TEAM TALK
- Andy Hart takes a look at the five top position battles in training camp.
- Andy Hart comes up with four reasons the Patriots defense will improve in 2018. 1. Hightower returns.
- Paul Perillo’s position snapshot: Linebackers and Wide receivers.
- Training camp countdown: Linebacker (1.40 min. video) and Wide receiver (1/38 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Sunday Patriots news, AFC East notes: Tom Brady has made it clear that he’ll not only be on time but report early for training camp.
- Matt Dolloff’s Sunday Shift: What’s it gonna take for the Patriots to keep Trey Flowers and Shaq Mason?
- Mike Reiss continues his “roster lock” series with Cornerbacks and Defensive tackles.
- Mike Buchanan (BostonSportsExtra) Patriots training camp preview: Interior O-line and Defensive tackles.
- David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Reason to believe in the Patriots offensive line: 1. The starting tackles.
- Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) 2018 Patriots training camp primer: Safeties.
- Mark Daniels hears from Rob Ninkovich, who noticed the pass rush struggles last season and thinks a more simple approach to the front seven could help right the ship.
- Phil Perry says the most intense position battle will be at wideout.
- Matthew Geagan sorts through the roster locks, bubble players, and everyone else at the Wide receiver position.
- Karen Guregian passes along a report that Sony Michel, the 31st overall pick in the draft, has signed a deal with the Patriots Sunday.
- Phil Perry thumbnails the Patriots’ newcomers to keep an eye on at camp.
- Karen Guregian Patriots Notebook: Tom Brady’s early camp arrival would be no surprise to teammates.
- Kevin Duffy Patriots Notebook: Gostkowski, Slater adjust to kickoff rules changes; Gostkowski is getting ready to embark on his 13th Patriots training camp; More.
- Ian Logue (PatsFans) Monday Patriots Notebook: Welker finally understands Belichick; Michel in the fold.
- David Rogers (FullPressCoverage) Patriots’ storylines to watch In 2018: Players returning from injury.
- Karen Guregian shares her list of the top 10 most indispensable Patriot players, not counting Tom Brady: Gotta be Gronk.
- Kevin Duffy offers a list of his top 10 too: Edelman is key.
- Andrew Callahan picks the top 12 most irreplaceable Patriots in 2018. 12. Kyle Van Noy.
- Andrew Callahan introduces a new Xs and Os series with a look at how the Patriots can contain Deshaun Watson in the opener, with an old playoff play-call.
- Mark Daniels notes Wes Welker offers a glowing profile of Patriots’ WR Riley McCarron.
- Karen Guregian NFL Notes: Tom Brady-Bill Belichick relationship beside the point: Success has remained despite the strife.
- Darren Hartwell NFL Rumors: Patriots cut safety David Jones, open second roster spot.
- Ryan Hannable wants to emphasize the point that the Brady-Belichick issues were not resolved this offseason. /[Insert ‘beat a dead horse’ gif here].
- Ryan Hannable passes along a report that Tom Brady appears as excited as ever for another season, but adds: “There have been a number of reports indicating on-going tension between Brady and Bill Belichick over a few things, but it seems if issues are still there, the quarterback is putting them aside as the season gets going”. [see comment above]
- Steve Atkinson (BostonSportsExtra) From 2000 to today: A dynasty in peril?
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Watch Tom Brady throw trick shot to golf cart.
- Tanya Ray Fox (PatriotsWire) Danny Amendola describes his ‘single best feeling’ in a Patriots jersey.
- Nicole Yang reports Tom Brady reconnected with Wes Welker Saturday afternoon — and earned a few extra points for style.
- Nick O’Malley notes Rob Ninkovich will join Scott Zolak and Bob Socci on preseason TV broadcasts as a sideline reporter.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Sony Michel signs with Patriots.
- Nate Davis (USA Today) 2018 NFL record projections: Will Patriots falter on road to Super Bowl LIII?
- Mike Tanier (Bleacher Report) NFL’s most overrated teams entering 2018 training camp. 4. New England Patriots. /Trolling 101.
- Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Patriots place Andrew Jelks on reserve/retired list.
- Albert Breer (SI) Monday Morning QB: “What’s the next thing?” Matt Nagy, Bears focused on staying a step ahead.
- Peter King (ProFootballTalk) Football Morning in America: Matt, Mark and Mitch: Odd offensive triumvirate tries to bring back Bears. Quotes of the Week, James Harrison: “All these stories that come out of all this friction and stuff, I honestly believe it is made up. I came in there looking … They have trouble just like everyone else, right? I get in there and see nothing. They were interacting. They were talking. I don’t see any friction.”
- Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Parity exists in the NFL, just not in the AFC East.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) 2018 NFL predictions: Picks for every game for every team, plus Super Bowl champion.