New England Patriots links 6/09/20 - Julian Edelman creates his own ‘prove it’ deal - with or without TB12

TEAM TALK

• Mike Dussault reports the NFL reveals its 2020 facility protocols.
• Mike Dussault highlights Stephon Gilmore sitting with Brian Baldinger to break down his 2019 film and share insight on his game. “I study a lot,” said Gilmore. “There’s probably not one route any guy’s ran that caught the ball that I haven’t already seen. They’re not going to throw the ball to him if it hasn’t worked all year. They’re going to try to do the same thing.”
• Megan O’Brien sits down with Brandon Bolden, who addresses what it is like to be a veteran leader at his position. (5.05 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Ryan Hannable passes along a report that most members of the Patriots are off until training camp. Virtual meetings will continue with rookies.
• Phil Perry breaks down Dalton Keene’s skillset and the many roles the rookie tight end could assume to keep opposing defenses guessing.
• Ryan Queen (LastWordOnSports) Patriots sleepers: Dalton Keene. “Keene has an extremely high ceiling, especially within New England’s offense, but he will need to learn multiple positions if he expects to stick around.”
• Tony Massarotti says Julian Edelman still “has to prove that there is plenty of gas left in his proverbial tank” in 2020.
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) It seems Julian Edelman is out to prove he’s not a product of Tom Brady.
• Ryan Hannable highlights WEEI guest Mike Giardi on how Julian Edelman and others are highly motivated to prove people wrong this season.
• Luke Ervin (PatsBuzz) Grading each position as it stands right now: Offensive line and special teams.
• Isaiah Houde (PatriotsWire) Predicting who will win Patriots’ 6 biggest positional battles. TE: “I believe Asiasi will be the No. 1 tight end, with Keene and LaCosse following him on the depth chart.”
• Zack Cox previews the linebackers to sort out the roster locks, bubble players and the big questions facing this position for 2020. 1. Which roles will Day 2 draft picks Uche and Jennings play?
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Kurt Warner explains how Stephon Gilmore compares to Deion Sanders.
• Zack Cox talks about the challenge of fitting 90 fully grown NFL players into a single locker room — a difficult enough proposition under ideal circumstances.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Thomas Murphy discuss if the running backs might be the ‘new hope’ for the Patriots offensive force. (41 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Monday Afternoon QB: Team-sponsored virtual offseasons could actually end early; Plus, the Patriots’ guest speaker, COVID-19 protocols for training camp; More NFL notes. “Not that they need it, but pro football and its union are getting one heck of a good example from their baseball counterparts of how not to handle coming back from a pandemic. Those guys could turn a one-car funeral procession into a 10-car pileup.”
• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Report: Camps could open in mid-July.
• Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Patriots Franchise Five: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick headline greatest to ever play in New England
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) 2020 NFL season: Key homegrown player for each AFC team. Patriots: Isaiah Wynn.
• Maurice Moton (Bleacher Report) Ranking top 7 cornerback duos heading into 2020 season. No. 2 Gilmore-JMac
• NFL Nation (ESPN) Re-drafting the NFL: We picked 128 foundational players across all 32 teams.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The six most underrated position groups in the NFL.
• Brad Gagnon (Bleacher Report) 1 team from every division that will be better than you think in 2020. AFC East: NY Jets.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) NFL trade market: Five proposals that make a lot of sense. No Pats.
• Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com) NFL rookie running backs: Who’ll be most productive in 2020?
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Why Peyton Manning might be considered the G.O.A.T. if he and Tom Brady had swapped teams. /Stahp.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) New CBA complicates Dalvin Cook’s planned holdout.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL establishes initial protocols for player return to team facilities.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFLPA to players: NFL memo regarding pandemic protocols was sent without union approval.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Chris Mason highlights Mike Vrabel sharing stories of tough love from Tom Brady and pranking Bill Belichick at Patriots practice.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) James White shares statement discussing his interpretation of “Black Lives Matter.”
• Jason La Canfora (ProFootballTalk) NFL players to kneel for anthem as a group, and some believe Roger Goodell could take part