Even though free agency and the new NFL business year are still a week away, plenty of moves are being made across the NFL.
Wednesday two of those moves involved the Bennett brothers and the Patriots, sort of.
The Boston Globe reports that New England officially releasing veteran tight end Martellus Bennett, ending his short-lived second tour of duty with the team. The Globe also compiles a list of the players the Patriots reportedly met with at the Scouting Combine last week, for whatever that's worth. With Richard Sherman's time with the Seahawks possibly coming to an end, the* Globe* wonders if New England might be his next employer.
Elsewhere in the world of the Bennetts, Boston.com passes on an NFL Network report that New England made a late “big offer” to trade for Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett, although the Seahawks decided to make a previously-agreed-to deal with the Eagles.
The Boston Herald writes about the upcoming final episode of “Tom vs. Time,” the Tom Brady docuseries on Facebook. The *Herald *notes that cutting Bennett saves the Patriots $6.2 million in cap space for 2018.
The* Providence Journal's* positional breakdown says that there is strength numbers at safety for the Patriots.
ESPN offers us its “mega-guide” to NFL free agency.
ESPNBoston.com tries to project what kind of contract Danny Amendola might be able to expect in free agency coming off an impressive postseason. ESPNBoston.com has its story on the Bennett release. ESPNBoston.com also passes along word that linebackers coach **Brian Flores will call the defensive plays in 2018, even though he won’t get the title of coordinator.**
ESPN reposts a Super Bowl-week feature story on Flores.
One columnist at WEEI.com says that Sherman, who is coming off a torn Achilles, is the answer at cornerback for the Patriots, not Aqib Talib. Elsewhere on the site, WEEI.com says that Sherman isn’t worth the risk. WEEI.com passes along an ESPN report that Talib wants to be released by the Broncos and sign with the Patriots. WEEI.com reports that Bill Belichick was at Alabama’s pro day on Wednesday.
NBCSports.com also breaks down whether Sherman or Talib would be a better fit in New England. NBCSports.com also wonders if free agent Jimmy Graham might provide the Patriots some “Gronk insurance” at tight end.
Another day another mock draft on NFL.com, this one giving the Patriots Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson at No. 31 overall.
ProFootballTalk.com passes along word that the Patriots have re-signed special teamer Brandon King to a new two-year contract.
ESPN notes that a horse named “Gronkowski,” named after the Patriots All-Pro tight end, is a step closer to competing in this year's Kentucky Derby.
FOX9.com out of Minnesota reports that Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers had a Rolex watch and jewelry, with a combined value of $63,000, stolen from his hotel room safe while at the Super Bowl.
NECN.com looks at the Patriots free agent strategy for defensive players.
