Marathon Monday is also Patriots' Day in Massachusetts, which is appropriately the first day of the Patriots offseason workout program as allowed by NFL/CBA rule.
It's not surprising, then, that the first official step of preparation for players working toward the 2018 NFL season is in the news.
Most notable is a report from ESPN, that both Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were expected to miss the first day of workouts at Gillette Stadium.
ESPN.com passes along word that former Patriots and Steelers linebacker James Harrison has decided to retire.
ESPNBoston.com rode with former Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola to a local charity event in a return to Boston for the first time since signing with the Dolphins. Amendola has interesting thoughts on his contract, Bill Belichick’s coaching and the controversial decision to bench Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII.
ESPNBoston.com looks at the many layers to Gronkowski’s decision to skip the opening of the offseason program.
ESPNBoston.com also wonders if the Patriots could have an interest in free agent former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant.
The* Boston Globe* declares that Gronkowski will “make a contract statement” by missing the start of the offseason workouts. The Globe also wonders if a rookie will join the QB fold for the Patriots this spring. The Globe *Sunday notes column breaks down the importance of strength coaches in the current NFL calendar. The *Globe says the Patriots are hosting UCLA tackle Kolton Miller in Foxborough on Monday. The Globe writes that New England will have a tough time finding a replacement for Nate Solder at left tackle.
The Boston Herald has its report on Grotowski’s absence. The Herald also writes that the Patriots need for a QB has the team’s AFC East rivals a bit nervous.
WEEI.com writes that it feels like the Gronkowski “drama” will end with the tight end getting a new contract. WEEI.com writes that Amendola's "public rebuke of Bill Belichick validates signs of Patriots discord."
NBC Sports Boston describes why Bryant should become a Patriot. NBC Sports also offers up another mock draft – warning it’s one of those annoying slideshows.
NFL.com has word of the Harrison retirement. NFL.com has a mock draft that sends a tackle and a linebacker to New England in the first round.
NESN.com notes that former Southwest Missouri interim head coach Cam Achord is joining the Patriots as an assistant coach.
