New England Patriots links 5/16/18 - Rookies add run-stopping toughness to defense

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart calls LB Ja’Whaun Bentley a thumper. “...people are going to be surprised with his athleticism for such a big kid.”
• John Rooke’s View from Above: New England remains ‘the land of opportunity’; More.
• Paul Perillo tackles this week’s Ask PFW Mailbag: Rowe to safety; Garcia’s loss; More.
• Media Availability transcripts: Ja’Whaun Bentley - Duke Dawson - Christian Sam.
• Patriots rookies Christian Sam, Duke Dawson and Ja’Whaun Bentley meet the media. (33 second video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian notes the Pats will be playing some of the top rushing teams in the league and says the rookie linebackers could bring some much-needed toughness for 2018.
• Ryan Hannable explains how New England’s Day 3 selections Ja’Whaun Bentley and Christian Sam could be vital to this year’s team.
• Phil Perry takes note of the odd numbers assigned to this year’s rookies, a lesson from the team that they had a long way to go before they earned more permanent digits.
• Stephen Hewitt helps us get to know versatile, ‘family first’ DB Duke Dawson, who is well aware that ‘everything is earned, not given.’
• Zack Cox finds rookie DB Duke Dawson ‘entering his NFL career with no expectations. A strong training camp could earn him a spot as the Patriots’ third cornerback to begin the season, but he knows he’ll have to earn any playing time he receives’.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Duke Dawson already sounds like a Patriot: ‘Open ears, closed mouth’.
• Mark Farinella laments that the team apparently got to rookie LB Ja’Whaun Bentley before he could tell any interesting stories. “I’m just excited to come out here and do what I’ve got to do to help the team.”
• Doug Kyed notes Ja’Whaun Bentley has his head in the right place mere days into his NFL career — buried in the playbook.
• Doug Kyed thinks rookie LB Christian Sam could play a significant role in the Patriots’ defense this season, but he knows he has some ground to cover first.
• Zack Cox reminds us that the Patriots are set to return several key players after an injury-filled 2017.
• Ryan Hannable notes Dwayne Allen wants a bigger role this year.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Josh McDaniels touts Danny Etling’s work ethic, aptitude during rookie minicamp.
• Tyler Sullivan (247 Sports) Darren Andrews clears waivers, lands on Patriots reserve list.
• Michael Hurley adds his take on Eagles’ Lane Johnson continuing to hate the Patriots.
• Michael Hurley determines that integrity matters to the NFL more than anything else. Except for the times when it doesn’t.
• Don Banks passes along a report that says a new national anthem policy is no longer expected to emerge at next week’s NFL spring owners meeting.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Christian D’Andrea (SB Nation) 7 of the biggest NFL position battles in the 2018 offseason. Patriots RB: Sony Michel vs. Rex Burkhead vs. Mike Gillislee vs. James White vs. Jeremy Hill vs. Brandon Bolden vs. Ralph Webb.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Report: Patriots restructure Phillip Dorsett’s contract.
• Tim McManus (ESPN) Eagles’ Lane Johnson continues to take shots at Patriots.
• Around the NFL (NFL.com) Which QB-TE combo is the greatest in league history? (4.10 min. video)
• Highlights (ESPN) Rob Gronkowski being Gronk: His best party moments. (2.50 min. video)
• NFL Total Access (NFL.com) Game theory: How the Boston Celtics have adopted the Patriots’ model for success. (2.35 min. video)
• Jeremy Fowler (ESPN) Why aren’t teams signing safeties?
• Robert Mays (The Ringer) The biggest bets of the 2018 NFL offseason. No Pats.
• Sean Wagner-McGough (CBS Sports) Top 25 NFL players under age of 25. No Pats.
• Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports) 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year picture. No Pats.
• Shaun O’Hara (NFL.com) NFL’s top 10 defensive tackles for 2018. No Pats.
• Peter King (SI) NFL gambling could have unintended consequences on game; MMQB Mailbag.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Sports betting may force NFL to use full-time officials, enhanced replay.
• Conor Orr (SI) What will betting on the NFL look like now? U.K. bookmakers and gamblers give us an idea.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Sports betting could spark real-time TV technology.