Today is the 51st anniversary of the sinking of the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald into Lake Superior, as it was steaming towards Detroit with a load of iron ore pellets in its hull.
Today is also a Tuesday, when the film reviews, analyses and breakdowns of the game are posted, and there are some informative ones in the links below. No lives were lost in this past Sunday’s disaster for the Patriots, but more players added to an already-too-long list of injured players. I’m not ready to declare the roster
a sinking ship yet though.
This also happens to be the NFL trade deadline, today at 4:00 pm ET. I’ve heard many fans bemoaning the fact that the front office isn’t doing anything to try and add pieces to patch up the roster. My opinion is that there are simply too many holes in this boat to fix with a trade – that won’t also break the bank of cap space or future draft assets. If the issue is shoring up one position, then the price may be worth it to sail on to the playoffs. But where would the Patriots even start? OL? RB? WR? The list is too long. My hope is that some injured players start to return to help the team stack up some wins – but I don’t want to see the team jettison draft picks for a quick fix that may or may not even work out. We’ll see what happens today.
TEAM TALK
Evan Lazar’s After Further Review: Drake Maye film breakdown, Patriots coverage issues, quick-hit film notes from the Week 9 loss. “Whenever there’s a lopsided loss like this, it’s important to see the forest for the trees.”
Roster Moves: Pats release TE Tanner Arkin from 53-man roster and LB Jose Ramirez from the practice squad.
Transcript: Mike Vrabel (Plus, 12 min. video)
WEEI Patriots Monday: Mike Vrabel (17 min. video) and Drake Maye (12 min.)
LOCAL LINKS
Andrew Callahan’s Patriots film review: The real problems for Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel’s defense. /Good read.
Steve Balestrieri takes out the old-school principal’s paddle after issuing this week’s Positional Report Card: Pats were outcoached (WHACK!), outplayed (WHUMP!), outclassed (THWACK!), embarrassed (SMACK!)…
Jerry Thornton shares his knee-jerk reactions to Week 9: Patriots-Packers. “This wasn’t a bad loss. It was the kind of thing that made you wonder why you would ever want to buy tickets to a game. To subject yourself, friends and family to this experience…“
Colby Shannon looks at what went wrong with CB Christian Gonzalez vs. the Packers.
Doug Kyed highlights Mike Vrabel on Christian Gonzalez’s struggles: ‘Can’t take a play off’.
Ethan Hurwitz explains why Patriots need the running game to step up, but with Rhamondre Stevenson and TrVeyon Henderson out it’s not looking great.
Ernesto Cova says it’s time for the Patriots to make a long-overdue decision on Caleb Lomu: Let the rook cook.
Michael DeVito notes Mack Hollins’ return didn’t make the impact the Patriots hoped for in Week 9.
Mike Reiss passes along a report that Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to miss time with a knee tendon issue.
Alex Barth mentions how the Germany trip could mean early injury decisions for New England.
Ethan Hurwitz reports the Patriots released rookie TE Tanner Arkin, and edge rusher edge rusher Jose Ramirez from the practice squad.
Ethan Hurwitz notes starting LG Ben Brown, who was only in the game after injuries decimated the O-Line, was ruled out with a knee injury. Mike Vrabel says he “probably won’t make it this week” to Germany.
Mark Daniels’ Patriots Takeaways: Mike Vrabel on trade deadline, injury updates, A.J. Brown news
Alex Barth’s Patriots Mailbag: Bouncing back from a brutal loss to the Packers.
Karen Guregian sees the Patriots with more questions than answers, with trade deadline on tap.
Michael Hurley will be updating all NFL Trade Deadline news: Will the Pats boost its roster before 4 p.m?
Karen Guregian talks with safety Kevin Byard III about delivering his own baby, playing for Mike Vrabel and more. (6 min. video)
Chris Mason shares 10 things we learned from Tom Brady’s first Patriots broadcast in New England. 1. Strong endorsement of Drake Maye.
Title Talk podcast: Brycen and Luke talk about the Packers disaster, the upcoming trade deadline, Russini’s return and more. (1 hour, 37 min.)
NATIONAL NEWS
Matt Sullivan (Sporting News) Why Patriots should be concerned about Drake Maye after three interceptions vs. Packers.
Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) CB Christian Gonzalez had a game so bad, he did something never seen before.
Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Mike Vrabel on Christian Gonzalez: We expect more, he expects more.
Zachary Pereles (CBS Sports) NFL trade deadline: Who’s buying, who’s selling, plus biggest names, led by Jonathan Taylor.
Tyler Sullivan (CBS Sports) Cover 32: What every team should do at NFL trade deadline, plus game balls and gaffes from Week 9. “After a 45-27 shellacking at home to the Packers, I have one question: Is this Patriots team even worth investing in?…“
Albert Breer (SI) Week 9 Takeaways: Why the Packers are looking like Super Bowl contenders; Plus, the Giants are being aggressive, Myles Garrett returns and more.
Gilberto Manzano (SI) Week 9 Lessons: Browns should stand Pat with Shedeur Sanders at QB; Plus, the Raiders and Cardinals should trade QBs Kirk Cousins and Gardner Minshew II, and more.
Ben Solak (ESPN) Seven thoughts for NFL Week 10: Jaguars trades, All-Pro picks, more.
