{"id":35787,"date":"2021-03-03T09:56:32","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T14:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=35787"},"modified":"2021-03-03T09:59:55","modified_gmt":"2021-03-03T14:59:55","slug":"five-patriots-nfl-things-to-know-3-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2021\/03\/03\/five-patriots-nfl-things-to-know-3-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Patriots\/NFL Things to Know 3\/3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some news and notes for this morning:<\/p>\n

1) The Patriots continue to do their due diligence when it comes to the quarterback position, with the club apparently not concerned about a player’s projected draft slot.<\/p>\n

According to the Athletic’s Jeff Howe, the New England has been “heavily scouting” the top QBs<\/strong><\/a> in the upcoming draft class, including number one pick, Trevor Lawrence.<\/p>\n

The Patriots have been heavily scouting the top five quarterbacks in the class, including some who would almost certainly\u00a0require a trade up the board, according to several sources. That group includes Clemson\u2019s Trevor Lawrence, BYU\u2019s Zach Wilson, North Dakota State\u2019s\u00a0Trey Lance, Ohio State\u2019s Justin Fields and Alabama\u2019s Mac Jones.<\/p>\n

Some of this background work has included conversations with the quarterbacks\u2019 college coaches. The Patriots were also in attendance last month for Lawrence\u2019s throwing session, which was held before his left shoulder surgery, and met with Jones during the week of the Senior Bowl. They\u2019re expected to continue to work on the class with each quarterback\u2019s pro day later this month.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Patriots are no stranger to being thorough, regardless of where they believe a player might go.\u00a0 Given the history of what’s gone on over the years, it could be as simple as being prepared unless a player falls or it could be they’re planning to make a move up the draft board, which Mel Kiper Jr. recently predicted the Patriots might trade up to the #9 slot<\/strong><\/a> to select Lance.\u00a0 There’s still also a chance given the recent rumors that Deshaun Watson could be dealt to the Jets, which would potentially make one of those guys available and throw off how many believe it may shake out.<\/p>\n

So while many are intrigued by the latest developments, only one person truly knows what the club’s intentions are.\u00a0 As a result, the rumors will likely continue to swirl and we’ll simply have to wait and see how it plays out.<\/p>\n


Van Noy was a good player, but he burned some bridges here in New England.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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2) Kyle Van Noy’s release after just one season in Miami was surprising, with the veteran linebacker among one of the key losses for the Patriots in free agency last offseason.<\/p>\n

Van Noy has fired off repeated shots at his former club, but like every other former player, the question now is whether or not Belichick will ignore the noise and give him the opportunity to return to his previous team.<\/p>\n

While Belichick is an expert at sweeping these things under the rug, a return to New England for Van Noy seems unlikely<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 He’s reportedly looking for a long-term deal and money that will probably be higher than the Patriots will even consider, making a return to Foxboro unlikely.<\/p>\n

Whether or not he gets what he wants remains to be seen and it’s safe to say he soured plenty of fans who used to root for him during his time here.\u00a0 Our own Steve Balestrieri believes the Giants could be in play for his services and it should be interesting to see where he ends up.<\/p>\n

3) Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady appeared on the Late Show with James Corden, answering a variety of questions including about the trophy toss, which has obviously gotten plenty of play recently.<\/p>\n

\u201cOK, first of all, I was not thinking at that moment,” said Brady.\u00a0 “There was not a thought. It was, \u2018this seems like really fun to do.\u2019 Not to mention, when you get your hands on one of those trophies, there are a lot of really sharp edges on the bottom, where the stand is. Obviously, the ball is what it is.”<\/p>\n

Brady admitted that had the toss gone wrong, he didn’t realize at the time how bad that might have been.<\/p>\n

“I found out later, that had that been an incomplete pass, that would\u2019ve went down like 80 feet,” said Brady. “So I am so happy to Cam [Brate].\u201d<\/p>\n

The veteran quarterback said that right now he’s keeping busy focusing on rehabbing his knee after recently undergoing knee surgery.\u00a0 He also admitted that he’s doing some little things around the house, including getting reacquainted with the dishwasher, where the broom and vacuum cleaner is, etc.\u00a0 Too funny.<\/p>\n

One other tidbit was the fact his wife, Gisele Bundchen, reportedly asked him, “What more do you have to prove?”\u00a0 Clearly indicating that she’s ready for him to call it a career.<\/p>\n

The entire interview was pretty good and is a little over 9-minutes.\u00a0 You can see the full segment below:<\/p>\n