New England Patriots links 8/15/19 - Defense has chance to be something special in 2019

TEAM TALK

• Erik Scalavino posts his practice news and notes from joint practices: More action from Jackson; More.
• Paul Perillo’s Day 14 Blogservations: Things heating up in Tennessee
• Mike Dussault points out how the Patriots receiver depth is being tested.
• Press Conference transcripts: Bill Belichick and Dont’a Hightower.
• Angelique Fiske highlights how Lawrence and Andrea Guy gifted 150 students backpacks and school supplies.

LOCAL LINKS

• Ryan Hannable says the Patriots defense has a real chance to be something special.
• Andrew Callahan calls attention to a behind-the-scenes change that could take the secondary to another level.
• Tom E. Curran suggests what to watch for at Pats-Titans practice, Day two... besides shade.
• Tom E. Curran sends another Postcard from Camp: Phillip Dorsett and Maurice Harris leave early; Jamie Collins was absent; Damien Harris was a full participant; More.
• Zack Cox Patriots Notes: J.C. Jackson stands out with pick-six in first Titans joint practice; Chase Winovich chipped in with an interception of his own; More.
• Ryan Hannable offers his camp observations, Day 14: Injuries starting to pile up for wide receivers; It appeared the heat got to the Patriots at times as the Titans were in much better condition.
• Evan Lazar’s Pats Camp Notebook Day 13: Brady, Isaiah Wynn stand out in joint practices; More.
• Matt Dolloff reports from Pats-Titans joint practice: Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris banged up; Elandon Roberts left early with foot injury; More.
• Andrew Callahan offers his practice observations from Tennessee: J.C. Jackson nabs 2 INTs, WR depth thins; and more.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Tom Brady and Mike Vrabel devolved to trash talking in seconds at joint practice.
• Andy Hart notes Dont’a Hightower felt right at home practicing in the Tennessee heat and adds that while the conditions seemed to adversely affect some players, it also created a pretty competitive environment.
• Mac Cerullo explains why Nashville is a special place to rookie CB Joejuan Williams. He “was born here, raised here, starred at Vanderbilt University here, and this past April got to realize his lifelong dream here, hearing his name and walking across the stage at the NFL Draft right downtown on Broadway.”
• Zack Cox calls attention to Stephon Gilmore’s practice wardrobe - wearing long sleeves in 90-degree heat - and how it prepares him for game days.
• Tom E. Curran believes Stephon Gilmore, the reigning best corner in football, somehow remains a bit overlooked, but is headed for the Hall of Fame like his buddies Charles Woodson, Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey and Ty Law.
• Ryan Hannable reports Isaiah Wynn indicates he’s 100 percent and could start Week 1.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) How Julian Edelman is pitching in for Patriots despite injury.
• Phil Perry continues his look at training camp battles: Brian Hoyer vs. Jarrett Stidham.
• Hayden Bird talks about how Tom Brady continues to defy ESPN’s infamous ‘He is going to fall off a cliff’ prediction: “It pretty much started with the ‘On to Cincinnati’ game in 2014 through now, probably one of the best stretches of quarterback play in history.”
• Michael Hurley presents his own ranking of the 10 best throws of Tom Brady’s career.
• Dave Brown sums up Tom Brady’s contract in terms of leverage: “In the end, the Patriots gave Brady all the bargaining power for 2020, but he still has to prove he’s the right man for the job after 2019.”
• Hayden Bird gives us 3 things to know about new tight end Eric Saubert: He was heavily utilized on Falcons’ special teams.
• Michael Hurley finds that Tom Brady cares not for Chase Winovich’s inspirational Shakespeare quotes on Instagram.
• Zack Cox finds that Dion Lewis is over whatever bitterness he has toward the Patriots, “I still love those guys.”
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Patriots’ 53-man roster projection: What to do with WRs and TEs?
• NBC Sports Boston crew discuss if Jerod Mayo could actually become Bill Belichick’s successor as Patriots coach.
• Nick O’Malley passes along a report that former Patriots QB/WR Danny Etling was claimed by the Falcons on waivers.
• Mike D’Abate - Locked-On Patriots daily podcast: Substance and satire, with guest Dave Brown of the Concord Monitor. (24 min.)
• Dave Brown and Mike Irons - Entitled Town podcast: Inaugural episode exploring prevailing narratives and misguided expectations in Boston sports. Guest Matt Chatham (16 min. mark). (80 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Game Plan: In Washington and Miami, who will be the starting quarterbacks?
• Gil Brandt (NFL.com) 2019 NFL rookie risers. Keep an eye on Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham.
• Dan Graziano (ESPN) The biggest roster hole for every top NFL playoff contender. Patriots: Pass catcher.
• Dallas Robinson (ProFootballRumors) Biggest roster weakness: AFC East. Patriots weakness: Tight end. Solution: Trade conditional 4th-round pick for Cameron Brate.
• Andy Benoit (SI) Giants’ Saquon Barkley poised to become NFL’s top overall running back.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: How Dak Prescott fits into QB market, franchise tag price and what rejected $30M offer could look like.
• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today) 10 NFL players at risk of becoming busts.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballtalk) Chris Ballard: Andrew Luck’s ankle injury is “a cumulative thing.”
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) PFTPM Podcast: Does Tom Brady’s new contract troll the Falcons, and more. (1 hour, 15 min.)

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Ben Baskin (SI) Jay-Z expresses plan to inspire change, but NFL partnership met with skepticism.
• Alex Reimer passes along a report that Robert Kraft brokered the social justice partnership between the NFL and Jay-Z.
• Michael McCann (SI) Why DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket might be illegal under antitrust law.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Appeals court revives antitrust lawsuit against NFL, DirecTV.