The Latest
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Hoyer knows there's a lot to measure up to in backing up the GOAT
FOXBORO – Brian Hoyer has been around long enough to know the deal. He spent as much time post-practice today talking about the guy he backs up – you may have heard of him, a fella by the name of Tom Brady – as he did about his own play here in camp, especially on Bradyâs 41st birthday. MORE PATRIOTS…
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Camp Battles: Toughest foe for the big guys might be the heat
When youâre 6-foot-8, 370-some-odd pounds like Trent Brown, you donât face too many formidable foes. But in training camp, thereâs one consistently whapping the big fella on the noggin. Thatâs the heat. Thursdayâs practice saw the mercury climb into the high 80s, and with the exception of an occasional breeze, there was precious little air to breathe. But Brown...
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A frustrating start to first NFL camp for 7th-round QB Etling
FOXBORO – Before we get to the football stuff, know this: Danny Etling is a huge Larry Bird fan, having grown up in Terre Haute, Indiana. âOh, no question,â said Etling. âHow can you not be?â Thatâs the kind of smart decision a good quarterback makes. And Etling proved to be a sound one at LSU, throwing just two interceptions…
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Camp Battles: Allen finds some punting competition
FOXBORO — For the second time in three years, the Patriots postseason went awry in part because of special teams. Whether it was the failed extra point in the 2015 AFC title game in Denver or the shanked field goal in this past Super Bowl, kicker Stephen Gostkowski has been in the middle of that mess. So, youâd think perhaps…
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Camp Battles: A look at the front four competition at Patriots camp
FOXBORO — Lost amidst the conversation surrounding Malcolm Butlerâs Super Bowl disappearance was that the Patriots run defense was also missing in action. They got gashed by the Eagles for 164 yards on the ground in that 41-33 defeat. That served as an imperfect bookend to the way the 2017-18 season started: a loss to the Chiefs that saw Kareem…
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Camp Battles: Running backs face stark competition
FOXBORO — Dion Lewis was the best pure runner to wear a Patriots uniform since an inspired Corey Dillon back in 2004. Thatâs a mighty long time to go between elite backs but thatâs also what happens when you have the best quarterback in NFL history on your side. But despite his terrific skills and season, it wasnât as...
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Michel determined not to fumble away his chance with Patriots
FOXBORO —Â Why the Patriots havenât issued number appropriate jerseys for their rookie class has been the subject of some speculation. Perhaps it was because one took to Twitter to poll his followers on what number would look best on him. Or maybe itâs just Bill Belichickâs way of making the rooks earn their job. Whatever the rationale, it remains...
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Camp Battles: Wide receivers duke it out
Just because you have numbers at a position doesnât mean you have a plethora of players at the position. The Patriots have about 57 wide receivers on their roster this summer but is that because theyâre all legit NFLers? Or because the team is hoping a couple will emerge from this mass of humanity to play role on the...
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Pressure is on Josh McDaniels to deliver
The unpredictable spurning of the Indianapolis Colts by Josh McDaniels would have dominated just about any other offseason for just about any other team in the National Football League. But McDanielsâ decision to remain as the O-C of the N-E-P was just a brief storm on a Foxboro radar loaded with a bombogenesis here and a hurricane there. Now while…
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Camp Battles: Eric Rowe and Jason McCourty fight for starting corner spot opposite Stephon Gilmore
Everyone wanted to know why Malcolm Butler didnât play in the Super Bowl but it wasnât as if his replacement in the starting lineup, Eric Rowe, played poorly that day. Yes, he got beat by Alshon Jeffrey for a touchdown early in the game but it was a highly competitive play that required a perfectly lofted ball by Nick...