LOCAL LINKS
- Ryan Hannable passes along an ESPN report by Field Yates, that the Patriots have reworked Rex Burkhead’s contract for 2020. The move freed up $981,250 in cap space.
- CBS Boston reports Rex Burkhead takes a pay cut. The new salary cap number is $1,244,739, according to Miguel Benzan @patscap.
- Luke Ervin (PatsBuzz) Patriots training camp Preview: Most intriguing position battles in the trenches. 1. Top backup swing tackle: Yodny Cajuste vs. Justin Herron vs. Korey Cunningham.
- Chris Mason ranks the 10 Patriots positional groups as they head into training camp. 1. Cornerbacks.
- Tom E. Curran wonders if Cam Newton will conquer the offense in time to start by Week 1.
- Adam London relays former Patriot Marshall Newhouse explaining why Cam Newton will fit in great in New England, and why he believes Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels are excited to work with him.
- Mark Daniels notes the Patriots hope that Cam Newton has fully recovered from his foot injury and will return to his elusive form. /I had forgotten that he hurt his ankle after being tackled in a preseason game vs. the Patriots.
- Nick O’Malley mentions WR Chris Hogan played a role in the Patriots signing Cam Newton.
- Ryan Hannable notes Christian Fauria believes New England’s offense has a chance to be great in 2020.
- Andy Hart and Ryan Hannable discuss which undrafted rookie they think will make the Patriots roster?
- Nicole Yang highlights an episode of Tom Brady’s “Greatness Code,” an Apple TV docu-series that debuts Friday, in which Tom Brady admits he cherishes one regular-season game a bit more than the rest — the November 2007 56-10 “clinic” the undefeated Patriots put on the Bills . /Fun game, fun read.
- Mike Reiss reports the Patriots are offering free parking for the 2020 season, and have announced that all ticketing, and entry to the stadium, will be digital.
- Mark Daniels highlights the McCourty brothers debating the value of preseason games.
- Adam London quotes a distraught Nick Wright, the “First Things First” host (FS1), diehard Chiefs fan and Patriots hater. “The addition of Cam Newton of course makes the Patriots a Super Bowl contender. Chiefs, Ravens, Patriots — that’s your power rankings in the AFC. I’m happy for Cam, I’m just sad for everyone else, primarily myself.”
- Nick Goss says Patrick Mahomes’ huge 10-year contract extension means he’ll be around a long time to help the Chiefs challenge the Patriots.
- Jerry Thornton gives us the absolutely wild story about the Masshole who stole the Giants Super Bowl XLII rings.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Ben Shpigel (NY Times) Can Cam Newton be Superman again?
- First Take (ESPN) Stephen A. Smith’s key to Cam Newton’s success with the Patriots. 1. How well he builds chemistry with the rest of the offense. (2.15 min. video)
- Curtis Crabtree (ProFootballTalk) NFL, NFLPA talking again Tuesday as many things remain unsettled as camps approach.
- Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Ranking NFL divisions by WRs. 8th AFC East.
- Chase Goodbread (NFL.com) Pipelines to the pros: Tight ends. Built by a strong run of first-round draft talent in the early 2000s, Miami retains title as Tight End U.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Here are eight QBs who could be next up for lucrative contracts.
- Jim Trotter (NFL.com) Most valuable traits of an NFL head coach? Eight star players weigh in.
- Emily Kaplan (ESPN) How NFL offensive linemen escape the 5,000-calorie lunch and transform in retirement.
- Conor Orr (SI) Patrick Mahomes’s 10-year extension is gigantic, hilarious, American and great.
- Bill Barnwell (ESPN) Is Patrick Mahomes’ $500 million contract actually team-friendly? Answering eight questions on the Chiefs QB’s deal.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Patrick Mahomes’ contract raises plenty of questions.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The problems with Patrick Mahomes’ contract.
- Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Not many NFL players have received a 10-year (or more) contract.
EXTRACURRICULAR
- Jack Baer (Yahoo! Sports) DeSean Jackson says he has no hate toward Jewish community after repeatedly posting fake Hitler quote. /Why is media covering for him already? Jackson shared it thinking it WAS a Hitler quote.
- Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Eagles quiet so far on troubling DeSean Jackson posts.