Thursday's Daily New England Patriots Links 8/29

The Patriots will finish their exhibition season tonight against the New York Giants, and then final roster cuts will happen this weekend before they move on toward the start of the regular season next week.

Tonight marks the final opportunity for quite a few guys to prove they deserve to be part of this football team, and here today's links which focus on tonight's game as well as some of the players who are on the bubble:

BOSTON HERALD:

Could this be final audition for Tim Tebow? - Jeff Howe - Howe files his notebook this morning and writes that Tim Tebow has a chance to flip the hourglass tonight and extend his time with the Patriots.

Pats-Giants: Five things to watch tonight - Jeff Howe - Howe has his five things for tonight, and writes that Jermaine Cunningham is among those who need to provide a glimmer of hope in this game.

BOSTON GLOBE:

Dont'a Hightower joining some lofty company in wearing green dot for Patriots defense - Erik Frenz - Frenz has a good read on linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who he writes, "has been wearing the "green dot" radio communication helmet on defense during preseason games. That's a role which linebacker Jerod Mayo has filled for the defense for years."

Rolling Stone article suggests Patriots are no angels either when it comes to Aaron Hernandez - Eric Wilbur - Wilbur has his thoughts on the Hernandez article in Rolling Stone magazine and writes that, "for the Patriots to preach that they knew little about his past or his off-field life is somewhat duplicitous."

Patriots' Josh Boyce embracing opportunity - Michael Vega - Vega has a good article on Josh Boyce, who he writes, "had he not decided to forgo his final year of eligibility at TCU to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, Josh Boyce would probably be in Fort Worth preparing for Saturday night's season opener against LSU." Boyce is glad to be here, and says he's just trying to make the most of his opportunity.

ESPN:

Patriots not expected to play in finale - Field Yates - Yates has a list of Patriots he doesn't expect to play tonight, which includes Danny Amendola and Jermaine Cunningham.

W2W4: Five things we'll be focused on - Mike Reiss - Reiss has his things to watch tonight, and wonders how deep into the game safety Adrian Wilson will play tonight as he tries to make the team.

NEPatriotsDraft.com:

Patriots vs Giants: Ten Keys to Preseason Week 4 - Matthew Jones - Our friends at NEPatriotsDraft.com have their keys to this week, and wonders if any of the reserve running backs will prove themselves worthy of a spot with this team.

ProFootballTalk.com:

Tonight could be Tebow's last stand - Darian Gantt - Gantt has an article on Tebow and writes that even though he had a "clunker" his last time out, Tebow still has some believers including owner Robert Kraft as he tries to make this team.

WORCESTER TELEGRAM:

Patriots cut Ras-I Dowling before exhibition finale - Jennifer Toland - Toland has an article this morning that has Dowling being cut as the headline, but it's more an article with notes and includes her things to keep an eye on tonight. One of the things she wonders about is Stephen Gostkowski, who has had a solid camp but has hit just 3-of-6 of his field goals so far this preseason.

Attleboro Sun Chronicle:

Last dance for those on the bubble - Mark Farinella - Farinella looks at the final players fighting for a spot, including the battle between LeGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden who he feels are getting their final shot to be the last running back on the depth chart tonight.

Providence Journal:

With roster spots on the line, Belichick will be watching final preseason game closely - Paul Kenyon - Kenyon writes that if Bill Belichick is to be taken at his word, some players will earn roster spots on the Patriots based on what happens Thursday night, while others would lose jobs as well.