New England Patriots News 4-12 and Notes Around the AFC East
 Chandler Jones thinks Malcolm Butler will make a big impact beyond his Super Bowl heroics in 2015. (Steve Balestrieri, Photo) |
Good morning and here are Sunday’s Patriots news notes and what’s happening around the division:
Jones Helps, Entertains Special Olympics Kids: Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones took a visit to Holliston on Friday to spend time with more than 80 athletes from Ashland, Holliston, Medfield, Medway and Millis who were participating in a Five Town School Day of Special Olympic games.
Jones didn’t just show up, he took an active part, leading the kids through an obstacle course and cheering the kids on. From the video of the event, it seemed he was among the ones having the most fun.
“I had a great time,” Jones said. “For me to have the opportunity to put a smile on these kids’ faces, it means a lot to me.”
He added, “I feel like I actually have more fun than these guys,” Jones said. “They bring a lot of energy. I enjoy working with them, taking pictures with them and if I could, I would stay and take pictures with them all day. It was a great time and I’m really happy that I had the opportunity to do it.”
Jones was everywhere and he and the kids had a great time…one that they won’t forget. It brings to mind another ex-Patriot Zoltan Mesko who it seemed went to every appearance and loved interacting with the kids of the area.
Jones had some interesting things to say about the upcoming season…
Malcolm Butler Ready for Big Impact: Jones while in Holliston didn’t speak about himself but about the Patriots defense as a whole and how they were obsessing over the loss of Darrelle Revis. He also spoke with ESPN’s Mike Reiss on how much of an impact Malcolm Butler will have in 2015.
"We're always preaching about 'It's not who we don't have, but it's who we have,'" Jones said.
“I know you guys only heard of Malcolm Butler during the whole Super Bowl thing and that big play, but Malcolm has been making plays for us the whole season in practice, and he’s been getting good looks for us,” Jones said. “So, I’m excited for him to step up as one of the impact players as well.”
“Malcolm Butler is a very quiet guy,” Jones said. “He does a good job of ignoring the hype. All the things that are going on with him, and his life changing with that big play, he’s still the same person and I really admire him for that.”
Of course Bill Belichick will hear none of that. During the annual NFL Meeting, he told reporters, "We'll see," Belichick said. "I think Year 1 to Year 2 is always a potentially big step for any player, but that has to be accomplished. It's not a given.”
We'll see. ... We'll let the players compete and see how the competition turns out. I can't control that. I mean, we had (guard) Steve Neal to go from undrafted, whatever that is, to starting, so we'll see how it goes."
One thing is for sure, we watched Butler every day at training camp last season and for a guy who was a long shot to make the squad, he made play after play every day and not only made the 53 man roster, but worked his way onto the field with the Super Bowl on the line. That speaks volumes about the confidence the staff has in his abilities. He will be given every opportunity to compete for a starting job once the players report on April 20.
Blount Suspended for the Opener: Patriots running back LaGarrette Blount has been suspended for the 2015 season opener for violating the NFL’s drug policy. This stemmed from an incident during the summer of 2014 when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Blount was a passenger in a car driven by Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell. Bell was charged with DUI and possession of a controlled substance, (marijuana). Bell was suspended for three games and has indicated he will appeal.
Blount will miss the opener and likely the unfurling of the fourth Super Bowl flag in ceremonies that are bound to occur before the first game of the season, the Thursday night prior to Week 1 Sunday’s games.
Pats to Target WRs Early in Draft? Book it Says La Canfora: The Patriots have never drafted a WR in the first round of the draft since Bill Belichick has taken over the reins of New England. But CBS Sports Jason La Canfora believes that may be about to change.
In a piece he wrote on Friday, La Canfora thinks Belichick and the Patriots may opt early for one of the talented wide outs available in this year’s draft. He states Belichick has been grilling potential draft selections during Pro Days and the team has been scouting numerous wide receivers including, Louisville’s Devante Parker.
Somewhere Aaron Dobson should be listening…
Patriots Announce Pre-Season Slate: The Patriots announced this week that the following preseason games have been scheduled:
Week 1 (Aug 13-17): vs Packers
Week 2 (Aug 20-24): at Saints
Week 3 (Aug 27-30): at Panthers
Week 4 (Sept 3-4): vs Giants
The exact dates will be finalized at a later date. In the past few years the Patriots have enjoyed joint practices both home and away which would point to the Packers coming to Foxboro and the Patriots joining the Saints either in their camp in West Virginia or back in New Orleans.
The Patriots have held joint practices with the Saints a couple of times and Belichick and Sean Payton, coach of the Saints have a close relationship.
However Packers head coach Mike McCarthy isn’t a big fan of joint practices and unless he is swayed by Belichick, I wouldn’t pencil in a visit by the Pack just yet. But it would be nice to get a glimpse of Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady sharing the practice fields for a few days this August.
Eastbound and Down…..News from around the AFC East:
Ridley moves on to the Jets: Patriots free agent running back Stevan Ridley has signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets. He’s the second Patriot to sign with Gang Green joining Darrelle Revis there. He’s the third Pat free agent to go to New York as fellow running back Shane Vereen signed with the New York Giants.
Ridley spent four years with New England with his best season coming in 2012 when he rushed for 1263 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 2014 was cut short when he tore his ACL during a Week 6 game in Buffalo.
Ridley wasted little time in getting a large Jets tattoo on his arm this week and he posted photos of it on his Instagram account….let’s hope for his sake that contract lasts longer than one season.
Bills Adopting “Best Williams Available” Strategy For the Draft: Buffalo GM Doug Whaley is pleased with the way free agency unfolded for the Bills and is now turning the team’s attentions to the draft stating, "We addressed some key needs over the past few weeks," Whaley said. "Now, we're free to take the best Williams available (in the draft)."
"We’ve got five Williamses and five starters. You do the math." That could mean, defensive lineman Leonard, or tight end Maxx. Of course there are numerous mid-to-late round prospects including Daryl, P.J., Xavier, Karlos, Ishaq, Kasen, and Terry. So if there is a Williams there…the Bills can do no wrong considering the five they have include Mario, Kyle and Aaron….
The Bills also announced their pre-season schedule with Week 1 and 3 home games versus the Panthers and Steelers and Week 2 and 4 away games against the Browns and Lions. Exact dates will be announced later.
Dolphins Ink Pouncey to Huge Contract Extension: Miami has made center Mike Pouncey the highest paid center in the NFL with a 5-year, $50 million dollar contract extension according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
ESPN reported later on Friday that the contract was worth $52.15 million, including $22 million guaranteed and an $11 million signing bonus.
Pouncey suffered a hip injury and played right guard in 2014 after missing four games, however head coach Joe Phillbin stated that Pouncey will return to play center in 2015. Pouncey has been linked to a few off-field incidents, the hazing of OL Jonathan Martin in 2013 and his friendship with former Patriot Aaron Hernandez.
Dolphins Host Welker on FA Visit: The Dolphins are searching for veteran WR help and hosted former Dolphin, Patriot and Bronco slot receiver Wes Welker.
Welker the five-time Pro Bowler, played for Miami for three seasons before being traded to the Patriots in 2007. Welker had 1000 yard seasons five times in a row, before concussions slowed him down the past two years in Denver. Last season he caught only 49 passes for 464 yards and two touchdowns.
Welker left without signing a contract and that may be a mutual decision until after the NFL Draft. Depending upon who the Dolphins covet and land, they may contact Welker again or other FA WRs including Greg Jennings and Michael Crabtree, whom they also hosted in visits recently.
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