New England Patriots links 6/14/18 - Number of issues slotted in to be resolved at training camp

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss reports an interesting story of how Bill Belichick ‘turned back the clock’ during the final two OTAs this week.
• Ryan Hannable shares some of his post-spring Patriots thoughts: It was good to see Dont’a Hightower on the field ... It appeared he lost a few pounds, and it’s worth wondering if he gets more snaps at middle linebacker than at defensive end.
• Karen Guregian calls attention to the issues the Patriots still have to resolve in training camp, beginning with: Who’s in the slot?
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Patriots’ 53-man roster projection: Taking stock of spring practices.
• Zack Cox gives us 9 things we know (and 8 we don’t) after spring practices: We know there will be a ton of competition at wide receiver, tight end and cornerback this summer.
• Mark Daniels talks up what looks like will be a fierce competition at the wide receiver position: Cordarrelle Patterson said, “Everybody come in each and every day like their job on the line. That’s what I like about these guys, here everybody compete like it’s their last.”
• Karen Guregian hears from Jordan Matthews, who joined teammates in the South End Wednesday, as the team’s charitable foundation donated 90 iPads to United South End Settlements. “...We work hard as a team and an organization,” he said. “Any time you have a chance to get time off, it’s good.”
• Phil Perry analyzes the pre-training camp offensive line position, where Nate Solder’s departure means Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn will battle for the left tackle spot.
• Matt Dolloff explains why Shaq Mason is in line for a big payday after the Cowboys’ Zack Martin set the market with a record-breaking deal.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Rickie Fowler: ‘Tom Brady can putt’.
• NBC Sports Boston posts the promo for Tom Brady’s appearance on Oprah’s “Super Soul Sunday”: It’s not a great promo and it doesn’t share much.
• Adam London notes Jason Whitlock (FOX Sports’ Speak for Yourself) predicts this will be Bill Belichick’s last year with the Patriots.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) AFC weak spots: Can Blake Bortles rise? Pats flawed on edges?
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) NFC weak spots: Cowboys receivers and Rams edge rushers iffy.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Three days before draft, Patriots were making calls about a possible Gronkowski trade.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Julian Edelman’s suspension won’t slow down Patriots’ slot machine.
• Sam Quinn (247Sports) New England Patriots snubbed from most talented rosters rankings.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The top 10 pass-catching groups in the NFL. Patriots 8th.
• Reggie Wayne (NFL.com) 2018 NFL season: Top 10 WRs. No Pats.
• Brad Gagnon (Bleacher Report) Every NFL team’s 2018 breakout player candidate. Patriots: DT Danny Shelton.
• Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Ranking all 32 NFL general managers for 2018. /Belichick No. 2.
• Bob Harig (ESPN) Rickie Fowler plays practice round with Patriots’ Tom Brady ahead of U.S. Open.
• Josh Berhow (Golf.com) Phil Mickelson’s U.S. Open prep? A round of golf with Tom Brady.
• Tyler Sullivan (247Sports) Tom Brady’s golfing session with Phil Mickelson is a bad look.
• Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point stance: Terrell Owens can do what he wants with the HOF.
• Albert Breer (SI) A spectator in minicamp week: Eric Wood on retirement; MMQB Mailbag.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) Get used to minicamp holdouts from NFL stars like Julio Jones and Earl Thomas.
• Tim Daniels (Bleacher Report) Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Carson Wentz lead betting odds for 2018 NFL MVP.
• Steven Taranto (247Sports) The NFL’s biggest rookie one-season wonders.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Luck’s “little mental block” doesn’t bode well for the Colts.
• Tim Rohan (SI) The legend of Dez Bryant and the most expensive team dinner in history. /Not a Patriots story, but it’s the offseason.