Friday's New England Patriots Links 2/7/14 - Belichick Has the Edge on Brady

Here are this morning's top stories:

BOSTON GLOBE:

NFL's Thursday night package shouldn't affect Patriots - Chad Finn - Finn has an article on the league's new Thursday night television deal, which he feels wouldn't see the Patriots appear on there more than once.

Words With Frenz mailbag: Should the Patriots use the franchise tag this year? - Erik Frenz - Frenz has his mailbag for this week and as usual touches on a variety of interesting topics in this entry.

BOSTON HERALD:

What's at play with key Patriots free agents - Jeff Howe - Howe has his thoughts this morning on where he believes the Patriots stand with their five starters who are a month away from the open market.

ESPN BOSTON:

Patriots ties in Houston bear watching - Field Yates - Yates looks at some of the hires being made in Houston, who he feels could lure away some of the Patriots potential free agents.

Patriots defensive snapshot: contracts - Mike Reiss - Reiss looks at the contracts for the Patriots on the defensive side of the football.

Patriots offensive snapshot - Mike Reiss - Reiss also has a breakdown of the offense, with some thoughts on some of the moves they'll make this offseason.

Belichick, Brady have one round in books - Field Yates - Yates looks at the current results of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which has Bill Belichick's duo leading Tom Brady's by one stroke through one round.

Kiper/McShay mock draft reax: Patriots - Mike Reiss - Reiss looks at a recent mock draft on the Patriots, which saw a couple of interesting picks made.

Weekly Patriots chat recap - Mike Reiss - Reiss recaps his chat from yesterday, which as always had some interesting discussion.

WEEI:

Patriots position-by-position breakdown: Cornerbacks - Christopher Price - Price continues his position breakdown, with this entry taking an in-depth look at the defensive back spot.

Free agent snapshot: Michael Johnson - Christopher Price - Price looks at Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson, and ponders how he might fit in here in New England.

PATRIOTS.COM:

In Case You Missed It: The Offseason is Underway - Isaac Moore - Moore has a good entry on the offseason picture.

CSNNE:

Free agent analysis: Pats may upgrade from Mulligan - Tom Curran - Curran looks at tight end Matthew Mulligan, and wonders if New England will opt to try and replace him this offseason.

Free agent analysis: Hooman a fit at tight end? - Tom Curran - Curran also has an entry on Michael Hoomanawanui, and wonders the same thing.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL POST:

Patriots have decision to make with Aqib Talib - Aaron Wilson - Wilson has notes on Talib, and wonders if the Patriots will be able to re-sign him.