March 2019 - New England Patriots Wiretap

Ben Watson Facing Four-Game Suspension

May 28, 2019 8:37 AM

Benjamin Watson wrote on Facebook on Sunday that he is facing a four-game suspension for a failed test in March of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

The tight end recently signed a contract with the New England Patriots.

He had originally planned to retire following the 2018 season before signing a deal in May.

"After my contract expired last March, I told my doctors I was finished playing, went through a series of medical tests and was prescribed Bio Identical Testosterone Cypionate to assist in healing my body and mind," he wrote on social media.

"On March 29, nine days after I started therapy, I was randomly tested under our substance policies. I complied out of habit, never thinking in the moment I'd want to come back. In late April, some clubs expressed interest in me playing and after much deliberation and prayer, I decided I wanted to return. Considering myself previously retired, I had forgotten all about my test in March until I got a letter on May 3rd saying my results were positive. I was devastated and for obvious reasons did not want to proceed.

"At that point I knew my decision to return to play would include a four-game suspension and I immediately discussed this new development with the clubs."

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor, Suspension

Discuss
Patriots, Saints, Falcons, Bengals, Colts Interested In Gerald McCoy

May 23, 2019 11:36 AM

Gerald McCoy has received interest from multiple teams since he parted ways with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week.

McCoy has heard from the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints.

Jenna Laine/ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Jared Veldheer Tells Patriots He Will Retire

May 21, 2019 3:41 PM

Jared Veldheer has informed the New England Patriots he will retire approximately one week after signing with the franchise.

Barring a change of heart, Veldheer will conclude his career having played in 118 regular season games, with 113 starts.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

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

Discuss
Julian Edelman Agrees To Two-Year, $19M Extension With Patriots

May 21, 2019 3:40 PM

The New England Patriots and Julian Edelman have agreed to a two-year extension worth $19 million in new money. The deal includes an $8 million signing bonus and $12 million in guaranteed money.

Edelman has a good chance of now finishing his career with the Patriots.

Edelman, 32, had 74 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games in 2018.

Mike Garafolo/NFL.com

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

Discuss
Patriots Sign Jamie Collins

May 15, 2019 7:04 PM

Jamie Collins has agreed to sign with the New England Patriots.

Collins was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft and was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2016.

The Browns then signed Collins to a four-year, $50 million deal.

By releasing Collins, the Browns saved $2.5 million in salary-cap space this season, $9.25 million in 2019 and $13.75 million in 2020.

ESPN

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

Discuss
Bill Belichick To Serve As Patriots' De Facto Defensive Coordinator

May 14, 2019 10:55 PM

Bill Belichick will serve as the de facto defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots this season and call plays.

The Patriots hired Greg Schiano for the role, but he stepped down suddenly approximately a month later.

The Patriots lost Brian Flores to the Miami Dolphins this offseason. The previous offseason, the Patriots lost Matt Patricia to the Detroit Lions.

Bret Bielema will coach the defensive line.

Ben Volin/Boston Globe

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Benjamin Watson To Join Patriots On One-Year Deal

May 10, 2019 8:16 AM

The New England Patriots will sign Benjamin Watson to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, according to sources.

The Patriots originally drafted the 38-year-old tight end in the first round back in 2004.

Watson had announced his retirement from football in December.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

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

Discuss
Benjamin Watson To Unretire, Visit Patriots

May 9, 2019 3:53 PM

Benjamin Watson will come out of retirement and make a free-agent visit with the New England Patriots.

Watson, 38, spent last season with the New Orleans Saints and announced his retirement in late December.

The Patriots used a first-round pick on Watson in 2004.

Ian Rapoport/NFL Network

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

Discuss
Sean McVay: Watching So Much Film Watered Down Thought Process For SB

May 8, 2019 11:40 AM

Sean McVay believes he may have over-prepared for Super LIII in which the Los Angeles Rams lost to the New England Patriots 13-3. The extra week gave McVay the opportunity to watch more film than usual.

“In the back of my mind, [when making the Super Bowl game plan back in L.A.], I operated knowing I had another week. That urgency to completely finalize the gameplan wasn’t quite there, and that led to me watching so much film that you can almost water down your thought process.”

McVay admits “you have so much time that you can over-prepare and get away from some of the things that helped you get there. I watched every game from New England’s season. You see stuff that worked in, say, Week 3, but you forget about the amount of stuff that’s taken place since Week 3. You can watch so much film that you lose perspective. You have 18 games of film you can pore over. And then I even watched the Philly and Atlanta Super Bowls closely.”

McVay also gives the Patriots credit.

“But you have to give the Patriots credit, they were their best when their best was demanded. And personally, I wasn’t good enough. I have to do a better job.”

Andy Benoit/Sports Illustrated

Tags: Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, IQ

Discuss
Patriots To Sign Jared Veldheer To One-Year Contract

May 7, 2019 3:24 PM

The New England Patriots will sign Jared Veldheer to a one-year contract.

It is expected to come after Tuesday's compensatory pick deadline, which means the team will be able to sign a player without it affecting the compensatory pick formula (as the Patriots are projected to receive two third-round picks and two sixth-round picks).

Veldheer provides veteran insurance behind 2018 first-round draft pick Isaiah Wynn (who is coming off an Achilles tear) and Yodny Cajuste (who is coming off a calf injury). The Patriots lost two offensive tackles in free agency -- starter Trent Brown (Oakland) and backup LaAdrian Waddle (Buffalo).

Mike Reiss/ESPN

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

Discuss
Odell Beckham Wants To Turn Browns Into New Patriots
Odell Beckham, Jr. has big plans for the Browns.

Cam Wolf/GQ

Tom Brady: Winning Has Been Priority Over Money, Plus My Wife Is Rich
Tom Brady also said he still hasn't grown tired of playing football.

Mike Reiss/ESPN