LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Phillip Dorsett prepares for ‘different’ free-agency approach; Players vote on CBA completed by March 12; CBA from Patriots perspective; More.
- Ryan Hannable’s Sunday 7: What could have made Tom Brady act more like Drew Brees? “Brady always took less money in order to make it easier to acquire players to help him, but when he’s taking less money and he’s not getting any help, he’s not going to be happy.”; More.
- Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Sunday Patriots News, AFC East Notes: Regardless of whether Brady decides to stay or go, how they proceed beyond that is directly related to how they feel about their 2nd year QB.
- Dakota Randall gives us a bit of good news: David Andrews is ‘trending’ toward playing in 2020.
- Doug Kyed takes a closer look at Matthew Slater’s situation and whether he will return to the Patriots in 2020.
- Zack Cox examines soon-to-be free agent Danny Shelton, and his likelihood of returning this season.
- David Latham (LastWordOnSports) 10 New England Patriots wide receiver trade targets.
- Christopher Mason thumbnails the top 25 players that could be available on March 18.
- Michael Hurley discusses the new Tom Brady report that indicates he rejected a contract extension last summer, wanting to explore free agency.
- Tom E. Curran emphasizes what Robert Kraft already told us: He will not overstep to make sure Tom Brady stays.
- Doug Kyed passes along the latest Tom Brady Rumors: Patriots want QB to tell them what he wants in contract.
- Jacob Camenker tells us the next step in Tom Brady-Patriots negotiations: According to Field Yates, the ball is in Brady’s court, and he has to tell the Patriots what he’s looking for in a deal before free agency.
- Alex Barth considers “sources vs. logic”: Sources may say he’s leaving, but common sense should tell you that Tom Brady will re-sign with New England.
- Matt Vautour notes Jonathan Kraft says Bill Belichick doesn’t use analytics because ’he’s got a steel trap for a mind.” /Fact check: True.
- Ryan Hannable shares part of a text conversation Charlie Weis revealed he had with Tom Brady from this past week. ‘Nobody knows anything’.
- Ryan Hannable relays Mike Lombardi, writing in The Athletic, how 49ers make sense for Tom Brady, and why the organization could move on from Jimmy Garoppolo.
- Adam London talks about why Peter King isn’t completely writing off the Tom Brady-49ers rumor.
- Christopher Mason hears from Gus Malzahn and Auburn teammates who saw Jarrett Stidham elevate his game when the stakes were highest.
- Matt Vautour lists Andy Dalton and Teddy Bridgewater among Patriots’ possible replacements if Brady signs elsewhere.
- Ryan Hannable mentionsa report of a mystery team now in the Tom Brady sweepstakes.
- Andy Hart imagines how the Patriots might handle the PR of a Tom Brady departure.
- Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Julian Edelman’s “Stay Tom” campaign hits Boston Celtics locker room.
- Ryan Hannable reports Wyc Grousbeck tells great Bill Belichick story from 2008 NBA Finals. /Ha! Worth a read.
- Ryan Hannable notes how Tom Brady continues to show support for Antonio Brown.
- Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Tom Brady celebrates International Women’s Day.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Albert Breer (SI) Monday Morning QB: The offseason of Tom: Where Brady lands will have a huge impact on several other teams; More.
- Peter King (ProFootballTalk) FMIA: Monumental player vote set to determine next decade of the NFL; More.
- Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) NFL insider notes: Cowboys have spent the least on payroll since 2016, why cash trumps cap, new CBA and more.
- John Breech (CBS Sports) 10 bold predictions from Tom Brady’s landing spot to three surprising trades.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Report: David Andrews continues to get positive medical news.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) New England’s offer to Tom Brady remains Bill Belichick’s call.
- NFL Nation (ESPN) Playing out Tom Brady’s 2020 NFL free agency: Four offers, one winner and $60 million guaranteed.
- Emily Carson and Austin Anderson (Sporting News) If Tom Brady were the Bachelor, which NFL team would get a rose?
- Tadd Haislop (Sporting News) When does NFL free agency start in 2020? Key dates, latest news & rumors for top available players
- Conor Orr (SI) The five teams poised to spend big in free agency.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) New Rams logo leaks.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Daniel Fells nearly lost his leg to MRSA infection.
- Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) Three-round 2020 NFL Mock Draft. Pats pick Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk at 23.
- Chad Reuter (NFL.com) Three-round 2020 NFL mock draft 3.0. Pats pick Alabama S Xavier McKinney at 23.
EXTRACURRICULAR
- Sheilla Dingus (AdvocacyForFairnessInSports) The NFL’s plan to divide and conquer players is abundantly clear in proposed CBA.
- Sheilla Dingus (AdvocacyForFairnessInSports) NFL owners nickel & dime players in CBA benefit grab.
- Jenna West (SI) Report: Some NFL owners want proposed CBA to fail, looking at 18-game season.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Some owners are rooting for CBA vote to fail
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Eric Winston on players’ CBA vote: “I would think it would pass by a lot”
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Russell Okung makes vague claim of bad-faith bargaining by NFL.