TEAM TALK
- The Patriots announced that OL coach Dante Scarnecchia will retire after 36 seasons in the NFL, including 34 seasons with the organization (1982-88, 1991-2013, 2016-19).
- Lauren Spencer reports David Andrews surprises a 7-year-old patient who was on his 100th hospital visit.
- From NFL Network: Brian Baldinger dives into why he’s selected Stephon Gilmore as his Defensive Player of the Year. (6.12 min. video)
- From NFL Network: Tom Brady’s top 10 throws from 2019. (2.40 min. video)
- Patriots Unfiltered 1/28: Previewing the Super Bowl LIV matchups, new Pats coaches, Stephon Gilmore, Kobe Bryant’s legacy; More. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss takes a look back to see what the Patriots WR corps might look like in 2020. “the Patriots have some offseason work to do at receiver, but also...things aren’t as bleak as they might appear.”
- Phil Perry takes an in-depth look at the Patriots tight end depth and examines what names might be available in free agency.
- Ryan Hannable relays Bill Belichick’s and Robert Kraft’s praise of Dante Scarnecchia following his retirement announcement.
- Phil Perry notes the respect with which his players speak of him is only part of what made Dante Scarnecchia a giant among coaches. One player made it clear: There will never be another “Scar.”
- Phil Perry calls this the end of an era in New England.
- David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Scarnecchia retirement: How New England moves on. 1. Promote from within.
- Zack Cox gives us four takeaways from Dante Scarnecchia’s retirement. 1. Patriots now have another hole to fill on their coaching staff.
- Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Report: Patriots OL coach Dante Scarnecchia to retire; The most obvious in-house candidates to replace him.
- Sean T. McGuire says this isn’t Scarnecchia’s first retirement, but it sure sounds like it will be his last.
- Justin Leger relays Tom Brady as he reacts to Dante Scarnecchia’s retirement with a heartfelt message.
- Evan Lazar makes the case that Dante Scarnecchia’s next stop should be the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Doug Kyed points to Rob Gronkowski for his major influence over showy Super Bowl LIV tight ends.
- Nick Goss notes Rob Gronkowski believes Tom Brady ‘deserves’ a chance to test the free agent market.
- Darren Hartwell highlights Rod Woodson’s powerful message to Robert Kraft about Tom Brady’s free agency.
- Ryan Hannable highlights WEEI guest Boomer Esiason: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo genuinely like each other.
- Doug Kyed relays Jimmy Garoppolo on when he felt ready to start for the Patriots. /This puts to bed any theory that he would have signed an extension to continue to sit behind Brady.
- CBS Boston notes Jimmy Garoppolo shares some details of Bill Belichick’s congratulatory postgame text messages. Asked if Belichick ever uses any emojis or hip internet slang: “What do you think? Do you think he uses them? He’s a big SnapFace guy, so … .” /”hip internet slang”? That’s an old-man question right there.
- Ryan Hannable reports Bill O’Brien and Jack Easterby get promotions in Houston, which likely closes the door for Nick Caserio.
- Tom E. Curran writes that when the 28-3 blame gets handed out, it mostly falls on the shoulders of one man, Kyle Shanahan.
- Ron Borges (MavenSports) Will Richard Seymour be second member of Pats’ dynasty to reach Hall of Fame?
- Ian Glendon (FullPressCoverage) Identifying the potential landing spots for Philip Rivers.
- Marcus Kwesi O’Mard reveals the results of a survey that names Boston as the No. 2 city for football fans.
- Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) A look back to the day Robert Kraft purchased the Patriots.
- Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Bill Belichick releases statement on the passing of Kobe Bryant.
- One Patriots Place podcast: Thomas Murphy and Steve Balestrieri talk Super Bowl and Free Agency with Matt Chatham. (53 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Josh Peter (USA Today) The New England Patriots are not in the Super Bowl, and that makes a lot of people happy.
- Keegan Abdoo and Mike Band (NFL.com) Super Bowl LIV: Checking flashy narratives around Chiefs, 49ers.
- Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) How the 49ers built their defensive line—and how it could wreck the Chiefs.
- Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) The X factors who could decide Super Bowl LIV.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL says report of Patriots-Dolphins in Mexico is inaccurate.
- Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Rob Gronkowski has no regrets about retiring but leaves door open for return.
- Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick reached out to Kyle Shanahan after Super Bowl LI.
- Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Dee Ford gets tired of talking about that one play. /Hee hee.
- Analysts (NFL.com) 2019 NFL awards: Analysts pick MVP, Rookie of the Year, more.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Texans make Bill O’Brien the team’s General Manager.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Deion Sanders: They’re letting too many players into the Hall of Fame.
- Harris Ahmadzai, Dylan Fraychineaud (New Arena) Ranking all 32 starting NFL Quarterbacks from worst to best. 5. Tom Brady – New England Patriots.
- Jordan Heck (Sporting News) Super Bowl logo has become ‘corporate, soulless’ like ‘NFL itself’. /Harsh, but true.
- Alan Siegel (The Ringer) Pure magic: The oral history of Prince’s Super Bowl XLI halftime show.
- Jenna West (SI) Planters changes Super Bowl ad plans after Kobe Bryant’s death.
EXTRACURRICULAR
- Mark Maske (Washington Post) Players considering whether to proceed in CBA negotiations with NFL with 17-game season.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL working with law enforcement to investigate social media hacking.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Judge orders removal of Antonio Brown’s GPS monitor.
- Bill Estep (LexingtonHerald) More former NFL players pleading guilty in health fraud case in Kentucky. Donald “Reche” Caldwell pleaded guilty in federal court in Lexington, KY.