The 2017 Patriots are on mission.
At least that's how wide receiver trade addition Brandin Cooks has interpreted New England's active, aggressive offseason of roster building, as noted by the *Boston Globe’s* recap of the playmaker’s Tuesday press conference in the media workroom at Gillette Stadium.
Of course, Cooks quickly noted he's not exactly sure what the mission is.
In off, off, way off-the-field news, the Globe looks at the idea that Julian Edelman could be somewhat tied into the recent suspension served by Mets pitcher Matt Harvey.
The Boston Herald writes that with Aaron Hernandez's murder conviction now erased, it could have financial implications for the Patriots. The Herald says that it sounds like Cooks is settling in quite nicely to his new team.
The *Providence Journal *points out that Cooks' first impressions of his latest Hall of Fame quarterback, Tom Brady, are pretty simple – “amazing.”
With the passing of a deadline for free agent signings to be included in the formula for next year's compensatory draft picks, ESPNBoston.com says the Patriots are in line for two extra selections next spring. ESPNBoston.com also notes Cooks’ “amazing” description of Brady.
ESPN has former Jets center Nick Mangold admitting that it would be hard to envision playing for the Patriots and the former Pro Bowler doesn't think Bill Belichick is “all that fond” of him. ESPN also breaks down the fact that the Patriots are the only NFL team currently favored by odds makers in each of its 16 games for 2017.
ESPN also passes along Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin making fun of the Patriots in a commencement speech he gave this week.
WEEI.com also looks at the strange Edelman-Harvey suspension connection. WEEI.com passes along word that the Patirots hosted veteran free agent linebacker Andrew Gachkar on Tuesday.
WEEI.com highlights the latest seemingly bitter, biased comments by ESPN analyst and former Colts executive Bill Polian. Polian says the Patriots “are not as great as people think they are.”
With apologies to Patriots owner Robert Kraft, WEEI.com declares that Cooks will not be New England’s most impactful receiver since Randy Moss.
CSNNE.com notes that pending free agents LeGarrette Blount and Michael Floyd will not count toward the compensatory pick formula for the Patriots. CSNNE.com looks ahead to what is a “gathering storm” between Brady and the Patriots. CSNNE.com notes that Cooks will wear No. 14 in New England and never asked Jimmy Garoppolo about the No. 10 jersey.
NFL.com declares the Patriots as the second-least-likely 2016 division winner to be knocked off its perch in 2017.
NESN.com continues to look at potential roster battles in New England with a focus on the defensive tackle position.
