Today is the first day that NFL teams can assign franchise and transition tags to their free agents-to-be. With that in mind, an ESPN blog post analyzes what the Patriots might do with LB Dont'a Hightower, perhaps New England's highest-profile free agent this offseason.
The Boston Herald speculates that the Patriots could tag either Hightower or another big-name player, TE Martellus Bennett.
A WEEI.com column examines whether or not the Patriots should use their tags at all this year.
In The Boston Globe, you'll find a list of every Patriots free agent this year, with a bit of accompanying analysis as to their prospects of remaining in New England.
The Providence Journal is taking a snapshot look at each Patriots position group, reviewing their 2016 performance and looking ahead to 2017. The ProJo begins with the QB position.
Remember that big Tom Brady interview with MMQB earlier this week? There's a second act you’ll probably want to dive into today.
"I'd like to play until my mid-forties," he reiterates, among other nuggets. "Then I'll make a decision. If I'm still feeling like I'm feeling today, who knows? Now those things can always change. You do need long-term goals too. I know next year is not going to be my last year."
Finally today, you may have seen that head coach Bill Belichick took what has become his customary swings in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament this month. The Globe recounts how Belichick’s strong showing this year helped a New England golf pro’s career.
"The energy was so good from winning the Super Bowl," Rob Oppenheim told the Globe. "It was just good energy. Everyone was happy, he was in a good mood, and I think things would have been completely different if it went the other way. I don't see myself having the success I had in the tournament if the Patriots would have lost."
