New England Patriots links 8/03/20 - No fans, no Brady, no problem? Pats training camp [finally] begins

TEAM TALK

• Mike Dussault’s Patriots Notebook: Patriots captains in their first appearance with the media, touch on a wide range of topics.
• Erik Scalavino highlights David Andrews who says he is healthy enough to play and eager for the 2020 season
• Video Conference transcript: Bill Belichick.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Why Jadeveon Clowney is an unlikely fit for Patriots despite cap relief; More.’
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Sunday Patriots news: Belichick respects opt-outs; More.
• Ryan Hannable’s Sunday 7: How Bill Belichick downplayed the NFL getting rid of preseason games; More.
• Evan Lazar’s Training Camp preview: Quarterbacks - Running Backs - Wide Receivers - Tight Ends & Fullbacks.
• Andrew Callahan’s Patriots 2020 Training Camp preview: What to know, what’s new and more.
• Luke Ervin (PatsBuzz) Five biggest questions for the Patriots offense as the 2020 season nears. 1. Just how good can Cam Newton be?
• Karen Guregian reassesses the opt-out depleted Patriots to see if they will finally be dethroned in the AFC East.
• Luke Ervin (PatsBuzz) Patriots 53-man roster projection 2.0. All five safeties on the roster make the team.
• Zack Cox resets the Patriots skill-position roster battles after recent opt-outs.
• Joy Manning (BostonSportsChick) Could this be Mohamed Sanu’s new role on the Patriots? “The fact that this season is going to be anything but typical and cap space no longer at a premium, my thoughts on Sanu’s role with the Patriots completely shifted a few weeks ago.”
• Ryan Hannable shares a report that the Patriots placed Sony Michel, Mohamed Sanu and Brandon King on the PUP list ahead of training camp.
• Doug Kyed talks about what it means that Michel, Sanu and King were placed on the PUP list after undergoing physicals this weekend.
• Zack Cox passes along a rumor that the Patriots are interested in free agent TE Delanie Walker.
• Karen Guregian highlights Patriots captains David Andrews, Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater, and James White as they talk about their decisions to play, while supporting those opting out.
• Ethan Roy (FullPressCoverage) Man in the middle: Patriots C David Andrews will play in 2020.
• Mike D’Abate (FullPressCoverage) Eight is enough? Patriots TE Matt LaCosse to opt-out of 2020 season.
• Tom E. Curran explains why Matt LaCosse opting out of the 2020 season is not a knockout blow to New England’s tight end position
• Ryan Hannable notes Devin McCourty sounded off on the NFL trying to change the opt out date: ‘I think it is an absolute joke.’
• Ryan Hannanble notes Bill Belichick knows he’s ‘going to get killed in the rookie shows’ after shooting that Subway commercial.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate talks Patriots finances with Miguel “Pats Cap” Benzan. (55 min.) /Always a good show.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Monday Morning QB: How training camp amid COVID-19 makes player evaluation and roster building harder; Opt outs; More.
• Peter King (ProFootballTalk) FMIA: After two early playoff exits, Lamar Jackson enters 2020 on a mission: ‘I’m tired of going home’; More.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Scout’s Notebook: Pats contenders despite attrition; Jamal Adams perfect for Seahawks.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Consequences of a lower 2021 salary cap, including the three teams who’ll be hurt most.
• Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports) NFL insider notes: Opt-out considerations for coaches, why character concerns loom larger amid COVID-19, more.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) Why NFL’s player development model could be transformed by one persistent longtime agent
• Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) Replacing Tom Brady may be the easy part for the Patriots.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Happy 43rd birthday, Tom Brady. /I should celebrating Brady’s birthday as I do every year, sitting thigh-to-thigh with sweating Pats fans on searing-hot bleachers at training camp.
• Adam Schein (NFL.com) NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2020: Re-ranking the top 10.
• Jeremy Bergman (NFL.com) NFL’s ‘Top 100 Players of 2020’: Five things the voters got wrong.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Negotiations continue on revised CBA.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Teams worry that opt-out privilege isn’t being used in good faith.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) NFL to urge teams to alter travel schedules for less time away from home.
• Jay Rigdon (Awful Announcing) ESPN’s Monday Night Football booth reportedly Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick (unless college football is canceled).

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