New England Patriots links 2/08/18 - Patriots clearly value Gilmore over Butler

TEAM TALK

• Press Release: Key dates on the 2018 NFL / Patriots calendar.
• Paul Perillo looks at the Patriots roster and how they were regarded coming out of high school.
• Paul Perillo tackles this week’s Ask PFW Mailbag: Where was Malcolm Butler?
• Patriots sign 10 free agents.
• Angelique Fiske gathers posts from Patriots players who took to social media to thank teammates, family, friends and Patriots Nation for their support and to reflect on the season.
• Angelique Fiske post the 5th installment of Tom vs. Time: Gaining perspective.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss reports on how Tuesday’s meeting with Bill Belichick helped to convince Josh McDaniels to change his mind and stay with the Patriots.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) McDaniels is staying and the succession plan for the Patriots is in place.
• Ryan Hannable notes Bill Belichick reportedly will mentor Josh McDaniels more closely: ‘I am going to open my world to you.’
• Mike Reiss offers his theory on how Josh McDaniels’ return might extend Bill Belichick’s coaching window, not shorten it.
• Ryan Hannable suggests push was made to retain Josh McDaniels to keep Tom Brady happy.
• Ryan Hannable also points out how deflategate might have played a role in McDaniels staying in New England.
• Doug Kyed says now we know why the Patriots valued Stephon Gilmore over Malcolm Butler.
• Joshua Schrock notes Sage Rosenfels points out the hypocrisy behind the outrage at Josh McDaniels.
• Jeff Howe takes an indepth look at the Patriots roster and where decisions need to be made.
• Mike Reiss considers after another season stretching into early February, the additional mileage could catch up to the Patriots next fall, but says they should contend again.
• Michael Hurley serves up some leftover Super Bowl thoughts: Rob Gronkowski is simply superhuman.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: Rivalry with Indy is ‘back on’ after Josh McDaniels spurns Colts head coaching gig.
• Mark Farinella reminds readers it’s not too early to start worrying about the Patriots for next season.
• Tom E. Curran tries to figure out what story does the public dinner Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick shared Tuesday night at Davio’s tell?
• Michael Hurley finds that the best explanation for Butler being stapled to the sideline that’s emerged is that he had a bad week of practice. But it still doesn’t justify a 60-minute benching.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Josh McDaniels’ decision is sign that Patriots future will be guided by new leadership core.
• Adam Schefter (ESPN) Josh McDaniels changes mind, jilting Colts to stay with Pats.
• Rodger Sherman (The Ringer) Josh McDaniels just bet it all on the Patriots’ future.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) Big winner in strange saga of Colts and Josh McDaniels is, as always, the Patriots.
• Michael McCann (SI) No signed contract, no deal: Legal fallout for Josh McDaniels and the Colts.
• Zak Keefer (USA Today) The Josh McDaniels Colts era: How it all fell apart.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Lamonte on McDaniels: “My word is my bond.” /Good read.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Chris Ballard’s last words: “The rivalry is back on”.
• Mike Wells (ESPN) Colts-Patriots a rivalry? Not with a seven-game losing streak.
• Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Josh McDaniels risks reputation by reversing course on Colts.
• Mike Sando (ESPN) How Belichick assistants have fared as NFL head coaches.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Matt Patricia: What others have done in the past doesn’t have to do with me.
• Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point Stance: Is the end of the Patriots dynasty at hand? “I don’t see it.”
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Franchise-tag deadline and NFL’s other crucial offseason financial dates.
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) NFL rebuild rankings: Which NFL teams have the most promising rosters?
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The 2018 NFL stability index.
• Andy Benoit (SI) A Super Bowl 52 deep dive review.
• David Carr (NFL.com) QB Index: Deshaun Watson’s stock up, Luck’s down.
• Bruce Feldman (SI) Greg Schiano staying at Ohio State, not leaving for Patriots.
• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Josh McDaniels’ agent reportedly terminates relationship with him after Colts fiasco.