New England Patriots links 9/13/18 - Sony Michel prepping to play in Jacksonville

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino shares the news, notes and locker-room buzz from Wednesday at Gillette: Sony Michel preparing to play.
• Patriots make practice squad moves.
• Press Conference Transcripts: Bill Belichick - Tom Brady - Rob Gronkowski.
• Belichick Breakdown: Top plays against the Texans. (5.08 min. video)
• One-on-one with Ja’Whaun Bentley. (1.42 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Kevin Duffy makes the case that this Week 2 matchup in Jacksonville will represent arguably the toughest challenge of the year for Brady and the offense.
• Andrew Callahan notes Tom Brady expects an emotional road environment in Jacksonville, and is eager to find out what this season’s Patriots are capable of.
• Michael Hurley notes that interestingly, while the Patriots are often used by opponents as a measuring stick, Brady said the Jaguars’ defense provides a proper point of reference for the offense to know where they stand early in the season.
• Karen Guregian highlights Rob Gronkowski’s presser, where he admitted he’s going to have a little extra juice thanks to Jalen Ramsey’s claims that he’s “overrated.”
• Kevin Duffy sees the need for Sony Michel to be active Sunday, especially since James White is the only fully healthy RB left from the four that started Week 1.
• Matt Vautour reports Sony Michel hasn’t been told whether he’s part of the plan for Sunday’s game at Jacksonville, but he’s preparing as if he’ll make his professional debut.
• Ryan Hannable points out the Patriots had a problem at running back even before Rex Burkhead’s concussion.
• Doug Kyed explains why Trey Flowers is more valuable than your typical pass rusher.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots-Jaguars key matchups: Who has the razor’s edge?
• Chris Blackey (DiehardBostonSportsFans) Patriots vs. Jags: Battle of defenses coming?
• Andrew Lykins (BostonSportsExtra) Prediction: The Patriots will be great against the pass.
• Mike Reiss reports Rex Burkhead is in the concussion protocol and did not participate in practice Wednesday.
• Kevin Duffy gives us Wednesday’s practice report: Full attendance on first day of Jags week.
• Karen Guregian notes Doug Marrone had the media so amused at his ‘why I don’t watch the Super Bowl’ talk that no one thought to ask him about Jalen Ramsey.
• Ryan Hannable finds that neither Bill Belichick nor his team are interested in a trash talk battle with the Jaguars, ‘We know when the game starts.’
• Michael Hurley wonders if Kenjon Barner can solve the Patriots’ punt return problems.
• Kevin Duffy Patriots Notebook: Rex Burkhead misses practice due to concussion; Injury update; Doug Marrone’s assessment of the Pats’ D; More.
• Zack Cox Patriots Notes: Could Pats use practice squad promotion to boost running back depth?
• Nicholas Goss mentions how the Texans couldn’t believe how quick Tom Brady was getting off passes.
• Tom E. Curran writes that he sees Tom Brady playing elsewhere after 2019.
• WEEI guest Tom E. Curran gives his opinion on how he thinks things will unfold for Tom Brady over the next two years, “I just don’t think he’s playing after 2019.”
• Adam London shares what impresses Carson Palmer most about Tom Brady’s illustrious career.
• CBS Boston highlights actor Rob Lowe speaking with the “Pardon My Take” podcast in an interview that aired last week. Lowe revealed that he’d truly love to be able to speak to the media the way Bill Belichick does.
• The Herald Staff calls attention to a song called, “I can’t stand Tom Brady” written by a Maine native for his Nashville, Tennessee audience.
• Andy Lykins and Anthony Crisante (BostonSportsExtra) BSE Podcast: Texans Review with Matt Chatham; Breakdown of key positions; Recent signings; More. (45 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady expects “emotional environment” in Jacksonville.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Gronkowski aims to not lose his cool vs. Jaguars.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Pats look at Orleans Darkwa, Charles Sims, Brandon Tate.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Here are eight contract-year players who can cash in with a big 2018. Trey Flowers included.
• Jonathan Jones (SI) Injuries have already shaped the early season narrative for some NFL teams.
• Bill Connelly (SB Nation) The 10 NFL quarterback stats that actually mattered in Week 1.
• Jenny Vrentas (SI) Everyone was worried about the new helmet rule, but the ‘body weight’ call might be what really drives defenders crazy.