Daily news and links for Thursday
TEAM TALK
- Paul Perillo talks about the report that the NFL schedule will be released May 15.
- Mike Dussault tells us how 6th-round pick CB Marcellas Dial is a good fit in the secondary, with the physical traits and football skills to make early contributions for the Patriots.
LOCAL LINKS
- Andrew Callahan lays out how the Patriots’ new deep passing game will flow through Drake Maye. ‘Here are the basics of Van Pelt’s scheme: it’s a run-based system with a zone-blocked rushing attack, movement throws, play-action shots and a fairly standard dropback pass game. Its defining characteristic is the deep play-action pass.’
- Michael Brauner explores whether the Pats should start rookie QB Drake Maye in Week 1: Maye could benefit from some time on the bench. But, that’s not what he was drafted to do.
- Justin Leger highlights ESPN’s Field Yates on why rookie WR Ja’Lynn Polk isn’t the next N’Keal Harry.
- Mark Daniels reports Christian Gonzalez will be the first Patriots player to wear No. 0.
- Mike D’Abate highlights WR DeMario Douglas on how it’s a ‘blessing’ to play in New England.
- Jordy McElroy ranks all 32 teams by salary cap space after the draft. Patriots No. 1 at $50.6 million.
- Justin Leger talks about a report that shows how the Pats front office will be structured in post-Belichick era.
- Ian Logue’s Patriots Notebook: Wolf on Aaron Rodgers: Looking forward to ‘kicking his ass’; NFL Schedule; More.
- Phil Perry’s Patriots Mailbag: WR trade targets and imagining an alternate draft.
- Michael Brauner thinks the Patriots over/under win total (4.5) may be too low.
- Mark Daniels relays Albert Breer on how the next front office lieutenant for the Patriots will have the title of “Executive Vice President of Player Personnel”, not GM.
- Nick O’Malley explains why the Patriots haven’t hired Eliot Wolf as GM yet.
- Marc Bertrand believes the Patriots look “foolish” with how they’re conducting their GM search.
- Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate talks with Isaac Schade (Locked On Tar Heels) about Drake Maye’s talent, his fit in Alex Van Pelt’s offense and his intangibles. (31 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Lorenzo Reyna (Pro Football Network) Patriots UDFA Signings and rookie minicamp invites: Names, notable prospects, and More.
- Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Patriots complete two interviews for executive vice president of player personnel.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Transparency not required for Rooney Rule compliance. “… There have been some candidates who do not want their names public.”
- Dalton Wasserman (PFF) One major 2024 Draft takeaway for all 32 teams. Patriots: Drake Maye and his rookie weapons are the foundation of the offense; More.
- Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) Ranking the best situations for the rookie QBs. Drake Maye 6th. The upside: There is a template for Maye to succeed, and it happened inside the same division. … More. The downside: New offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s handling and education of Maye will be critical…. More.
- Matt Harmon (Yahoo! Sports) How will rookie quarterbacks impact NFL offenses they’re joining?
- Gordon McGuinness (PFF) One last offseason move for all 16 AFC teams. Patriots: Add another safety.
- Logan Ulrich (NFLTR) One UDFA to watch from every team. Patriots: Texas LB Jett Bush.
- Trevor Sikkema (PFF) Projecting the most productive rookie classes. No AFC East teams.
- Oliver Connolly (Yahoo! Sports) NFL offseason winners: Jets included. No Pats.
- Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) Best NFL free agents remaining: Top 25 available players still unsigned in 2024.
- Myles Simmons (ProFootballTalk) Joe Burrow excited to work with “explosive” Mike Gesicki. /Who’s that?
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Could Netflix end up with one or both Christmas games?
EXTRACURRICULAR
- Michael Hurley mentions how Julian Edelman felt awkward when Robert Kraft entered the same room as Bill Belichick.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Julian Edelman, Drew Bledsoe recount tension when Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft met before Tom Brady roast.
- Tatiana Tenreyro (Yahoo! Entertainment) Jeff Ross says Tom Brady wasn’t really upset about Robert Kraft massage joke during Netflix roast. ‘Kraft “loved it. We had a great talk afterwards. He was so happy that I gave him a shout-out and a salute. It was beautiful.”
- Nora Princiotti (The Ringer) Ranking the best jokes from the Tom Brady roast: Which lines landed, and which flopped? How did Brady himself fare?
- Nick O’Malley says Shane Vereen was hired by the Houston Texans for a personnel job.