March 2017 - New England Patriots Wiretap

Rob Gronkowski Has $5.75M Incentive To Play Against Texans

Sep 23, 2017 1:56 PM

Rob Gronkowski has significant financial incentive to play against the Houston Texans this weekend.

Gronkowski has been slowed by a groin injury this week and his playing status hasn't been confirmed for Week 3.

The tight end restructured his contract with the New England Patriots this offseason and can earn an extra $5.75 million through incentives this season. He has a base salary of $5 million but can earn the full $10.75 million if he plays in 90 percent of the offensive snaps, or catches 80 passes, or notches 1,200 receiving yards, or is a first team All-Pro.

Jeff Howe/Boston Herald

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Aaron Hernandez Had Stage 3 CTE

Sep 22, 2017 8:07 AM

Aaron Hernandez had a severe case of the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, researchers said on Thursday.

An attorney for Hernandez announced a lawsuit against the NFL and the New England Patriots for hiding the true dangers of the sport.

Hernandez had stage 3 (out of 4) of the disease, which can cause violent mood swings, depression and other cognitive disorders.

"We're told it was the most severe case they had ever seen for someone of Aaron's age," attorney Jose Baez said.

Hernandez was 27 when he killed himself in April.

Baez said Hernandez had shown signs of memory loss, impulsivity and aggression that could be attributed to CTE.

"When hindsight is 20-20, you look back and there are things you might have noticed," he said. "But you don't know."

Associated Press

Tags: New England Patriots

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Rob Gronkowski: I'd Hold If I Played Defensive Back

Sep 15, 2017 12:33 PM

Rob Gronkowski faced aggressive coverage from the Kansas City Chiefs last week and doesn't blame them for the approach.

The New England Patriots tight end said if referees allowed holding, he'd advise that it be used.

"If I was one of those DBs, and you've seen film over the last few years, I would definitely be doing that if I was a DB -- 100 percent," Gronkowski said. "You don't really see it called ever, so I've just got to play with it. Play how the game is called. If I was a DB, I'd do that, too."

Gronkowski was targeted six times and finished the game with two receptions for 33 yards.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Tom Brady 'Understands Risks' Of Playing Football

Sep 14, 2017 4:14 PM

Tom Brady considers concussions to be part of playing football and doesn't worry about their long-term consequences.

"I'm not oblivious to them," Brady tells CBS Sunday Morning. "I mean, I understand the risks that, you know, come with the physical nature of our game."

Brady's wife, Gisele Bundchen, had said in a May interview that he has had unreported concussions and she worried about his long-term health.

Brady wants to continue playing until he is 45.

"I do want to go out on my terms," he said. "I do want go out playing my best."

In light of a recent study that found CTE in the brains of 110 of the 111 former NFL players that were studied, Norah O'Donnell asked Brady what he thought the effect would be on the league.

"I don't know what the future is going to look like, you know, and I'm not going to pretend to predict it," Brady says. "And I'm going to do everything I can to take care of my body in advance of the, you know, of the hits that I'm going to take on Sunday."

Norah O'Donnell/CBS (via AP)

Tags: New England Patriots

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Chiefs Move Ahead Of Patriots For Best Odds To Win Super Bowl

Sep 8, 2017 11:31 AM

The New England Patriots entered the 2017 season as heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl.

But the Chiefs are now given the best odds by ESPN Analytics to win the Super Bowl following their 42-27 win over the Patriots. 

The Chiefs have a 90 percent chance to make the playoffs, 69 percent chance to win the AFC West and a 21 percent chance to win the Super Bowl.

Seth Walder/ESPN

Tags: Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots

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2017 NFL Kickoff Game Ratings Down From 2016

Sep 8, 2017 11:09 AM

Ratings for the 2017 NFL Kickoff Game were down by nearly two full points from 2016 and more than three points from 2015 when Tom Brady's suspension was temporarily lifted.

2017: Chiefs/Pats: 14.6
2016: Panthers/Broncos: 16.5
2015: Steelers/Pats: 17.7
2014: Packers/Seahawks: 16.8

During the early part of the 2016 season, ratings were down across the board, which led some to speculate that the presidential election or political protests by players contributed to the slide.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots

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Rex Ryan: Chris Hogan Was The One Player I Didn't Want To Lose

Sep 7, 2017 8:15 AM

Rex Ryan admits it was hard to see Chris Hogan move on to the New England Patriots last season.

Ryan was fired as the coach of the Buffalo Bills last year, while the Patriots won another Super Bowl. The Bills were unsuccessful in trying to re-sign Hogan.

"This one drives me crazy because that was the one player I definitely did not want to lose when I was at Buffalo," Ryan said.

"Not only was he really our best receiver that year, remember, he was third, I think, in the league in yards per reception, he averaged over 17 yards a catch, so that was impressive, but he was also our best special teams player. This kid's a great football player, a great competitor, and a great athlete. You know, obviously, he was a multi-sport athlete in college and you don't want to lose these guys."

Ryan assumed then-general manager Doug Whaley would put a second-round tender on Hogan as a restricted free agent, but that didn't happen.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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NFL, NFLPA Review Finds No Concussions In 2016 For Tom Brady

Sep 6, 2017 10:53 AM

According to an NFL review, Tom Brady did not suffer any concussions during the 2016 season.

"There are no records that indicate that Mr. Brady suffered a head injury or concussion, or exhibited or complained of concussion symptoms," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement released Wednesday. "The health and safety of our players is our foremost priority and we want to ensure that all our players have and continue to receive the best care possible."

The review was conducted by both the NFL and the NFLPA. Brady allowed his medical records to be reviewed.

"This review identified no evidence of any deviation from the protocol by the Patriots' medical staff or the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants assigned to Patriots' games or any indication that Mr. Brady sustained a concussion or reported signs or symptoms consistent with having sustained a concussion," the statement said.

ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Injury

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Patriots Trade Jacoby Brissett To Colts For Phillip Dorsett

Sep 3, 2017 12:20 PM

The New England Patriots have traded third string quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the Indianapolis Colts for Phillip Dorsett.

Andrew Luck's status for Week 1 is uncertain as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Scott Tolzien will start if Luck is unable to play.

Dorsett was a 2015 first-round draft choice of the Colts (29th overall). He has played in 26 regular-season games (seven starts), totaling 51 catches for 753 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Brissett started and played all 66 snaps in the team's preseason finale against the Giants, going 28-of-39 for 341 yards, with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also rushed for a touchdown. 

Field Yates, Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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