New England Patriots links 8/20/19 - Patriots receiving corps ramps up from weak to WOW!

TEAM TALK

• Game Preview: Patriots vs. Panthers.
• Team Connections: Patriots and Panthers.
• Mike Dussalt locks in on the final six Patriots positional battles: WR - OT - CB - DT - DE - TE.
• Erik Scalavino shares the news, notes and locker-room buzz from Monday at Gillette: Julian Edelman, Patriots back home for preseason’s second half.
• Press Conference transcript: Bill Belichick.
• Lauren Spencer writes about Rod and Cody Vancil, a father and son making a once-in-a-lifetime drive from Washington to Nashville to see the Patriots.
• Press Pass: Phillip Dorsett, Rex Burkhead, and David Andrews discuss Josh Gordon’s return. (1 min. video)
• WEEI Patriots Monday: Tom Brady (20.54 min.) - James White (10.08 min.) - Duron Harmon (7.34 min.) - Bill Belichick (19.54 min.)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mark Daniels notes the Patriots receiving depth continues to trend upward, getting another boost with Julian Edelman returning to practice.
• Mike Reiss says that according to a source, Julian Edelman passes his physical and is off the NFI list.
• Andy Hart tries to convince himself that Rob Gronkowski is still part of the Patriots plan on offense.
• Staff (BelieveInBostonSports) Why you should know Jakobi Meyers.
• Mark Daniels notes Eric Saubert is open for business. “Basically, I’ll do anything for this team that they ask me to do. Catch passes, block, be that wide tight end. Special teams, that’s a big part of what I do. Anything they need me to do, I’ll be there.”
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Josh Gordon’s return complicates Phillip Dorsett’s status with team.
• Michael Hurley with a quick reminder of Josh Gordon’s impact on the Patriots.
• Mark Daniels reports Josh Gordon’s reinstatement is only the first step in the process of him getting back on the field. “If Gordon isn’t activated off the NFI list by Week 1, he won’t be eligible to return to the practice field until Week 6 and he wouldn’t be able to play by Week 7.”
• Nicole Yang tells us how Josh Gordon’s return to Foxborough went at practice.
• Darren Hartwell notes Tom Brady says he is ‘excited’ for Josh Gordon’s return, but is managing expectations.
• Andrew Callahan hears from the offensive tackles how rookie Chase Winovich is dominating the preseason.
• Evan Lazar points out how special teams ace Terrence Brooks is showing his versatility.
• Joy Manning (BostonSportsChick) Why Bailey over Allen now?
• Jacob Camenker tells us how punter Jake Bailey is a rarity for a Bill Belichick coached team. /At least we know he’ll start his career here on the right foot.
• CBS Boston notes the Patriots are expecting to see Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly in a ‘measuring stick’ preseason game for the Panthers.
• Darren Hartwell relays Tom Brady detailing how ex-players on the coaching staff give the Patriots a ‘great advantage’.
• Phil Perry updates his 53-man roster projection after factoring in Josh Gordon’s reinstatement and the Patriots’ second preseason game.
• Zack Cox explains Tom Brady and the starters didn’t play vs. the Titans because of the need to evaluate all players on the roster.
• Zack Cox picks his training camp winners and losers, headlined by Jakobi Meyers and Duke Dawson.
• Justin Leger passes along a rumor that Rob Gronkowski and girlfriend Camille Kostek will be on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ season 28.
• NESN posts some behind-the-scenes pictures from Rob Gronkowski’s Seaport workout.
• Michael Hurley calls attention to a truly terrible NFL rule on a ‘blindside block’ that simply can’t be allowed to exist in real football games that actually matter.
• CBS Boston notes Bill Belichick’s delightful response to the line of Josh Gordon questions: ‘Can the witness step down now?’
• Nicole Yang Patriots Notebook: Julian Edelman practices in pads for first time this summer; Matt LaCosse (sprained ankle) also back in uniform; OLBs Derek Rivers and Shilique Calhoun were not spotted at practice; Eric Saubert still in “catch-up mode”; More.
• Michael Hurley brings up how Jimmy Garoppolo returned to NFL game action, and it went very poorly.
• Hayden Bird highlights Cardinals new head coach Kliff Kingsbury on what he learned under Bill Belichick.
• Matt Vautour discusses a report that the owners and players are considering a larger postseason and dumping one preseason game.
• Locked-On Patriots daily podcast: Mike D’Abate recaps Pats-Titans and discusses return of Josh Gordon. (25 min.)
• Entitled Town podcast: Dave Brown and Mike Irons evaluate some curious comments on the Josh Gordon reinstatement; More. (1 hr, 19 min)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jason Owens (Yahoo! Sports) Julian Edelman’s return from NFI list strengthens a suddenly imposing Patriots receiving corps.
• Steve Palazzolo (Pro Football Focus) PFF Rankings: NFL starting quarterback rankings for 2019. No. 1 Tom Brady.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Julian Edelman and Demaryius Thomas back on practice field.
• Mike Giardi (NFL.com) Josh Gordon returns: Assessing WR’s impact on Patriots offense.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick still has nothing to say about Josh Gordon (beyond what he has said).
• Conor Orr (SI) Monday Afternoon QB: Josh Allen’s growing confidence; Zeke fires back at Jerry Jones; More NFL notes.
• Conor Orr (SI) Morning Huddle: There is still so much we don’t know about Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Ryan Dunleavy (NJ.com) Patriots wanted new Giants punter Johnny Townsend: Here is what they did instead.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Coaches wanted PI replay review for “egregious” mistakes only.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) PFT Live: Looking at NFL marriages that ended quickly. (12.03 min. video)

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Sheilla Dingus (AdvocacyForFairnessInSports) The NFL concussion settlement has devolved into a wild-West shootout.
• Michael Nowels (Mercury News) Antonio Brown has filed a second helmet grievance against the NFL, report says.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) XFL announcing team names and logos on Wednesday.