TEAM TALK
- Andy Hart shares some notes from the rainy practice fields of Foxborough.
- Paul Perillo: Butler, Patriots back to work at OTAs.
- Media Availability Transcripts: Bill Belichick and Julian Edelman.
- Patriots Today - Patriots gearing up for the 2017 season. (3.17 min. video)
- Check out some of the sights from Thursday's Patriots OTA practice. (30 second clip)
- Highlights of Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia as they address the media in day three of OTAs. (1.36 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Ben Volin is actively looking for signs of a Tom Brady retirement in a year or two.
- Mike Reiss shares a detailed example of how Tom Brady is still the hardest worker at OTAs.
- Mike Giardi thinks that Tom Brady should give half of his ring to Jimmy Garoppolo for lighting a candle under him and motivating him last season. (4.03 min. video)
- Mike Reiss describes an OTA sequence that highlighted how the Patriots' offense could be lethal in 2017.
- Adam Kurkjian notes that on a wet, rainy and windy day behind Gillette Stadium, the Patriots RBs had their bright spots -- But coach Ivan Fears added the "shorts and T-shirts" context.
- Kevin Duffy shares his Patriots OTA observations, including who the standouts were.
- Doug Kyed hears from RB coach Ivan Fears on how the RBs will jell despite the loss of LeGarrette Blount.
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Patriots RB coach: Dion Lewis 'still a hell of a part of this program'.
- Karen Guregian describes how Rob Gronkowski was the star of yesterday’s Patriots workout.
- Stephen Hewitt notes Brandin Cooks offers a glimpse of what may come once he and Brady get on the same wavelength.
- Doug Kyed hears from Julian Edelman on his initial impression of working with Brandin Cooks.
- Phil Perry notes Brandin Cooks still probably won't be shooting any arrows in 2017, even though the NFL has eased off of the penalties for certain touchdown celebrations.
- Jeff Howe reports that Malcolm Butler is all in for 2017.He won’t drive himself crazy over anything that happens beyond that.
- Mike Reiss talks about how Malcolm Butler's presence at voluntary OTAs, after a challenging offseason at the negotiating table, was notable to reporters.
- Ryan Hannable tells us to enjoy Malcolm Butler while we can because it's likely his last year in New England.
- CBS Boston thinks it's a shame the Patriots are making a success story like Malcolm Butler fight for a payday.
- Rich Garven finds Bill Belichick in mid-season form.
- Phil Perry learns that after starting the offseason "five weeks behind," as Bill Belichick put it, the Patriots have caught up. Part of his focus will be spent on finding out how those players he picked up this offseason are progressing.
- Matt Dolloff notices Belichick isn't handing anything to the Patriots' newest big-name acquisitions. "We just try to get them caught up to what we’re doing, so just don’t take anything for granted. Just work from the bottom up."
- Alex Reimer is curious why Bill Belichick doesn't get asked about the Tom Brady concussion story at his press conference. /Because his answer would be, "I'm a football coach. I'm not a doctor".
- Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Strong start for Stephon Gilmore in Foxboro; Mitchell's absence a mystery; More.
- Ben Volin Patriots Notebook: Malcolm Butler is being the good soldier at OTAs; Patriots had near-perfect attendance (84 of 90); More.
- Rich Garven Patriots Journal: Patriots Journal: Lots of running backs, few roster spots.
- Ryan Hannable shares some Thursday OTA observations: Rob Gronkowski impresses, Cyrus Jones struggles.
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Patriots' OTA observations: Cyrus Jones continues to muff punts.
- Hector Longo (All22) Patriots OTAs: Wide receiver Brandin Cooks enjoys splashing day in Gillette Stadium opener.
- Hector Longo (All22) Patriots OTAs: Josh McDaniels excited to tinker with Dwayne Allen, Rob Gronkowski tight end combo.
- Doug Kyed Patriots Mailbag: How does Andrew Hawkins signing impact receiver depth chart?
- Hector Longo (All22) Devin McCourty, Matt Patricia shed light on pro football’s uglier side.
- Ryan Hannable relays Phil Mickelson's explanation of what Tom Brady's swing tip to him was.
- Marcus Kwesi O'Mard notes Martellus Bennett had no problem fitting in with the Patriots. Bennett revealed to Bleacher Report's Tyler Dunne how the Patriots embraced his (self-admitted) weirdness and he never felt stifled by their team-first approach.
- Mike D'Abate (Cover32) The 2007 Patriots; Part Two: The Spygate controversy.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Belichick declares Patriots to be fully caught up.
- Nick Schwartz (Fox Sports) Colin Cowherd: Bill Belichick just made another move that proves he’s the smartest guy in football.
- Jared Dubiin (CBS Sports) The pieces are in place for Tom Brady, Patriots to challenge NFL's scoring record.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Malcolm Butler on Pats future: Whatever happens, happens.
- Robert Klemko (The MMQB) 10 Things I think I think: Richard Sherman's thoughts on the end of Super Bowl 49; Plus, looking at Malcolm Butler’s future, why Elway is in for record money, why Grigson might not be so bad in Cleveland, and why Dirk Koetter shouldn’t be apologizing for Tampa Bay’s Twitter guy.
- Chris Burke (SI) Stop freaking out about players skipping OTAs.
- Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) What matters and what doesn't during OTA season.
- Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Patriots, Steelers, Falcons among NFL's 10 most talented teams.
- Brad Gagnon (The Comeback) The 2017 New England Patriots just might run the table.
- Danny Kelly (The Ringer) Does winning the offseason translate to winning football games?
- Sean Tomlinson (Bleacher Report) 2017 Stat predictions for all 32 NFL starting QBs. Tom Brady: 65.5 completion percentage, 5,100 yards, 38 TDs, 6 INTS.
- Gary Davenport (Bleacher Report) The best-kept secret on every NFL roster. Patriots: CB Eric Rowe.
- Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report) NFL trades that should happen before the 2017 season opener. QB Jimmy Garoppolo to Cleveland Browns.
- Gary Davenport (Bleacher Report) The biggest question for every NFL team heading into OTAs. Patriots: How will New England's loaded backfield shake out? /Like a Polaroid.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Should all players boycott "voluntary" offseason workouts?
- Rodger Sherman (The Ringer) Shortening the NFL overtime is a band-aid solution to a problem the NFL created.
- Roundtable (The MMQB) Cutting back on overtime.
- Bill Simmons (The Ringer) The NBA is owning the NFL on the internet.
- Brandon Sneed (Bleacher Report) Inside a conspiracy of comfort: Why it's time to rethink what coaches wear.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Effort commences to legalize sports wagering.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL declines comment on federal law that would allow sports wagering.