32 min. video)
• From the NFL - Phil Perry talks about how QB reps will be split during training camp. (3.53 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts on the Patriots and the NFL: Five weeks after Tom Brady's appeal, court decision should be close.
• Christopher Price Sunday NFL Notes: In return after hiatus, Dante Scarnecchia will be part of unique NFL company.
• Ben Volin Sunday Football Notes: Rookie transition program is more attuned to today's NFL.
• Kevin Duffy believes the Patriots could use another body in the backfield, and looks at who's available as a free agent besides Arian Foster.
• Phil Perry puts together another 53-man roster projection.
• Adam Kurkjian checks in on the other AFC East teams to see where they stand before training camps begin in late July.
• Mike Reiss revisits notes from Field Yates on he traits teams look for in a safety, and examines what the Patriots have at the position.
• Mark Daniels finds that safety Jordan Richards is pushing for a bigger role with the Patriots.
• Phil Perry takes a look at some of the most memorable Patriots drafts under Bill Belichick.
• Jerry Thornton demonstrates the astounding difference between Lebron James and Tom Brady.
• Henry McKenna passes along the latest Tom Brady Facebook post where he shares an essay he wrote at 17 years old, about growing up in his sisters' shadows.
• Bryanna Cappadona notes that Rob Gronkowski says he had two rules in his house growing up.
• Bruce Allen (Boston Sports Media Watch) A familiar scenario.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Erik Frenz (Bleacher Report) 5 Position battles to watch in Patriots training camp.
• Oliver Thomas (247 Sports) Five veteran additions on the Patriots' roster bubble.
• Oliver Thomas (247 Sports) History suggests roster moves loom for Patriots before camp.
• Erik Frenz (Bleacher Report) 5 Biggest issues the Patriots will face in 2016: 2. Effective running game.
  
• John McMullen (Today's Pigskin) Belichick defines the Patriots’ way: A copycat NFL can't find a way to copy Bill Belichick.
• Matt LaPan (NFL Spinzone) Patriots: How does WR Chris Hogan fit?
• Mike Reiss (ESPN) AFC East Q&A: How much of Belichick's success is because of Brady?
• Peter King (The MMQB) MMQB: Welcome to Dr. Z Week. Plus more notes on Von Miller, Ben f---ing Affleck and a look at new NFL show.
• Dave Holcomb (Todays's Pigskin) Jimmy Garoppolo can keep Patriots afloat in September.
• Video (ESPN) Brunell has more confidence in Garoppolo than Geno. (1 min. clip)
• James Walker (ESPN) AFC East Q&A: Can offensive-minded Adam Gase thrive in defense-heavy division?
• Chris Wesseling (NFL.com) J.J. Watt, Rob Gronkowski top NFL's best non-QBs.
• Greg A. Bedard (SI) The NFL’s best edge defenders.
• Kevin Seifert (ESPN) Ranking the playing careers of all 32 NFL head coaches.
• Kristopher Knox (Bleacher Report) NFL's biggest winners and losers from June minicamps.
• OddsShark (Bleacher Report) Super bowl LI odds: Patriots betting favorites despite Tom Brady suspension.
• Ian Gunn (Sports Esquires) Sports law links: This week’s edition features the sports implications from Brexit, legal issues at the Olympics, More.

DEFLATEGATE, DUMPSTER DIVE

• Staff (Patriots Extra) From the fans: Deflategate making Patriots fans loyal as ever.
• Joseph Zucker (Bleacher Report) Tom Brady deflategate suspension: Latest buzz on potential appeal.
• Kevin Duffy wonders what happens if the Second Circuit decision drags into training camp.
• Tom Jones (Tampa Bay Times) Holy reversal, Batman! Tom Jones changes mind on Deflategate. /Huh. No sarcasm either.
• The AP reports Ben Affleck stands by his expletive-filled 'deflategate' rant.
• Greg A. Bedard (SI) Five years after the last lockout, labor peace is relative for NFL.
• Tom Pelissero (USA Today) NFL will interview players tied to Al-Jazeera America report on PEDs.