New England Patriots links 8/18/16 - Preseason Week 2: Patriots vs. Bears

TEAM TALK

• Broadcast Information: Patriots vs. Bears.
• Andy Hart presents a double-digit rundown of things to keep an eye on tonight. 1. Potential debuts.
• Erik Scalavino shares his news and notes from Wednesday's practice: Hoyer's experience could help Garoppolo.
• Paul Perillo Blogservations: Pats-Bears finish with walk-through.
• Angelique Fiske reports when all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces were represented at training camp, Robert Kraft and Joe Cardona were on hand to greet them.
• Press Pass - Last day of joint practice. (1.31 min. video)
• Media Availability: Jacoby Brissett (6.12 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Jeff Howe tells us 5 things to watch vs. Bears tonight: Pressure from the line.
• Mark Daniels picks five things to watch in tonight's game: Center battle.
• Kevin Duffy looks at the Pats with the most to gain in tonight's preseason game against the Bears. 1. Bryan Stork.
• Matthew Geagan reveals what he'll be watching for when the Patriots and Bears square off: 1. All eyes on Garoppolo.
• Ben Volin highlights five things to watch tonight. 1. Will Tom Brady play? And can Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense start faster?
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots-Bears, what to watch for. Opportuity knocks at WR.
• Taylor McCloud (PatsMilitia) Preseason Week 2: Players to watch.
• Doug Kyed hears from Brian Hoyer on what it's like to be Tom Brady's backup quarterback.
• Christopher Price explains why Jacoby Brissett is the best option as the Patriots third quarterback.
• Mark Farinella notes Jacoby Brissett is aware he's one heartbeat away from the action in the first four weeks, so he has been a model student in the QB room.
• Kevin Duffy says the Dion Lewis situation remains cloudy, as he is still on the PUP list. His status has major ramifications for the Patriots.
• James Toscano still sees the running backs as a reason for concern, especially with Brady out.
• Kimberlee Wolfe (PatsMilitia) Why Malcolm Mitchell will wear Number 19 better than Brandon LaFell.
• Phil Perry mentions the return of an OL tradition under Dante Scarnecchia. /Pretty cool.
• Ryan Hannable shares a bit of WR DeaAndre Carter's history, noting how he is looking to fulfill a promise made to his late brother by making an NFL roster.
• Doug Kyed points to Trey Flowers among five Patriots defensive Training Camp standouts.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: With little practice time, Brissett must get job done in preseason games.

VIEW FROM CAMP

• Jeff Howe details what happened at Wednesday's practice: Tom Brady loses his mind over the smallest mistakes.
• Phil Perry sends out one more Postcard from Camp, Day 16: Chicago Bears coach John Fox appreciates New England Patriots' razzle-dazzle.
• Mike Reiss passes along what caught his eye at Wednesday's camp: One injury away from being thrust into duty, QB Jacoby Brissett settles in.
• Mark Daniels Training camp observations: The fighting ends as the Patriots and Bears take it easy.
• Zack Cox Patriots Joint practice notes: Jacoby Brissett making the most of 'mental reps.'

NATIONAL NEWS

• Sam Monson (Pro Football Focus) 10 Best slot weapons in the NFL. /Gronk, Edelman included.
• Tyler Sullivan (247 Sports) Jabaal Sheard, others not suiting up Thursday night.
• Don Banks (SI) NFL Training Camp Snaps: Observations from the road as the regular season nears.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Some owners may tell coaches to kick it deep.
• Marty Callinan (ESPN Stats & Information) The myth of the slow-starting Patriots.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) A history of quarterback meltdowns.
• Michael Tunison (Sports on Earth) How not to get cut in the preseason.
• Staff (ESPN) NFL 2016 Preseason Power Rankings. Patriots No.3.

DUMPSTER DIVE

• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The risks of submitting to a PED interview. /Excellent read.
• Albert Breer (The MMQB) If NFL wants a war, players should give it to them.
• Tom E. Curran reasons that if the NFL insists on 'transparency and cooperation' from players, why won't it release the results of the PSI 'investigation' after Deflategate?
• Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) Power-hungry NFL all wrong to demand players talk about recanted accusations.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Faced with suspension threat, NFLPA’s only option may be to file a lawsuit.
• Matt Dolloff reports NFLPA president Eric Winston encourages players to fight NFL in Al-Jazeera PED case.
• Gary Myers (NY Daily News) NFL players in Al Jazeera PED probe right to dodge Roger Goodell.
• Mark Maske (Washington Post) Threatened suspensions in Al-Jazeera case put NFL, NFLPA back on course for legal fight over Roger Goodell’s power.
• Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Roger Goodell and NFL again draw the line in the sand vs. players' union.
• Dieter Kurtenbach (Fox Sports) Roger Goodell is ruling with an iron fist, just like we wanted.
• Chris Mueller (The Times) Steelers' James Harrison needs to stick to his principles and stick it to Roger Goodell.
• Dan Werly (Law in Sport) Why Deflategate fell flat and what the decision against Brady means for dispute resolution in the NFL.
• Bradley Whitaker (Obsev) Roger Goodell is using his newly acquired DeflateGate powers to threaten players with suspensions.
• Jason Wilde (ESPN) Aaron Rodgers: No one to blame but ourselves for not managing to curb Roger Goodell's power.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) Roger Goodell apologizes for ruining someone's day on Twitter.