New England Patriots links 11/09/21 - Smells like team spirit

TEAM TALK

• Transactions: Patriots release OL James Ferentz from the 53-man roster; Release two from the practice squad.
• Mike Dussault sees the Patriots defense priming to lead a playoff push.
• Paul Perillo issues his Patriots midseason-(ish) awards.
• Press Conference transcript: Bill Belichick (plus video).
• Inside the locker room after the Patriots win over the Panthers. (1.09 min. video)
• WEEI Patriots Monday: Bill Belichick and Mac Jones.

LOCAL LINKS

• Evan Lazar’s Advanced Stats Report: Patriots’ pass rush, zone coverage takes over against Carolina.
• Andrew Callahan’s Film review: How the Patriots established their new identity in a throwback game at Carolina. The Pats controlled play by following throwback game plans reminiscent of their early Super Bowl teams. They played a higher percentage of base defense — three defensive linemen and four linebackers — than any game to date, an obvious sign Bill Belichick prioritized stopping the Panthers’ run game. And the Patriots ran the ball almost twice as often as they threw it.
• Zack Cox’ Patriots snap count analysis: How Pats kept J.C. Jackson fresh vs. Panthers.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Patriots 2021 Week 9 Snap Counts: Interpretations and implications
• Chad Finn writes the Patriots have found a familiar winning formula: Vicious defense, pounding ground game, and some well-timed throws from Mac Jones.
• Michael Hurley serves up some still-warm leftover thoughts: Bill Belichick was mighty impressed with Jamie Collins’ interception; More.
• Jerry Thornton shares his knee-jerk reactions to Week 9: ‘The fact is the Pats are one of the hottest teams in the league. They’ve won three straight. In that stretch they’ve outscored opponents more than 2.5-to-1 (105 to 40). And since that Week 6 loss to Dallas they’re scoring 33.5 points per game. Perhaps best of all for Bill Belichick, they’re doing it all without playing their best football...’
• Dave D’Onofrio sees the revolving cast of contributors as a great sign for Belichick’s defense: These past few weeks show the coaches can put together an effective game plan, and that they’ve got the players to execute it.
• Ryan Hannable sees the Patriots finally starting to play like everyone thought, but wonders if it’s sustainable.
• Clare Cooper (PatsPropaganda) The Patriots intercept a win in Carolina.
• Khari Thompson gives us four takeaways from the pounding of the Panthers. 1. The defense owns Sam Darnold. Again.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots Week 9 Report Card defense shines in 24-6 win over Carolina.
• Phil Perry issues his Patriots Report Card: Defense and running game keep emerging.
• Alex Barth issues his Patriots mid-season report card: Offense - Defense & Special teams.
• John Rooke (FullPressCoverage) Nitpicks & Nitwits: What are the 2021 Patriots at the halfway point?
• Ian Glendon (FullPressCoverage) Patriots very much alive In AFC East race.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Back in the game: Patriots primed for a run at the postseason.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Mac Jones: ‘Didn’t mean to hurt’ Brian Burns, was trying to ‘tackle him and make the play.’ The Patriots rookie quarterback also provides his thoughts on Odell Beckham, Jr., as well as his his intercepted pass by former teammate Stephon Gilmore.
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) Mac Jones gives high praise to Brandon Bolden: ‘That’s my guy’.
• Tom Westerholm notes Matt Judon told J.C. Jackson to go end a Panthers drive: ‘Then he ended the drive.’ “That was a hell of a feeling.”
• Jordon Cohn (Audacy Sports) Matt Judon praises Mac Jones: ‘I don’t think he ever shows bad body language.’
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Bill Belichick details the under-the-radar contributions from Jamie Collins.
• Sean T. McGuire notes J.C. Jackson proclaimed himself “Mr. INT” on Instagram following yet another pick-six Sunday. /No lie detected.
• Jenna Ciccotelli explains how Jamie Collins’ INT made NFL history: ‘Sam Darnold’s ball was in the air for 0.17 seconds, which is the least amount of air time on an interception since the league began tracking air time in 2016.’
• Andrew Callahan notes the Patriots freed up a roster spot hours ahead of Odell Beckham, Jarrett Stidham deadlines.
• Ryan Hannable lays out how the Patriots, or any other NFL team, could land Odell Beckham Jr. this week.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Mac Jones: Adding Odell Beckham Jr. not my decision ‘but we’re not opposed to it.’

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Monday Afternoon QB: What the Raiders can learn from the Dolphins about Las Vegas; Plus, teams that could claim Odell Beckham Jr., how the Broncos will replace Von Miller’s production, a strong Patriots draft class, the Falcons’ mindset and more.
• Corey Seeley (The Draft Scout) Tuesday Morning Football: Titans, scary defense thump Rams, Jordan Love struggles in debut, Midseason surprises, Who’s NFL MVP? “One year after missing the playoffs, Bill Belichick has the Patriots (5-4) in contention to compete with Buffalo for the AFC East. Mac Jones has certainly helped this team win games, but the coaching of Belichick, the Patriots defense is a main factor for the turnaround in New England.”
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) NFL insider notes, Week 9: Browns rediscover their identity amid drama, Patriots in thick of race and more.
• Adam Schein (NFL.com) NFL’s wacky Week 9 full of Sunday surprises: Browns good, Packers bad, Bills ugly.
• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Patriots QB Mac Jones won’t be suspended, but replay angles of his ‘dirty’ play look bad. /Replay shows Brian Burns twisted his own ankle while Mac Jones held on.
• Dan Parr & Chase Goodbread (NFL.com) 2022 NFL Draft order: Vikings knocking on door of top 10 at midseason. Patriots: Playoffs. Biggest needs at CB, LB, OT.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tony Corrente leaned into Cassius Marsh before throwing controversial taunting flag.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Referee Tony Corrente offers unsatisfying explanation of flag that negated Bears touchdown.
• Olafimihan Oshin (The Hill) House Oversight calls on NFL to release full report on Washington Football Team.