New England Patriots links 6/15/21 – Minicamp updates & breakdowns: QB competition; Which CBs step up? More!

<div><figure> <img alt="NFL: New England Patriots OTA" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9K1TaAdQ8NPtYmaVsETZXELVZL0=/0x2:7060x4709/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69455098/usa_today_16235760.0.jpg"> <figcaption>QB drills: Brian Hoyer (5), Mac Jones (50), Jarrett Stidham (4) | Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption> </figure> <p>Daily news and links for 6/15/21</p> <p id="Uxq0Bt"><strong>TEAM TALK</strong></p> <ul> <li id="b6fgw7"> <strong>Paul Perillo</strong>’s <a href="https://www.patriots.com/news/day-1-minicamp-blogservations-newton-returns-gilmore-absent-in-rainy-foxborough">Day 1 minicamp blogservations:</a> The Patriots had a pair of players in for tryouts on offense; The secondary spent some time early in practice working on defending bunch sets under the watchful eyes of Belichick. Communication is stressed in those situations and the DBs seemed to do a nice job working through the crowded areas and making sure no receivers slipped free; Mac Jones appeared to spend a lot of time adjusting plays at the line and checking in and out of certain formations - all part of the growth process for a young QB. </li> <li id="6X5FAh"> <strong>Mike Dussault</strong> notes <a href="https://www.patriots.com/news/adrian-phillips-sees-potential-for-pats-d-dugger">Adrian Phillips sees potential</a> for the Pats defense. <em>“The pieces help us out a lot,” said Phillps after Monday’s minicamp practice. “You add [the vets], along with the guys that have a second year in the program, have some games underneath their belt, have a better understanding of the defense. When you put those pieces together there ain’t no telling what we can do.”</em> </li> <li id="Q7NC0E"> <strong>Press Conference transcript:</strong> <a href="https://www.patriots.com/news/transcript-bill-belichick-press-conference-6-14">Bill Belichick</a>.</li> <li id="lI4aJf"> <strong>Minicamp</strong> <a href="https://www.patriots.com/video/mini-camp-day-1-breakdown">Day 1 breakdown</a>. (4.25 min. video)</li> <li id="idkNFE"> <strong>Press Conferences:</strong> <a href="https://www.patriots.com/video/bill-belichick-6-14-keep-trying-to-stack-some-days-together">Bill Belichick</a> (15.50 min. video) - <a href="https://www.patriots.com/video/jarrett-stidham-6-14-going-into-year-3-i-definitely-feel-a-lot-more-comfortable">Jarrett Stidham</a> (7.44 min. video) - <a href="https://www.patriots.com/video/matthew-slater-6-14-it-s-been-good-for-us-to-be-able-to-spend-time-together">Matthew Slater</a> (17 min. video) - <a href="https://www.patriots.com/video/brian-hoyer-6-14-i-ended-up-in-the-place">Brian Hoyer</a> (7 min. video)</li> <li id="V2rDjp"> <strong>Photos:</strong> Patriots <a href="https://www.patriots.com/photos/photos-patriots-mini-camp-day-1#324e422f-ede8-477d-838f-883b1748013a">Minicamp Day 1</a>.</li> </ul> <p id="H4aVsk"><strong>LOCAL LINKS</strong></p> <ul> <li id="qt6c4y"> <strong>Evan Lazar</strong>’s <a href="https://www.clnsmedia.com/lazars-minicamp-observations-mac-jones-has-best-day-of-open-practices/">Minicamp Observations:</a> Mac Jones has best day of open practices; More.</li> <li id="sCnP6L"> <strong>Andrew Callahan</strong> <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/06/14/patriots-minicamp-how-mac-jones-improved-cam-newton-returned-and-the-defense-adjusted-sans-stephon-gilmore/">Patriots minicamp:</a> How Mac Jones improved, Cam Newton returned and the defense adjusted without Stephon Gilmore.</li> <li id="bmgFt1"> <strong>Doug Kyed</strong>’s Patriots <a href="https://nesn.com/2021/06/patriots-minicamp-notes-how-cam-newtons-return-shook-up-qb-reps/">Minicamp notes:</a> How Cam Newton’s return shook up QB reps; More.</li> <li id="NrqTcV"> <strong>Mike D’Abate</strong> (PatriotMaven) <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-notebook-on-minicamp-day-1-and-2020-starter-finds-a-new-team">Patriots Notebook:</a> Gilmore’s contract, Newton, Minicamp highlights and an update on a former starting Patriots offensive lineman.</li> <li id="3ERjO1"> <strong>Zack Cox</strong> <a href="https://nesn.com/2021/06/patriots-notes-what-new-england-must-do-to-replace-julian-edelman/">Patriots Notes:</a> What New England must do to replace Julian Edelman; High praise for Jonnu Smith and Kyle Dugger; More.</li> <li id="HRRUoX"> <strong>Michael Hurley</strong> calls foul on Bill Belichick listing ‘weather, travel arrangements’ as potential <a href="https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/06/14/bill-belichick-weather-travel-arrangements-acceptable-excuse-absence-patriots-mandatory-minicamp/">excuses for minicamp absences</a>. What’s up with that?</li> <li id="jNBgjE"> <strong>Phil Perry</strong> breaks down how<a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/cam-newton-back-injury-first-among-patriots-quarterbacks"> Cam Newton’s performance</a> stacked up with the other Patriots QBs.</li> <li id="MlJzvX"> <strong>Phil Perry</strong> observes <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/patriots-minicamp-observations-mac-jones-lets-it-rip-first-practice">Mac Jones’ improvement</a> is evident, lets it rip on Day 1.</li> <li id="AhDiIx"> <strong>Phil Perry</strong> keeps his <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/eyes-patriots-cornerback-group-stephon-gilmore-holding-out">eyes on the cornerbacks</a> to see which ones will step up in Gilmore’s absence.</li> <li id="u6bNgl"> <strong>Nick O’Malley</strong> notes Bill Belichick said it’s ‘good to see’ <a href="https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2021/06/bill-belichick-good-to-see-patriots-lb-donta-hightower-back-on-the-field-after-2020-opt-out.html">Dont’a Hightower back on the field</a> after his 2020 opt-out.</li> <li id="dkGTQm"> <strong>Karen Guregian</strong> finds Jarrett Stidham saying he’s <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/06/14/jarrett-stidham-says-hes-fired-up-to-compete-with-mac-jones/">‘fired up’ to compete</a> with Mac Jones.</li> <li id="RTmVp3"> <strong>Doug Kyed</strong> points out Jarrett Stidham still has <a href="https://nesn.com/2021/06/jarrett-stidham-still-has-starting-aspirations-after-patriots-qb-moves/">starting aspirations</a>, and leads the Pats QBs in completion percentage through four open practices.</li> <li id="bonOKH"> <strong>Tom E. Curran</strong> takes a look at <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/who-has-leverage-between-patriots-and-stephon-gilmore">who has the leverage</a> between the Patriots and Stephon Gilmore.</li> <li id="q5NL4b"> <strong>Mark Daniels</strong> argues that the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/patriots/2021/06/14/stephon-gilmore-contract-new-england-patriots/7691282002/">Patriots need to pay up</a> for star cornerback Stephon Gilmore.</li> <li id="Rx0sax"> <strong>Doug Kyed</strong> believes the <a href="https://nesn.com/2021/06/patriots-must-pay-stephon-gilmore-or-figure-out-next-step-at-cornerback/">Patriots must pay Stephon Gilmore</a> or figure out their next step at cornerback. <em>“Two starting-caliber cornerbacks remain available in free agency.”</em> </li> <li id="N4Fu0k"> <strong>Matt Dolloff</strong> talks about Stephon Gilmore <a href="https://985thesportshub.com/2021/06/14/stephon-gilmore-patriots-absences-mandatory-minicamp/">among the absences</a> at Monday’s mandatory minicamp.</li> <li id="0fp5LS"> <strong>Andrew Callahan</strong> reports Stephon Gilmore will <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/06/14/stephon-gilmore-will-skip-rest-of-patriots-minicamp-after-missing-day-1/">skip the rest of minicamp</a> after missing Day 1.</li> <li id="FEWMKi"> <strong>Karen Guregian</strong> thinks that if the Patriots truly want to <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/06/14/guregian-if-the-patriots-truly-want-to-chase-another-super-bowl-stephon-gilmore-needs-to-be-part-of-the-mix/">chase another Super Bowl</a>, Stephon Gilmore needs to be part of the mix.</li> <li id="QPO3to"> <strong>Mike D’Abate</strong> (PatriotMaven) Patriots <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-should-have-answer-at-guard-with-michael-onwenu">changing of the guard</a> looks promising: Michael Onwenu looks ready to handle moving to guard after his impressive rookie season..</li> <li id="VKrG77"> <strong>Mike D’Abate</strong> (PatriotMaven) Who can step up as a <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-searching-for-that-true-number-1-wide-receiver">true No. 1 receiver</a>?</li> <li id="hN06ap"> <strong>Zack Cox</strong> relays Brian Hoyer on how he is <a href="https://nesn.com/2021/06/how-brian-hoyer-is-approaching-patriots-qb-battle-after-re-signing/">approaching the QB battle</a> and helping Mac Jones: ‘I’m not the quarterback coach’</li> <li id="um3Af1"> <strong>Sean T. McGuire</strong> hears from Jarrett Stidham on his <a href="https://nesn.com/2021/06/how-patriots-jarrett-stidham-feels-about-recently-added-offensive-weapons/">initial impressions</a> of the Pats’ new offensive weapons.</li> <li id="3uOrkB"> <strong>Doug Kyed</strong> mentions <a href="https://nesn.com/2021/06/hunter-henry-had-plenty-of-time-to-bond-with-one-of-patriots-qbs/">Hunter Henry lived with Jarrett Stidham</a> for a month during the start of the offseason workout program and the two had plenty of time to bond.</li> <li id="rsFLN7"> <strong>Bob Socci</strong>’s <a href="https://985thesportshub.com/2021/06/14/soccis-notebook-patriots-kicker-quinn-nordin-is-more-than-just-a-specialist/">Notebook:</a> Patriots kicker Quinn Nordin is more than just a specialist.</li> <li id="gcgYsh"> <strong>Sean T. McGuire</strong> highlights Matthew Slater on the <a href="https://nesn.com/2021/06/patriots-fans-will-love-matthew-slaters-outlook-on-offseason-spending/">Pats’ offseason spending:</a> ‘At some point you have to go out there and work and earn it and prove it’</li> <li id="6ZGCjH"> <strong>Andrew Callahan</strong> highlights Matthew Slater on why he <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/06/14/patriots-captain-matthew-slater-explains-why-he-stepped-down-from-nflpa-role/">stepped down from his NFLPA role</a>. <em>“I think it’s important that young guys take ownership and understand the way that this league operates, the business side of this league, the player safety side of this league. We want our young men to be educated and to be involved and to really take ownership in what they’re doing.”</em> </li> <li id="cYe004"> <strong>Mike Kadlick</strong> (GuyBostonSports) <a href="https://guybostonsports.com/patriots-mailbag-does-this-team-have-enough-to-compete/">Patriots Mailbag:</a> Does this team have enough to compete?</li> <li id="QJcFd2"> <strong>Jerry Trotta</strong> (MusketFire) 3 players who <a href="https://musketfire.com/2021/06/13/patriots-players-lacking-respect-guy-jones-andrews/">aren’t getting enough respect</a> entering 2021: Lawrence Guy, Jonathan Jones, David Andrews.</li> <li id="iVxz6p"> <strong>Jerry Trotta</strong> (MusketFire) One <a href="https://musketfire.com/2021/06/14/patriots-one-surprising-player-make-roster-2021/">surprising player</a> who could make roster in 2021. Could LB Terez Hall make the Pats roster?</li> <li id="eBGFK6"> <strong>Mike Luciano</strong> (MusketFire) What Patriots can <a href="https://musketfire.com/2021/06/13/patriots-annual-practices-vs-joe-judge-giants/">gain from annual practices</a> with Joe Judge’s Giants.</li> <li id="7058n9"> <strong>Locked On Patriots podcast:</strong> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-patriots/episode/mondays-are-for-murph-and-minicamp-cams-back-gilmores-not-for-patriots-on-day-one-6-14-2021-84711216">Mike and Murph discuss</a> Gilmore’s contract, the return of Cam Newton and favorite minicamp storylines. (45 min.)</li> </ul> <p id="p4Hy7M"><strong>NATIONAL NEWS</strong></p> <ul> <li id="f1QnaH"> <strong>Albert Breer</strong> (SI) <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/06/14/stephon-gilmore-contract-patriots-jamison-crowder">Monday Afternoon QB:</a> Stephon Gilmore’s holdout will be tricky for the Patriots to resolve; Plus, a look at vaccinations among players, what to make of Jamison Crowder’s pay cut and more notes from around the league.</li> <li id="hDQsw3"> <strong>Josh Alper</strong> (ProFootballTalk) Jonnu Smith made an <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/14/jonnu-smith-made-an-early-exit-from-patriots-practice/">early exit</a> from Patriots practice.</li> <li id="0BYHKD"> <strong>Charean Williams</strong> (ProFootballTalk) <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/14/jonnu-smith-is-a-beast-according-to-adrian-phillips/">Jonnu Smith is a “beast,”</a> according to Adrian Phillips.</li> <li id="Uyufv4"> <strong>Charean Williams</strong> (ProFootballTalk) Brian Hoyer <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/14/brian-hoyer-willing-to-help-mac-jones-but-doesnt-see-himself-as-de-facto-coach/">willing to help Mac Jones</a> but doesn’t see himself as de facto coach.</li> <li id="0plNsd"> <strong>Myles Simmons</strong> (ProFootballTalk) Jarrett Stidham: My goal is to <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/14/jarrett-stidham-my-goal-is-to-be-the-starting-quarterback-in-new-england/">be the starting quarterback</a> in New England.</li> <li id="ngg9o1"> <strong>Josh Alper</strong> (ProFootballTalk) <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/14/jalen-ramsey-to-stephon-gilmore-what-do-you-think-about-winning-a-ring-in-l-a/">Jalen Ramsey to Stephon Gilmore:</a> What do you think about winning a ring in L.A.?</li> <li id="vsLZeK"> <strong>Kevin Patra</strong> (NFL.com)Patriots CB <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1641910&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fnews%2Fpatriots-cb-stephon-gilmore-a-holdout-not-present-for-mandatory-minicamp&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patspulpit.com%2F2021%2F6%2F15%2F22534356%2Fnew-england-patriots-links-6-15-21-minicamp-updates-breakdowns-qb-competition-which-cbs-step-up-more" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Stephon Gilmore a holdout</a>, not present for mandatory minicamp.</li> <li id="UoqmaS"> <strong>Eric Edholm</strong> (Yahoo! Sports) Stephon Gilmore reportedly not at Patriots mandatory minicamp, but <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/stephon-gilmore-reportedly-not-at-patriots-mandatory-minicamp-but-is-he-excused-153618255.html">is he excused</a>?</li> <li id="JLYT5c"> <strong>Doug Farrar</strong> (TouchdownWire) The <a href="https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/aaron-rodgers-tom-brady-justin-herbert-patrick-mahomes-best-quarterbacks/">best NFL quarterbacks</a> for every type of throw and the <a href="https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/worst-nfl-quarterbacks-carson-wentz-sam-darnold-drew-lock/">worst NFL quarterbacks</a> for every type of throw.</li> <li id="93aITd"> <strong>Cody Benjamin</strong> (CBS Sports) Ranking NFL’s <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-nfls-top-10-quarterbacks-of-2021-patrick-mahomes-no-1-matt-ryan-matthew-stafford-miss-the-cut/">top 10 quarterbacks</a> of 2021. No Pats. <em>/... missed it by ‘that’ much</em>.</li> <li id="Y4GPML"> <strong>Doug Farrar</strong> (TouchdownWire) The NFL’s <a href="https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-best-safeties-justin-simmons-darnell-savage-tyrann-mathieu/">top 11 safeties</a>. No Pats.</li> <li id="MiMsfa">Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com) Game Theory: My analytics-based <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1641910&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fnews%2Fwhich-nfl-rookie-tight-ends-will-be-most-productive-in-2021-my-analytics-based-t&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patspulpit.com%2F2021%2F6%2F15%2F22534356%2Fnew-england-patriots-links-6-15-21-minicamp-updates-breakdowns-qb-competition-which-cbs-step-up-more" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">top-five rookie TE</a> rankings.</li> <li id="qfNXHH"> <strong>NFL Research</strong> (NFL.com) Building the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1641910&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fnews%2Fthe-best-nfl-team-money-can-buy-building-the-ultimate-53-man-roster-under-the-20&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patspulpit.com%2F2021%2F6%2F15%2F22534356%2Fnew-england-patriots-links-6-15-21-minicamp-updates-breakdowns-qb-competition-which-cbs-step-up-more" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ultimate 53-man roster</a> under the 2021 salary cap.</li> <li id="GKXlNn"> <strong>Jason La Canfora</strong> (CBS Sports) <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-packers-showdown-green-bays-poor-taste-and-petty-ways-proving-hard-to-watch/">Rodgers-Packers showdown:</a> Green Bay’s poor taste and petty ways hard to watch.</li> <li id="lFFgjT"> <strong>Adam Rank</strong> (NFL.com) State of the 2021 Green Bay Packers: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1641910&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfl.com%2Fnews%2Fstate-of-the-2021-green-bay-packers-aaron-rodgers-dilemma-has-franchise-at-a-cro&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patspulpit.com%2F2021%2F6%2F15%2F22534356%2Fnew-england-patriots-links-6-15-21-minicamp-updates-breakdowns-qb-competition-which-cbs-step-up-more" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Aaron Rodgers dilemma</a> has franchise at a crossroads.</li> <li id="Fn3cXn"> <strong>Mike Florio</strong> (ProFootballTalk) Nick Caserio addresses <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/06/14/nick-caserio-addresses-deshaun-watson-situation/">Deshaun Watson situation</a>: “Decision” coming before camp.</li> <li id="WyeQZI"> <strong>Tory Barron</strong> (ESPN) <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1641910&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnfl%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F31631508%2Fno-more-mullet-gardner-minshew-ii&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patspulpit.com%2F2021%2F6%2F15%2F22534356%2Fnew-england-patriots-links-6-15-21-minicamp-updates-breakdowns-qb-competition-which-cbs-step-up-more" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">No more mullet</a> for Gardner Minshew II. <em>/Heck yes, this is big news. </em> </li> </ul></div>