New England Patriots links 8/25/17 - Preseason Week 3: Patriots at Lions

TEAM TALK

• Game Preview: Patriots at Lions.
• John Rooke's View from Above: What losing in the preseason really means.
• Angelique Fiske reports Gronk makes a quick cameo in a Katy Perry music video.
• Angelique FIske and crew explain why they vehemently disagree with the study that showed Patriots fans are not dateable.
• What to Watch For: Patriots at Lions. (1.26 min video)
• From the NFL - NFL Legends' first ever preseason plays. (2 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss offers five things that would make the third preseason game a success for the team. 1. NO INJURIES!!. /All-caps and exclamation points added for emphasis.
• Jeff Howe tells us the five things he'll be watching for tonight vs. the Lions: 1.Brace for Gronk. /See point no. 1 above.
• Michael Hurley runs down what to watch for tonight: Running back reps.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Five things to watch for in Patriots vs. Lions: Starters playing into the third quarter.
• Kevin Duffy previews Pats-Lions: Backfield in spotlight for third preseason game.
• Ian Glendon (Cover32) W2W4: Patriots set to square off with the Lions: Dont'a Hightower will not dress.
• Zack Cox gives us six players to watch vs. the Lions. 1. Mike Gillislee.
• Mike Reiss warns OT Cameron Fleming will need to step up tonight in Detroit as QB Tom Brady is expected to get his biggest preseason workload.
• Ryan Hannable explains why we may see 'the Dion Lewis show' tonight.
• Mike Giardi reports Rob Gronkowski isn't used to playing in preseason games, but he feels the benefit of this year's new approach.
• CBS Boston passes along a report from the Boston Sports Journal that the Patriots are taking a "cautious" approach with Deatrich Wise, and that there are no big issues with his head injury.
• Doug Kyed Patriots Mailbag: Did Tom Brady's arm strength decrease in 2016?
• Joy Manning (BostonSportsChick) From Mr. Basketball to the Patriots 6th round pick.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady actually enjoys playing preseason games.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) As Blake Bortles flames out, Raiders and Patriots get last laughs of 2014 QB draft.
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) One question for every NFL team entering Week 3 of preseason. Patriots: lackluster pass rush could be their Achilles' heel.
• Jamison Hensley (ESPN) Ravens' John Harbaugh, on urgency: Look at what Bill Belichick said.
• Albert Breer (SI) Game Plan: Bengals’ new leaders; NFL marijuana battle; More notes.
• Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Unbalanced teams like Cowboys, Broncos, Texans likely to be undone by lesser half.
• Instant Debate (NFL.com) NFL's best defense in 2017? Seahawks, Texans, Giants boast loaded units.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) 2017 NFL schedule: Raiders set to travel the most miles, Steelers the fewest.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The unheralded work of pro NFL scouts.
• Robert Mays (The Ringer) The misunderstood art of play-calling.
• Peter King (SI) Odell Beckham Jr. hit: ‘That’s football’ says retired DB Charles Woodson; MMQB Mailbag.
• Harry Lyles, Jr. (SB Nation) What if the NFL adopted XFL jersey rules for a week?
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL touts $94.9 million in economic impact for Philadelphia draft.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTak) If the league office wants Kaepernick on a team, he’ll be on a team. /First it needs to bring Jeff Fisher back.
• Todd Cunningham (Law.com) NFL franchise moves and controversies create a lucrative playing field for big law.

VIEW FROM DETROIT

• Dave Birkett (Detroit Free Press) Detroit Lions vs. New England Patriots preseason: 5 things to watch. 1. Brady bunch.
• Shawn Windsor ( Detroit Free Press) Patriots QB Tom Brady is the ageless protagonist who's easy to hate. /Warning: Excessive Peyton worship.
• Dave Birkett (Detroit Free Press) Detroit Lions' defense will (finally) be tested thanks to Tom Brady, Patriots.