New England Patriots links 7/28/20 - Hightower, Cannon, and Vitale among those opting out of 2020 season

TEAM TALK

• Mike Dussault takes a look at the full coaching staff after it was announced yesterday

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss (ESPN) breaks down the decision by Dont’a Hightower and Brandon Bolden to opt out of the 2020 NFL season
• Nicole Yang (Boston.com) writes about the McCourty twins expressing concern over the ability to play a full season this year
• Phil Perry (NBC Sports Boston) looks at the opportunity for the rookie tight ends after Danny Vitale opted out of the season
• Jeff Howe (The Athletic) takes a look at all 80 players on the Patriots roster(before the opt out decisions)
• Andrew Callahan (Boston Herald) takes a look at how the offense might change under Cam Newton(if he’s the starter)
• Adam Weinrib (Musket Fire) looks back at the Aqib Talib trade, where the Patriots acquired Talib for next to nothing from the Bucs
• Chris Mason (MassLive) discusses 7 positional battles to watch after 5 players opt out for the 2020 season
• Ryan Hannable (WEEI) looks on the bright side of the opt outs, with the Patriots getting some serious cap relief

NATIONAL NEWS

• Dan Graziano (ESPN) takes an in depth look at the Lions’ IDER plan to for the upcoming season
• Ben Linsey (PFF) reveals his dark horse candidates to be the highest graded players at each position this season
• Mike Florio (PFT) provides the full text of the letter Roger Goodell sent to NFL fans this week
• Nick Selbe (Sports Illustrated) discusses the possibility of “Quaratine Quarterbacks” for the upcoming season
• Michael David Smith (PFT) looks at Joe Douglas’ claim that the Jets aren’t tanking after trading Jamal Adams
• Paul Guiterrez (ESPN) on how the sports royalty of Sin City are welcoming the Raiders to their new home
• Bill Barnwell (ESPN) takes a look at the biggest outlier contracts of 2020.