TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo’s Minicamp Blogservations: Newton finishes with a flourish; Nelson Agholor has been quite active during the practices open to the media but not so on Wednesday. The wideout stood and watched most of the proceedings with his helmet in his hands and didn’t take part in any 7-on-7 or full team work. He appears to be dealing with some sort of knee/leg injury; More.
- Mike Dussault notes rookie defenders Ronnie Perkins and Christian Barmore are off to strong starts as they look to carve roles in the Patriots’ defense.
- Erik Scalavino talks about how Ernie Adams was celebrated by the team and given a warm send-off on his last day before retirement.
- Press Conference transcripts: Bill Belichick and Ernie Adams.
- Press Conferences: Bill Belichick (20 min. video) - Ernie Adams (7 min. video) - Trent Brown (6 min.) - Brandon Bolden & his grandfather (5 min. video) - Ronnie Perkins (8.45 min. video)
- Mini Camp Day 3 breakdown. (5 min. video)
- Behind the Scenes: Ernie Adams. (12 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Evan Lazar’s Minicamp observations: Cam Newton ends with his best practice of the spring; DL Henry Anderson looks like a classic Pats signing; Outside CB depth remains biggest concern heading into summer; More.
- Mark Daniels details the Patriots last day of minicamp: The defense was active on this day. Along with interceptions from Bethel and Colbert, Kyle Dugger deflected a pass in the end zone intended for Devin Asiasi. J.C. Jackson also broke up a pass intended for Gunner Olszewski.
- Zack Cox shares his Day 3 Minicamp Notes: Cam Newton bounces back in spring finale; Another light day for tight end Jonnu Smith; Brandon Bolden exited the main field about 45 minutes into practice and could be seen walking toward the lower rehab field; Shaq Mason was back in team drills after sitting those out Tuesday; More.
- Andrew Callahan’s minicamp observations: Cam rebounds; Jones’ ugly INT; Top targets in team drills: White (8), Kendrick Bourne (6), N’Keal Harry (5), Sony Michel (5), J.J. Taylor (4); Studs & Duds; More.
- Andy Hart’s Day 3 observations: TE/FB Dalton Keene rode an exercise bike on the sidelines to get loose before practice. The second-year player continues to wear a full-length sleeve on his left leg; Rhamondre Stevenson has drawn the ire of his coaches over the last couple days of minicamp. After getting chewed out a bit by position coach Ivan Fears on Tuesday, Stevenson was pulled from a rep by McDaniels after apparently not knowing where to line up/his responsibility. More.
- Ryan Hannable gives five takeaways from OTAs and minicamp. 1. There’s going to be a true quarterback competition. 2. The defense could be very good.
- Tom E. Curran observes Cam Newton ends minicamp on a high note: “He was in command, accurate, decisive. Even his incompletions were on point.”
- Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Best of social media: Sights and sounds from Patriots minicamp.
- Karen Guregian writes that if OTAs and minicamp are a precursor of things to come, the Patriots will have a much-improved pass rush.
- Mark Daniels believes the Patriots pass rush has elite potential for 2021.
- Doug Kyed finds rookie Ronnie Perkins practicing with the linebackers at minicamp and adjusting to a new role. Perkins will need to prove he can learn a new set of skills to earn playing time in New England’s defense.
- Clare Cooper (PatsPropaganda) Draft value verses draft weight – an offense perspective.
- Ian Logue (PatsFans) Patriots News and NFL Notes: 5 things to know.
- Doug Kyed offers his latest Patriots 53-man roster projection: Can recent high picks make the team?
- Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Trent Brown feeling ‘back in the saddle’ and excited about being back with the Pats.
- Zack Cox hears from Trent Brown on how Mac Jones ‘is going to be special’ for the Patriots, praise for Cam Newton, and more.
- Doug Kyed notes Trent Brown has massive expectations for Pats’ O-Line this year.
- Zack Cox relays Trent Brown explaining the “traumatic” ATV accident that kept him away from the start of OTAs.
- Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Ernie Adams gets spotlight on final day.
- Doug Kyed reports retiring Ernie Adams spills one secret on his final day with the Patriots: His job description.
- Murph (E2GSports) We can stop looking for Stephon Gilmore.
- Murph (E2GSports) Mac Jones: Sunshine on a cloudy day.
- Doug Kyed says Chase Winovich should return for training camp.
- Tom Shaw-Mellors (PatsPropaganda) Patriots Tweets of note: Minicamp edition, Day 3.
- CBS Boston notes Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes revealed as cover athletes for ‘Madden NFL 22’.
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Steve Balestrieri discuss the practice performance of QBs Cam Newton, Mac Jones and Jarrett Stidham, the fate of Stephon Gilmore in Foxboro, and they take an early look at Training Camp in late July. (49 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) As Cam Newton prepares for his 11th season, now or never has arrived.
- Myles Simmons (ProFootballTalk) Trent Brown thinks Patriots can have one of the league’s best offensive lines.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: No significant progress between Patriots, Stephon Gilmore on a new deal.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Ernie Adams officially bids farewell to the Patriots. “Now, they’ll have to replace Adams. Belichick may the only one who knows exactly what that will entail. The next challenge will be finding someone who can do all of those things that Adams did.”
- Albert Breer (SI) Mailbag: Who Will Lead the NFL in Major Stats in 2021? Plus, are the Broncos more appealing to an elite QB now than they were to Peyton Manning, will Stephon Gilmore be traded, could Larry Fitzgerald sign with the Vikings and more.
- Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Who will reset the off-ball LB market as two stars enter contract years?
- Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Debrief: What matters, what doesn’t as offseason programs wrap up.
- Staff (ESPN) NFL mandatory minicamps 2021: Vaccination questions, Baker Mayfield’s focus and more.
- Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) 2021 NFL offseason trade rankings. Pats trades included.
- Gil Brandt (NFL.com) 12 players on rookie deals whose teams should never let them go. No Pats.
- Armando Salguero (Miami Herald) Miami CB Xavien Howard holdout headed to trade consideration. Why and what will solve issue. “The problem for the Dolphins is they authored this “unique situation.” They supplied the kindling for this fire. So they should not be surprised that it’s burning now.” /Interesting read.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Time is on Larry Fitzgerald’s side.
- Grant Gordon (NFL.com) NFL, NFLPA agree to updated COVID-19 protocols for training camp, preseason.