The Patriots are in the midst of the team's third week of organized team activities (OTA), but it's news from off the field that's once again surrounding Bill Belichick's squad.
News broke over the weekend that a vehicle reportedly owned by Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes – the team's former second-round pick who re-signed with New England this spring after a single year with the Bills – was involved in an accident on I-495 in Foxborough in the early morning hours on Sunday.
The Boston Globe says that the 2011 Mercedes Benz Maybach was found abandoned after a report of a crash.
In the wake of that report, the Patriots released Spikes Monday morning.
The Globe's Sunday notes column looks at the NFL's deal with Yahoo to stream a game between the Bills and Jaguars this season online.
The Boston Herald also notes the Spikes incident and that he was released.
ESPNBoston.com's headline says it all – Spikes Gone. Mike Reiss' Sunday notes leads off with a look at the coverage of Jimmy Garoppolo’s so-called struggles in OTA action.
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski participated in the One Mission Buzz Off to support pediatric cancer patients on Sunday. The annual event took place at Gillette Stadium with more than 1,000 people going bald and raising upwards of $1 million for One Mission's programs.
One of the most active Patriots in community endeavors and charity work, tight end Rob Gronkowski shaved his head over the weekend as part of the "One Mission" Buzz Off For Kids with Cancer Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
WEEI.com looks at Aaron Dobson’s important offseason heading into his third year. The site also breaks down the productive relationship between Tom Brady and Gronkowski.
WEEI.com also has Joe Montana saying that Deflategate is “funny" to him and regardless of what happened, "It's no big deal."
CSNNE.com relays that many of the Patriots early-season opponents are already dealing with injury issues.
