TEAM TALK
- Erik Scalavino believes determination is what ultimately led to the Patriots calling Yodny Cajuste’s name in Round 3 of this year’s draft.
- Don Banks points out how the NFL did more than ‘tweak’ the new replay review rules. What changed and why so soon?
- Angelique Fiske reports that Thomas, Julian were among the most popular baby names in Massachusetts in 2018. /Championship names!
- Player Interview: Sony Michel answered questions from the media after celebrating Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day in Providence, RI. (1.40 min. video)
- Community: Sony Michel visited a local Dunkin’ Donuts on Iced Coffee Day where he worked at the drive through while also raising money for Hasbro Children’s Hospital. (1 min. video)
- Mic’d Up: Best of Julian Edelman. (4.30 min. video)
- From NFL Network - Judy Battista: Competition Committee likely to tweak new Pass Interference challenge rules. (2.36 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mac Cerullo profiles five newcomers - two new draft picks, two “redshirt rookies” and one undrafted free agent - who could make an immediate impact for the Patriots. 1. WR N’Keal Harry.
- Nick Brisco (PatriotsWire) 4 young players to watch during Patriots spring practices. 1. Braxton Berrios.
- Devon Clements (PatriotsWire) 3 veterans with something to prove at Patriots spring practices. 1. Deatrich Wise, Jr.
- Kevin Duffy tells us five things he’ll be watching at OTAs today, including what looks to be wild competition at WR.
- Ryan Hannable will be keeping an eye on these 5 things in today’s OTA session, also beginning with the battle at WR. 2. New positional coaches.
- Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Can Pats replicate 2018’s ground success?
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) What should we expect from Patriots RB Sony Michel in Year 2?
- David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Breaking down New England’s cornerbacks: The stars, the slot, the new and the CBs fighting for depth.
- Nick Goss finds that Tom Brady had the highest ‘clutch’ grade in Pro Football Focus’s 2018 rankings.
- Mike Cole relays Titans safety Kevin Byard on facing Tom Brady and trying to describe what makes him so good for so long.
- Jerry Thornton is loving the repeat of Bill Belichick winning the ‘Best GM’ ranking (previously won by Bill Belichick) by once again screwing over Bill Belichick the coach.
- Adam London passes along a comment from an anonymous NFL executive explaining to ESPN’s Mike Sando that Bill Belichick’s presence in New England alone should keep doubts [about any perceived holes on the roster] at a minimum. “Belichick is the guy who climbs Everest without oxygen just to see if he can do it,” another exec said. “It’ll work out for them.”
- Tom E. Curran talks with Rodney Harrison about his early days in Foxboro and what it was like replacing long-time defensive leader Lawyer Milloy.
- NESN posts a video clip from The Checkdown reminding us of when Julian Edelman played defense. /Good times.
- Ryan Hannable passes along NFL changes to Divisional Round Sunday game times. Noteworthy since the Patriots are typically always in the divisional round of the playoffs.
- Michael Hurley warns that dreaded “unfairness” will continue to rule the day in overtime.
- Ryan Hannable reports the Chiefs new overtime rules proposal failed to even get voted on at the NFL owners meeting. /Loozahs.
- Dakota Randall notes Bruins’ Bruce Cassidy shares takeaways from his conversation with Bill Belichick.
- NESN posts a video showing how the Boston and St. Louis sports franchises have a lengthy postseason history -- with Boston having enjoyed a bulk of that success.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Owners authorize Competition Committee to “tweak” replay review for pass interference.
- Kevin Seifert (ESPN) NFL still mulling pass interference review options.
- Mark Maske (Washington Post) NFL won’t change its overtime rules despite Chiefs’ push for both teams to get a possession. “Chiefs officials had said they made their proposal out of a sense of fairness, not merely in reaction to the outcome of the AFC title game.” Chiefs will resubmit their proposal next year for consideration for the 2020 season. /Mhm. I’m sure they would have submitted it had KC won the coin toss and Mahomes scored a TD.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Why would the NFL delay talk of OT change for a year?
- Kevin Seifert (ESPN) NFL asks teams to stop Oklahoma drill, others.
- Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point Stance: Russell Wilson is exactly what the NFL needs now.
- Jeff Diamond (SportingNews) Rudderless ship that is the New York Jets continues to aid in Patriots’ dynasty.
- Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Ranking the NFL’s top ‘triplets’ from 32-1 for the 2019 season. Patriots 9th with Brady-Michel-Edelman.
- Robert Mays (The Ringer) Five ways the 2010 draft affected—and is still affecting—the NFL.
- Andy Benoit (SI) The NFL’s all-small team. James White and David Andrews included.
- Conor Orr (SI) Arena Football’s influence on the NFL is growing.
- Jonathan Jones (SI) Going Long: One NFL franchise and the realities of betting in the Bible belt.
- Instant Debate (NFL.com) Which last-place team is biggest sleeper heading into the 2019 NFL season?
- Steve Gardner (USA Today) NFL tweaks several television rules for 2019, including elimination of single-headers.
- Joel A. Erickson (IndyStar) NFL Combine will remain in Indianapolis through 2021, with drills moving to prime time.
- Nate Davis (USA Today) NFL selects Cleveland to hold 2021 draft, while Kansas City will host event in 2023.
- Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Opinion: Don’t hold your breath for quick NFL action to allow medical marijuana.
- Highlights (NFL.com) Every team’s longest punt return TD since 1980. (10.52 min. video)
EXTRACURRICULAR
- Kevin Duffy notes Roger Goodell plans to wait until the Robert Kraft case resolves itself in the courts before deciding on discipline. /Maybe he’ll store ‘all the facts he’s gathering’ right next to the PSI info.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Roger Goodell won’t speculate on possible Robert Kraft discipline.
- Alex Reimer mentions Robert Kraft’s presence at the NFL owners’ meetings was hardly newsworthy. “It’s likely Kraft will still face some sort of league discipline. But the notion he will face Goodell’s draconian wrath now appears far-fetched.”