Friday's New England Patriots Links 6/1
After yesterday's open OTA practice there are plenty of good articles this morning with information on what went down during practice on Thursday. So here are today's top stories:
BOSTON GLOBE
Former Patriot Stephen Neal to be honored with Wrestling Hall induction - Shalise Manza Young
Former Patriots offensive lineman Stephen Neal will be honored this weekend where he'll be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Oklahoma during ceremonies today and tomorrow.
NOTEBOOK: Patriots' Vince Wilfork says OTA's a big help for young defense - Michael Whitmer & Julian Benbow
In this article Wilfork talks about the fact OTA's have been good in helping get the "little things" out of the way that he feels can make a big difference down the road during the season.
Patriots' Tom Brady a team player all the way - Shalise Manza Young
Manza Young has a good article on Brady this morning, who met with the media yesterday for the first time since the moemnts after Super Bowl XLVI.
Patriots open OTA No.2: Practice observations - Greg A. Bedard
This link takes you to page 2 of the article because page one is more or less blank. Bedard - as always - provides a terrific glimpse of what went down yesterday, with a lot of interesting observations in this entry.
BOSTON HERALD
Tom Brady's still the man - Jeff Howe
Howe also has a good article on the veteran QB and writes that when Brady walks through the Gillette Stadium doors, "the tenor of the Patriots changes."
In search of 'D' swagger - Karen Guregian
Guregian writes that the Patriots need a young playmaker to help get them off the field on third down, and Wilfork said yesterday that it's something we'll see from them this season.
NOTEBOOK: Contract not a bother for Patrick Chung - Jeff Howe
Howe leads off his "notebook" with comments from Patrick Chung, who is in the final year of his rookie deal but doesn't plan on letting it be a distraction this season.
Versatile Julian Edelman plays coy on defense - Karen Guregian
Guregian has an interesting article on Edelman, who told her that so far he hasn't been asked to attend any of the defensive meetings.
ESPN BOSTON
More observations from Thursday's OTA - Field Yates
Yates has a handful of observations from yesterday's practice, with a lot of good bits of information in this entry.
Observations from today's OTA - Mike Rodak
Rodak also has some observations from yesterday, including the fact Nate Ebner was back on the field.
Follow-up thoughts from Practice - Mike Rodak
Rodak has another entry with more thoughts from practice, and also notes that linebacker Rob Ninkovich practiced with the defensive line.
Player to Watch: Will Allen - Field Yates
Yates has an entry this morning on Patriots defensive back Will Allen and provides an interesting take on the veteran.
Patriots' reunion week - Mike Rodak
Rodak has a good article on Brady and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who are back together for the first time since the postseason.
VIDEO: Woody & Bruschi have Spelling Bee - ESPNBoston.com
In this video the two former Patriots were challenged to an impromptu Spelling Bee on NFL Live on Thursday, in the spirit of the Scripps National Spelling Bee airing on ESPN.
Highlights from Branch Q&A - Field Yates
Yates has quotes from Deion Branch's media session yesterday, with the veteran talking about what it's like coming back to Josh McDaniels' system.
WORCESTER TELEGRAM
Tom Brady downplays lifestyle, ready for football - Rich Garven
Garven also has an article on Brady, who once again had a busy offseason but is excited to be back at work in Foxboro.
EAGLE TRIBUNE
North Andover man to play with Tom Brady - Paul Tennant
Tennant writes that Louis Sciuto from North Andover will be competing on the gridiron at Harvard Stadium with Brady tonight in his annual Best Buddies football game.
ENTERPRISE NEWS
OTA's at six for Patriots - Glen Farley
Farley has an entry that includes the complete OTA's and minicamp schedule over the next month for anyone who may be interested.
WEEI
NOTES From the Patriots Thursday Morning OTA Session - Christopher Price
Price provides his observations from yesterday's session, with a lot of good notes in this entry.
Welcome Back: Patriots Getting Reacquainted with Josh McDaniels - Christopher Price
Price has a great article on the return of McDaniels, and notes the radically different look the passing game had the last time he was here.
Patrick Chung Seizes Leadership role in Secondary - Ryan Hadfield
Hadfield writes that Chung, who is now in his fourth year, will be looking to fill the leadership role and spearhead the secondary this season.
MASS LIVE
Julian Edelman is not sure if he will play defense this season - Nick Underhill
Underhill writes that while there wasn't much Edelman didn't do last season, it looks like the receiver won't be a defensive back for this season.
CSNNE
Notes from Patriots OTA's: Week 2 - Mary Paoletti
Paoletti has entry highlighting some of what went down during yesterday's session, and notes that Tracy White - who is recovering from hernia surgery and wasn't spotted at last week's OTA's - was on the field working out on the side with Rob Gronkowski, Joseph Addai, and Matthew Slater.
Branch says McDaniels brings 'wrinkles' - Tom E. Curran
Curran has a good article with comments from Deion Branch, who said that Josh McDaniels "has thrown a lot of different wrinkles at them" during the OTAs.
PATRIOTS.COM
From the Hart: OTA observations - Andy Hart
Hart provides a glimpse at what went on during yesterday's portion of the practice session that was open to the media.
Vince Wilfork OTA Interview Transcript - Patriots.com
The team has the complete interview from Vince Wilfork's media session available for those who want to read it.
Tom Brady OTA Interview Transcript - Patriots.com
They also have Brady's complete interview from his press conference available via this link.
NFL.COM
David Thomas tells Saints what it's like in Firestorm - Brian McIntyre
McIntyre has an article on Saints tight end David Thomas, who was a member of the Patriots during the "Spygate" episode in New England and has been helping other players get through the now "bounty-gate" saga in New Orleans.
