New England Patriots links 10/17/19 - Adam Butler is a stats-defying force: Frees others to make plays

TEAM TALK

• Broadcast Info: Patriots at Jets.
• Coffee with the Coach: Scott Zolak and Coach Belichick discuss the win against the Giants, dealing with players’ injuries, and preview the MNF Jets matchup. (2.49 min. video)
• Patriots Unfiltered: Jets Preview, defense nicknames and potential trades. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Adam Butler has stepped up his game for the Patriots defense.
• Andy Hart lauds Adam Butler, who has been piling up ‘assists’ for the Patriots defense.
• Phil Perry explains why Michael Bennett’s playing time has declined. /Good read.
• Tom E. Curran gives a rundown of the three options available to the Patriots with Michael Bennett.
• Phil Perry notes Kyle Van Noy feels for “really, really good” Michael Bennett, but adds, “Everybody’s playing really, really good. It’s a fight to get reps.”
• Rian Queen (LastWordOnSports) Michael Bennett trade talks with Detroit and Oakland.
• Nick Goss notes Tom Brady credits the defense for the team’s fast start in 2019.
• Ryan Hannable focuses on ‘decent’ Sony Michel through 22 games: “Running backs selected in the first round are expected to have multiple, or at least one, spectacular trait and that just isn’t there with Michel.”
• Matt McCarthy believes the Patriots need more James White, less Sony Michel to give the offense a boost.
• Zack Cox NFL Rumors: Patriots work out three potential fullback replacements.
• Doug Kyed looks at the cap implications of the Patriots’ releasing and then re-signing Ben Watson.
• Matt McCarthy passes along a report that the Patriots are among teams inquiring about Emmanual Sanders.
• Jerry Thornton rides Roger Goodell for claiming ‘We don’t see’ where the Dolphins are tanking.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Crossover Wednesday with Locked On Jets. (25 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point Stance: Rams go all-in for Jalen Ramsey; Words of wisdom; What’s really behind the growing officiating crisis; More.
• NFL Nation (ESPN) Biggest Week 7 injury questions for all 32 NFL teams. Patriots: Phillip Dorsett (hamstring) questionable; Matt LaCosse not expected to play.
• Nate Davis (USA Today) NFL trade deadline: 19 names to keep an eye on as 2019 cutoff for deals nears. Patriots: Michael Bennett.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2019 NFL trade deadline: 12 buyers and sellers that could look to strike in-season deals.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Dolphins have had trade talks with multiple teams involving Kenyan Drake, per report.
• Sean Wagner-McGough (CBS Sports) Week 7 QB Power Rankings: Darnold’s triumphant return shakes up leaderboard, Mahomes falls from his perch. Brady 10th.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) What the year of the backup quarterback will do to Marcus Mariota and others looking to get paid in 2020.
• Adam Rank (NFL.com) Lions, Chargers among the unluckiest teams in the NFL in 2019.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Roger Goodell confirms talks on a 17-game season.
• Kevin Patra (NFl.com) Roger Goodell: PI replay is ‘what we anticipated’.
• Jack Baer (Yahoo! Sports) Roger Goodell: No plans for a draft lottery to fight tanking.
• Kristie Chiappelli (Sporting News) Roger Goodell on Antonio Brown probe: ‘We’re still working on that’.
• Jordan Heck (Sporting News) These Brock Osweiler numbers show just how legendary the QB’s NFL career was.

VIEW FROM NEW YORK

• Manish Mehta (NY Daily News) Jets receiver Demaryius Thomas says brief stay with Patriots was ‘a waste of time’ after trusting Bill Belichick.
• Todderick Hunt (NJ.com) ‘Why did I waste my time?’ Jets’ Demaryius Thomas trashes playing for Patriots’ Bill Belichick.
• Matt Stypulkoski (NJ.com) Why Jets’ recent futility against Patriots may not be as pathetic as it looks.
• Brian Costello (NY Post) Jets’ Robby Anderson must overcome his Patriots problem.
• Brian Costello (NY Post) Jets must find way to get running game going.
• Mark Cannizzaro (NY Post) Jamison Crowder-Sam Darnold chemistry is evident for Jets.
• Manish Mehta (NY Daily News) Coach whisperer Sam Darnold will make Adam Gase look better.
• Brian Costello (NY Post) Jets cautiously optimistic about CJ Mosley’s return.
• Charles McDonald (NY Daily News) C.J. Mosley will ‘try’ to get in individual work ahead of Jets’ Week 7 game vs. Patriots.