{"id":27131,"date":"2020-02-02T05:00:04","date_gmt":"2020-02-02T10:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=27131"},"modified":"2020-02-01T11:47:56","modified_gmt":"2020-02-01T16:47:56","slug":"new-england-patriots-news-02-02-afc-east-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2020\/02\/02\/new-england-patriots-news-02-02-afc-east-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots News 02-02, AFC East Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, here is your <\/span>Sunday Patriots news 02-02 and AFC East notes<\/b> this week. And Happy Groundhog Day. If Pat the Patriot doesn\u2019t see his shadow…then we have six more Super Bowls in the next 20 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Game Day! Enjoy the Super Bowl today as it is time to enjoy some great food, company,\u00a0 and hopefully a great game today. I like the 49ers defense to hold on for a close win but this could easily go either way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Quick Hitters For the Pats and the NFL:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Tom Brady –<\/b> sent the Twitterati into a tizzy with a black and white photo of him walking into\/ out of (?) Gillette Stadium that was published on his Instagram account. And then, once again the amateur psychologists on social media set out trying to interpret what the meaning was…ugh please make it stop. March 18 is still nearly six weeks away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Later, Brady spoke to the McCourty twins and had this to say: \u201cBro, I\u2019m 42 years old, one of the oldest guys in the league, wanted to remind people that the best photos are in black and white.\u2019 That\u2019s all it was, bro. Black and white. It\u2019s a classic \u2014 like, I\u2019m the classic: Tom Brady, black and white. Put it all together, I\u2019m still out here doing it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brady Pt. 2 – <\/b>I wrote a piece this week for <\/span>SOFREP.com<\/span><\/a>, which is a military site on if the TB12 method of training would be of benefit to Special Forces soldiers, to help them prepare, perform, and recover faster and more efficiently. And if they can continue the work to keep themselves more pliable while deployed. I went to the TB12 Sports location in Foxboro and worked with the staff there as well as interviewed them and am a convert. Those principles are now part of my daily routine. You <\/span>can read it here:\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Michael Bennett – <\/b>The Patriots traded for Bennett during the offseason last year but then traded him in midseason. During Super Bowl week, Bennett dispelled rumors that he departed on bad terms with the team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing happened with me and Belichick,\u201d Bennett said. \u201cIt\u2019s just I didn\u2019t fit into the [scheme]. They changed to the whole other defense. It was a defense that people hadn\u2019t seen before, really, honestly. It was a defense where you had one defensive lineman, three linebackers down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, he was asked why the Patriots traded for him if they didn\u2019t plan to use him at defensive end, and he said that he believes the team\u2019s defensive plan was altered after the season got underway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think things change,\u201d said Bennett. \u201cI think Belichick, he could start off with one mindset and then look at what\u2019s better for the team.\u201d He took all the fun out of that one…<\/span><\/p>\n

4th & 2 Podcast<\/b> – If you\u2019ve haven\u2019t checked out our <\/span>PatsFans.com podcast, <\/span><\/a>\u201cPatriots 4th & 2\u201d in a bit, Please do check it out.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Goodell Not Done With Taping Investigation:<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you thought the NFL\u2019s investigation into the taping incident in Cincinnati would be over now, you\u2019d have been in the majority, in terms of a train of thought, and you\u2019d also have been very wrong. After the incident on December 8, the tape in question was in the NFL\u2019s hands a day later. Now another 56 days have passed and the league still isn\u2019t finished with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Commissioner Goodell was asked by Ben Volin of the Globe what was taking so long this week at the Super Bowl media gathering since it was an open and shut case. His answer wasn\u2019t surprising considering the league\u2019s past history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe answer to that (last) question is no, it shouldn\u2019t, because our responsibility is to make sure we\u2019re being <\/span>extremely thorough <\/b>(emphasis mine). We have a responsibility to 31 other clubs, we have a responsibility to fans to understand all of what happened, and make sure that something we don\u2019t know happened didn\u2019t happen. And so from our standpoint, we want to make sure we\u2019re being thorough. Our team has been on it. We have been focused on this. I think it has not been that lengthy of time. We have obviously put the focus on it, but we\u2019re going to get it right. When we come to a conclusion, we\u2019ll certainly make sure people are aware of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Considering the shoddy, preordained \u201cinvestigation\u201d that the league conducted during the Deflategate fiasco where anyone who sat through 7th-grade science class or has lived through even one northern winter knew it was weather-related, it isn\u2019t a surprise at all. We\u2019re not even going to get into the allegations of deflating footballs that have happened since that the league has refused to even entertain or the data they collected on air pressure that they conveniently destroyed after it was over.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, the definitive line here is this: \u201cWe have responsibility \u2026 to make sure that something that we don\u2019t know happened, didn\u2019t happen.\u201d In other words, what Goodell is saying, that the league is moving forward once again with the presumption of guilt of higher crimes than just stupidity on the case of the film crew and the league will try to paint this in the darkest light possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Very early in the process of this latest fiasco, Pro Football Talk reported in mid-December that the NFL was frustrated by the absence of tying the film crew with the Patriots football operation side of the house.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs one source explained it, there\u2019s a sense that investigators <\/span>want<\/b> to make that connection, and a perception that they are showing frustration when unable to tie the video crew to the football employees,\u201d Florio wrote. When someone wants to make a connection, it ceases being an investigation, much like the Ted Wells junk science crapola that was spoon-fed to the legions of Patriots-haters that were screaming for their pound of flesh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Goodell\u2019s statement tells you all you have to know how this is going to go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Mike Pennel after minicamp practice. SBalestrieri photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Pennel Unhappy With the Patriots \u201cLack of Transparency\u201d:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots signed free agent defensive tackle Mike Pennel early in the 2019 offseason and it was originally thought that he\u2019d play a big role in the run defense, something they struggled with at times this year. But his playing time was decreased as the preseason wore on and he was cut.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pennel wasn\u2019t happy about the way things were handled according to NESN\u2019s Zach Cox who was first to report this.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll definitely keep the particulars of that to myself,\u201d Pennel said. \u201cBut it was just with how the preseason was going and everything like that, me being a veteran, I kind of knew what was going on with the (decreased) reps and everything like that. I didn\u2019t really understand what was going on and didn\u2019t really get any answers. So after that point, it was a little bit of confusion, a little bit of relief when I got cut. But I\u2019m just glad to be somewhere with a lot more transparency.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pennel said he didn\u2019t connect with former Patriots DL coach Bret Bielema, now with the Giants on Joe Judge\u2019s staff. But he did say he has a good rapport with former Patriots and current Chiefs DL coach Brendan Daly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s different when you go up to your coach and talk life and not just football,\u201d Pennel said. \u201cIt\u2019s different when you can have a different technique or be able to talk through techniques with your coach. Some places you can do that; some places you can\u2019t. New England wasn\u2019t the place to do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Eastbound and Down AFC East Notes:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Bills Sean McDermott a Finalist for NFL Coach of the Year:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Buffalo Bills are (this was written on Friday night) hoping to hear that Head Coach Sean McDermott will be named the NFL Coach of the Year which will be announced on Saturday night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is generally thought that John Harbaugh will take that honor, however, in his three seasons with the Bills, McDermott has taken them to the postseason twice, no mean feat considering the postseason drought the team suffered since the 1990s.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It is an honor,” McDermott said in an interview with”One Bills Live” this week. “But, like most of the awards I think it is truly a team deal and you don’t get that recognition without winning games. And, you don’t win games without a team and a great staff and a great building. I am much appreciative of that and I think it is great for our team and great for Buffalo.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“It has truly been a team effort,” he added. “We have been through ups and downs and that is part of the journey. We have enjoyed that journey but it is satisfying to know that our players have gotten the recognition that they deserved to this point and they are going to get more and our staff. It is great to see the Buffalo Bills back on the map.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Brady to the Dolphins Still? Makes No Sense to the Owner:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Miami Dolphins are in the midst of rebuilding and team owner Stephen Ross, in addressing the Tom Brady to the Dolphins rumors says it doesn\u2019t make any sense. And we\u2019d agree with that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI hear he\u2019s going to be a free agent but we\u2019re not allowed to talk to him until March,\u201d Ross said on Friday. \u201cI don\u2019t know why he would want to come to Miami as we are a rebuilding team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With Ryan Fitzpatrick remaining in 2020, and the fact the team fired OC Chad O\u2019Shea because it wanted to get away from a Patriots style of offense, why would Miami then try to bring in the Patriots QB? It makes less than zero sense, but the rumors persist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jets To Target Joe Thuney in Free Agency? Makes Sense:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The New York Jets need a lot of help along their offensive line, and one player that they may go after once free agency starts is Patriots free agent Joe Thuney.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network believes it is a great fit for both sides. \u201cI heard nothing from Jets sources but several league insiders believe the team will go hard after Joe Thuney \u2013 which makes perfect sense,\u201d Pauline wrote.<\/span><\/p>\n

While it certainly does make sense for the Jets to look at the 2nd team All-Pro guard as a very needed upgrade for the Jets offensive line in 2020, they will hardly be alone. Thuney is expected to draw a lot of interest across the league once free agency begins on March 18th.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an extremely sad time for the entire sports community. In my 45 years in the NFL, I have never witnessed a group as captivated as the day Kobe addressed our team two years ago. The respect and reverence he commanded far exceeded him being a legendary player. He was a special person with an unmatched passion, intensity, and mentality toward achieving his goals.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Kobe\u2019s determination led to a brilliant athletic career and paved the way for successes in the next chapters of his life. By bringing joy to millions of people with his extraordinary athletic ability, inspiring people to elevate the standard for anything they do or performing countless acts of encouragement, Kobe Bryant\u2019s lasting impact is immeasurable.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I hope our collective thoughts and prayers can help provide strength to the families of all the victims of this tragedy.\u201d <\/span><\/i>\u2013 <\/span><\/i>Bill Belichick on the passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how was your week?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our<\/span><\/i> Patriots 4th and 2<\/span><\/i><\/a> podcasts on blog talk radio as Russ Goldman, Derek Havens and myself from<\/span><\/i> PatsFans.com<\/span><\/i><\/a> discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Good morning, here is your Sunday Patriots news 02-02 and AFC East notes this week. And Happy Groundhog Day. If Pat the Patriot doesn\u2019t see his shadow…then we have six more Super Bowls in the next 20 years. Game Day! Enjoy the Super Bowl today as it is time to enjoy some great food, company,\u00a0 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