Daily news and links for Thursday
TEAM TALK
- Evan Lazar gives us seven takeaways from the Senior Bowl from a Patriots perspective: Breaking down the top prospects and draft buzz after two days in Mobile.
- Evan Lazar reports Mike Vrabel, Eliot Wolf, and Ryan Cowden check in from the Senior Bowl: Patriots top decision makers discuss coaching staff additions and roster building.
- From the NFL – Flag & skills participants announced for 2025 Pro Bowl games.
- Highlights: Best moments from Drake Maye’s rookie season. (1 min. video)
- Patriots Catch-22 with Evan Lazar and Alex Barth: Senior Bowl updates/observations; Draft talk, Conference Championship recaps. Evan calls in from Mobile, Alabama with a position-by-position recap of the first two Senior Bowl practices – Top performers, OT/WR/EDGE fits for the Pats, stock down players, and more. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Nick Goss explores if Mike Vrabel will have more WR success with the Patriots than he did with the Titans.
- Karen Guregian talks with Matt Cassel, now a college football analyst for NBC, about which WR prospect targets he sees would be fits for the Patriots.
- Karen Guregian relays Matt Cassel detailing how Josh McDaniels tailored the offense around his strengths when Tom Brady went down in 2008, and how McDaniels will help Drake Maye.
- Michael DeVito says the Patriots have quality trade-worthy options to stockpile more draft picks.
- Sara Marshall notes that after an impressive performance in Week 18, Patriots backup QB Joe Milton III is considered a prime trade candidate heading into free agency.
- Sara Marshall points out how hiring Mike Vrabel is already paying off for the Pats in a big way.
- Ian Logue reports Mike Vrabel may call defensive plays ‘at least to start’ in 2025.
- Alex Barth notes the Patriots hired former Titans and Bills defensive backs coach Scott Booker.
- Nick Goss relays James White on why McDaniels is the ‘perfect’ hire for Drake Maye, “It’s going to be fun to watch.”
- Khari Thompson relays Brian Hoyer on why Josh McDaniels’s diverse system is perfect for the Patriots, “His system is pretty much all systems in one.”
- Nick O’Malley discusses Josh McDaniels bringing ‘new trends’ to Patriots to maximize Drake Maye.
- Ian Logue calls Drake Maye’s Pro-Bowl appearance a nice bonus after a tough year. /Agreed.
- Chris Mason notes new Patriots exec Ryan Cowden makes his first comments, “It’s an opportunity to come help build something, help build a program back.”
- Zolak & Bertrand guest Albert Breer says it sounds like Matt Groh has taken on more of a role on the contract side.
- Taylor Kyles breaks down the biggest winners from Day 2 of Senior Bowl practices.
- Doug Kyed’s Patriots mailbag: Recent draft picks could benefit from new coaching staff.
- Darren Hartwell highlights Gronk dishing out on a ‘wild’ 2018 offseason, ignoring Belichick’s calls; “I got traded without even talking to anyone in the organization.”
- Conor Ryan highlights Rob Gronkowski on how he was a different player than Travis Kelce, “I’m a complete tight end. I’m the whole package.”
- Lauren Campbell hears from Greg Olsen, who shares blunt feelings about not calling Super Bowl LIX — ‘It sucks.’
NATIONAL NEWS
- Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: 2024 Contract Awards, starring Saquon Barkley and NFL’s other best and worst signings.
- Jordan Dajani (CBS Sports) 2025 Super Bowl: Five bold predictions for Chiefs vs. Eagles, including an ode to Devin Hester, surprise MVP.
- Jeff Kerr (CBS Sports) Super Bowl 2025 early overreactions: Eagles better than last time they faced Chiefs? Kansas City worse?
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Ten reasons why Chiefs reached the Super Bowl: Patrick Mahomes, Steve Spagnuolo and Co. are inevitable.
- 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) 2025 NFL QB matchmaker: Sam Darnold to the Jets, Kirk Cousins to the Browns, plus 15 other big-name proposals. Jarrett Stidham to the Patriots?
- Nick Shook (NFL.com) Five QBs who need fresh starts in 2025: Aaron Rodgers-Jets split best for everyone.
- Lance Zierlein & Eric Edholm (NFL.com) Senior Bowl Day 2 standouts: Draft’s top pass rushers wreaking havoc.
- NFL Throwback (NFL.com) Best players to never make a Pro Bowl. (29 min. video) Julian Edelman, Hunter Henry, Honorable mentions: Steve Grogan, Ben Watson.