New England Patriots links 8/05/21 – N’Keal’s progress; Judon’s sacks; QBs splitting reps; More!

Daily news and links for Thursday

TEAM TALK

• Paul Perillo’s Day 7 blogservations: Pats pick party slows momentum.
• Mike Dussault’s Camp Notebook: The lineage of Patriots ‘backer-hood’ going back over 20 years is still going strong in Foxborough.
• Erik Scalavino analyzes how the tight ends are reemerging as a factor on offense. “Since the start of training camp, however, Smith seems to have healed from whatever was limiting him in June and has proven as a popular target for New England’s quarterbacks. The 6-3, 250-pounder’s ability to make impressive catches has been rivaled only by his surprising speed and quickness in the open field…”
• Press Conference Transcript: Bill Belichick.
• Patriots, Revolution, Massachusetts Military Support Foundation to fill 30,000 backpacks for military children.
• Press Conferences: Bill Belichick – Ivan Fears – Troy Brown – Josh McDaniels – Mick Lombardi – Carmen Bricillo.
• Press Pass: Patriots coaches on players progressing. (1 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Evan Lazar’s Notebook: Finding consistency an issue for Cam Newton and Mac Jones. Newton finished 7-of-13 and was intercepted twice during competitive team drills. Jones, who saw 16-straight reps at the end of practice, was also up and down. He threw dimes to Gunner Olszewski (deep post) and ripped one into Meyers on a dig but had a sequence of an interception, near-INT, and a throw behind Olszewski that Myles Bryant broke up.
• Andrew Callahan Patriots training camp: Mac Jones rebounds with big day, Cam Newton throws two INTs. Play of the day: Another day, another bomb. This time, Jones found Gunner Olszewski on a post that split backup defensive backs Myles Bryant and Cody Davis deep in 11-on-11s. Jones’ pass covered roughly 50 yards in the air, settling in Olszewski’s arms steps in front of the goal line. It was the longest completion of the day and one of the prettiest of camp.
• Zack Cox’ Training camp observations, Day 7: QB report; Player of the day: N’Keal Harry; Play of the day: Either Jones’ bomb to Olszewski, Harry’s catch against Jackson or a leaping contested grab that Bourne made on a sideline through from Newton. That throw also came against Jackson, who’s handled No. 1 cornerback duties in Gilmore’s absence; More.
• Tom E. Curran recaps yesterday’s lighter-duty practice: The way the Patriots continue to divvy up reps – both overall and with the first offense – makes it really clear that Jones is being fast-tracked.
• Andy Hart’s training camp observations, Day 7: QB competition picks up, in a bad way; The crew of officials was once again on the field for the workout, throwing flags as they deemed necessary.
• Alex Barth opens his Day 7 training camp notebook: Mac Jones in focus; Two more sacks for Judon; A case of the drops; More.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) McDaniels sees differences between Newton, Jones as an asset.
• Ryan Hannable notes that after being asked, Josh McDaniels did not seem to be in favor of using both Cam Newton and Mac Jones regularly. /But we knew that already.
• Zack Cox tells us why Josh McDaniels is confident Cam Newton can be better in Year 2.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Jones Rebounds, Harry impresses in Pats training camp observations for day seven.
• Mike Reiss puts the focus on N’Keal Harry, making plays at camp in spite of his earlier trade request.
• Karen Guregian writes N’Keal Harry is looking like the Patriots’ poster boy for consistency.
• Karen Guregian details how Julian Edelman’s influence has helped Jakobi Meyers be a better receiver.
• Ian Glendon (FullPressCoverage) Return of Hightower and Van Noy noticeable for Patriots. May be more impactful than any other addition.
• Logan Mullen mentions how one Matt Judon play set the example for the entire defense and how Judon is setting a high bar early in camp.
• Andrew Callahan points out Stephon Gilmore has been helping behind the scenes amid injury, contract dispute.
• Khari Thompson tells us what Josh McDaniels said about Cam Newton and Mac Jones at Pats camp.
• Arnav Sharma (PatriotMaven) Belichick complimentary of Agholor in latest press conference: Agholor has been garnering praise throughout training camp.
• Dakota Randall notes Bill Belichick offers a positive first review of Nelson Agholor: ‘He’s very detailed and wants to be detailed’.
• Mike Masala (PatriotsWire) OL coach Carmen Bricilo gives a harsh assessment of his position group. “I’ll be honest,” Bricillo said. “We are seven days in, and I don’t think we’re happy with where anyone is at.”
• Dakota Randall hears from Patriots D-line coach DeMarcus Covington with an update on Christian Barmore’s injury and progress.
• Ryan Hannable thinks rookie RB Rhamondre Stevenson seems destined for a red-shirt season.
• Ryan Hannable reports the Patriots made a number of front office additions and changes for 2021.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Might Jerod Mayo obtain his head coaching goal by following the example of another ex-Patriot?
• Ian Logue (PatsFans) Patriots news and NFL notes, 5 things to know: While Jones has had some good moments during camp, Newton – to this point – has made enough to make a strong case for himself to remain the starter. More.
• Tom Shaw-Mellors (PatsPropaganda) Patriots Tweets of note – Training camp.
• Adam London tells us what ESPN’s latest ‘bold training camp prediction’ for the Patriots looks like: the Patriots’ surplus of RB talent will spell the end of Sony Michel’s time in Foxboro.
• One Patriots Place podcast: Steve Balestrieri, Thomas Murphy and Clare Cooper talk all the latest from training camp. (57 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Albert Breer (SI) Mailbag: Which first-year coaches are most likely to make the playoffs? Plus, why Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield’s deals could get done before the season, Peyton Manning’s future, and more!
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) NFL insider notes: Rookie Najee Harris will carry Steelers offense on his back if that’s what is needed; More.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Which non-QB will become the NFL’s first $30 million player and when will it happen?
• Staff (ESPN) Best of Wednesday at training camps: Colts’ Reich addresses calls for Foles; Hurts’ highs & lows; more.
• Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com) Projecting NFL’s 2021 stat leaders. Stephon Gilmore, 7 INTs.
• Russell S. Baxter (FullPressCoverage) So what does the NFL preseason really mean? The 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t get any warmup games and it didn’t seem to matter. And now the NFL preseason has been reduced.
• Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports) NFLPA will soon push for NFL to resume daily COVID-19 testing for all players: A missed test would result in a $50,000 fine.
• Grant Gordon (NFL.com) What to watch for in Hall of Fame Game: Cowboys-Steelers.
• Nick Shook (NFL.com) Tom Brady, Bruce Arians to attend Peyton Manning’s Hall of Fame enshrinement in Canton.
• Jenna Lane (ESPN) Tom Brady gets custom tequila for his birthday.
• Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Washington Football Team bans fans from wearing Native American garb to FedEx Field.