TEAM TALK
- Patriots 2021 Mock Draft Tracker: Check who the ‘experts’ have the Pats picking in the first round.
- From the Vault: Our first McCourty Twins interview at 2011 Pro Bowl. Devin: “I grew up with a twin brother. I was the older one by 27 minutes. I guess you could say, a starter from day one.” (4.37 min. video) /Lolz.
LOCAL LINKS
- Alex Barth looks at the tough questions facing the Patriots on veteran free agent running backs.
- Alex Barth offers a Senior Bowl recap for Patriots fans, in case you missed it.
- Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) A look back at the Patriots Super Bowl XLIX Championship six years later. /Hm... maybe Belichick had a little something to do with the Pats’ success?
- Evan Lazar reads the early tea leaves and isn’t seeing a monster move by Bill Belichick to address the gaping need at quarterback.
- Ryan Hannable talks about the Mac Jones to the Patriots hype, “If the Patriots land Jones, it likely would come with the No. 15 overall pick, which may be a little high for the Alabama QB.”
- Ryan Hannable says the backlash towards Bill Belichick is getting excessive.
- Karen Guregian writes the hits keep coming for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady is now the poster boy for all that’s wrong with the Patriots.
- Michael Hurley notes Tom Brady is well aware his accomplishments happened because of Bill Belichick’s support, and writes, “[Brady] was, of course, a driving force to the success, but the overall operation run by Belichick was a much larger undertaking. And the results — six Lombardis — will last in the history books far longer than any spirited talk radio debate.”
- Ryan Hawks (LastWordOnSports) Tom Brady, Buccaneers Super Bowl takes nothing away from Bill Belichick.
- Dakota Randall highlights a Boston Sports Journal column on why Matthew Stafford said no to the Pats. One NFL executive suggested, “New England has absolutely NO weapons. They’re slow everywhere. When’s it changing? No one wants to go play there without Brady. I personally think that this is going to be when everyone realizes the reality of no Brady. Less guys willing to put up with everything.”
- Will Burchfield passes along a report that Stafford was ‘mentally and physically drained’ after Matt Patricia.
- Sean T. McGuire hear’s predictions from the analysts on how far the Patriots are from a return to the Super Bowl.
- DJ Bean picks out the positives in missing out on the Stafford derby.
- Michael Hurley speculates Matthew Stafford’s rejection might be a jarring reality check that folks around the league might not be so optimistic regarding the Patriots’ future.
- Mike Luciano (MusketFire) Latest free agency buzz is good news for the Pats’ offense.
- Mark Daniels reports Rob Gronkowski says the Patriots hold a special place in his heart, ‘Those years in New England mean everything to me.’
- Nick O’Malley relays Rob Gronkowski admitting how he tricked the Bucs strength coach so he wouldn’t have to tape his offseason workouts every day.
- Michael Hurley notes Danny Amendola downplays Bill Belichick’s impact, insisting “Tom Brady is the Patriot Way. And that’s the reason why Tom Brady’s in the Super Bowl right now and the Patriots aren’t.”
- Andrew Callahan notes Patriots great Tedy Bruschi hired as senior advisor to Arizona coach Jedd Fisch.
- Gary Tanguay proves that any one of you Patriots fans reading this right now could have a career as a beat writer and your takes would be a million times more reasonable than this guy.
- Ryan Hannable notes Marshall Faulk can’t go a Super Bowl week without taking a shot at Bill Belichick and the Patriots. /MeanwhileWho’s still listening to Marshall Faulk?
- Phil Perry lights the draft fireworks with his latest NFL Mock Draft covering the first two rounds and features four trades — two of which feature the Pats — who get their answer at quarterback.
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike and Murph discuss the “Stafford Effect” on the Pats, if Jimmy Garoppolo or Jacoby Brissett could find their way back to Foxboro; and Murph offers his thoughts on Super Bowl LV. (40 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Nora Princiotti (The Ringer) Tom Brady took a road less traveled for his Super Bowl return.
- Albert Breer (SI) Monday Afternoon QB: Super Bowl X-factors on the Buccaneers’ and Chiefs’ defenses.
- NFL Research (NFL.com) Chasing the G.O.A.T.: What Patrick Mahomes must average to break Tom Brady’s NFL records.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes have largest age gap between Super Bowl QBs.
- Jordan Dajani, et al (CBS Sports) 2021 Super Bowl Opening Night: The best quotes and key takeaways as Chiefs and Buccaneers meet with media.
- Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com) Super Bowl LV: Seven predictions you can trust in Chiefs-Buccaneers.
- Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady “grateful” for what Bill Belichick has meant to his career.
- Jenna Laine (ESPN) Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tom Brady says he will ‘definitely consider’ playing past age 45.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady: It’s not about what I do, but what we do.
- John S Kiernan (WalletHub) Super Bowl fun facts – The big game by the numbers.
- Kevin Patra (NFL.com) Official attendance expected for Super Bowl LV: 25,000 fans, 30,000 cutouts.
- Bryan DeArdo (CBS Sports) Creating the all-time 53-man roster from Super Bowl players only.
- Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports) Super Bowl 2021 uniforms: Here’s why the Buccaneers opting to wear white jerseys could give Chiefs an edge.
- Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports) Officials have thrown fewer flags this season, will trend continue in Super Bowl LV?
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Travis Kelce “very aware” Chiefs haven’t beaten Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski in playoffs
- Joe Rivera (Sporting News) Super Bowl commercials 2021: Watch the best ads before Super Bowl 55 here.
- Adam McCann (WalletHub) 2021’s best & worst cities for football fans.
- Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) How each AFC team can take the Chiefs’ place at Super Bowl LVI. The Patriots must: see Bill Belichick end his personnel losing streak.
- Riley McAtee (The Ringer) The Rams are the most fascinating team-building experiment in the NFL.
- Kevin Clark (The Ringer) The Rams have Matthew Stafford and no margin for error.
- Nora Princiotti (The Ringer) The 50-plus people most affected by Deshaun Watson’s trade demand.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Will failed Matthew Stafford suitors now pivot to Deshaun Watson?
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Tua Tagovailoa on trade talk: Can’t control things I can’t control.
- Marcus Spears and Jeff Saturday (ESPN) Who deserves more credit for Patriots’ dynasty, Belichick or Brady? (2.32 min. video)
- Kevin Patra (NFL.com) Derrick Henry says RBs Najee Harris, Travis Etienne should both be first-round picks.
- Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) 2021 NFL mock draft 1.0. Pats pick Penn State LB Micah Parsons at 15.