New England Patriots links 8/21/18 - Belichick appreciates value of roster depth

TEAM TALK

• Game Preview: Patriots at Panthers. Broadcast info, series history, rosters, more.
• Erik Scalavino posts the practice news, notes and locker room buzz from Monday at Gillette: Patriots begin turn to regular season.
• Paul Perillo thinks the defensive line is off to a good start.
• John Rooke’s View from Above: Let’s not get Gronk’d in the preseason.
• Press Conference transcript: Bill Belichick.
• Press Pass: James Develin, Devin McCourty, James White talk Panthers with the media. (1.02 min. video)
• One-on-One with Devin Lucien. (2.02 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mark Daniels highlights Bill Belichick and his view on the importance of positional depth.
• Nick O’Malley notes preseason Week 3 is still the game to watch, even if Bill Belichick won’t call it a dress rehearsal and the starters play longer.
• Andrew Callahan writes how the defense is preparing for the challenge of facing Cam Newton and the Panthers offense.
• Phil Perry wonders if Rob Gronkowski will play Friday night against the Panthers.
• Nick O’Malley revisits the wide receiver roster battle to see who wins the roster spot.
• Doug Kyed explains why Trey Flowers earned the nickname ‘Technique’ and how he is the perfect inspiration and mentor for the team’s young pass rushers.
• Kevin Duffy talks about Vincent Valentine and his fight for a roster spot after a season on IR.
• Rich Garven spotlights Adam Butler and how he’s doing his best to be grateful for his time here, by bringing energy over complacency.
• Phil Perry focuses on intriguing pass-rush option Keionta Davis.
• Doug Kyed tells us why safety Eddie Pleasant already feels at home with the Patriots.
• Doug Kyed sees Bill Belichick as understanding of, and not bothered by, the new helmet rule.
• Mark Daniels hears from Jordan Richards on the new helmet rule: “We have to play with how they are calling it.”
• Zack Cox notes Bill Belichick’s early impressions of Brian Flores as defensive play-caller.
• Zack Cox Patriots Notes: Bill Belichick thankful for veteran depth on offensive line.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Tuesday Patriots Notebook: Richards still confused by penalty; More.
• Kevin Duffy points out Sony Michel missed his 10th straight practice.
• NESN notes Bill Belichick admits it would be a challenge to figure out how to use Netflix, when asked if he indulges in his downtime.
• CBS Boston reports Bill Belichick doesn’t have time for Netflix or ‘Pandarama.’
• Darren Hartwell relays Brady’s plausible theory to one reason why so many people hate him.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Robert Kraft surprises fan with an act of kindness.
• Michael Hurley finds it quite funny to watch Max Kellerman drowning in his ‘Tom Brady cliff’ argument.
• Chad Jennings (The Athletic) ‘For the next kid that’s about to enter into my shoes.’ An oral history of the Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. /Unlocked and free to all. Worth a read.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Andy Benoit (SI) 2018 NFL predictions: Team-by-team records, playoffs and Super Bowl LIII champion. Pats go 12-4, beat Jags in Divisional round, lose to Steelers in AFC championship game. Falcons beat Steelers in Super Bowl. /I’ll believe Pitt can beat NE in the playoffs only after it actually happens.
• Kaylin Kahler (SI) Morning Huddle: Andrew Luck is still knocking the rust off.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) Who has the toughest road to Super Bowl 53? Ranking the path for all 32 NFL teams. Pats 31st. “Pats’ schedule would be a lot more difficult if they could play themselves.”
• Lorenzo Reyes (USA Today) NFL preseason Week 2 winners and losers. Losers: Patriots, because of the loss of Isaiah Wynn.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) Meet the NFL’s next premium position: The slot cornerback.
• Brian Burke (ESPN) Ranking NFL QB bargains from 1-32: “a ranking of each projected 2018 starting quarterback (no rookies) by a career salary efficiency score, which gauges how much of a bargain each QB has been, given his career earnings and production.” Tom Brady 4th.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) AFC Preseason Week 2 grades. Patriots A+.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) League officials to discuss new helmet rule on Wednesday.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Riveron hints at possibility of replay for helmet rule.
• Khadrice Rollins (SI) Report: NFL updating video tutorial on new helmet contact rule.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Will coaches tell players to absorb helmet blows?
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Doug Pederson saw Jaguars play it safe vs. Patriots, vowed not to do the same.