New England Patriots links 8/29/18 - Josh McDaniels will make it work; Having Tom Brady helps

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino shares the practice notes and locker-room buzz from Tuesday at Gillette: ‘Been a hard week’ for Edelman.
• Andy Hart reports that in spite of all the turnover, Josh McDaniels presents an optimistic front when asked for his thoughts on the offense.
• Paul Perillo notes DL coach Brendon Daly likes the depth up front, talking up potential contributors Deatrich Wise and Derek Rivers.
• Erik Scalavino tackles this week’s Ask PFW Mailbag: Whittling down the roster.
• Angelique Fiske tells us why Joe Cardona deserves the Ron Burton Community Service Award. (Plus 2.51 min. video)
• Press Conference Transcripts: Bill Belichick - Rob Gronkowski.
• Press Pass: Josh McDaniels, Chad O’Shea and Ivan Fears talk about the progression of the offensive during the preseason. (2.25 min. video)
• Press Pass: Julian Edelman and Riley McCarron are Looking ahead to preseason Week 4. (1 min. video)
• Photos - Robert Kraft hosts Patriots players at his home on Cape Cod this summer.
• Photos - Tom Brady hosted a throwing clinic for special needs kids at Gillette Stadium on Monday. Rob Gronkowski, Brian Hoyer and Danny Etling also took part in the event, which was auctioned off at the Patriots premiere gala last year.

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian explains why she believes Josh McDaniels will make it work, no matter what the WR depth chart looks like.
• Karen Guregian notes Josh McDaniels shoots down the notion that Tom Brady is behind because he skipped OTAs.
• Phil Perry reports Bill Belichick admits to scouring the league for potential additions. “What do you think we’re doing. We’re in camp. We’re not having watermelon rolls and badminton contests and all that. Yeah. We’re working on football. We’re looking at our team, we’re looking at all 31 teams. Yeah.”
• Ryan Hannable warns the team to be cautious about adding any new receivers.
• Mike Reiss finds Julian Edelman struggling to deal with the start of the regular season.
• Kevin Duffy updates us on the state of Julian Edelman, his recovery, how he’s feeling; More.
• Matt Dolloff points out that history is not on Julian Edelman’s side when it comes to returning from either a PED suspension or an ACL tear, but he could very well be the exception to the rule that he expects to be.
• Andrew Callahan writes the Pats seem pleased with Sony Michel after his injury absence.
• Kevin Duffy says Mike Gillislee is hoping for ‘another shot’ in the Patriots backfield.
• Stephen Hewitt writes about a refreshed Rob Gronkowski who is willing to wait on a big contract. “I just love playing the game,” he said. “I feel good right now...”
• Evan Lazar shares his exclusive Q&A with DT Adam Butler, ready to make a leap from undrafted rookie to a big-time contributor in year two with the Patriots.
• Mike Reiss notes Trent Brown’s confidence has grown throughout the preseason, and he credits Dante Scarnecchia and his fellow linemen for easing the transition.
• Ryan Hannable shows how questions asked to Bill Belichick, ones that do not involve Alex Guerrero, can elicit fun responses about watermelon rolls and badminton contests.
• Ryan Hannable tells us what Bill Belichick will be looking for tomorrow night vs. the Giants.
• Zack Cox takes a look at how the top Patriots performers in preseason finales have fared on cutdown day.
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) How will Pats cut corners?
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Patriots preseason Week 4: Bubble about to burst.
• Zack Cox relays Patriots’ veterans advice to rookies ahead of the last preseason game.
• Dan Roche adds his own 53-man roster projection.
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Patriots 53-man roster projection, 4.0.
• Isaiah Houde (PatriotsWire) Patriots vs. Giants preseason game: Time, TV schedule and how to stream online.
• Kevin Duffy Patriots Notebook: Rookie RB Sony Michel returns to practice field in limited fashion.
• Ian Logue Wednesday Patriots Notebook: Belichick offers some insight on cuts; Cardona earns prestigious honor.
• Andrew Callahan discusses how de facto defensive coordinator Brian Flores is preparing for playcalling.
• Michael Hurley calls out Jerry Jones’ desire for an 18-game season for the charade that it is.
• Darren Hartwell notes Dante Scarnecchia has zero interest in watching the Hard Knocks series.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Christian D’Andrea (SB Nation) Tom Brady will have to spin gold from a weak Patriots wide receiver corps. Again.
• Conor Orr (SI) Morning Huddle: Hard Knocks recap - Carl Nassib’s alien theory conflicts with banking strategy.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Julian Edelman having a “hard week” with suspension about to start.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Rob Gronkowski open to new deal, not focused on it.
• Maurice Moton (Bleacher Report) Realistic best-case scenario for every NFL team this season. Patriots: Appear in third consecutive Super Bowl.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) 2018 NFL predictions: How every division will shake out. Saints over Steelers in Super Bowl. Pats don’t make AFC Championship game either.
• Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point Stance: 4. [Patriots will likely keep] doing what they’ve almost always done: rely on Brady to make magic no matter who the receivers are.
• Bill Barnwell (ESPN) The NFL’s 50 most fascinating people: Players, coaches, GMs to watch in 2018. Only Patriots 36. Trey Flowers, 42. Rob Gronkowski make this list.
• Dr. Rajpal Brar (InjuryInsight) Sony Michel: The impact of his recent surgery & “bone on bone” condition.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) How an explosion of offensive coordinator turnover will affect each NFL team.
• Conor Orr (SI) NFL head coaches-to-be: Seven coordinators to watch in 2018. 5. Brian Daboll makes the list.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Officials called helmet rule incorrectly 11 times through first two preseason weeks.
• Sam Quinn (247Sports) Jerry Jones wants an 18-game schedule.
• Ryan Boysen (Law360) Locks Law Firm can’t stop NFL concussion award objection.
• David Purdum and Darren Rovell (ESPN) Patriots’ Robert Kraft, Cowboys’ Jerry Jones retain DraftKings stakes amid shift to sportsbooks.