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TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino posts his Monday notes from the locker room: With Lewis out, spotlight on White.
- John Rooke's View from Above: Underdogs help the Patriots stay great.
- Patriots release three players - TE Bear Pascoe, first-year S Cedric Thompson and rookie free agent DB V'Angelo Bentley.
- Angelique Fiske reports the team spent Sunday night watching a special screening of Mark Wahlberg's newest movie, "Deepwater Horizon."
- Lauren Williams checks out where Patriots fans came from to get to training camp this summer.
- Press Conference: Bill Belichick (12.09 min. video)
- Press Pass - 'Whoever's out there, we're ready to go.' (1.25 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss reminds us how Bill Belichick scoffs at the conventional wisdom that the third preseason game is a "dress rehearsal" for the regular season.
- Ryan Hannable highlights Bill Belichick on WEEI: 3rd Preseason game 'not in the same universe' as regular season.
- Michael Hurley sees the Patriots suddenly surrounded by a significant level of uncertainty heading into the season.
- Karen Guregian believes the Patriots are strong enough to withstand this spate of injuries.
- Ryan Hannable tells us why the loss of Dion Lewis may not be as bad as some people think.
- Adam Kurkjian says the retooled offensive line will face a big test against the Carolina Panthers.
- Rich Garven notes Marcus Cannon has the inside track at right tackle.
- Mike Reiss picks five things he learned from Jimmy Garoppolo's interview on WEEI Monday morning: 1. Not trying to be Tom Brady before games.
- Matt Burke offers an 0-4 doomsday scenario for the Patriots in case Jimmy Garoppolo sucks.
- Bill Reynolds thinks it's going to be tough for Brady to watch Garoppolo play.
- Phil Perry relays Belichick on Brady's excused absences: "I don't comment on any personal situations."
- Matt Burke thinks Tom Brady and the Patriots are being sketchy about his absences. /What part of "personal reasons" is so confusing?.
- Adam Kurkjian Patriots Notebook: Brady’s absence a mystery; Chung among players not seen at practice; Panthers a unique challenge; Vollmer's void felt.
- Mark Daniels Patriots practice report: Brady absent for personal reasons; Gronk and Chung also missing.
- Christopher Price offers his 53-man roster projection: Injuries have an impact.
- Matt Dolloff explains why the NFL's new injury report rules are a savvy business move for the league - and a pain for everyone else.
- Kevin Dillon thumbnails 15 running backs the Patriots could possibly pursue with Diion Lewis out.
- Kevin Dillon wonders if former Bills RB Karlos Williams, who went unclaimed on waivers and hit free agency Monday, would be a fit in New England.
- Kenneth Pearson hears from Nate Ebner, who discussed his experience in Rio, life in the Olympic Village, and how he's readjusting to football.
- Bryanna Cappadona tells us Mark Wahlberg went to Foxborough to screen his new movie, ‘Deepwater Horizon,' for the Patriots.
- Meagan McGinnes reports Tom Brady is now selling his own vegan snacks.
- Matthew Geagan reports the Dallas Cowboys are borrowing a phrase from Bill Belichick's playbook, but unless they start selling some 'Do Your Job' swag, there's nothing to see here.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tyler Sullivan (247 Sports) Tom Brady returns to Patriots after excused absence.
- Chris Burke (SI) AFC East preview: Pats' challengers have work to do before capitalizing on Brady ban.
- David Steele (Sporting News) Adding Dion Lewis, others to pile of Patriots injuries could actually doom them this time.
- Tyler Sullivan (247 Sports) ESPN thinks Malcom Brown is poised for a breakout season.
- Tyler Sullivan (247 Sports) Joe Thuney is making a great first impression with New England.
- Will Brinson (CBS Sports) NFL preseason Week 2 winners, losers.
- Michael Tunison (Sports on Earth) NFL 2016 season preview, From A to Z.
- Bucky Brooks* (NFL.com) Week 2 preseason grades, AFC. Patriots: DT Anthony Johnson, Grade B.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Belichick will follow new injury reporting rules, whatever they are.
- Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Tom Brady's absence from the Patriots a bit of a mystery.
- Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) 2016 All-Pro Team projections.
- Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) 5 QB situations worth watching in important Week 3 of preseason.
DUMPSTER DIVE
- Daniel Werly (The White Bronco) This week in sportslaw (8/22): HGH-Gate interviews and wrapping up Rio.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Al Jazeera meetings are set.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Commissioner will have final say over discipline arising from Al Jazeera documentary.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Hall of Fame says suggestion of fraud is "totally baseless".