New England Patriots links 1/27/21 - Roster reset: Will running backs rule the roost again in 2021?

TEAM TALK

• Patriots Mock Draft Tracker: Here’s who the ‘experts’ have the Patriots picking in the 1st round of the draft.
• Mike Dussault’s 2020 Rookie Review: A look back at the Patriots 2020 rookie class and how they will project into the future.
• Erik Scalavino writes a nice piece on All-Pro/Pro Bowler Jake Bailey, reflecting on 2020 and eager for ‘21.
• Paul Perillo analyzes whether the QB Matthew Stafford sweepstakes is worth winning for the Patriots.
• Paul Perillo shares his NFL Notes: Conference Championship Edition.
• Patriots Unfiltered 1/26: Patricia reportedly returns, Trade for Stafford?, Conference Championship takeaways. (2 hours)
• Pats from the Past podcast: Jarvis Green. (43 min.)

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran continues his roster reset series by breaking down the running backs: Key decisions loom at the team’s deepest position.
• Matt Dolloff suggests the Patriots should bring back WR Damiere Byrd for 2021.
• Alex Barth offers his Senior Bowl preview for Patriots fans. /Nice.
• Ryan Hannable points out how Kyle Dugger is a reminder of how important the Senior Bowl really is.
• Zack Cox talks about how New England has always mined the Senior Bowl for draft picks, and this year’s game will carry even greater importance.
• Mike Reiss looks at how the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers provide a blueprint for the Patriots to return to the top.
• Andy Hart suggests Bill Belichick needs to follow his own advice as Tom Brady heads to Super Bowl LV.
• Tom E. Curran answers a few questions on whether Matthew Stafford is a fit for the Pats. /Okayyy... has everyone weighed in on this now? Wait, we have one more, below:
• Zack Cox highlights Rodney Harrison explaining why the Pats and Matthew Stafford would be a ‘perfect fit.’
• Phil Perry explains what trading for Aaron Rodgers likely would require, and why it would be ridiculous for the Pats.
• Adam London relays Bill Barnwell (ESPN paywall) with a trade idea for a Deshaun Watson-to-the-Pats that includes J.C. Jackson.
• Sean T. McGuire gives us the odds of Deshaun Watson going to potential suitors, including the Jets, Dolphins and Patriots.
• Matt Dolloff passes along a new report that indicates the 49ers have already tried to trade Jimmy Garoppolo. Could it finally happen this offseason?
• Ryan Hannable highlights Tom Brady speaking to Peter King and how he wouldn’t compare this Super Bowl appearance to ones with Patriots.
• Ricky Doyle highlights Stephen A. Smith on Tom Brady disguising Bill Belichick’s flaw as GM: “If Bill Belichick had given him weapons, Tom Brady would still be in Foxboro and Tampa wouldn’t be going to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2003.” /Replace “weapons” with “long-term contract” and we’ll agree.
• Tim Kelly notes Tom Brady was an MLB Draft pick the same year Patrick Mahomes was born.
• Adam London relays Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft pick for the Pats in the first round: Alabama QB Mac Jones.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Steve Balestrieri discuss the Pats’ DL, the difficulties with setting the edge and stopping the run, and the state of the LBs and potential return of Dont’a Hightower. (39 min.)
• Patriots Talk podcast: Tom E. Curran talks with Tom Brady Sr. about his son making his 10th Super Bowl appearance. (37 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Super Bowl 2021 preview: Date, time, location, early odds, how to watch on TV, streaming options on CBS.
• Conor Orr (SI) The 20 most fascinating people in and around Super Bowl LV.
• Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes is Super Bowl mythology in the making.
• Greg Bishop (SI) At a loss: Why do few Super Bowl–losing teams make it back.
• Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) With a pandemic-limited crowd and heavy sales in Florida, Super Bowl tickets are making a run toward record heights.
• Danny Kelly (The Ringer) The Ringer’s 2021 NFL Draft Guide.
• Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Tom Brady continues to find new ways to cement himself as the greatest of all time.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Will Patrick Mahomes catch Tom Brady in Super Bowl appearances, wins?
• Riley McAtee (The Ringer) Which NFL team can make the best ‘Godfather’ offer for Deshaun Watson?
• Jenna West (SI) Aaron Rodgers on Packers future: ‘I don’t think there’s any reason why I wouldn’t be back.’
• Jimmy Traina (SI) NFL sees ratings increase, big viewership numbers for NFC, AFC Title games