April 2016 - New England Patriots Wiretap

Patriots, Marcus Cannon Agree To Five-Year Extension

Nov 30, 2016 9:21 AM

The New England Patriots have agreed to a five-year contract extension with Marcus Cannon.

The deal is worth $32.5 million, including $14.5 million in guarantees, according to a source.

Cannon, 28, was a fifth-round pick in 2011.

Ian Rapoport/NFL

Tags: New England Patriots, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Terms Agreement

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Tim Tebow Turned Down $1M Commercial After Talking To Bill Belichick

Nov 29, 2016 2:12 PM

Tim Tebow turned down $1 million for a one-day commercial shoot after asking Bill Belichick if he was okay with it.

Tebow was with the New England Patriots during the summer of 2013.

"I remembered when I had signed with the team in June [of 2013]. Then I'd had an offer on the table to make a one-day appearance endorsing a product for a million-dollar paycheck. I'm sure you'd agree that a million bucks is a lot to make in just twenty-four hours. But I wasn't quick to say yes."

"So when the offer for the one-day commercial turned up, I was sure to discuss the opportunity with him. 'I want to know what you think, Coach,' I said. 'I respect you and I want to fit in. I want to be one of the guys. Should I do it?'

Belichick advised Tebow to turn down the offer.

"He thought for a moment and then shook his head. 'Timmy, I would really appreciate it if you didn't.'

"Highly respecting the man, I turned down the deal. I didn't even think twice about it. I wanted the chance to impress Coach Belichick more than I wanted the money. I'll say that if I were on any other team, I would have probably said yes to the offer. But the thoughts he offered in our initial conversation mattered to me -- even more than a million dollars."

Tebow was later cut by the Patriots.

Dan Hanzus/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots

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Tom Brady Ties Peyton Manning's Record With 200th Career Win

Nov 28, 2016 8:36 AM

Tom Brady helped the New England Patriots top the New York Jets on Sunday, tying him with Peyton Manning for the most victories by a quarterback (200).

Brady is 200-61 in his career. Manning finished at 200-92.

"I love winning games," Brady said. "I think that's what it comes down to. That's why we all play, and I've just been a part of so many great teams and played with great coaches. Nobody could win a football game by themselves. It takes everybody. ... It means I've been around for a little bit and played with a lot of great players on a lot of great teams."

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor, Stats

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Jets Nearly Lost Matt Forte To New England

Nov 27, 2016 3:03 PM

The New York Jets decided to sign Matt Forte on the first day of free agency in 2016 but there were some concerns about the condition of his knee during the physical. The Jets were in no rush to get the paperwork done to finalize the deal with Forte.

Forte became anxious and he decided to fly to Massachusetts to sign instead with the New England Patriots.

When the Jets heard Forte was going to meet with the Patriots, they quickly changed their behavior to sign him. The Jets overlooked the concerns about his knee and officially signed his three-year, $12 million contract.

Forte acknowledged that the Patriots had reached out about potentially signing him.

"My agent told me they called," Forte told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. "I asked if they talked about anything, and he said they just wanted me to come for a visit. I said I'm already here about to sign, so I didn't feel like that would be right."

Forte has 732 rushing yards with seven touchdowns on 189 carries this season.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Misc Rumor

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Tom Brady Returns To Practice, Expected To Play Against Jets

Nov 25, 2016 12:40 PM

Tom Brady returned to practice on Friday after missing the past two days with a knee injury.

There has been minimal to no concern from the New England Patriots that he might miss their upcoming game against the New York Jets.

Brady has rarely missed practice during his career.

In the Patriots' 31-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 13, Brady had taken a hit by safety Kam Chancellor to the area near his right knee. Brady later said he was happy he didn't sustain a knee injury.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots

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Rob Gronkowski Ruled Out Of Week 11 With Chest Injury

Nov 19, 2016 4:20 PM

Rob Gronkowski has been ruled out of the New England Patriots' Week 11 game at the San Francisco 49ers with a chest injury.

Gronkowski was not present for practice earlier Friday, marking the third straight day he was absent because of the injury sustained Sunday night in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The team traveled to the Bay Area later Friday.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter has been told that the injury is "not overly serious" and that Gronkowski does not have a punctured lung, as has been reported.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Fantasy, Injury

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Rob Gronkowski Likely Suffered Punctured Lung

Nov 15, 2016 12:36 PM

Rob Gronkowski is believed to have suffered a punctured lung in the New England Patriots' Week 10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Gronkowski could miss just one game with the injury.

Gronkowski took a hit to chest in the second quarter from Earl Thomas that sent him to the sidelines for five plays.

"Yeah, that was a big hit for sure; probably one of the hardest I've got hit in my career for sure," said Gronkowski. "(It was) by a good player; a good fast player who's like a missile."

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots, Fantasy, Injury

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NFL Now Has 10 Teams In Marijuana-Legal States

Nov 9, 2016 1:36 PM

With Tuesday's elections, 10 NFL teams play in a state where marijuana has been legalized medically or recreationally.

California and Massachusetts joined Washington and Colorado as states where marijuana can be consumed for any purpose. If the Raiders relocate to Las Vegas, that won't change as Nevada has legalized marijuana for recreational purposes.

Florida is one of various states to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. 

The NFL previously justified their ongoing ban because federal law considers marijuana as a controlled substance.

The 49ers, Raiders, Rams, Chargers and Patriots joined the Seahawks, Broncos, Jaguars, Dolphins and Buccaneers.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Football Team, Legal

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Patriots Viewed Jamie Collins As Expendable, Part Time Player

Nov 6, 2016 12:54 PM

The New England Patriots planned on turning Jamie Collins into a part time player before he was traded to the Cleveland Browns.

The Patriots ruled him out of possible franchise tag designation and the team feared he would cause issues within the locker room.

Collins grew increasingly frustrated with the team not valuing him and he was clashing with coaches, Rapoport reported. As a result, he was ready to move on and was relieved to be traded.

"I'm not the type to pout about anything," Collins said about the trade Wednesday. "This is my new home. This is my focus. I'm ready."

Austin Knoblauch/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Tom Brady Could See Himself Being Traded By Pats Like Jamie Collins

Nov 2, 2016 12:53 PM

The New England Patriots' trade of Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns came as a surprise, yet it is the way Bill Belichick has always operated.

Tom Brady admitted to being surprised about the trade but he also realizes even he isn't immune from that kind of treatment.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Brady said when asked if he could see the same thing happening to him. “You can’t be around this long and not realize that the world will keep spinning and the sun will come up tomorrow without you. That’s just the way it goes. I think you enjoy the experiences that you have and also understand it just keeps going on.

“It could happen to anybody. You just have to show up to work, do the best you can do every day and let your performance just try to speak for itself.”

Darin Gantt/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New England Patriots

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