New England Patriots links 9/05/19 - Expectations hit hype high for 2019 Patriots defense

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Steelers Wednesday Injury Report.
• Mike Dussault shares the practice notes and locker-room buzz from Wednesday at Gillette: Belichick, Brady ready to renew Steelers rivalry; More.
• Megan O’Brien finds that despite David Andrews injury, for Ted Karras it’s business as usual.
• Press Conference transcripts: Bill Belichick - Tom Brady.
• Press Pass: Ted Karras, Stephon Gilmore, Sony Michel, and Michael Bennett. (1.39 min. video)
• Highlights: Cranes prepare the sixth Super Bowl banner frame. (1 min. video)
• Preview: 2019 Gillette Stadium improvements. (2.36 min. video)
• From NFL Network: Steelers at Patriots Week 1 preview. (2.51 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran says the Patriots team that goes into this game is assembled unlike any other this decade. /Good read.
• Michael Hurley highlights a reflective and grateful Tom Brady at the podium Wednesday, appreciative of a career that allows him ‘doing things that I love to do’.
• Justin Leger notes Tom Brady opens up about feeling ‘territorial’ of the starting QB job.
• Andrew Callahan reports Tom Brady says Jarrett Stidham’s job as a backup is to support him.
• Doug Kyed points out how Jakobi Meyers took the initiative to seek out knowledge and get a leg up on his competition by learning as much as he possibly could - whatever would help him get on the same page as Tom Brady.
• Andrew Callahan gives us the inside story of how rookie Gunner Olszewski became the NFL’s unlikeliest underdog.
• Robert Marcello (FullPressCoverage) Enemy profile: Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Phil Perry explains why the Steelers could pose problems if the Patriots plan to lean on their running backs in the passing game.
• Ryan Hannable explains why Sunday vs. the Steelers is a big game for the Pats defense. /The HYPE, it’s YUGE!
• Matt Vautour looks at the matchups: Julian Edelman vs. Mike Hilton: Pittsburgh DB said matchup will be ‘barbecue or mildew’.
• Matt Dolloff believes the Patriots need to solve T.J. Watt, the Steelers’ one-man wrecking crew.
• Tom E. Curran notes Josh McDaniels says there’s no use ‘noodling too much’ over what the Steelers will try to do.
• Darren Hartwell wonders about the Steelers taking a more ‘low-key’ approach in advance of their Week 1 opener vs. the Pats.
• Evan Lazar previews the high-expectations, highly-hyped Patriots defense.
• Chris Grenham notes Sony Michel is looking to “cut down on mental errors” this year.
• Phil Perry finds that the Patriots are among the NFL’s biggest spenders at running back. Who knew?
• Nick Goss goes over the first injury report of the season: Demaryius Thomas limited (hamstring).
• Zack Cox picks the 22 best quotes from ‘Do Your Job Part III’ and ‘America’s Game: 2018 Patriots’
• Michael Hurley kills every team’s Super Bowl dreams before making his Week 1 picks. Pats win.
• Quick Slants (YouTube) Tom Curran and Michael Hurley talk Patriots as we get closer to the start of the regular season. Kyle Van Noy is hyped about this year’s defense. (22.54 min. video)
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate wins in crossover discussion with Locked On Steelers. (33 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Ryan Young (Yahoo! Sports) Bill Belichick is hyped for the NFL season in a way only Bill Belichick can be.
• Jonathan Jones (SI) Morning Huddle: Welcome back, NFL!
• Sean Wagner-McGough (CBS Sports) 100 NFL predictions for the 100th NFL season: Mahomes wins MVP, Browns end playoff drought, Brady retires. /Wake up! You’re dreaming!
• MMQB Staff (SI) NFL Bold Predictions: Playoff longshots, teams at home in January, coaches to watch.
• Mike Schneid (MikeDropSports) 13 Bold predictions for 2019 NFL season. 10. WR Josh Gordon leads the Patriots in receiving yards, eclipsing 1,000 yards for the first time since 2013.
• Russell S. Baxter & Julie Voigt (MavenSports) 2019 NFL predictions: Team and individual picks.
• Adam Stites (SB Nation) NFL Panic Index 2019: 42-year-old Tom Brady’s backup is a rookie with zero experience. /Hm... reminds me of a situation way back in 2001.
• Steven Ruiz (ForTheWin) All 32 NFL teams’ 2019 defenses, ranked.
• NFL Nation (ESPN) Biggest Week 1 injury questions for all 32 NFL teams.
• Henry Bushnell (Yahoo! Sports) Founding fathers of NFL instant replay scared where it’s headed.
• Lance Rosenthal (MikeDropSports) NFL Week 1 picks and predictions. Pats over Steelers.
• MMQB Staff (SI) Week 1 NFL Picks. 7 of 8 pick Pats to win.