New England Patriots links 5/24/21 - Roster battles on the front burner as OTAs begin: QB, WR, LB, S, K

TEAM TALK

• Key dates on the 2021 NFL / Patriots Calendar. Next up: OTAs. May 24-25, 27.
• Patriots sign S Adrian Colbert and RB Tyler Gaffney.
• Erik Scalavino takes an in-depth look at the football journey of sixth-round draft choice Will Sherman of Colorado. The offensive lineman’s flexibility could prove his strength.
• Mike Dussault profiles high-energy Christian Barmore, the Patriots second-round pick from Alabama, who has all the tools to make a big impact on defense.
• Angelique Fiske highlights former Patriot Eugene Chung opening up about experience as an Asian-American athlete and coach on ‘Boston Globe’ panel.

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: 1.Rodney Harrison tutors Kyle Dugger, “I love the kid, his attitude”; 2. Quietly and with little fanfare, Cam Newton had been working with a throwing coach to rebuild some of his fundamentals this offseason. 3. Eyes on Julio; Much more. /Well worth the perusal.
• Ryan Hannable’s Sunday 7: Examining Julio Jones’ potential fit with Patriots; 2. OTAs will get underway for the Patriots this week and the No. 1 storyline, discussion point, thing to watch for is the quarterback position.
• Karen Guregian’s Sunday NFL Notes: Can Mac Jones realistically push Cam Newton for the starting job?
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Sunday Patriots news: Never a dull moment in Foxboro; Julio Jones: Where’s that Twitter picture (at least a dozen years old) of Julio Jones renting a car at Logan…; More.
• Doug Kyed previews five starting battles to watch in spring practice OTAs: 1. Quarterback: Cam Newton vs. Mac Jones. Plus, WR, LB, S and Kicker.
• Mike Masala (PatriotsWire) Could Kendrick Bourne be the most productive Patriots receiver in 2021?
• Karen Guregian hears the rumor mill heating up with Julio Jones linked to the Patriots.
• Isaiah Houde (PatriotsWire) Here’s a potential asking price for Julio Jones if Patriots pursue the WR.
• Evan Lazar talks with UCF WR coach Darrell Wyatt about Tre Nixon, who was trending towards a “monster” year before an injury derailed his 2020 season. /Good read on the Pats’ 7th-round pick.
• Evan Lazar’s Patriots Mailbag: Will Stephon Gilmore hold out of camp without contract resolution?
• Ryan Hannable points out Hunter Henry will be 86-ing his old number and will be wearing No. 85 with the Patriots.
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) Patriots QB Cam Newton impressing teammates with offseason work.
• Nick Stevens reports Cam Newton posts video of him working out in L.A. and posing for pictures with fans.
• Alex Reimer watches Vice’s ‘Dark Side of Football’ episode about Bill Belichick so we don’t have to: It’s “a lazy smear job.” /Has to be bad to get Reimer to defend Belichick. Maybe he was mad there wasn’t anything new to latch onto— just a poorly-dramatized re-hash of the same ‘ol rumors and accusations.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Monday Morning QB: How Matt Ryan came out of an uncertain offseason in a good place; Plus, Phase III of offseason workouts begin, how the Russell Wilson drama settled down and much more.
• Peter King (ProFootballTalk) FMIA: NFL power rankings feature rising Browns, 49ers, Bolts; Middling Pats, Steelers; Falling Vikes, Broncos.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Scout’s Notebook: Diagnosing drama around Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson; Najee Harris can refuel Steelers’ Super power.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Ja’Wuan James paying the biggest price in midst of NFLPA’s fight over offseason workouts. Former Broncos OT is out of work and out $10M after following union’s boycott advice.
• Cassandra Negley (Yahoo! Sports) Patriots’ Cam Newton working with throwing coach to reportedly ‘rebuild’ certain fundamentals.
• Patrik Walker (CBS Sports) Julio Jones trade rumors: Falcons All-Pro receiver reportedly interested in playing with Cam Newton, Patriots.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: Patriots have had “internal discussions” about Julio Jones.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) 49ers, Colts, Chargers among the betting favorites for the next Julio Jones destination.
• Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Ranking NFL’s top 10 defenses for 2021. No Pats.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Despite criticism and challenges, NFLPA’s push against offseason program is working.’
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Ryan Fitzpatrick can become first starting QB to lose to 31 different teams.
• Ryan Young (Yahoo! Sports) Jaguars said that the NFL made them wait 7 minutes before selecting Trevor Lawrence at the draft.
• Shelly Smith (ESPN) Chargers’ Justin Herbert shows Peyton Manning-like commercial flair.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Another Tom Brady rookie card is expected to set another record.
• Report (AP) New England Patriots’ plane being used to give flight to China’s vaccine diplomacy.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tony Buzbee confirms demand for confidentiality of any Deshaun Watson settlement.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Fritz Pollard Alliance calls for investigation on Eugene Chung’s experience.