New England Patriots links 8/22/18 - 53-Man roster projections in mid-preseason form

TEAM TALK

• Broadcast Info: Patriots at Panthers.
• Erik Scalavino shares some practice notes and locker-room buzz from Tuesday at Gillette: Patriots ready for first road trip; shift to more of a regular-season routine.
• Andy Hart spotlights Jonathan Jones, who after returning to practice on Aug. 7 (ankle injury), sounds like he’s ready to see his first game action of the preseason.
• Andy Hart tackles this week’s Ask PFW Mailbag: Concerning depth at WR, OL, CB.
• Angelique Fiske reports Lawrence Guy welcomed kids from Crossroads in Boston to Gillette Stadium and gave away backpacks filled with school supplies for each to take home.

LOCAL LINKS

• Kevin Duffy mentions how the defense hasn’t faced a mobile quarterback all summer, so Friday night will be a good test for them.
• Mark Farinella talks with James Develin, who explains why Friday’s dress rehearsal is “Hugely important for our progression as a team.”
• Mike Reiss examines the Patriots 2018 rookies to determine their progress: Ja’Whaun Bentley emerges as one of the more promising rookies.
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Lingering questions for the Patriots preseason Week 3.
• Mac Cerullo offers five thoughts at the midpoint of preseason: Tom Brady expanding his circle of trust.
• Ryan Hannable explains why Friday night is very important for Kenny Britt’s prospects in New England.
• Doug Kyed tells us how Jeremy Hill is feeling like a rookie again, thanks to dropping ten pounds and having bone spurs removed from his ankle. /Ouch.
• Rich Garven catches up with Eric Rowe, whose goal it is to be available every game this season.
• Stephen Hewitt hears from DL Keionta Davis, who has been moving up from the fringe to earning every chance to prove himself on the field.
• Zack Cox tells us how Stephon Gilmore and Cordarrelle Patterson are forever bonded by their ‘Football City’ rivalry.
• Karen Guregian projects the opening day roster. Yes to Britt, no to Decker.
• Doug Kyed makes his last 53-man roster prediction: Cole Croston in, Vincent Valentine out.
• Mike D’Abate (FullPressCoverage) 2018 New England Patriots: Roster Projection 2.0. Bye bye Will Tye.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Projecting the Patriots’ 53-man roster: Eric Decker on the fringe.
• Kevin Duffy reports Jon Bon Jovi was present at practice yesterday, but Sony Michel was not. Rex Burkhead was present but did not participate in positional drills.
• Adam London notes Josh McDaniels reveals what coaching lesson he learned from Brad Stevens.
• Kevin Duffy Patriots Notebook: Tom Brady hopes to improve connections.
• Mark Farinella Patriots Notebook: All about fun and games for James White.
• Alex Reimer notes Tom Brady told WEEI how his family rallied behind his mother after her cancer diagnosis.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Tom Brady opens up on grappling with departures of great players like Nate Solder.
• Michael Hurley talks about the report that says the NFL expects the adjustment to the new helmet rule to take three years.
• Tanya Ray Fox (PatriotsWire) Dez Bryant tells fan trying to recruit him to Patriots: ‘Tom Brady has always been my favorite player’.
• Mark Farinella wants to see a Ring of Fame installed at Gillette Stadium.
• Jordy McElroy (PatriotsWire) Time to put the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick feud talk to rest.
• Michael Hurley shares some of the more noteworthy results from a 2018 Boston sports survey poll, providing an interesting look at how some fans feel towards the local teams.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Zoltan Buday (Pro Football Focus) Tom Brady’s new receiving corps in New England taking shape.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tyrann Mathieu looks forward to facing Tom Brady for the first time.
• Stephen Davis (SB Nation) NFL breakout players 2018: Vincent Valentine gives the Patriots defense some fight.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick: Helmet rule not a change for us, we’ve always taught heads-up.
• Conor Orr (SI) Morning Huddle. Hard Knocks recap: Brad Paisley fires up Browns with intense speech.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: NFL not expected to admit NFL screwed up the helmet rule.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Transparency will be critical in connection with new helmet rule.
• Russell Baxter (Fansided) Biggest what-ifs in each NFL team’s history. Patriots: Drew Bledsoe doesn’t get hurt in Week 2 of 2001. /slideshow.
• Staff (ESPN) The biggest injuries from NFL preseason Week 2.