New England Patriots links 2/28/17 - Positions for Patriots to target: Linebacker

TEAM TALK

• Press Release: Patriots name Nick Caley Tight Ends coach.
• 2017 NFL Scouting Combine Primer.
• Paul Perillo details the Patriots 2017 draft picks, and how they were acquired.
• Angelique Fiske presents the Oscars recap Patriots fans need.
• NFL 360: Why Tom Brady is Timeless. (3.07 min. video)
• 2016 Highlights: Best of Chris Hogan. (3.45 min. video) - Best of Martellus Bennett. (2.09 min. video) - Best of LeGarrette Blount. (2.52 min. video) - Best of Dont'a Hightower. (2 min. video) - Best of Malcolm Butler. (2.20 min. video).
• Combine vs. Reality: Tom Brady. (33 second clip)

LOCAL LINKS

• Ryan Hannable reviews which Patriots players could potentially be asked to take a pay cut for 2017.
• Ryan Hannable looks at the long-term questions the Patriots have at certain positions, which could be addressed at the Draft.
• Zack Cox Patriots offseason preview: 2016 reviews and 2017 outlooks for every position.
• Phil Perry highlights Mike Mayock's marathon conference call about the upcoming draft class, and his perspective on this year's QB crop makes Jimmy Garoppolo look like a top option.
• Mike Reiss offers his read on the Dont'a Hightower situation, and feels his free-agent process could resemble Devin McCourty's.
• Karen Guregian believes the Patriots are playing a dangerous game with Dont'a Hightower talks, allowing the tag deadline to go by with no deal and no tag.
• WEEI reports that a potential contract extension for Dont'a Hightower with the Patiot is 'not imminent'.
• Chad Finn's Daily Sports Q: Should the Patriots use the franchise tag on Dont'a Hightower?
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots free agent profile: James Develin - Chris Long - Brandon Bolden.
• Ryan Hannable notes that Michael Floyd's home detention could impact whether he signs with the Patriots or any other teams.
• Mike Reiss discusses a parallel drawn between UNC QB Mitch Trubisky and Patriots' Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Adam London highlights WEEI guest Dustin Pedroia who praised Tom Brady for his unprecedented longevity and approach to improving at his craft.
• The Boston Globe spotted a clean-shaven Julian Edelman courtside at the Celtics last night.
• Phil Perry reports that the Patriots promoted from within, elevating coaching assistant Nick Caley to TE coach.
• Karen Guregian introduces us to new TE coach Nick Caley.
• Nick O'Malley presents his viewer's guide to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine: When does it start, and do 40 times matter?
• Phil Perry NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Defensive Linemen.
• Doug Kyed and Zack Cox The Football Word: A breakdown of which offensive position groups the Patriots should be keeping the closest eye on during Combine week. (15.29 min. video)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Matt Brown (Sports on Earth) Guide to the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine.
• Chase Goodbread (NFL.com) What we learned from Mayock's NFL Combine teleconference.
• Emily Kaplan (The MMQB) David Njoku could own the Combine: Plus, a handful of small-school stars to watch and everything else to know heading into combine week.
• Jim Reineking (USA Today) 10 NFL scouting combine stars who went on to be busts.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The NFL offseason capitol rankings.
• Andrew Kulp (All 22) New England Patriots only playoff team with over $50 million in cap space.
• Robert Mays (The Ringer) The 2017 versions of the 2016 NFL free agents.
• Zac Jackson (ProFootballTalk) PFT’s Free Agent Hot 100.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Top 50 free agents.
• Chris Burke (SI) NFL free agency preview: Linebackers- Defensive line.
• Armando Salguero (Miami Herald) Paying pending free agent Dont’a Hightower would fill a hole for the Miami Dolphins, leave others unattended.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Inside the Antonio Brown deal.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Big contracts shouldn’t be a surprise.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL plans to put chips in all footballs, but not for officiating.

DUMPSTER DIVE

• Clark Judge (Talk of Fame Sports) Owens or Moss? "I take neither," says HOF GM Polian. /What a clown.