March 2018 - New England Patriots Wiretap

Bill Belichick Remains Focused On Winning, Not Fun

May 31, 2018 2:47 PM

During a press conference on Thursday, Bill Belichick was asked if he finds it important for him to come up with ways for players to feel like they're enjoying themselves with the work they're putting in.

“We feel what’s important to us is to win,” Belichick said. “So that’s really what we’re trying to do.”

Belichick was then asked about criticism from people like Lane Johnson.

“Yeah, we’re focused on what we’re doing, trying to get better and taking each day we can to try to improve our football team,” Belichick said. “Not really focused on what everybody else is doing.”

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski have been away from the Patriots during OTAs.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New England Patriots

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Avril: Seahawks Questioned Pete Carroll After Super Bowl INT

May 29, 2018 8:49 AM

Cliff Avril said recently that some of his former Seattle Seahawks teammates "began questioning" Pete Carroll after the team's last-minute Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots.

The Seahawks released Avril earlier this month.

He discussed the conclusion of Super Bowl XLIX during a podcast with NFL Network.

The Seahawks were closing in on a second consecutive Super Bowl victory when, trailing by four points, they advanced the ball to the Patriots' 1-yard line with 26 seconds remaining. Rather than run the ball with Marshawn Lynch, Carroll called for a pass from Russell Wilson, who was picked off by Malcolm Butler.

"I do think the team would have bought in more to what Coach Carroll was saying," Avril said, "instead of going the opposite way of, 'Hey, this is what we thought the foundation of the team was.' That's not what happened in that particular play.

"So I think guys started questioning him more, more so than actually following his lead if we would have won that Super Bowl."

ESPN

Tags: Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Rob Gronkowski, Patriots Nearing Reworked Contract

May 25, 2018 12:18 PM

The New England Patriots and Rob Gronkowski are nearing a reworked contract, according to a report.

It's unclear if Gronkowski will receive a raise or sign an extension.

Gronkowski is signed through the 2019 season and scheduled to make $9 million this season and $10 million next season.

Jeff Howe/The Athletic

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

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Robert Kraft: Tom Brady Will Be At Mandatory Minicamp

May 23, 2018 8:45 AM

Robert Kraft has been in contact with Tom Brady and expects the quarterback to attend the New England Patriots' mandatory minicamp next month.

Brady has skipped this week's OTAs.

Kraft emphasized that the workouts are voluntary and mentioned Brady's "responsibilities" to his family. Kraft said that he thinks the 40-year-old Brady is "in great shape."

ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Josh McDaniels Wants To Be Head Coach Again

May 11, 2018 12:18 PM

Josh McDaniels spoke to the media for the first time since backing out of his agreement to become head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

McDaniels said he does want to be a head coach again, but remains comfortable with his decision to remain with the Patriots.

McDaniels briefly was head coach of the Denver Broncos.

Karen Guregian/Boston Herald

Tags: Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Patriots Willing To Restructure Rob Gronkowski's Deal

May 8, 2018 4:26 PM

The New England Patriots are willing to restructure Rob Gronkowski's contract.

The tight end assured the Patriots two weeks ago that he would play for them in 2018.

Gronkowski skipped voluntary workouts, reportedly due to financial concerns.

"The Patriots are willing to adjust Gronkowski's contract for at least a year," Ian Rapoport reported. "They never do extensions two years out, but they are at least open to taking a look at Gronkowski's deal and giving him some more money which he no doubt deserves.

"He has stayed away from the Patriots, which is believed to be related to his contract. When they do come up with a new deal or part of a new deal, Gronkowski will in fact probably show up."

Jeremy Bergman/NFL

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

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Patriots Were Prepared To Trade Up To No. 2 For Baker Mayfield

May 2, 2018 10:19 PM

The New England Patriots had interest in trading up to No. 2 to select Baker Mayfield, according to Mayfield's agent Jack Mills.

The New York Giants owned the No. 2 pick and selected Saquon Barkley.

“We had another team which is going to surprise you. Another team had said, ‘You may get a big surprise on draft day, at No. 2, if he’s available.’ And it was the Patriots,” Mills said. “They had 23 and they had 31 and they had two seconds. We thought, ‘That’s gonna be a heck of a move, to get up that high from where they are.’ And of course he wasn’t available so we never knew if that was reality or not.”

The Patriots owned a pair of first round picks and many believed they had some level of interest in selecting a potential replacement for Tom Brady in this draft.

Mills also said that the Jets would have taken Mayfield over Sam Darnold at No. 3.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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