New England Patriots links 6/28/21 - ‘Holy Trinity of perfect Patriots’: Brady, Wilfork, Bruschi

TEAM TALK

• One-on-One with Damien Harris. (2.45 min. video)
• Patriots All Access: Minicamp recap, offseason roundtable discussion about the Patriots QBs and New England’s offseason; More. (18 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Mac Jones’ contract, Stephon Gilmore resolution on Patriots’ to-do list; Rookies tour Pats Hall of Fame; New look at Gillette; Winovich stays local; Jonnu Smith; More.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Sunday Patriots News: QB situation and Gilmore’s future remain key questions; More.
• Ryan Hannable’s Sunday 7: What’s best-case scenario for Jarrett Stidham? More.
• Evan Lazar looks at what a viable passing offense looks like for the Patriots if Cam Newton starts. “Cam Newton struggled with certain elements of the Patriots’ playbook last season, but Josh McDaniels figured out things that worked too.”
• Andy Hart makes his pre-July Patriots roster projection: Does Cam Newton make the cut?
• Phil Perry explores whether Stephon Gilmore will be starting in Week 1 and under what terms.
• Tom E. Curran finishes up his Top 50 Patriots under Bill Belichick series, counting down the final ten, an interesting mix of franchise-defining names spanning two decades.
• Tom E. Curran debates which version of the Pats’ dynasty was better, 2000s or 2010s
• Mike Reiss talks about how former Patriots leaders Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Rodney Harrison and Rob Ninkovich used their time in New England as a springboard to become NFL analysts.
• Clare Cooper (PatsPropaganda) A quick dip into the tight endage pool.
• Sara Marshall (FullPressCoverage) Available fee agents the Patriots could still sign.
• Dakota Randall tells us the reported reason why Mac Jones and others haven’t signed their contracts yet.
• Clare Cooper (FullPressCoverage) A Clare perspective: Top 10 most important Patriots in 2021.
• Adam London notes Dont’a Hightower says he is excited about going up against ex-teammate Tom Brady: “I’ve been going against him in practice for so long, I’m looking forward to playing against him.”
• Logan Mullen highlights Mike Giardi who thinks it’s more likely than not Stephon Gilmore will be a Patriot Week 1.
• Marcus Kwesi O’Mard relays Ben Volin who counts Bill Belichick among coaches who are ‘under most pressure’ entering the 2021 NFL season.
• Evan Lazar’s Patriots Mailbag: Could Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson push Sony Michel off the roster?
• Mike Cole explores whether anyone can really ‘guarantee’ Cam Newton will be better for the Patriots in 2021.
• Adam London discusses what ESPN picks as the biggest question still to be answered for the Patriots.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) NFL approves reversal of “one shell” helmet rule, opens door for a “Pat Patriot” uniform return.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) ICYMI: Madden NFL 22’s Mac Jones looks nothing like his real life counterpart.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Julian Edelman appears to be loving retirement after latest summer adventure with daughter.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Greg Cosell (ProFootballTalk) Guest FMIA: Greg Cosell on the NFL evolution of X And O film study.
• Sam Rapoport (SI) Guest MMQB: Carl Nassib is football, and so am I.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Scout’s Notebook: How Steelers’ revamped offense will benefit Big Ben; plus, QB-coach combos under pressure
• NFL Nation (ESPN) Rating NFL offseasons for all 32 teams: Goals, top moves and biggest remaining questions. Patriots: Cam and Mac. “The Patriots look like they accomplished their goals, but the true answer will come in the form of on-field results”; More.
• Gil Brandt (NFL.com) 2021 NFL season: Nine players who are guaranteed to play better. No. 1 Cam Newton.
• Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports) Ranking NFL 2021 first-round quarterbacks by team situation: Here’s who has the best chance to succeed. Mac Jones tied for second.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) 2021 NFL head coach rankings: Andy Reid edges Bill Belichick as No. 1.
• Matt Miller (TheDraftScout) NFL GM Power Rankings: The top 10. No. 9 Bill Belichick.
• Marc Ross (NFL.com) Most complete NFL teams heading into 2021 season. Top 5, no Pats.
• Jim Reineking (USA Today) With a new NFL helmet rule going into effect in 2022, bring back these 10 classic throwback looks. Pat Patriot No. 1.
• Conor Orr (SI) The NFL’s next step in injury prevention.
• Adam Schein (NFL.com) Which franchise could win first Super Bowl in 2021 NFL season?
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Aaron Rodgers opt out unlikely by July 2 deadline.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Could the Dolphins be the Tom Brady “MF-er” mystery team? (I doubt it.)
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Some in league circles believe the Raiders are the Tom Brady mystery team.
• Dan Graziano (ESPN) NFL to begin bid process for cities to host annual scouting combine beginning in 2023, source says.
• AP (ESPN) NFL players who voluntarily opt out of 2021 season due to COVID-19 concerns will not receive stipend.