New England Patriots links 3/26/18 - Changes in store at NFL owners meeting; Belichick still enjoys job

TEAM TALK

• Don Banks notes that in his nearly 15-minute session with reporters, Belichick did not shed any real light on the stories that have so far dominated much of the Patriots’ offseason.
• Don Banks previews the NFL owners meetings, and is thrilled to see the league finally taking steps to fix the catch rule.
• Paul Perillo and Andy Hart debate whether or not the Patriots have improved so far in this offseason.
• Angelique Fiske reports Devin and Jason McCourty and Jacob and Cody Hollister strutted their stuff on the runway for a Gillette event for twins.
• Bill Belichick addresses the media at the NFL Owners Meetings on Sunday. (14.42 min. audio)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: How two Patriots cornerbacks from different eras made a connection; More.
• Ryan Hannable Sunday 7: What has Josh McDaniels been up to lately?
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots Sunday news, AFC East notes: Suddenly Robert Kraft is the darling of the media.
• Jeff Howe tells us what to watch for at the NFL owners’ meetings this week: Robert Kraft is expected to address reporters today.
• Tom E. Curran shares his to-do list for this week’s NFL Owners Meetings, and having breakfast with Bill Belichick is one of them.
• Jeff Howe highlights Bill Belichick’s impromptu, private conversation with local reporters Sunday night to offer his initial analysis of the Patriots’ evolving offseason.
• Mike Reiss gets the sense after Bill Belichick’s meet and greet with reporters Sunday, that he’s still enjoying his job and happy to be with the Patriots.
• Mike Reiss notes Bill Belichick reiterated he isn’t going to divulge details about discussions he’s had with Rob Gronkowski or Tom Brady about their playing futures.
• Tom E. Curran finds Bill Belichick is not into interpreting Tom Brady’s state of mind (when asked about it Sunday) and prefers to “rely on those conversations I have with him directly rather than something else.”
• Ryan Hannable theorizes that if Tom Brady had worked on restructuring his deal, then maybe the Patriots would have used the saved cap space to offer Danny Amendola enough money to stay. /Hello... how’d that work out with Welker?
• Mike Reiss notes Bill Belichick shed some light on Josh McDaniels’ decision to stay in New England after he accepted the Colts’ head-coaching job.
• Mike Reiss relays competition co-chairman Rich McKay on the league’s concerns about kickoff returns and how they would like to eliminate them.
• Karen Guregian speculates on how the Patriots will fill their Nate Solder-sized hole in their lineup.
• Mike Reiss addresses some questions about Bill Belichick’s draft strategy, potential roster holes, Rob Gronkowski’s value and more.
• Doug Kyed says that regardless of what happens in the draft, the majority of the Patriots’ Week 1 defensive starters are already on the roster, and looks at how the team will align their defensive front.
• CBS Boston posts a near-complete list of college players that Bill Belichick has scouted this month.
• Karen Guregian NFL Notes: Duron Harmon got into some hot water trying to enter Costa Rica Friday with marijuana in tow and was sent back to the United States; More.
• Karen Guregian reports Duron Harmon issued an apology on Instagram Saturday.
• Adam London notes Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola didn’t forget about Tom Brady on their vacation.
• Mike D’Abate (FullPressCoverage) Light Heroes and Bruins Alumni once again provide the ultimate win-win.
• Rachel Bowers notes Nate Solder and his family used a full page ad in Sunday’s Boston Globe to thank the New England fan base and Patriots ownership, coaching staff, and his teammates.
• Trevor Hass re-posts a video of Vince Wilfork riding a bike for the first time in over 15 years and making the most of his retirement.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Peter King (SI) Monday Morning QB: NFL catch rule, rewritten: League aims to simplify, result could complicate. /Ya think???
• Andy Benoit (SI) On the News: The good and bad of the new catch rule; there’s some Russell Wilson in Darnold; What a Suh-Aaron Donald pairing would mean; More.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) Safeties aren’t getting paid this offseason, and Eric Reid could be a big reason why.
• Christian D’Andrea (SB Nation) The NFL is considering big rule changes for 2018. Here’s what you need to know for the annual meeting.
• Kevin Hickey (ColtsWire) Josh McDaniels bailing on Colts might lead to NFL rule change.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) With catch rule under scrutiny, third-step concept merits consideration.
• Mark Maske (Washington Post) A new NFL catch rule faces one final obstacle at this week’s NFL owners meeting.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Dean Blandino: New catch rule could lead to more replays.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Spike in defensive pass interference fouls doesn’t justify changing the rule.
• Kevin Seifert (ESPN) Pass interference rule unlikely to be changed to 15-yard penalty.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Will NFL eventually dump kickoffs?
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Goodell mum on NFL’s gambling plan.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Arrest made in Super Bowl week burglary at Rob Gronkowski’s house.
• Video (ESPN) Rob Gronkowski and Von Miller were among the celebrities who showed up and showed out for “Shaq’s Fun House” party in Miami during the 2018 Ultra Music Festival. (1 min. video)
• David Latham (LastWordOnFootball) Patriots needs after free agency.
• Matt Young (Houston Chronicle) Eagles’ Michael Bennett indicted in injury to elderly incident at Houston Super Bowl.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL “looking into” Michael Bennett matter.
• Jonathan D. Silver (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Ex-Steelers doctor sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in drug distribution case.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Report: Ndamukong Suh’s biggest offer has come from Jets.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Jets owner says they’ve pulled their offer to Ndamukong Suh.
• Kent Somers (AZCentral) NFL players: Study to detect CTE markers in the living needs you.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Opinions of owners vary on anthem protests.
• Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) Texans owner makes it clear the NFL’s player protest issue still isn’t settled.