Daily news and links for Thursday.
TEAM TALK
- Mike Dussault breaks down possible defensive coordinator candidates, and what that defense might look like schematically.
- Mike Dussault reports Ty Law has been named to Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League Hall of Fame Class of 2025. /Sweet!
- Patriots Catch-22 with Evan Lazar and Alex Barth: Vrabel Hiring, Coordinator candidates, NFL draft talk. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Dialynn Dwyer reports Drake Maye shared photos to social media on Wednesday of his proposal to longtime girlfriend Ann Michael Hudson, ‘Love doing life with you’.
- Tom E. Curran ranks which NFL teams have the best QB-head coach tandems, and puts Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel in the “Rising” category.
- Luke Graham wonders what Mike Vrabel’s time in Cleveland means for Drake Maye’s development.
- WEEI guest Adam Schefter says Josh McDaniels is a ‘completely logical’ choice for Patriots offensive coordinator.
- Darren Hartwell highlights Albert Breer and Phil Perry identifying potential DC candidates for MIke Vrabel.
- Tom Carroll and Logan Mullen highlight Mike Vrabel using the viral A.J. Brown book moment to praise wideout’s growth: ‘I’m proud of his development.’
- Nick Goss suggests possible trade-down scenarios for the Patriots and four potential trade partners in the top 15.
- Nick O’Malley relays Vince Wilfork on how he loves Vrabel, but thinks Jerod Mayo got screwed. /He’s not wrong.
- Chris Mason’s Patriots mailbag: What’s up with the front office? Who has final say?
- Tony Massarotti writes, in Boston sports, the times they are a changin’ for the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox.
- Doug Kyed takes his first crack at a Patriots Mock Draft 1.0: Adding sleeper wide receiver on Day 2. Pats pick LSU OT Will Campbell at No. 4.
- Nick O’Malley notes top coaching candidate Aaron Glenn explains why he declined the Patriots interview: “I’ve never felt anything against that organization,” Glenn said Wednesday. “It just wasn’t the best situation for me.”
- Nick O’Malley mentions former UMass quarterback Liam Coen interviews for Jaguars head coach opening.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Thomas Valentine (PFF) Each NFL team’s most improved player in 2024. Patriots: WR Kayshon Boutte.
- Jordan Plocher and Josh Liskiewitz (PFF) Perfect 2024 draft prospect for 32 teams. Patriots: LSU T Will Campbell.
- Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are trying to rewrite their playoff stories—Starting this weekend.
- Charles McDonald (Yahoo! Sports) Four Verts: Cowboys’ opening is a good one even with Jerry Jones’ mingling, and all hail the cardiac Commanders; More.
- Ali Bhanpuri, et al (NFL.com) Confidence rankings, Super Bowl odds for eight remaining playoff teams.
- Mitch Goldich (SI) Ranking all 16 possible matchups for Super Bowl LIX.
- Chris Bumbaca (USA Today) NFL divisional playoff watchability rankings: Which matchup is best game?
- Bill Barnwell (ESPN) Should the NFL change its playoff format? Pros and cons of six options.
- MMQB Staff (SI) NFL Divisional Round picks: Bills host Ravens in AFC showdown.
- Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Divisional-round best bets: In Lions’ Sam LaPorta we trust, plus strong teaser in the AFC.
- Anthony Dabbundo (The Ringer) The best NFL bets for the Divisional Round: Shut up and dance.
- Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) 2025 NFL head coach and General Manager change tracker.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Bill Belichick adds two more coaches, including Mike Priefer.
- David K. Li (Yahoo! Sports) Foul-mouthed fan banned from Eagles home games, fired from job after viral tirade against woman.