New England Patriots links 8/02/18 - Riley McCarron may find himself in, with Jordan Matthews out

TEAM TALK

• Patriots sign rookie free agent FB Henry Poggi (No. 48); Release WR Jordan Matthews.
• Erik Scalavino shares the news and notes from Wednesday: Hamstring reportedly fells Matthews; Stock watch; Play of the day: Stephon Gilmore batted away a would-be deep-ball completion to Chris Hogan; More.
• Paul Perillo’s Day 6 Blogservations: Cannon, Michel exit early; More.
• Press Conference Transcripts: Bill Belichick - Rob Gronkowski - Kyle Van Noy.
• Angelique Fiske talks about how a 14-year-old from Rhode Island made it her mission to meet her role model: Matthew Slater.
• Training Camp-Cast 8/1: Injuries mounting for Patriots. (12.37 min.)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss clears up the confusion, saying the team first placed Jordan Matthews on IR and then reached an injury settlement that allows him to play again later this season, if healthy.
• Oliver Thomas (Forbes) Jordan Matthews’ one-year deal with Patriots over before it began.
• Doug Kyed shares his Training Camp Observations: CB Ryan Lewis continues to stand out.
• Hayden Bird tells us 4 things we learned from Wednesday’s practice: 1. Tom Brady made his fiery presence felt.
• Matt Dolloff’s Wednesday camp notes & observations: With Gillislee and Michel off the field, Jeremy Hill got plenty of reps with the starters.
• Ryan Hannable’s Camp Report: For the first time this summer we saw 1-on-1 drills between wide outs and cornerbacks. Jacob Hollister made the catch of that drill as he dove and snagged a Brady pass. Brady also threw a dime to Hogan up the sideline.
• Phil Perry sends another Postcard from Camp, Day 6: Michel, Cannon leave early.
• Andrew Callahan posts his observations from camp - Player of the Day: Tom Brady finished 11 of 13 during live 11-on-11 reps, his best practice of the summer by completion percentage.
• Mark Farinella Patriots Notebook: Rex Burkhead showing former teammate the ropes.
• Kevin Duffy Patriots Notebook: Ageless Tom Brady still amazes Rob Gronkowski.
• Mark Farinella thinks the Patriots latest roster moves and injury-plagued week may help Riley McCarron earn a job.
• Ryan Hannable sees depth problems brewing at wide receiver and running back.
• Mike Reiss notes Rob Gronkowski thinks Tom Brady is a little easier on teammates, but the quarterback still has a “competitive fire’ for the game of football.
• Doug Kyed is preparing for Tom Brady to regress this season, more because of his weapons than his age or from skipping voluntary OTAs.
• Zack Cox believes Jacob Hollister can make the 2nd-year leap and his teammates do too.
• Oliver Thomas (Forbes) Time will tell for Jacob Hollister but Belichick thinks the Patriots TE has ‘bright future’.
• Matt Dolloff sees the 2017 class, led by Deatrich Wise, headlining the next wave on defense.
• Ryan Hannable relays Bill Belichick praising Kyle Van Noy as one of the leaders on defense.
• Kevin Duffy talks up Eric Rowe, who appears ready to take over and hold onto a CB spot.
• Mark Daniels notes Eric Rowe heard the noise after the Super Bowl and says he now has thicker skin because of it.
• Ryan Hannable hears from Dwayne Allen on his ‘tough’ 2017 season, admitting he didn’t come to the Patriots in the best shape, and why 2018 will be better.
• Karen Guregian reveals Dont’a Hightower and Shaq Mason have become huge fans of hot yoga.
• Mike Giardi point out it’s been a frustrating start for QB Danny Etling.
• Zack Cox does a little digging to find all the players Bill Belichick says “no one works harder than...” /Belichick being Belichick.
• MassLive posts some info for tonight’s NFL Hall of Fame Game 2018: Time, TV channel, how to watch Bears vs. Ravens livestream online.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Report: Patriots release Jordan Matthews.
• Brad Gagnon (Bleacher Report) NFL Training Camp Notes: Who is Tom Brady going to throw to?
• Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Patriots cut one offseason WR addition, have most Pats replacement ever lined up. Eric Decker makes the most sense.
• NFL Live (ESPN) Uncertainty at wide receiver position for Patriots. Reiss: Hamstring only part of the reason Matthews was released. (1.26 min. video)
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Why is Patriots’ Bill Belichick so happy heading into ‘18 season?
• Albert Breer (SI) Andrew Luck looks like Andrew Luck again; MMQB Mailbag.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL fact sheet on new helmet rule.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick is coy (#shocking) on the new helmet rules.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) NFL’s final tweaks to kickoff rule came in just before training camps.
• Staff (ESPN) Inside stories, fun facts about the HOF Class of 2018.
• Drew Magary (GQ) The NFL isn’t ready for how big of a disaster this season will be.