Chandler Jones has not missed practice or preparation work this week in Foxborough as he and the Patriots prepare for Saturday evening's Divisional Playoff against the Chiefs at Gillette Stadium.
Jones also has not spoken with the media this week in the wake of his weekend "medical emergency" that led to the Pro Bowl defense end being sent to a local emergency room.
The Boston Globe brought new information to the story late on Wednesday, reporting that Jones suffered a “bad reaction to synthetic marijuana.” The paper notes that Bill Belichick offered little information on Jones’ “situation” when he held his Thursday morning press conference. Globe columnist Chris Gasper says the Patriots won’t be distracted by Jones’ would-be distraction.
The *Globe *takes a statistical look at whether the Patriots double-score strategy – points at the end of the first half and beginning of the second – really works.
Boston Herald columnist Steve Buckley believes the last thing the Patriots needed this time of year is the Jones drama. The Herald says that the New England defense will take aim at dangerous Kansas city tight end Travis Kelce. Teammates in the Patriots locker room voiced support for Jones on Wednesday. The *Herald *Patriots notebook says that despite his return to the practice field yesterday Rob Gronkowski is not up to speed.
The Providence Journal declares that it's been an uncharacteristically noisy playoff week for the Patriots. The *ProJo *writes that the New England offensive line hopes to be a ring of protection around Tom Brady this weekend.
ESPNBoston.com passes along Belichick declining to answer whether Jones’s situation will affect how the coach uses his most productive pass rusher on Saturday. "We'll see on Saturday. I could just Xerox you a copy of the game plan and you can send it over to Kansas City. That might be easier for all of us," Belichick said. ESPNBoston.com offers a two-sided preview of Saturday’s big game at Gillette, perspective from both New England and Kansas City. The site has Steven Jackson talking about the excitement of his first playoff game since his rookie season in St. Louis.
WEEI.com looks at Belichick’s lack of interest in talking about the Chiefs 11-game winning streak. WEEI.com wonders if Josh McDaniels could be a head coaching option for Tennessee after the Robinson hire. The site says that despite the distractions this week, the Patriots are ready for a postseason fight.
CSNNE.com says Belichick “parried questions” about Jones Thursday morning.
NFL.com offers up a preview of the battle between the Chiefs and Patriots.
FoxSports.com has four factors that could decide Saturday’s playoff contest.
NESN.com breaks down the close relationship between Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan and safety Duron Harmon, that dates back to their days together at Rutgers.
MMQB.com's look at the decision to defer that NFL teams face, including plenty of Patriots-related info.
