New England Patriots links 2/26/20 - Brady buzz dominates the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine

TEAM TALK

• Paul Perillo says the buzz may be loud but it’s all quiet on the Brady front, for now.
• Mike Dussault points out the loaded wide receiver class at this year’s Scouting Combine.
• Mike Dussault notices how the Combine tight ends emulate do-it-all Gronkowski
• Paul Perillo profiles Washington TE Hunter Bryant, who has the Patriots on his radar.
• Paul Perillo talks about how Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel is non-committal on QB Ryan Tannehill’s future.
• Exclusive: One-on-one with Nick Caserio. (3.11 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Phil Perry notes that the Tom Brady buzz is dominating the combine. While other coaches and GMs dodged questions about their interest in Tom Brady, Mike Vrabel straddled the tampering fence as best he could.
• Mark Daniels welcomes us to the 2020 NFL Combine, a place where no one can escape Tom Brady rumors, speculations or questions.
• Christopher Mason updates us on all the Tom Brady rumors: Everything NFL coaches and execs said about New England Patriots QB at the combine
• Evan Lazar’s Combine Notebook: Pats to meet with Brady; Diggs rumors; Offensive skill players talk; More.
• Andy Hart’s NFL Combine Notes: TEs talk George Kittle and little Gronk.
• Alex Barth helps us get to know the five quarterbacks who have met with the Patriots ahead of the draft.
• Mark Daniels reports the Patriots are doing homework on several receivers and tight end prospects.
• Ryan Hannable discusses which wide receivers stand out from a Patriots perspective in Indy.
• Matt Dolloff reports Dayton tight end Adam Trautman confirms he met with Patriots at the combine.
• Zack Cox wonders if former QB Adam Trautman could be the Patriots’ long-awaited Rob Gronkowski replacement.
• David Latham (LastWordOnSports) 2020 NFL draft profile: Cole Kmet.
• Doug Kyed explains why Patriots scouts were ‘gushing over’ James Proche at the Senior Bowl.
• Andy Hart wonders if Florida WR Van Jefferson could follow his father’s route to the Patriots
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) With Tom Brady, Bruce Arians didn’t dance around tampering rules like his peers.
• Zack Cox finds Brian Flores in agreement with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross that neither could come up with a reason why Tom Brady would come to Miami.
• Doug Kyed’s Patriots-NFL Combine Meetings Tracker: Who has New England spoken to?
• Matt Dolloff says listening to Thaddeus Moss’ Tom Brady memories really drives home how long No. 12 has ruled the NFL.
• Zack Cox profiles potential Patriots draft target Ohio State WR K.J. Hill.
• Dakota Randall NFL Rumors: Potential Patriots target TE Austin Hooper to test free agency.
• Tom E. Curran interrupts his wall-to-wall Tom Brady coverage to notice how Stephen Gostkowski is working to be ready for 2020 season
• Adam London relays Jason Whitlock on the QB decision ahead for Tennessee. Previous reports have indicated Ryan Tannehill “isn’t leaving” Nashville, but Titans brass at the combine seemed to be leaving the door open for a Tom Brady pursuit.
• Mike Reiss notes Tom Brady shared an essay he wrote about how he has been “deeply affected” by the death of Kobe Bryant, Bryant’s daughter Gianna, and seven others in a January helicopter crash.
• John Morgan (PatsFans) Today in Patriots History: Tom marries Gisele.
• Steven Viner (BostonSportsJournal) The Quest for 7 [Links 2.26.20]: Brady & Patriots to talk contract, All things combine, Top TE available.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate is joined by Miguel Benzan (PatsCap) to set the record straight about the state of the Patriots salary cap. (42 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Tuesday Combine Notes: Cam Newton wants commitment, Titans and Buccaneers leave QB situations wide open. Plus, Bill O’Brien gives up play-calling duties, Joe Judge does his Bill Belichick impression and two star QB prospects talk to the media.
• Jenna West (SI) NFL Combine News and Notes: The latest on Derrick Henry’s contract, Tua’s Pro Day plans; More.
• Robert Mays (The Ringer) NFL Combine Takeaways: Joe Burrow puts the rumors to rest; More.
• Mike Freeman (Bleacher Report) 10-Point Stance: Tua, Chase have teams ready to move in NFL draft.
• Jeff Legwold and Jeremy Willis (ESPN) NFL draft glossary: Fluid hips, cow on ice and more. [From April ‘19]
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Football vs. business considerations could be the key to the future of Tom Brady.
• Arun Srinivasan (Yahoo! Sports) Ranking Tom Brady’s possible destinations if he leaves Patriots
• Tyler Conway (Bleacher Report) NFL franchise tag 2020: Full list of players.
• Steve Smith Sr. (NFL.com) Nine instant impact receivers who won’t cost a first-round pick.
• Chris Roling (Bleacher Report) Potential NFL free-agent steals in 2020.
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Cam Newton in workout video: “All I want is a little commitment.”
• Ben Pickman (SI) NFL teams strongly opposed to keeping pass interference review rule.
• Jenna West (SI) Report: ESPN ready to offer blockbuster deal to Tony Romo if he doesn’t return to CBS.
• Kevin Hanson (SI) 2020 NFL Mock Draft 8.0: Final mock before the NFL combine. Pats pick Alabama S Xavier McKinney.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) 2020 NFL mock draft 2.0. Pats pick Alabama S Xavier McKinney.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Player reps meeting after union meeting with NFL.
• Staff (ESPN) NFLPA reps vote to send proposed CBA to full membership for approval
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Owners, union representatives wrap up four-hour meeting.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Replay review for pass interference currently lacks the votes to survive.