New England Patriots links 9/23/21 - It’s a TRAP! Pats not looking past the Saints

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Saints Wednesday Injury Report.
• Patriots sign offensive lineman Jake Eldrenkamp to the practice squad.
• Mike Dussault’s Notebook: Saints present tough challenge for Patriots D.
• Mike Dussault reports Vince Wilfork is among the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees.
• Press Conference transcript: Bill Belichick.
• Press Conferences: Bill Belichick - Dont’a Hightower - Lawrence Guy - Jonathan Jones - Adrian Phillips - Devin McCourty - Shaq Mason - David Andrews - Mac Jones.
• Belestrator: Breaking down the Saints weapons. (4.32 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Karen Guregian sees Josh McDaniels’ trust in Mac Jones as validation for the hype.
• Andrew Callahan explains that sooner or later, Mac Jones will need to throw the Patriots offense on his shoulder.
• CBS Boston notes Mac Jones says big plays will come for the offense: ‘You can’t chase plays that aren’t there.’
• Dakota Randall passes along a random stat from Mike Giardi that places Mac Jones alongside Aaron Rodgers. Jones is the 1st QB since at least 1950 with 30+ pass attempts & a 70+ completion % in each of his first 2 career starts.
• Matt Cassel explains that in New England, there’s no such thing as a “trap game.” Here’s what Bill Belichick will do to make sure his team doesn’t look past the Saints.
• Tom Westerholm picks out seven reasons Bill Belichick believes his team will be challenged by the Saints.
• Justin Leger highlights Bill Belichick praising Saints QB Jameis Winston.
• Justin Leger finds Sean Payton and the Saints were ‘really high’ on Mac Jones.
• Andrew Lykins (FullPressCoverage) Offensive line woes continue for Patriots.
• Andrew Callahan explains why the Patriots’ defensive game plan should center on one player, RB Alvin Kamara.
• Evan Lazar details why Josh Uche is only playing 40% of the defensive snaps. /Good read.
• Steve Atkinson (BelieveInBostonSports) 20 years ago Drew Bledsoe lost his job to Tom Brady.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Patriots-Saints Week Three Injury Report: Matt Judon (knee), Trent Brown (calf) among notable listees.
• Zack Cox’ Patriots Practice Notes: Key defender returns ahead of Saints game. Kyle Van Noy missed all of last week with a throat injury.
• Dakota Randall looks at the Jamie Collins trade rumors and whether the Patriots would make any sense.
• Dakota Randall says Tua Tagovailoa’s injury (fractured ribs) could have a major impact on the Patriots season.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Seymour, Wilfork, Harrison headline list of former Patriots nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame: A total of 21 former players with ties to the Patriots were listed as modern-era nominees for enshrinement.
• Logan Mullen posts a clip of this kid on TikTok ruthlessly ripping the Jets for being awful vs. the Patriots. /Pretty funny, and accurate.
• Keith Pearson’s Bet Box: “Surely Sean Payton will call more than 17 run plays against a Pats defense that allowed 152 yards rushing to the Jets. Saints, 21-17.”

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Mailbag: How much can we learn about rookie quarterbacks from two starts? Plus, how real are the Panthers and Cardinals, are the taunting penalties here to stay, will the Giants clean house and more.
• Cameron Filipe (FootballZebras) Week 3 referee assignments. Saints at Patriots: John Hussey.
• Joe Tansey (Bleacher Report) 3 Patriots’ trade targets after Week 2.
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) NFL QB Index, Week 3: Tom Brady claims top spot, while Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson bottom out. Mac Jones 24th.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) PFT’s 2021 MVP watch, Week three.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Fans have returned to the stands, but home-field advantage still absent.
• Marc Sessler (NFL.com) Week 3 NFL underdogs: Matt Ryan, Jason Garrett, Steelers’ run game in spotlight.
• Mark Schultz (FootballZebras) Controversy flares over taunting point of emphasis. As always, officials are stuck in the middle.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL says All-22 film is expected to return on Friday.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Missouri Supreme Court upholds ruling requiring Stan Kroenke, others to turn over financial information
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) NFL Week 3 odds, picks. Pats win 23-16.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) NFL Week 3 picks, odds. Patriots win 19-16