New England Patriots links 9/02/21 – Roster-building 2021: Practice squad edition

Daily news and links for Thursday

TEAM TALK

• Patriots sign 12 players to the practice squad.
• Mike Dussault breaks down the reports of who the Patriots are signing for their 16-man practice squad.
• Erik Scalavino hears from Josh McDaniels and Troy Brown, who provide some context to the decision to name Mac Jones as starting QB.
• Mike Dussault’s Notebook: Nordin bounces back to secure undrafted rookie streak.
• Angelique Fiske writes how the annual Patriots Premiere event puts focus on ‘community heroes.’ Photos.
• Press Conferences: Bill Belichick – Josh McDaniels – Troy Brown, Ivan Fears, More.

LOCAL LINKS

• Steve Atkinson (BelieveInBostonSports) The new era Patriots begins now.
• Mike D’Abate (PatriotMaven) Meet the Patriots 2021 practice squad: New England has assembled an impressive collection of talent to complement their 53-man roster.
• Karen Guregian talks about how there’s a lot riding on Josh McDaniels’ ability to make QB Mac Jones a star.
• Chad Finn addresses the question, “Did the Patriots make the right decision at quarterback? Or should Cam have stuck around a while longer?”
• Ryan Hannable thinks Cam Newton’s time in New England ends with more questions than answers.
• Michael Hurley looks at how rookie QBs have performed when starting games over the past five years, to see if Mac Jones can succeed as a rookie.
• Mike Reiss says Mac Jones has the potential to change the narrative of Alabama QBs in the NFL.
• Khari Thompson finds the Patriots rookies win big during the team’s roster cut-downs.
• Andrew Callahan looks at why the Patriots picked rookie K Quinn Nordin over Nick Folk.
• Ty Anderson reports the Patriots and Nick Folk are staying together.
• Alain Poupart (PatriotMaven) What the Patriots are getting in Malcolm Perry.
• Adam London relays ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano who predicts a potential surprise for the Patriots’ 2021 season. “Opposing defenses could be in trouble.”
• Khari Thompson highlights Josh McDaniels explaining how Mac Jones won the Pats’ QB competition.
• Tom Westerholm reports the Patriots re-signed QB Brian Hoyer to back up Mac Jones.
• Zack Cox reports the Patriots moving N’Keal Harry to IR means he’ll be eligible to return in Week 4.
• Ryan Hannable points out the Patriots are back to having 4 quarterbacks.
• Dakota Randall passes along the report that the Patriots were ‘calling around’ on potential backups for Mac Jones.
• Ricky Doyle NFL Rumors: Cam Newton OK with being backup QB after Patriots release.
• Ryan Hannable highlights ESPN’s Jeff Darlington on why Cam Newton may have trouble finding a job in the NFL now that he’s been released.
• Andrew Callahan talks about the Pats’ building a new practice squad, including former Cowboys QB Garrett Gilbert, Lions LB Jahlani Tavai.
• Mark Morse (PatsFans) A look at my Patriots roster prediction results.
• Bill Speros tells Boston sports fans to fear not — the kids are alright.
• Adam London notes Tua Tagovailoa is looking ahead to the Week 1 matchup against Mac Jones.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate welcomes Phil Perry to discuss the decision to release Cam Newton, why the Pats made the right decision with Mac Jones; Stephon Gilmore and more. (45 min.)
• Next Pats podcast: Phil Perry chatted with ESPN’s Louis Riddick about why Mac Jones makes the Patriots contenders. (41 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Nora Princiotti (The Ringer) It’s Mac Jones’s moment in New England.
• Albert Breer (SI) Mailbag: Where will Aaron Rodgers play in 2022? Plus questions on QB-needy teams next season, Urban Meyer, the NFC West, the Bucs’ statistical leaders, Zach Ertz, Justin Fields and more.
• Chris Cwik (Yahoo! Sports) Josh McDaniels explains why Mac Jones beat out Cam Newton.
• Joel Corry (CBS Sports) Agent’s Take: Offensive bounce-back candidates who are out to prove they still have more left in the tank.
• Staff (NFL.com) 2021 NFL season award predictions: Who’ll win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year?
• Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) 2021 NFL MVP odds, picks: Why Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen are best bets, plus more award picks from CBS staff.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) Ranking NFL’s worst-to-first candidates entering 2021 season.
• Matt Koll (The Fan Morning Show) Former Bills GM and Steelers exec Doug Whaley: Bills took their garbage back to Buffalo from Foxborough to protect against Patriots cheating. /Livin’ rent free, baby.
• Kevin Clark (The Ringer) The Dan Campbell experience comes to Detroit. /Included because I can’t look away from this guy.
• Get Up (ESPN) Why Bart Scott is predicting a long season for Mac Jones. (1.30 min. video)
• Dan Wetzel (Yahoo! Sports) Vaccination status matters to the NFL, so why is it forcing teams to pretend otherwise?