New England Patriots links 6/09/21 – Tight end additions to the offense subtracts predictability

Daily news and links for Wednesday

TEAM TALK

• Paul Perillo’s NFL Notes: Belichick shows no signs of slowing.
• Photos: Patriots OTAs from Tuesday, 6/8.
• Patriots Unfiltered 6/8: Leftover takeaways from OTAs, scouting the remaining FA wide receivers; More. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

• Doug Kyed explains why the Patriots new offense could be complicated to defend. The Patriots have the top tight end duo in the NFL, giving them the ability of staying unpredictable.
• Andrew Callahan and Karen Guregian debate: Do the Pats have enough at WR to contend?
• Zack Cox points to a RB Damien Harris stat that showed him to be one of the most explosive ball-carriers in the NFL last season.
• Zack Cox previews a linebacker corps that will look very different this season to see how the newcomers — and returnees — will fit in.
• Isaiah Houde (PatriotsWire) Chase Winovich says he’s in his best shape ‘mentally, physically, emotionally.’
• Evan Lazar’s Patriots Mailbag: Should there be more hype about the Patriots defense? The Pats defense is primed for a turnaround after an aggressive offseason from Bill Belichick.
• Adam London notes WR Kendrick Bourne was very, very sure about his decision to sign with the Patriots in free agency this past spring. ‘The way they accept me as I am, I just appreciate it.’
• Ryan Hannable relays NFL analyst Nate Burlson’s bold prediction for new Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne. “I know Kendrick Bourne is going to eclipse his career highs.”
• Mike Reiss talks about new Pats WR Kendrick Bourne spreading and encouraging the power of mentorship.
• WEEI highlights guest Tom E. Curran discussing the futures of Dont’a Hightower and Stephon Gilmore.
• Alain Poupart (SI Patriots) Three Patriots picks selected for NFLPA Rookie Premiere.
• Adam London tells us what ESPN paywall writer Bill Barnwell lists as his criticism of the Patriots’ offseason, who were aggressive in free agency. /Yet another reason not to pay for ESPN+.
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Daily Patriots news and NFL notes: 5 things to know.
• Adam London highlights former Patriots safety Darius Butler recalling a fine he received from Bill Belichick for social media activity before a game.
• Ryan Hannable reports Tom Brady participates in Buccaneers minicamp following offseason knee surgery.
• Khari Thompson relays Chris Simms saying Cam Newton is still “one of the 20 best quarterbacks in football,” even if the Patriots are “quietly gushing” about Mac Jones.
• Dakota Randall mentions where Mac Jones and Cam Newton rank on Chris Simms’ Top 40 NFL QBs list. Newton is 10 spots higher than Jones. /Anything Chris Simms-related should go in my “Dumpster” section, but I’m lazy.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Training camp battles to watch: Ranking top five QB competitions entering the new season. No. 2. Patriots: Cam Newton vs. Mac Jones.
• Conor Orr (SI) 32 teams, 32 questions that will shape the NFL’s summer.
• Ben Linsey (PFF) Ranking all 32 NFL secondaries ahead of the 2021 season. Patriots 5th.
• Eric Eager (PFF) Ranking the NFL’s best head coaches ahead of the 2021 season. Belichick 6th. “Belichick has lagged behind for the past decade in terms of making correct decisions on fourth downs, with the 2020 Patriots going for it on just 39% of admissible situations.” /I’ll take that, and the three Super Bowl wins.
• Eric Eager (PFF) Ranking the NFL’s best offensive play callers and best defensive play callers ahead of the 2021 season. Pats not included in either.
• Adam Schein (NFL.com) Nine NFL bandwagons to hop on in 2021. /Pats don’t need no stinkin’ bandwagon fans.
• Nick Shook (NFL.com) Roundup: Niners OL Justin Skule, DB Tarvarius Moore suffer significant injuries. /Eesh.
• Analyst Debate (NFL.com) 2021 NFL season: Which offseason trade will be most impactful?
• Michael Renner (PFF) Worst first-round pick at every draft slot since the 2006 NFL Draft.
• Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) Aaron Rodgers proved he can stand in defiance. Now the Packers must accept he could do it for an entire season.
• Conor Orr (SI) Everyone loses in Aaron Rodgers’s holdout, but this is just how the NFL works. “It was an expected escalation in the feud, which after some draft day theatrics, has remained at a slow burn throughout the summer.” /Orr compares this to Brady’s situation in last years here, plus it’s still spring for another 10 days.