New England Patriots links 5/07/24 – Drake Maye leads, elevates those around him; Will he win QB 1?

Daily news and links for Tuesday.

TEAM TALK

• Transaction: Patriots release QB Nathan Rourke.
• Mike Dussault tackles this week’s Patriots Mailbag: Previewing OTAs, position changes and favorite UDFA.
• Photos: Patriots practice during phase two of offseason program.

LOCAL LINKS

• Andrew Callahan explains how Drake Maye can win the Patriots’ QB job by Week 1.
• Karen Guregian hears from University of North Carolina head coach Mack Brown on Drake Maye’s ability to lead and elevate the players around him.
• Karen Guregian highlights Mack Brown on Drake Maye: ‘He’s obsessed with getting a ring.’
• Alex Barth talks about the Patriots roster being back down to four quarterbacks.
• Christopher Price tells us the harrowing tale of Pats OT Calvin Anderson’s near-fatal bout with malaria. /Good read.
• Cam Garrity gives us the best current NFL player comparison for every Patriots rookie in 2024 draft class.
• Sara Marshall notes PFF gives Patriots an A for the Pats 4th-round draft pick WR Javon Baker.
• Michael DeVito lays out why Javon Baker is the Patriots’ most interesting and compelling pick.
• Ian Logue’s Patriots Notebook: Wallace vs Fashanu – An interesting note; More.
• Phil Perry reports that Eliot Wolf is the ‘overwhelming favorite’ to be named the Pats’ top executive.
• Jordy McElroy reports 12 former first-round picks, including Mac Jones, get fifth-year options declined.
• Jordy McElroy finds 41 Patriots players are set to become free agents in 2025.
• Sara Marshall notes Albert Breer shuts down the possibility of the Pats making a blockbuster trade for a WR.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Zack Pearson (Tar Heels Wire) What Mack Brown told New England Patriots about Drake Maye.
• Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports) Patriots moving forward with search for de facto GM following Bill Belichick’s departure after 24 seasons.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: Patriots have complied with Rooney Rule as to their G.M. search. /Wut? How?
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Bengals Sr. personnel executive Trey Brown declines Patriots’ interview request
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Matthew Judon: I’ve got shit to prove and stuff I want to get done in my career.
• Josh Edwards (CBS Sports) Predicting Rookies of the Year, bounce-back teams, more.
• Jarrett Bailey (Touchdown Wire) The NFL’s top 36 quarterbacks. Jacoby Brissett 29th, Drake Maye 25th.
• Gennaro Filice and Nick Shook (NFL.com) 2024 NFL Draft class rankings: Steelers, Bears, Eagles, Chargers earn top grades; Falcons flummox. Patriots 13th.
• Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports) Ranking top 10 most impactful 2024 draft classes for upcoming season. Pats 7th.
• Doug Farrar (TouchdownWire) The best scheme fits on offense. No Pats.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Signs point to regular-season schedule release next week.
• Tyler Conway (Bleacher Report) : Strength of schedule for all 32 teams ahead of reveal. Patriots tied for 8th.
• Staff (ESPN) List of 2024 season opponents ahead of NFL schedule release.
• Alex Kay (Bleacher Report) 5 NFL trades that should still happen before the season. Tee Higgins—Pats included.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Stephon Gilmore still available, no progress toward a deal with the Panthers.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Ben Volin writes how Bill Belichick has suddenly become an entertaining media sensation: First, he gave an articulate and insightful analysis on the draft, then bringing down the house at the Tom Brady roast.
• Michael Hurley notes Tom Brady puts an end to Deflategate on his own terms during Netflix roast.
• Matt Juul highlights 12 wild and unforgettable moments from Netflix’s roast of Tom Brady: Who stole the show.
• Andy Hart bemoans how Tom Brady’s hilarious roast was another sad reminder of how far the Patriots have fallen.
• Patrick Scartelli cleans out the sports junk drawer: Tom Brady roast edition.
• John Zannis picks the winners & losers from the Tom Brady Netflix comedy roast.
• Sara Marshall explains how some NFL insiders make fools of themselves attempting to dunk on Tom Brady.
• Margaret Fleming (Front Office Sports) Robert Kraft allegations resurface at Tom Brady’s Netflix roast.
• Ian Logue posts the transcripts from the Netflix roast: Tom Brady – Drew Bledsoe – Bill Belichick.