TEAM
TALK
- Roster Moves: Signed: RB Rushawn Baker and RB Jonathan Ward to the practice Squad; RB Jashaun Corbin placed on practice squad Injured Reserve.
- Evan Lazar analyzes the Patriots signing Marcus Jones to a long-term contract extension; Jones is one of the NFL’s best slot corners and punt returners, leading the NFL in punt return average this season.
- Alexandra Francisco has the story of how after miraculous recovery, Mike Vrabel hosted a 15-year-old Patriots fan for an unforgettable weekend at Gillette Stadium.
- Mic’d Up: Josh McDaniels vs. Cleveland Browns. (10 min. video)
- Sights and Sounds: Week 8 vs. Browns. (3 min. video)
- Vrabel’s X’s and O’s: Top plays from Week 8 vs. Browns. (4 min. video)
- Highlights: Patriots secondary takes on the Factory of Terror. (6 min. video)
- Patriots Unfiltered: Full breakdown of the Patriots 32-13 win; Plus, we talk about standout CB/PR Marcus Jones signing a long-term contract to remain in New England. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss reports CB Marcus Jones, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, has agreed to a contract extension. A source told ESPN that Jones agreed to a three-year, $36 million extension that runs through the 2028 season. /Good move.
- Mike D’Abate reports New England has added some depth to their secondary heading into Week 9, signing rookie safety John Saunders off the Dolphins practice squad to the 53-man roster.
- Mark Daniels and Karen Guregian report the Kyle Dugger era is over. Dugger went from a starter and mainstay in the Patriots defense to a backup in Mike Vrabel’s scheme.
- Sara Marshall wasn’t surprised to see the DE Keion White being shipped off to the 49ers. White didn’t have a good camp, had fallen down the depth chart and was a healthy scratch last week.
- Sara Marshall sees the Patriots’ drought of an offense without a 1,000-yard receiver looks to be nearing its end due to the rise of Kayshon Boutte this season.
- Steve Balestrieri rips open a brand new bag of gold stars while grading his Patriots Week 8 Report Card. Extra recess for all except the special teamers for getting flagged and Bryce Barringer for shanking a punt.
- Mark Morse cleans out his Patriots notebook: Week 8, plus trades and extensions. “This receiver room was criticized as being one of the worst in the league. Boy were those pundits wrong.” /True that.
- Bob George gives us 21 NFL takeaways as the Patriots kept rolling in Week 8. 19. There is such a thing as a “sophomore slump”. It’s happening in Washington. It may also be happening in Chicago. It’s not happening in Foxborough.
- Doug Kyed‘s Patriots mailbag: No. 1 position to address at NFL trade deadline
- Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry hand out midseason awards and superlatives.
- Mike D’Abate notes how Patriots players celebrated Halloween with pediatric cancer patients at Gillette Stadium. /Love this.
- The Patriots Report podcast: Chris Price and Chris Hogan look back at the blowout of the Browns, and talk about the Falcons, the MVP chase, Halloween candy and more. (40 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
- Nick Wagoner and Mike Reiss (ESPN) Patriots trade Keion White to 49ers and Kyle Dugger to Steelers.
- Seth Walder (ESPN) NFL trade grades: Kyle Dugger: Steelers B, Pats B. Keion White: 49ers A-, Pats C-.
- Gilberto Manzano (SI) Pariots-Steelers trade grades: Kyle Dugger was viewed as a possible cut candidate after he was demoted to the second team during the preseason. Steelers: B-, Patriots: B.
- Gilberto Manzano (SI) 49ers-Patriots trade grades: Keion White could help Mykel Williams break out. 49ers: C+, Patriots: B.
- Ben Solak (ESPN) Why Drake Maye should be MVP, a defense of Caleb Williams, four trades that must happen.
- Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports) Week 8 NFL QB Power Rankings: Patriots’ Drake Maye soars into top 10.
- Steven Ruiz (The Ringer) Updated QB rankings. Drake Maye 9th. “Drake Maye is a star.”
- Matt Verderame (SI) NFL All-Pro 2025 midseason picks and predictions. Punt returner Marcus Jones only Patriot included.
- Diante Lee (The Ringer) 2025 NFL midseason All-Rookie Team: These are the first-year players who have made the biggest impact through the first half of the season. OT Will Campbell, Jared Wilson (honorable mention) included.
- Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) The 10 must-watch players and teams before the trade deadline. Patriots listed as a buyer.
- Kevin Patra (NFL.com) Trade needs tracker: Top priority ahead of Nov. 4 deadline. Patriots: Pass Rush.
- Gilberto Manzano (SI) Ranking the top 15 players available at the NFL trade deadline. No Pats.
- Courtney Cronin (ESPN) Why some NFL QBs use play-sheet wristbands and others don’t. “A wristband doesn’t mean you can’t process the offense,” said Patriots backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, a Tennessee aerospace engineering major nicknamed “the Passtronaut.” “[In] offenses that aren’t wordy, you don’t need it, but it’s a good backup to have.” /”the Passtronaut”??? LOL!!!
