New England Patriots links 6/05/18 - Minicamp kicks off, mega storylines to follow

TEAM TALK

• Angelique Fiske reports that for the seventh year in a row, Gronk shaved his head at One Mission’s annual Buzz Off event, raising money for those battling pediatric cancer.
• Highlights: 9th Annual Buzz-Off for kids. (45 sec. video)
• Patriots host Fantasy Camp at Gillette Stadium. (1.36 min. video)
• Highlights: Brady and Hightower coach at Fantasy Camp. (30 sec. video)
• Behind the scenes: Patriots headshots. (1 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss points out that this week’s minicamp will be important for Tom Brady to start building connections with his new receivers.
• Ryan Hannable picks five things that will make this an intriguing week for the Patriots: 1. How will Brady and Gronkowski look?
• Karen Guregian tells us what she will be looking for at minicamp: 2. Brady/Belichick interaction.
• Doug Kyed looks at what changes with Brady and Gronkowski back: Patriots’ young cornerbacks, who have stood out in open OTAs so far will have a serious challenge ahead.
• Phil Perry wants to know, now that Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski have re-joined their teammates, what their workload will look like at minicamp.
• Matt Dolloff gives us 5 things to consider (besides Brady & Gronk) at Patriots mandatory minicamp: What’s up with the receivers?
• Zack Cox tells us what to know before the team’s first minicamp: Health checkup.
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Minicamp week: Derek Rivers appears to be playing on the left defensive side in the Ninkovich, hybrid role that Cassius Marsh hated so much.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) What to watch for during the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp: 2. Who is competing for the No. 2 cornerback job?
• Brent Schwartz (PatriotsWire) 5 Position battles to watch during minicamp: 1. Running back: Sony Michel vs. Rex Burkhead.
• Mike Cole notes Urban Meyer reveals two questions Bill Belichick asks about draft prospects: ‘What kind of teammate is he, and how does he perform in big games?’
• Ryan Hannable tells us why Cassius Marsh’s time in New England keeps looking worse and worse.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Rex Burkhead says Patriots’ atmosphere is why he re-signed: ‘No better place’.
• Ryan Hannable notes that while Titans’ Delanie Walker may have declared himself the best tight end in the NFL, the numbers declare otherwise.
• Kevin Duffy reports Tom Brady took to Instagram to show support for local 10-year-old Alexander Blais, who is battling a brain tumor.
• Karen Guregian notes Tom Brady shared some memories of one of his childhood idols Dwight Clark, on Instagram.
• Lucy Burdge WEEI’s Monday’s Mashup: Tom Brady set to appear on ‘Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations’.
• Matt Vautour explains, after President Donald Trump rescinds the Eagles’ White House invitation (fewer than 10 were going to attend), why it’s a good time to let this tradition die.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Dan Graziano (ESPN) NFL minicamp primer: Brady, Gronk back on practice field.
• Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) NFL post-June 1 trade candidates: DeSean Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater among top 10.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Boston) Way-too-early NFL Week 1 picks: Patriots, Ravens among five to back in new era of betting. /Even a tad early for way-too-early.
• Sam Monson (Pro Football Focus) The top 50 NFL players for 2018. Nos 50-41.
• Highlights (NFL.com) Top 100 players of 2018: Nos 40-31.