Patriots Huddle: Tuesday's News, Notes & Links
 Bill Belichick and Aaron Hernandez communicated quite a bit prior to his arrest last year. (USA TODAY Images) |
Another quiet morning on this Tuesday, but here are some Patriots related news and notes for this morning:
33 PAGES OF TEXTS BETWEEN HERNANDEZ AND BELICHICK OBTAINED:
Very little has been mentioned in this space regarding Aaron Hernandez since his arrest and subsequent release last year and that's primarily because there was no further relevance to him from a football or Patriots standpoint. However, the recent report that 33 pages of texts have been obtained regarding texts between Bill Belichick and the former tight end was something that was somewhat of a surprise.
Outside the walls of Gillette Stadium not many people know much about the relationship between the coach and his players, but this latest report by the Hartford Courant shows that off the field, he's actively involved in the lives of his players.
According to the report, the evidence in the Lloyd case includes 33 pages of text messages between Belichick and Hernandez, from February 2013 to May 2013. The report also states that for several weeks during that time, Hernandez was staying in Hermosa Beach, California., for offseason training and injury rehabilitation. The court filings do not include the content of the text messages.
It's hard to say what was in those messages, but it also creates some credence to the Rolling Stone article which indicated that over that span Belichick had advised Hernandez to "lay low" due to concerns that the gangsters Hernandez had befriended "were actually trying to kill him." According to that article, those conversations took place between February and May after Hernandez reportedly started confiding in Belichick about his situation.
While Belichick may not have known all the details, it appears he tried to help Hernandez. Unfortunately, it seems he was too far gone and now will remain a disappointing story in Patriots history in a case that likely will only become more disturbing before it finally comes to a close.
BELICHICK HONORED IN NANTUCKET:
According to the Boston Globe Belichick and actress Sharon Stone were on Nantucket over the weekend being honored by The Nantucket Dreamland Foundation at its annual gala. They were both interviewed about their careers and what led them to pursue their professions.
This was the second year of the annual event, with last year's honoring Michael Douglas and Robert De Niro.
The event benefited the Nantucket Dreamland Foundation, and tickets for the event started at $500 each. They also held an online auction of unique experiences and items from the Indy 500 to Paris Fashion Shows to the 50-yd line tickets for the Patriots.
Belichick was also part of a Q&A, and director Melissa McCarthy said he was very "warm and open" during the event.
“Bill was warm and open with the audience. His very genuine character came through as he spoke to the audience about his influences, his challenges and, very humbly, about his successes as a coach,” Dreamland Foundation executive director Melissa McCarthy told the Boston Herald.
TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS MORNING:
The Patriots will release a limited number of single game tickets this morning, which will be available beginning at 10am through Ticketmaster or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can't be purchased in person at Gillette Stadium. Call 508-384-9191 for seating that is wheelchair-accessible. Also be aware that Visa is the only method of purchase for NFL tickets.
The team currently has a streak of 216-games in a row having sold-out, a streak that began back in 1994 and includes preseason, regular-season, and playoff games.
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
ESPN Boston has a bit from a recent radio appearance by Mike Reiss on WEEI - READ MORE
Nick O'Malley looks at some of the longshot players heading into training camp - READ MORE
O'Malley also looks at the position battles and feels the quarterback one is simple - READ MORE
Nick Underhill of MASSLIVE says good bye as he moves on to cover the Saints down in New Orleans - READ MORE
Glen Farley ponders whether or not the Patriots tough schedule will weaken them this season - READ MORE
James Christensen looks at some of the top position battles heading into training camp - READ MORE
Yahoo! Sports has their camp preview for the Patriots from the Sports Xchange - READ MORE
Kate Lemasters of Football.com looks at the fact the Patriots have quite a few receivers heading into training camp - READ MORE
Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN has comments from Ron Jaworski who ranked former Patriots QB Matt Cassel as one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL - READ MORE
