TEAM TALK
- Patriots 2018 Training Camp schedule: Next open practice Aug. 1.
- Andy Hart’s Day 5 Blogservations: After two straight days in full pads, the session took place in helmets, shorts and jerseys, with some players wearing their shells (lighter shoulder pads).
- Paul Perillo posts some news & notes from last night’s in-stadium practice: Plenty of special teams work, including a punt return by Isaiah Wynn; Phillip Dorsett on his offseason strength work: “Trying to be more explosive, being able to get in and out of my breaks...”
- John Rooke’s View from Above: The ‘grind’ has arrived, and that’s good.
- Paul Perillo discusses how Tom Brady has ‘found his conviction’ for the 2018 season.
- Press Conference transcript: Bill Belichick.
- Angelique Fiske reports there were a special group of people waiting to see Devin and Jason McCourty at Patriots Foundation tent on the far end of the field.
LOCAL LINKS
- Ryan Hannable highlights Monday night’s practice. Play of the day: Danny Etling connected with Devin Lucien for a roughly 50-yard touchdown. Easily Etling’s best throw of camp.
- Mark Daniels’ Training Camp notes: Secondary shines under the lights.
- Doug Kyed’s Training Camp observations: Rex Burkhead takes on a new role.
- Phil Perry agrees with Belichick it’s never too early to emphasize the importance of red zone defense at camp.
- Joy Manning (BostonSportsChick) Patriots camp cogitations: Devin Lucien and Jacob Hollister are players who once again look good on the practice fields in July.
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Instant observations from Day 5: In 11-on-11 drills, Ryan Lewis, a second-year CB who spent his rookie year on the practice squad, intercepted Tom Brady near the end zone.
- Zack Cox takes a look at what Bill Belichick’s routine is like for practice, keeping his eye on the coach instead of the players Monday night.
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Cordarrelle Patterson bluntly addresses Tom Brady’s high expectations.
- Ryan Hannable notes Cordarrelle Patterson has been critical of himself, even after an impressive start to camp.
- Matt Dolloff details Isaiah Wynn showing off some ball skills last night.
- Mark Daniels notes undrafted DT Adam Butler surprised some people during training camp last year, and he knows he’s got to continue to impress or he’ll be gone.
- Mark Daniels catches up with Danny Shelton, who is excited to start his new journey with the Pats.
- Doug Kyed mentions how Bill Belichick is leaving open the possibility of using Danny Shelton as a pass rusher.
- CBS Boston notes Bill Belichick has some high expectations for second-year players Deatrich Wise and Derek Rivers.
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Winners and losers from Week 1 of Patriots’ training camp.
- Travis Byrd (LastWordOnSports) Patriots X-factors: CB Duke Dawson.
- Phil Perry spotlights intriguing roster long-shot CB Ryan Lewis.
- Doug Kyed takes a shot at a 53-man roster projection. Jordan Matthews is odd man out at WR.
- Ryan Hannable breaks down the 90-man roster, including locks, bubble players and long-shots.
- Mike Reiss notes Tom Brady has found his conviction to be all-in for the 2018 season.
- Ty Anderson writes “we’ve entered a scary timeline where winning is not enough. Now, Patriots conspiracy theories must be validated. Tom Brady’s right: This is ridiculous.” /A++
- Tom E. Curran doesn’t think Brady had a responsibility to address ‘damaging, fact-free speculation about his business’.
- David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Patriots easiest games of 2018.
- Tanya Ray Fox (PatriotsWire) Malcolm Butler says he still cares about Bill Belichick: ‘No bad blood’.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Cameron Wolfe (ESPN) Malcolm Butler refuses to be defined by a pair of Super Bowl moments. /Hm... some locals might want to read this.
- Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) 2018 NFL training camp: Early winners and losers across league.
- Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The X-factors for all 32 NFL teams. Patriots: WR Phillip Dorsett.
- Bill Barnwell (ESPN) The six NFL teams most likely to decline in 2018. Bills included.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) D.J. Swearinger: Helmet rule will force defenders to aim for the knees.
- Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) Roquan Smith’s contract dispute shows how NFL teams squeeze rookies.
- Nate Davis (USA Today) NFL training camp power rankings: Patriots 2nd.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Art Rooney: Everyone wants the players to stand, including most players.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Concussion settlement pays out more than $500 million so far.