Daily news and links for Monday.
TEAM TALK
- Evan Lazar analyzes what the Patriots defensive scheme could look like under new DC Terrell Williams.
- Interview: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels shares his excitement to return to New England and what his priorities are for the Patriots offense. (1.30 min. video)
- Interview: Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams discusses his vision for the defense and his past connection with new Head Coach Mike Vrabel coming over from Tennessee. (1.16 min. video)
- Interview: Special Teams coordinator Jeremy Springer on continuity and working with new head coach Mike Vrabel. (1 min. video)
- Mic’d Up: Best moments from the 2024 season. (9.30 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: What to know about new Patriots DC Terrell Williams.
- Steve Balestrieri’s Sunday Patriots News: With the coordinators, It’s back to the future.
- Brian Hines’ Sunday Patriots Notes: Can the Pats replicate the Commanders’ turnaround? Notes and thoughts on the offseason approach, new coaching staff and more.
- Andrew Callahan’s NFL notes: Captain Kyle Dugger opens up about lost 2024 season, ankle injury, Mike Vrabel.
- Phil Perry and Tom E. Curran consider which wide receivers would work in Josh McDaniels offense.
- Nick Goss makes the case for the Patriots to go all out for WR Tee Higgins in free agency.
- Phil Perry gives us five reasons why McDaniels is the right choice as Patriots OC. 1. Young QB development.
- Mark Daniels reports Mike Vrabel adds former NFL head coach Doug Marrone to the Patriots staff.
- Chris Mason notes Mike Vrabel adds up-and-coming college coordinator Milton Patterson as an assistant coach to his staff.
- Doug Kyed tells us what the defense will look like under Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams.
- Nick Goss ranks the top 10 edge rushers for free agency.
- Taylor Kyles’ Patriots Coach and Staff Tracker: Thomas Brown “still in talks” to join offensive staff.
- Mark Daniels reports that according to a source, ILB coach Dont’a Hightower and OLB coach Drew Wilkins won’t join Mike Vrabel’s new staff in New England.
- Tom Carroll reports the Patriots hired Ashton Grant as QB coach. Grant, who has risen through the coaching ranks quickly at only 28 years old, spent five seasons in Cleveland, serving in various capacities for the offensive coaching staff before assuming his post as “offensive assistant/quarterbacks” ahead of the 2023 season.
- Mark Morse shares his Day 1 Practice Notes: College All Star Game.
- Alex Barth gives us a Patriots-centric 2025 Senior Bowl preview.
- Taylor Kyles and Alex Barth preview the Senior Bowl: Defensive Linemen – Wide receivers – Offensive linemen.
- Alex Barth identifies some players for Pats fans to watch for at the 2025 Shrine Bowl.
- Ian Logue reports Patriots Safety Jabrill Peppers was acquitted in a Jury Trial. According to the Associated Press, it took less than 30 minutes for the jury to rule in his favor.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Albert Breer (SI) Conference Championship takeaways: Chiefs’ coaches trust players in key moments; Plus, giving Nick Sirianni his due, notes on the coach and GM carousels, the Rooney Rule and more.
- Kevin Patra (NFL.com) Championship Sunday, what we learned: Bills-Chiefs and Commanders-Eagles.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Ten reasons why Eagles reached the Super Bowl: Saquon Barkley is a machine, Philly defense hunts for ball.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Ten reasons why Chiefs reached the Super Bowl: Patrick Mahomes, Steve Spagnuolo and Co. are inevitable
- Dennis Dodd (CBS Sports) Chiefs beat Bills by inches but prove they are miles apart.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) It’s overdue for the NFL to use technology to determine ball placement.
- Kyle Koster (SI) Longtime ESPN personality can’t believe the NFL doesn’t have a microchip in ball.
- Kevin Patra (NFL.com) Referee Shawn Hochuli on Commanders’ goal-line penalties: If repeated fouls occur to prevent a score, we can award the score.
- Jeffri Chadiha (NFL.com) Chiefs’ Super Bowl run not about luck or favorable breaks but rather consistency in biggest moments.
- Conor Orr (SI) The definitive surprise of this NFL coaching cycle; With the Raiders hiring Pete Carroll, Bill Belichick will have to utilize his own stage at North Carolina to prove the seven hiring teams this cycle right, or dreadfully wrong, in forcing him to stay there.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The civil case against Jabrill Peppers will continue, after Friday’s acquittal