New England Patriots links 10/27/21 - Clean-up on aisle 7; Moving on to Los Angeles Chargers

TEAM TALK

• Transactions: Patriots place LB Harvey Langi on injured reserve; Release DB Elijah Benton from the practice squad.
• Mike Dussault’s Notebook: McDaniels explains genesis of “trick plays.”
• Paul Perillo’s NFL Notes: Jones looks like the better option. After an offseason full of speculation regarding a Jimmy Garoppolo return to New England, the Patriots are probably pretty happy that deal was never made. /Probably???
• Erik Scalavino tackles this week’s Patriots Mailbag: Assessing the Jets win and beyond.
• Erik Scalavino tells the story of Jonnu Smith’s extraordinary journey: Fateful, yet grateful.
• Patriots deliver highest-rated weekly program in the Boston Market in dominant victory over the Jets.
• Press Conferences: Steve Belichick - Josh McDaniels - Jerod Mayo - Cameron Achord.
• Sights and Sounds: Week 7 vs. New York Jets. (4.43 min. video)
• Belichick Breakdown: Top plays against the New York Jets. (4 min. video)
• Coffee with the Coach: Twitter question of the week. (1 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian reports Josh McDaniels said the Patriots practice trick plays to the point they’re comfortable and it becomes second-nature.
• Andy Hart emphasizes how the Mac Jones-led offense is clearly trending up.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Mac Jones gets excited each time Patriots have scoring opportunity.
• CBS Boston tells us Mac Jones eats steak, spaghetti and eggs for breakfast on game days. : P
• Zack Cox considers what the Pats should do with their two open 53-man roster spots.
• Sean T. McGuire shows the stats to show how good Damien Harris has been.
• John Andersen says the Patriots rushing attack should continue to dominate against the Chargers.
• CBS Boston suggests the Patriots need to attack the Chargers on the ground.
• Karen Guregian relays Ivan Fears on why the Pats went with J.J. Taylor over Rhamondre Stevenson on Sunday.
• Zack Cox wonders if N’Keal Harry can build on his highlight-reel play vs. the Jets. ‘The problem with Harry is that plays like this — or any positive plays really — occur far too infrequently.’
• Karen Guregian notes N’Keal Harry made an eye-catching play down the left sideline, pulling in 28-yard pass from Brian Hoyer with two defenders draped all over him, drawing praise from the coaching staff.
• Arnav Sharma (PatriotMaven) Breaking down the Patriots’ Play of the Week: Bourne’s touchdown pass.
• Kevin Tame Jr. (PatriotMaven) Patriots DL Christian Barmore on Patriots’ defense, ‘We’re just going to get better.’
• Dakota Randall talks up Christian Barmore emerging as a force and a tone-setter for the defense.
• Khari Thompson notes Jonnu Smith wins ‘Angry Runs’ award for his vicious stiff arm vs. Jets.
• Karen Guregian reports that according to a source, Devin McCourty’s injury is ‘not expected to be long-term issue’.
• Alex Barth passes along a report that the Patriots are uncertain about Devin McCourty’s status for Week 8.
• Darren Harwell wonders if Mac Jones can catch Ja’Marr Chase for the NFL Rookie of the Year race.
• Alex Barth highlights Bill Belichick already heaping praise on the upcoming opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers.
• Evan Lazar’s Notebook: The Patriots may have found a solid starting five along the O-line.
• Mike D’Abate (Patriot Maven) Notebook: Harvey Langi to IR, Patriots host three for workouts and More.
• Tom Westerholm reports CeeDee Lamb was fined more than $10K for his wave to Jalen Mills after the Cowboys beat Patriots — The NFL’s social media team tweeted, and then later deleted, a clip of the play. /How much did NFL social media team get fined?
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate welcomes Clare Cooper to talk Patriots Tight Ends and their performance, thus far, in 2021. (52 min.)
• One Patriot Place podcast: Murph, Steve, Clare and guest Mike D’Abate wrap up Pats-Jets and look ahead to the Chargers. (57 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) It’s only Week 8 of the NFL season, but these nine NFC teams and five AFC teams can forget about the playoffs
• Tim Kelly (Audacy Sports) Week 8 announcer assignments. Patriots-Chargers on CBS: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn.
• Cameron Filipe (FootballZebras) Week 8 referee assignments: Patriots at Chargers: Ron Torbert.
• Ben Solak (The Ringer) Seven trades we’d like to see before the NFL trade deadline. No Pats.
• Patrik Walker (CBS Sports) Trades contending teams should make to shake up the NFL in a good way.
• David Carr (NFL.com) Offensive player rankings, Week 8: Matt Ryan, Ryan Tannehill among NFL’s most underrated right now.
• Jeff Legwold (ESPN) NFL rookie rankings 2021: Our top 10 first-years, Ja’Marr Chase’s record-setting start, rising corners, more.
• Andrew Brandt (SI) Business of Football: Leaked Washington Football Team emails show how NFL sausage is made.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Commissioner cites lack of information for absence of Deshaun Watson decision.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Dallas, Los Angeles and Indianapolis are in consideration for 2023 combine.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) 94.1 percent of NFL players are vaccinated.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Mike Reiss reports retired safety Patrick Chung was charged with assault and battery of a family member.
• Barry Wilner (AP) NFL not planning to issue report on Washington Football Team.
• Michael Hurley explains why Roger Goodell’s excuse for secrecy in the Washington investigation is preposterous and insulting.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Roger Goodell continues to justify lack of WFT transparency by saying some employees wanted anonymity.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Former WFT employees go to owners meeting, ask for investigation into team to be made public.