New England Patriots links 8/17/16 - Fighting for position: Stork, Andrews center of heated competetition

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart Blogservations: Another feisty joint session with Bears.
• Erik Scalavino shares his news and notes from Tuesday's camp: Edelman, intensity on the rise.
• John Rooke View from Above: When opportunity comes a-knockin'.
• Andy Hart tackles this week's Ask PFW Mailbag: Brywn Stork, cornerback and other Patriots roster battles.
• Patriots release DB Brock Vereen.
• Press Conference transcript: Bill Belichick.

LOCAL LINKS

• Rich Garven writes David Andrews has gone from being an undrafted and unknown rookie last year, to being the center of attention.
• Phil Perry highlights Bill Belichick on Dave Andrews: "There's a lot of things he's added to his game."
• Mark Farinella Patriots Notebook: Andrews keeps calm in job battle.
• Mike Reiss says that after Bryan Stork lost his temper during Tuesday's joint practice, the Patriots have to wonder whether they can count on their center.
• Jeff Howe observes Julian Edelman at least could have been courteous enough to set up a GoFundMe account to fulfill reparation expenses for the Chicago Bears’ ankles.
• Mark Daniels and Rich Garven Patriots Journal: Chris Hogan taking nothing for granted.
• Ryan Hannable considers the team's chances of survival without Rob Gronkowski.
• Mike Reiss reports the Patriots took a cautious approach with Rob Gronkowski, holding him out of practice a day after he sustained an injury that didn't look serious.
• Mike Petraglia questions whether the Patriots need to address the RB position before Week 1.
• Doug Kyed notes Cre'Von LeBlanc garners comparisons to Malcolm Butler by Bill Belichick. Would have been drafted except for slow 40-time.
• Mike Petraglia wonders if Cre'Von LeBlanc can become the next Malcolm Butler.
• Mark Farinella talks up Markus Kuhn, who is showing versatility on the defensive line.
• Kyle Hightower talks about the Long brothers. who are at different points in their NFL careers entering the season.
• Mark Daniels notes Akiem Hicks was appreciative of his time with the Patriots.
• Kevin Duffy hears from Akiem Hicks, who said the 'Patriots organization is 'something every team in the NFL can emulate.'
• Chad Finn hears from Mookie Betts, Julian Edelman, Brad Marchand, and Isaiah Thomas on the challenges of being a small sports star. /Good read.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Bryan Stork fights to win center job, and that’s the bad news.
• Doug Kyed Patriots Mailbag: Versatile front seven gives defense countless options.
• Nick O'Malley gives us a rundown of the bigger fights and ejections that have occurred across the league, starting with the Bears' recent history.
• Dave Brown is ticked off Martellus Bennett didn't speak to the media yesterday so writes about how Bennett has raised expectations and crushed hopes everywhere he's gone.

VIEW FROM CAMP

• Phil Perry sends us another Postcard from Camp, Day 15: The Patriots and Bears get chippy again during their second day of practice.
• Henry McKenna offers his observations from Pats-Bears joint practice: Julian Edelman shines during his first full-participation practice.
• Ryan Hannable Tuesday practice report: Julian Edelman dominates as tempers flare once again with Bears.
• Kevin Duffy Practice highlights: Julian Edelman lights it up, Chicago Bears get chippy.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tyler Sullivan (247 Sports) UPDATE: Rob Gronkowski suffered bruise, prognosis good.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Preseason winners & losers,
• Chris Burke (SI) NFL Power rankings: How teams stack up headed into preseason Week 2. Patriots 5th.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) The 2016 NFL Step-Up Team: 23 players who could make or break franchises.
• Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) Aaron Rodgers says NFL players fear 'repercussions' for speaking out.
• Andrew Brandt (The MMQB) Trent Richardson’s disjointed journey in pro football highlights how financial pressures off the field can derail performance on it. Plus five thoughts on the NFL’s latest ‘conduct detrimental’ saga.

DUMPSTER DIVE

• Staff (OnTheInternet) Mike Pereira tells 'Pardon My Take' the Patriots are cheaters. /Damn! I just ordered his book.
• Tom E. Curran writes Roger Goodell is taking his power trip to the next level. Is anyone surprised?
• Michael McCann (SI) Understanding the NFL's motive to suspend players implicated by Al Jazeera report. /Excellent summation.
• Ryan Glasspiegel (The Big Lead) Goodell can do whatever he wants to Matthews, Peppers, and Harrison.
• Michael Hurley asserts Roger Goodell is wielding a mighty sword, caring very little for fairness or due process... because he can.
• Rob Rossi (Tribune-Review) Can we really trust Goodell?
• John Smallwood (Philly.com) In Al Jazeera case, the NFL is dangerously overreaching.
• Jerry Thornton finds the players facing suspension in the Al-Jazeera PED case get no sympathy from Patriots fans.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFLPA, four players facing suspension still deciding how to respond.
• David Steele (Sporting News) Sitting out season is players' only chance to curb NFL's power.
• Kristie Chiappelli (Sporting News) Steelers' James Harrison prepared to sit out over ​Al Jazeera PED report.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL mum on Hall of Fame Game lawsuit.