New England Patriots links 8/16/16 - Patriots-Bears joint practice fiery in more ways than one

TEAM TALK

• Game Preview: Bears at Patriots.
• Andy Hart Blogservations: Joint practice with the Bears leads to eventful day in Foxborough.
• Erik Scalavino shares some news and notes from Bears-Patriots joint practices.
• Press Conference transcript: Bill Belichick.
• Media Availability transcripts: Jimmy Garoppolo and Chris Long.

LOCAL LINKS

• Phil Perry passes along Jimmy Garoppolo's reaction to Brady accepting his suspension: "I was excited about it."
• Tom E. Curran warns that the notion Jimmy Garoppolo is 'going to come in and magically play at the same level Tom Brady did, or even approach it . . . is foolhardy.'
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Garoppolo on working hard: "It’s contagious".
• Phil Perry notes that for Jimmy Garoppolo, it's not about the money.
• Adam Kurkjian describes how Jimmy Garoppolo finishes Patriots practice on a high note.
• Mike Petraglia notes Jimmy Garoppolo admits he was a Brett Favre fan growing up, and Tom Brady "obviously".
• Ryan Hannable highlights Bill Belichick on Dale & Holley: Getting Jimmy Garoppolo ready for Weeks 1-4 a 'priority'.
• Jeff Howe says Joe Thuney looks like a first-round draft pick. "He's been outstanding."
• Matt Dolloff sees the front-seven looking strong against the Saints, but head coach Bill Belichick said the unit has a "long way to go."
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Trey Flowers making a case for himself at defensive end.
• Kevin Duffy believes Chris Long has had a strong preseason.
• Mike Reiss hears from Kyle Long after the brief but intense fight during practice, "I was just making sure [my brother Chris] wasn’t coming to dropkick me."
• Phil Perry makes a 3rd attempt at projecting the opening day roster. Five RBs make the cut.
• Doug Kyed presents his 53-man roster projection with surprise cuts at running back and tight end.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Harbaugh was "pissed off" about Brady comment in 2015.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Belichick tosses Butler after fracas with Jeffrey; Chris and Kyle Long; More.
• Kevin Duffy reports Patriots safety Brock Vereen retired at age 23 for reasons yet unknown.

VIEW FROM CAMP

• Jeff Howe details Monday's camp: Rob Gronkowski hobbled in fiery workout with Bears.
• Phil Perry sends us another Postcard from Camp, Day 14: Postcard from Camp, Day 14: Malcolm Butler ejected as tempers boil over.
• Mike Reiss reports Rob Gronkowski suffered what was said to be a minor injury and took himself out of Monday's practice after pulling up during a 7-on-7 drill.
• Mark Daniels Training camp observations: Injuries, fights and a strong defensive effort from the Patriots.
• Ryan Hannable Monday practice report: Intensity picks up in big way in 1st of 3 joint practices with Bears.
• Henry McKenna details the fight at practice between Malcolm Butler and Alshon Jeffrey.
• Kevin Duffy Practice highlights: Before fight, Alshon Jeffrey vs. Malcolm Butler was a competitive matchup.
• Mike Petraglia notes the players were reminded loud and clear yesterday why Bill Belichick has a strict 'no-fighting' rule.
• Nick O'Mralley reports players found out the consequences for breaking Belichick's 'no fighting' rule.: Run the hill, push blocking sled 100 yards.
• Adam Hoge (WGN Radio) Observations from Bears' first practice against the Patriots.
• Ryan Hannable mentions how the Bears players reactted to the fight in a not-so Patriot way.

NATIONAL NEWS

• John Breech (CBS Sports) Patriots-Bears joint practice almost turns into an all-out brawl.
• NFL Total Access (NFL.com) What caused the fight during Patriots-Bears joint practice? (1 min. video)
• Brad Biggs (Chicago Tribune) Patriots show how much Bears need to improve.
• Rich Campbell (Chicago Tribune) What we learned: Bears look up to Patriots, who 'do it the right way.'
• Dan Schmelzer (NFL Spinzone) Profile on Patriots No. 24 Cyrus Jones.
• Bucky Brooks* (NFL.com) Preseason Week 1 grades: AFC rookies. Cyrus Jones earns a B.
• Adam Schein (NFL.com) Nine biggest takeaways from the first week of preseason action. 8. Garoppolo was solid...
• Chris Burke (SI) 32 teams, 32 takeaways: Lessons learned from Week 1 of the NFL preseason.
• Melissa Jacobs (SI) Preseason continues to showcase how badly it needs shortening.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Why is the NFL doing business with China? /Good question.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Adele passes on Super Bowl halftime gig.
• Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) The NFL denies formally offering Adele the Super Bowl halftime show.

DUMPSTER DIVE

• Tom Pelissero (USA Today) NFL says James Harrison, Clay Matthews will be suspended if interviews not conducted. /Wow.
• Kevin Seifert (ESPN) NFL players should fight 'Al-Jazeera suspensions' like crazy.
• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) The NFL just challenged the NFLPA over Al Jazeera case.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL will suspend Al Jazeera 4 if they don’t give interviews.
• Mark Maske (Washington Post) NFL threatens to suspend Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, James Harrison for non-cooperation.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL prepares to use Brady precedent to force cooperation with PED investigation.
• Ed Bouchette (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Harrison considers PED inquiry 'done deal,' but NFL has other plans.
• Tom Silverstein (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Matthews, Peppers must talk or be suspended.
• Michael Hurley writes regarding psi spot checks, that 'to most people in this lovely country, science is science. Facts are facts. Unless you're the NFL.'
• Daniel Werly (The White Bronco) This week in SportsLaw (8/15): Adrian Peterson En Banc request and Darren Sharper sentencing.