New England Patriots links 6/13/19 - The Caserio conundrum

TEAM TALK

• Key dates on the 2019 NFL / Patriots Calendar.
• Erik Scalavino analyzes Houston employing “The Texas Two-Step” in its attempt to, yet again, court Nick Caserio away from New England.
• Register for this year’s Finish at the 50 Road Races and have your photo taken with the Lombardi Trophy on the Gillette Stadium field.
• Highlights: Check out the first glimpse of the 2019 Patriots in uniform. (23 second video)
• Behind the scenes: Patriots photo day. (32 second video)
• Gallery: Specialty shots from Patriots team photo day.
• Patriots Unfiltered 6/12: Texans targeting Caserio; Ring Ceremony recap. (2 hour program)

LOCAL LINKS

• Doug Kyed reports from sources that the Patriots acquired tight end Michael Roberts from the Lions, in exchange for a conditional 2020 seventh-round pick.
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Patriots trade for TE Michael Roberts: What Roberts is known for, his strengths and how he can be a significant contributor.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Instant analysis of Patriots trading for TE Michael Roberts.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Bill Belichick says Matt LaCosse’s upside appealed to Patriots.
• Mike Reiss passes along a report from The Athletic that Sony Michel had a ‘precautionary’ arthroscopic procedure on his knee earlier in the offseason, which is why he wasn’t at the team’s mandatory minicamp.
• Doug Kyed explores whether the Patriots and Texans could work out a trade for Nick Caserio.
• Tom E. Curran writes that the Pats have a long history of fighting back if they think there’s tampering. /Good!
• Karen Guregian sees the Caserio-Patriots-Texans affair headed down a dark path.
• Doug Kyed suggests that now is a great time for the Patriots to give Nick Caserio a well-earned promotion.
• Mike Dussault (PatsPropaganda) Pats Posits: We’re on to the void.
• Glen Farley offers some post-minicamp thoughts as the Patriots are on to Training Camp: Some of the most interesting competition in training camp will take place at cornerback; More.
• Tom E. Curran suggests that Tom Brady and other players may be in favor of an 18-game season.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Adam Schefter (ESPN) Sources: Pats file tampering charges vs. Texans.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Will Patriots and Texans strike a deal on compensation? “One source with knowledge of the dynamics and personalities involved in this fight believes that, ultimately, a deal will be struck for compensation, with the Texans giving the Patriots a draft pick or two or something else and with Caserio becoming the new G.M. of the Texans. The reason is simple: If Caserio wants to go and is force to stay, things could get awkward for the Patriots.”
• Aaron Wilson (Houston Chronicle) Texans deny discrimination allegations of ex-security official or any link to Brian Gaine firing.
• A.J. Perez (USA Today) Complaint: Fired Texans GM Brian Gaine ‘targeted’ African American employees in series of firings. /’eesh.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Lions trading tight end Michael Roberts to Patriots.
• Steven Ruiz (FTW) No, the Patriots aren’t leading some sort of return to smash-mouth football.
• Report (AP) Patriots’ Robert Kraft to receive warm welcome in Israel.
• Conor Orr (SI) In Praise of ... NFL kickers.
• Adam Schein (NFL.com) 2019 NFL MVP candidates: Patrick Mahomes ready to repeat? /Tom Brady not listed.
• Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com) All-Analytics Team: Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Donald dominate. CB Stephon Gilmore included.
• Sean Wagner-McGough (CBS Sports) Ranking NFL divisions by running backs. AFC East 6th. “The Patriots get the job done without a star, but with a committee of running backs.”
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Competition Committee unlikely to tweak P.I. replay rule.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Jason Garrett: Decision-makers want P.I. rule as “unobtrusive” as possible.
• Ryan Glasspiegel (TheBigLead) A party like its 1969: The remarkable resilience of live sports on broadcast TV.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL produces 64 of top 100 most-watched TV shows in 2018.