March 2016 - New England Patriots Wiretap

Michael Lombardi Leaves Position With Patriots

Jun 19, 2016 11:10 AM

Michael Lombardi has left the front office of the New England Patriots.

Lombardi, who had joined the Patriots after serving as Cleveland Browns general manager in 2013, also served as an analyst with the NFL Network and NFL.com from 2008 to 2012 and could be considering a return to the media where his longtime friend, Bill Simmons, is starting a new venture at HBO.

Bill Belichick has praised Lombardi's contributions to the franchise over the past two years, as it was a position that was created specifically for him.

"I've asked Mike to do some things on an individual [basis] -- projects or things that I've asked him to do -- and he's done a great job of that for me," Belichick said in September. "Mike has been a big help to me personally."

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Brandon LaFell Believes Andy Dalton Could One Day Be Like Tom Brady

Jun 15, 2016 3:59 PM

Brandon LaFell hasn't spent much time with Andy Dalton, but the wide receiver believes the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback could one day be on par with Tom Brady.

"If we continue to take the steps we're making, Andy could be a similar player like that," LaFell said.

LaFell signed with the Bengals this offseason after spending two seasons with the New England Patriots.

"Everybody respects him just like everybody respects Brady," LaFell said of Dalton's influence in Cincinnati's locker room. "How Brady demanded the best out of everybody, Andy's doing the same thing here.

"Both of those guys are smart guys. They always have the offense in the right play. They're always getting the ball to the right person at the right time. They're two different offenses, but both of those guys are winners."

Coley Harvey/ESPN

Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots

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Rob Gronkowski Sees 'Huge Development' In Jimmy Garoppolo

Jun 14, 2016 9:17 AM

The New England Patriots may have Jimmy Garoppolo under center for the first four games of the 2016 season if Tom Brady's suspension remains in place.

They have split first-team reps between Brady and Garoppolo thus far and Rob Gronkowski believes the younger quarterback is making strides.

"He's doing great, definitely," Gronkowski said. "You can see a huge development over the last two years in the way he handles the offense now. He's doing a great job going out there, listening to coaches and just working together with the whole team."

Josh Alper/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New England Patriots

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Malcolm Butler On Holdout: 'Everyone Knows Why I Wasn't Here'

Jun 7, 2016 5:32 PM

Malcolm Butler reported to the New England Patriots this week after skipping the first week of optional practices last month.

Butler, the hero of Super Bowl XLIX, is scheduled to make just $600,000 this season.

The cornerback told reporters his absence during the first round of organized team activities was a "big misunderstanding" before clarifying he had dealt with a "family issue, or something like that."

Butler was later asked if he'd been bothered by the speculation he might hold out for a new deal.

"Of course that's going to bother you," he told the Boston Herald. "Everyone knows why I wasn't here."

Dan Hanzus/NFL

Tags: New England Patriots, Free Agent Rumor

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