There was a time when former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel was one of the biggest stories in all of sports.
And the Patriots always seems to be at the center of headlines.
So marrying the two together is pretty much the perfect recipe for the media.
The Boston Herald reports that the Patriots met with Manziel both before and after Texas A&M’s pro day on Tuesday, where the former Aggie continued his efforts to jumpstart his career comeback. Of course New England was one of 32 teams at the event, that showcased Texas A&M draft-eligible talent such as receiver Christian Kirk.
The Herald also writes that the Titans very much did their homework before signing cornerback Malcolm Butler. The Herald also writes off of Bill Belichick's meeting with the media at the NFL meetings, focusing on the coach’s short- and long-term plan for the Patriots in regards to the salary cap. The Herald notes that recently re-signed veteran LaAdrian Waddle could be the leading candidate for the Patriots left tackle job.
The* Boston Globe* observes that Belichick served little more than goose eggs to reporters at the Tuesday morning breakfast affair in Orlando. The Globe writes that's Butler’s Super Bowl benching didn’t matter to the Titans. The Globe also notes that the NFL approved a new targeting rule in regards to helmet-to-helmet contact.
The* Providence Journal has Atlanta coach Dan Quinn offering up his assessment of former Falcon Adrian Clayborn, who signed with New England this month. The *ProJo has Belichick taking a “we’ll see how it goes” approach to New England’s left tackle spot. The* ProJo *says Belichick is happy with his team’s offseason moves.
ESPNBoston.com has owner Robert Kraft acknowledging that the Patriots may have to think about drafting a quarterback. ESPNBoston.com says that Cordarrelle Patterson will get a closer look as a punt returner in New England, a role he hasn't filled previously in his NFL career as a receiver and kickoff returner.
WEEI.com says that Manziel’s second chance shouldn’t start with the Patriots. WEEI.com seemingly rhetorically asks, “Who says Bill Belichick can’t coach for five more years?”
NBCSports.com attempts to interpret everything said by Kraft and Belichick over the last couple of days. NBCSports.com says that the NFL's new catch rule is only going to cause more uncertainty. NBCSports.com continues to look at QB draft prospects who might suit the Patriots needs at the position.
NFL.com notes another rule change that eliminates the need for a PAT after a game-winning TD. NFL.com passes along interesting word that the Colts actually were opposed to the so-called “Josh McDaniels rule” proposal, which has been tabled at this point. NFL.com has Steelers tight end Jesse James praising the new catch rule, one that would have allowed him to score a touchdown to potentially beat the Patriots last regular season. NFL.com says Manziel talked with a number of teams before and after his Tuesday workout.
NFL.com's latest mock draft, one that goes five rounds deep, has the Patriots landing UCLA tackle Kolton Miller with the 31st pick, as well as a quarterback with a supposed quick release in the fourth round.
NESN.com describes what fans can expect from Patterson in his first season in Foxborough, assuming he makes the team.
