March 2013 - New England Patriots Wiretap

Reed Can Envision Playing For Belichick

Oct 31, 2014 6:46 AM

Ed Reed could play his final game with the Baltimore Ravens in Sunday's Super Bowl as he will become an unrestricted free agent in March. 

The New England Patriots have long been known to covet Reed.

Tom Brady joked a few years ago that Bill Belichick wanted to adopt Ed Reed.

"Yeah, oh yeah, man, I could definitely play for Coach Belichick," said Reed. "He is a great coach. I'm sure he can help me to expand my football knowledge even more as a player and as a coach, so if I'm ever able to be around him, just like I was at the Pro Bowl, it's huge." 

Reed even said he borrows from Belichick's fashion sense.

"It's the reason why I wear my sweater cut off a little bit," Reed said. "He's the first guy I saw like, 'That's cool.' You know, that's cool. He cuts those sweater sleeves, and he'll be comfortable. So there's a reason why. Most people will tell you around the facility that's how I look. It's just a blessing to even have met, to know Coach Belichick." 

Jamison Hensley/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Seau's Family Files Suit Against NFL

Nov 15, 2014 7:52 AM

Junior Seau's family has filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming his suicide was a result of brain disease cause by violent hits during his career.

The wrongful death lawsuit, filed Wednesday in California Superior Court in San Diego, blames the NFL for its "acts or omissions" that hid the dangers of repetitive blows to the head. It says Seau developed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from those hits, and accuses the NFL of deliberately ignoring and concealing evidence of the risks associated with traumatic brain injuries.

Seau shot himself last May at the age of 43.

"Our attorneys will review it and respond to the claims appropriately through the court," the NFL said in a statement Wednesday.

Helmet manufacturer Riddell Inc., also is being sued by the Seaus, who say Riddell was "negligent in their design, testing, assembly, manufacture, marketing, and engineering of the helmets" used by NFL players. The suit says the helmets were unreasonably dangerous and unsafe.

AP

Tags: New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers

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Welker's Wife Sarcastically Calls Ray Lewis 'A True Role Model'

May 18, 2014 2:28 AM

Wes Welker's wife, Anna Burns Welker, wrote negatively about Ray Lewis on her Facebook page following the New England Patriots' loss to the Ravens.

"Proud of my husband and the Pats," Burns Welker wrote. "By the way, if anyone is bored, please go to Ray Lewis' Wikipedia page. 6 kids, 4 wives. Acquitted for murder. Paid a family off. Yay. What a hall of fame player! A true role model!"

Lewis has never actually been married.

Chris Strauss/USA Today

Tags: New England Patriots

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Belichick Confirms He'll Return For 2013

Sep 13, 2014 11:20 AM

Bill Belichick confirmed on Monday that he will return to the New England Patriots for his 14th season with the franchise.

“I’ll be here,” Belichick announced toward the end of his season-ending press conference with the media at Gillette Stadium. “You’ll have to deal with me again next year. I know that’s disappointing for a lot of you. Until I’m told otherwise, I plan on being here.”

Belichick said he was proud of the Patriots' accomplishments this season.

“We won 13 games,” Belichick said of the 13-5 mark his team posted in 18 games. “We’re playing in the AFC championship game. Not a whole lot of teams are saying that. Our production.”

WEEI

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Brady Hopes Patriots Re-Sign Welker

Oct 31, 2014 8:52 AM

Tom Brady hopes the New England Patriots re-sign Wes Welker in the offseason.

"I think those business parts of the game are ... those usually take care of themselves," he said during his weekly interview with the "Dennis & Callahan Show" on Boston sports radio WEEI. "Certainly I'm not involved in any of those."

Welker received the franchise tag for 2012, earning $9.5 million.

Welker had eight catches for 117 yards in the Patriots' loss on Sunday to the Ravens.

"Everybody knows how I feel about Wes, our whole team feels that way about Wes," Brady said. "He's just one of the best players I've played with and played against. He's just a phenomenal player, and he's been the heart and soul of what our team is all about. He's been so selfless and the way that he carries himself and commits himself to help our team win, it's second to none. But like I said, those aren't my decisions."

Field Yates/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Patriots/Texans Had Highest Viewership Of Weekend Games

Oct 7, 2014 9:51 AM

The New England Patriots game on Sunday afternoon against the Houston Texans averaged 37.7 million television viewers, which ranked first amongst the four games of the weekend.

The Baltimore Ravens win over the Denver Broncos averaged 35.3 million viewers.

The Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks averaged 32.1 million viewers during their telecast.

The San Francisco 49ers' win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday evening averaged 30.9 million viewers.

Matt Maiocco/Comcast

Tags: New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans

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Patriots' Production Has Remained Nearly Identical Without Gronkowski

Oct 26, 2014 11:12 AM

The New England Patriots averaged 34 points and 417 yards per game in their five regular season games without Rob Gronkowski.

With Gronkowski in the lineup, the Patriots averaged 35 points and 433 yards over 11 games.

Peter King/Sports Illustrated

Tags: New England Patriots, Stats

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49ers, Patriots Open As Favorites In Championship Games

Oct 31, 2014 7:03 AM

The San Francisco 49ers opened as a 3.5 point favorite on the road in the NFC Championship Game at the Atlanta Falcons.

The New England Patriots are a 7.5 point favorite at home against the Baltimore Ravens.

The 49ers recorded an impressive victory over the Packers behind an explosive performance from Colin Kaepernick.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons

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Gronkowski Breaks Left Forearm Again

Sep 21, 2014 9:04 AM

Rob Gronkowski left Sunday's game in the first quarter with an apparent left arm injury in which he broke his forearm again.

Gronkowski broke his left forearm on Nov. 18.

Gronkowski will require surgery again and is out for the remainder of the playoffs.

Mike Rodak/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Injury

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Lloyd Calls McDaniels 'Bridge To Brady'

May 23, 2014 3:41 PM

Brandon Lloyd had 74 catches for 911 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season.

Lloyd is in his third consecutive season having Josh McDaniels as his offensive coordinator.

“I think the bridge with Tom (Brady) is Josh because Josh gives me credibility,” Lloyd said. “Being with Josh the last three seasons, that’s what gave me the credibility to come here and be accepted as a productive member of this team.”

Mike Petraglia/WEEI

Tags: New England Patriots

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Seau Suffered From CTE
CTE is a progressive disease associated with repeated head trauma.

Mark Fainaru-Wada, Jim Avila, Steve Fainaru/ESPN

Pro Football Focus Announces All-Pro Teams
Von Miller was one of three members of the Broncos to be named to PFF's All-Pro team.

Pro Football Focus