New England Patriots links 8/04/16 - Patriots' quality depth ramps up camp competition

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart Blogservations: Brady celebrates 39th birthday with extra work that made him the last player to leave the field. /Good read.
• Erik Scalavino shares his Camp news and notes from Wednesday's practice: Thuney is focused on the process; Clean slate for Harper; More.
• Bob Wallace Tackling Tech: NFL, Partners launch fan pleasers for 2016 season.
• Press Conference transcript - Bill Belichick.
• Media Access Transcripts - Jimmy Garoppolo and Martellus Bennett.
• Patriots Today - Jimmy Garoppolo (5.15 min. video) "The competition is awesome."

LOCAL LINKS

• Chad Finn believes Jimmy Garoppolo should be fine, but the Patriots have the talent to cover for him even if he isn't.
• Mike Reiss picks up on how Bill Belichick has talked up the Patriots depth so far in camp, from tight end to receiver to safety.
• Mike Petraglia finds that Jimmy Garoppolo is not worried about Brock Osweiler's contract or Tom Brady's age.
• Jeff Howe looks at what success for Jimmy Garoppolo will mean for him and for the Patriots.
• Nick O'Malley notes Jimmy Garoppolo won't break from the Belichickian mantra, and isn't acting like he has the chance to make or break his career in four games.
• Ryan Hannable talks about how Jimmy Garoppolo has been passing every test so far, but says his biggest test has yet to come.
• Keith Pearson mentions how Chris Harper and DeAndre Carter are taking advantage of extra reps while Edelman and Amendola are out.
• Kevin Duffy thinks rookie Joe Thuney appears to be leading the competition for one starting guard spot
• Thomas Kane tells us Chris Hogan reportedly won't miss much time with his shoulder injury.
• Henry McKenna listens as Willie McGinest explains what makes Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower so good.
• Tom E. Curran catches up with Logan Ryan on Quick Slants to discuss the competitiveness between the offense and defense in camp, plus the important issue of locker room hygiene. (3.06 min. video)
• Matt Dolloff notes Belichick's praise of Donald Brown as "A pleasure to coach.". He may be around for the long haul.
• Mike Riess describes how Martellus Bennett gets his first taste of being Tom Brady's go-to guy.
• Tom E. Curran finds Martellus Bennett says the Patriots gave him the freedom to be himself. He's since shown forethought and substance on matters that matter.
• Matt Dolloff recaps ESPN's incredible interview with the Bennett brothers and calls it a must-read.
• Hayden Bird picks out the best Martellus Bennett quotes from his ESPN interview.
• CSNNE brings us the reaction to Tom Brady's birthday from training camp, including Terrence Knighton in disbelief at his age, and Devin McCourty disappointed he couldn't gift him an interception. (2.17 min. video)
• Tom Darcy (Beantown Beat) Top 10 gifts for Tom Brady on his 39th birthday.
• NESN notes Gisele wishes Tom Brady a Happy Birthday with another adorable Instagram post.

VIEW FROM CAMP

• Jeff Howe details the Patriots sixth practice of training camp, held in full pads for the third time: Shaq Mason participated in team drills for the first time at camp; More.
• Phil Perry sends out another Postcard from Camp, Day 6.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Martellus Bennett closes practice with productive flurry; DTs Terrance Knighton and Markus Kuhn have rotated with the 1st and 2nd defenses throughout camp; More.
• Mark Daniels Training camp observations: Tom Brady gets serenaded; Alan Branch returns to practice; More.
• Kevin Duffy Training camp highlights: Alan Branch returns, team ramps up contact; More.
• Dan Roche Training camp observations: Defense has their best practice; Brady spent time after practice doing band work for his footwork techniques, and working with Garoppolo (something Jimmy said he appreciates); More.
• Mark Daniels and Rich Garven Patriots Journal: Brady, Barker share birthday wishes; Josh Kline is healthy; More.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Willie McGinest (NFL.com) Gronkowski: Bennett has Patriot team chemistry. (3.46 min. video)
• Andre Vergara (Fox Sports) Pats backup given spotlight on Brady's birthday.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent's Take: Here's what the Patriots could do about Gronk wanting a new deal.
• Mina Kimes (ESPN Magazine) The Bennett brothers vs. everyone.
• Dan Hanzus (NFL.com) Bennett brothers don't hold back on Cutler, Eli, Watt.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Cutler on Martellus Bennett: Hopefully Brady can do a better job finding him.
• Jeff Dickerson (ESPN) Bears' Cutler brushes off former teammate's criticism.
• Video (NFL.com) Patriots' fans sing "Happy Birthday" to their beloved QB Tom Brady during training camp practice. (20 second video)
• A.J. Perez (USA Today) New England Patriots remain the hottest road ticket in the NFL.
• Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Ranking every single NFL team's backup quarterback situation. Patriots 10th.
• Albert Breer (The MMQB) Inside the NFL Notebook: On QB whisperers, slim Ben and environmental power.
• Michael Rosenberg (SI) The next 10 years of Roger Goodell’s NFL.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL hasn’t changed its one-helmet rule.
• Dave Dameshek (NFL.com) Triplets rankings (QB-RB-WR). Patriots ranked 19th: Garoppolo, Lewis, Gronkowski. /We'll see about that.