New England Patriots links 2/22/19 - DMac’s back! Safety depth still needs attention

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino begins a position-by-position look at the roster with an eye on free agency: Specialists.
• Patriots.com looks back at combine workouts from several Patriots over the years, from Tom Brady to Sony Michel. /Nice.
• Patriots.com takes a look at the team’s upcoming opponents: 2019 through 2022.
• Lauren Williams describes how politicians and people cashed in on bets they placed before the Super Bowl.
• Patriots Unfiltered, 2/21: The NFL Scouting Combine and intriguing prospects; Whether OBJ would be a good fit; Patriots free agents and the franchise tag. (2 hours)
• Cover 2 Podcast with Banks & Stevens: Draft preview with Matt Miller; Michael McCann on the Kaepernick settlement, the Antonio Brown saga, the upcoming CBA; More. (1 hour)

LOCAL LINKS

• Kevin Duffy highlights Devin McCourty on the Sports Spectrum Podcast, announcing that he will return in 2019: “I’m gonna play.”
• Tom E. Curran mentions how Devin McCourty’s motivation to return says a lot about Patriots.
• Andrew Callahan analyzes what the return of Devin McCourty means for 2019: 1. Tighter 2019 cap.
• Zack Cox reviews the roster at the safety position and explains why the Patriots should begin planning for the future at this position.
• Doug Kyed reminds us about rookie LB Ja’Whaun Bentley who was lost for the 2018 season after just three games, but he didn’t miss a road trip.
• Doug Kyed updates us on rookie slot corner Duke Dawson, who never saw the field in 2018 because by the time he was ready to play the Pats didn’t need him.
• David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Phillip Dorsett 2019 NFL free agent profile.
• Zack Cox closes out his position-by-position review of the Patriots’ roster with a look at the specialists: Three key kicking game pieces set to hit free agency.
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Pats Posits: Speculation season begins.
• Andrew Callahan thumbnails the QBs the Patriots could draft to succeed Tom Brady.
• Ryan Hannable discusses how Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski’s 2018 incentives could impact potential contract changes now.
• Doug Kyed addresses his Friday Patriots Mailbag: Which first-round picks could be acquired via trade?
• Andrew Callahan highlights Brad Stevens as he recounts his ‘amazing’ first visit with Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
• Boston Sport (YouTube) New England Patriots - 2018/19 NFL season journey. (1 hour 20 min. video) /Enjoyed watching this last night.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Big news for Patriots, as Devin McCourty says he’ll be back for 2019 season.
• Will Brinson (CBS Sports) 2019 NFL Free Agency Rankings: Trio of stud safeties headline a deep defensive back group.
• Chris Roling (Bleacher Report) Every NFL team’s 2019 offseason to-do list. Patriots: Find starting-quality depth behind Gronk; Grooming the next Flowers; Future after Brady.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Free agency in 2018 produced no Pro Bowl starters.
• Conor Orr (SI) Morning Huddle: When does a quarterback deserve blame for locker room issues?
• Drew Nantais (Sporting News) When is the NFL Draft 2019? Date, time, pick order, TV channel, live stream from Nashville.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalkk) Drafting the ugliest divorces in NFL history.
• Jason Owens (Yahoo! Sports) NFL reportedly makes combine ban compromise for violent offender that doesn’t address root of problem.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) NBA’s proposal would leave only NFL with draft waiting period.
• Joseph M. Hanna (SportsLawInsider) NFL moves to dismiss lawsuit over controversial no-call.
• Sean Wagner-McGough (CBS Sports) 2019 NFL mock draft. Pats trade out of the first round.