New England Patriots links 5/26/21 - Onwenu’s versatility creates O-line depth; Meyers keeps grinding

TEAM TALK

• Mike Dussault discusses second-year offensive lineman Michael Onwenu, who is looking to build on an outstanding rookie season, possibly at a new starting position.
• Mike Dussault highlights Jakobi Meyers meeting the media yesterday. Meyers is striving for consistency and looking to eliminate the little mistakes as he prepares for his third season with the Patriots.
• Press Conferences: Jakobi Meyers (10.36 min. video) and Michael Onwenu (9.40 min. video)
• Patriots Unfiltered 5/25: Julio Jones trade speculation, OTAs kick off, new veteran jersey numbers. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Doug Kyed mentions how Mike Onwenu is playing both offensive tackle and guard during OTAs. He’ll likely start at guard but could be needed at tackle.
• Andrew Callahan writes how the Pats are creating depth by playing Michael Onwenu across the O-line at OTAs.
• Khari Thompson notes Michael Onwenu is ready to be the “next man up” for the O-line, after playing in every game last season and starting at multiple positions along the line.
• Logan Mullen highlights Jakobi Meyers as he raves about the impact Julian Edelman has had on him.
• Karen Guregian hears Jakobi Meyers talk up the quarterbacks along with his hopes for improvement after a breakout season
• Ryan Hannable says Jakobi Meyers will again need to prove his worth to climb the WR depth chart this season.
• Nick O’Malley hears from Jakobi Meyers on how he was assigned No. 69 as a rookie.
• Ryan Hannable highlights Michael Onwenu and Jakobi Meyers on how QBs Cam Newton and Mac Jones look during OTAs.
• Doug Kyed thumbnails eight under-the-radar players to monitor in spring practices. 1. RB J.J. Taylor.
• Sean T. McGuire notes N’Keal Harry and J.C. Jackson seem happy to be back on the field for OTAs this week.
• Hayden Bird highlights Tedy Bruschi on how he thinks Bill Belichick will manage the pressure on Mac Jones.
• Ricky Doyle highlights NFL insider Jeff Darlington on how the signing of Brian Hoyer means the Patriots are putting “bubble wrap” on rookie Mac Jones.
• Phil Perry explains how getting an elite wide receiver like Julio Jones would help any QB, but the Patriots would be signaling they’re giving Mac Jones every opportunity to succeed early in his career.
• Mike D’Abate (FullPressCoverage) Will the Patriots decide that adding Julio Jones is ‘best for the team?‘
• Jerry Trotta (MusketFire) 3 players New England could include in Julio Jones trade. 3. Jakobi Meyers (Boo!) 2. J.C. Jackson (Boo!) and 1. Stephon Gilmore (Booo!)
• Jerry Trotta (MusketFire) Rumored asking price for Julio Jones means NE must pull off trade.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Here’s a look at the Patriots’ new jersey numbers so far.
• Jack Long (MusketFire) Predicting every game on Patriots 2021 schedule.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Patriots news and NFL notes: 5 Things to know for Wednesday. 1) For some strange reason ESPN is running a piece looking back at Spygate again...
• Andrew Callahan passes along a sight-for-sore-eyes report that the Patriots are among teams cleared to host fans at training camp at [sobs] 100% capacity. /Oh glorious day!
• Alex Barth passes along a report on how the NFL is taking big steps towards fully reopening for fans.
• Nick Stevens notes the Patriots are among 30 NFL teams reportedly approved for full capacity during preseason.
• Adam London tells us Peter King puts the Patriots 17th in his latest NFL power rankings.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Steve Balestrieri discuss the Patriots strong attendance at OTAs, what it means for the veterans and new faces, and the latest Julio Jones rumors. (36 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Nate Davis (USA Today) Eight sensible NFL trades: Which team would be Julio Jones’ best landing spot?
• Jeffri Chadiha (NFL.com) Julio Jones trade market: Five teams that should be all in. Pats No. 1.
• Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Ranking the most-least vulnerable defending division champs. Bills 6th.
• Mike Jones (USA Today) Working smarter, not harder should be NFL’s focus after players’ push for modified offseason.
• Grant Gordon (NFL.com) NFL will have unified start to training camp with fans’ expected return. /Woot!
• Corey Seeley (TheDraftScout) Very early NFL 2022 Super Bowl bets.
• Gabrielle Shirley (WFLA) Buccaneers start OTAs without starters.
• Jeremy Fowler (ESPN) Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson not scheduled to be deposed in case against him until early 2022.

DUMPSTER DIVE

• Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham (ESPN) Son, ghostwriter of late senator say Trump intervened to stop probe of Patriots’ Spygate scandal. /4,485 words of speculation that ends with, “Like so much about Spygate, nobody will ever know.”
• Michael Hurley sums up the column here so you don’t have to give ESPN clicks but still want to get the gist of it.