New England Patriots links 8/12/21 - Preseason Week 1 opener: Patriots vs. Washington

TEAM TALK

• Broadcast Information: Washington at New England.
• Players to Watch: Patriots vs. Washington Football Team.
• Erik Scalavino examines the New England secondary: Numbers, questions remain.
• Angelique Fiske reports that a Brockton volunteer was surprised with a $25,000 grant at Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards.
• Robert Kraft and The New England Patriots Foundation donate $275,000 in the name of the 2021 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award winners.
• Debrief: Tamara Brown and Mike Dussault discuss the Patriots past few days of training camp leading up to the first preseason game against the Washington Football Team. (4.44 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Isaiah Houde (PatriotsWire) How to watch Patriots vs. Washington: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online.
• Evan Lazar’s Patriots vs. Washington preview: Ten players on the bubble to watch in the preseason opener.
• Mark Morse (PatsFans) What to expect from the 1st Patriots pre-season game.
• Alex Barth focuses on six things to watch in the Patriots’ preseason opener.
• Mike Reiss is hearing from a source that QBs Cam Newton and Mac Jones are both expected to play in tonight’s preseason opener. How long each will play is up to Bill Belichick.
• Andrew Callahan gives us five things to watch during the preseason opener: 1. The quarterbacks. 2. The Pats O-line vs. Washington D-line. 3. Pats’ revamped pass rush. 4. Tackling. 5. Quinn Nordin.
• Ryan Hannable gives us five things to watch in Patriots’ preseason opener. 1. Cam Newton vs. Mac Jones, 2. N’Keal Harry, 3. Who stands out rushing the passer? 4. How do cornerbacks look besides JC Jackson? 4. How do cornerbacks look besides JC Jackson? 5. Which player will be the fan favorite of the preseason?
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Primed for Patriots preseason: Three to watch on offense and three to watch on defense vs. Washington.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Observe your opponent: Five on Washington to watch vs. Patriots.
• Matt Dolloff considers what it would take for Mac Jones to prove he’s ‘special’.
• Ryan Hannable feels that even with the new receivers added, Jakobi Meyers still feels like Patriots’ No. 1 option.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) 13 Patriots on the roster bubble who need a strong preseason.
• Zack Cox picks out eight players who have the most to prove as cutdown day looms.
• Andrew Callahan mentions how DB Jalen Mills, a former Eagle, is helping the defense prepare for Washington.
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) Jalen Mills explains why Devin McCourty reminds him of another influential veteran Malcolm Jenkins.
• Andrew Lykins (FullPressCoverage) Quinn Nordin: The next big Patriots kicker? The making of a legend; perhaps.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Patriots’ 53-man roster projection: Predicting two trades and the impact of preseason.
• Bill Burt explains that for Mac Jones and 9 other NFL QBs, preseason really matters.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Why Mac Jones is on a trajectory to become the Patriots’ Week 1 starter.
• Zack Cox tells us why we shouldn’t sleep on Jakobi Meyers in the Pats’ new-look offense.
• Nick Goss notes Jakobi Meyers explains Mac Jones being a “real fast learner” is a valuable trait he’s has shown in Patriots camp.
• Khari Thompson notes Jakobi Meyers calls N’Keal Harry ‘the same guy’ and has remained the same hard-working player despite his struggles and trade request.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) N’Keal Harry’s breakout training camp is deeply complicated. How should Patriots proceed?
• Ryan Hannable highlights Trent Brown explaining why he loves playing for Patriots.
• Sean T. McGuire talks about how Matthew Judon is fitting in with the Patriots.
• Matt Dolloff mentions DT Christian Barmore is dealing with a foot/toe injury.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Daily Patriots news and NFL notes: 5 Things to know.
• The Boston Herald posts photos of Patriots QBs Cam and Mac.
• Matt Youmans explains how the Pats’ QB situation makes them one of top teams to bet in NFL preseason.
• A Clare Perspective podcast: Clare Cooper talks with Andy Hart about Mac Jones, pizza and all things training camp. (39 min.)
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Steve Balestrieri discuss New England’s QB battle, the potential of kicker Quinn Nordin, and they preview Thursday night’s matchup with Washington. (35 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Mailbag: How likely is a Michael Thomas trade? Plus, breakout QBs, the Chiefs’ defense, the 49ers’ QBs, the emphasis on taunting rules and more.
• Staff (ESPN) Best of Wednesday at NFL training camps: Zach Wilson finds a groove; Jordan Love preps for preseason start; joint practices heat up.
• Anthony Treash (PFF) 10 predictions for the 2021 NFL rookie class. 4. Christian Barmore is the highest-graded rookie defensive lineman.
• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Top NFL players by jersey number: From Kyler Murray to Aaron Donald, a 1-99 ranking for the 2021 season. No. 37 Damien Harris, Patriots RB. ‘He’s due for a big year as the headliner of New England’s backfield.’
• Willie McGinest (NFL.com) Top 10 off-ball linebackers entering 2021 NFL season. No Pats.
• Ben Solak (The Ringer) A linebacker contract boom is coming. Will NFL teams regret it?
• Marc Sessler (NFL.com) 2021 NFL preseason: 6 underdogs to believe in.
• Tej Seth (PFF) Do NFL running backs regress? Facts and fiction.
• Dan Hanzus (NFL.com) NFL power rankings. Patriots 14th (up from 18th) “...Bill Belichick seems to respect Newton’s work ethic and tenacity, but Jones appears to have a real opportunity over the next month.”
• Chris Cwik (Yahoo! Sports) Texans tried to end training camp early and limit media access, but NFL said no.