KYLE HIGHTOWER
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, speaks with Matt Patricia, left, during an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Longtime Pats' assistant Ernie Adams ends 4-decade NFL run

By Kyle Hightower Jun. 16, 2021 04:04 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — For most of his past two decades with the New England

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) waves his arms while warming up near wide receiver Marvin Hall (14) during an NFL football minicamp practice, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patriots' Newton knows he has much to prove this season

By Kyle Hightower Jun. 15, 2021 05:26 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Call it a mantra. Call it a simple reminder. But Cam

FILE - New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore watches from the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Foxborough, Mass., in this Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, file photo. Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he doesn't expect cornerback Stephon Gilmore to participate in any of the team's remaining mandatory minicamp workouts this week. "I don't expect him to be here," Belichick said Tuesday, June 15, 2021, "And we'll just focus on the guys that are here."(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Belichick not expecting Gilmore to attend minicamp this week

By Kyle Hightower Jun. 15, 2021 11:38 AM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, stands on the field during an NFL football practice, Monday, June 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patriots' Gilmore absent as team opens mandatory minicamp

By Kyle Hightower Jun. 14, 2021 04:47 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Patriots opened their mandatory three-day minicamp

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones passes the ball during an NFL football practice, in Foxborough, Mass., Thursday, June 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New nickname in hand, Pats rookie Jones finding his footing

By Kyle Hightower Jun. 10, 2021 03:56 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Mac Jones has his new nickname. He

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton throws a pass as Jarrett Stidham (4) and Brian Hoyter (5) look on during NFL football practice in Foxborough, Mass., Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Belichick: Newton not practicing, but fine after hand injury

By Kyle Hightower Jun. 10, 2021 12:38 PM EDT
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Cam Newton hasn’t practiced since injuring his

FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 file photo, New England Patriots running back James White (28) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. For James White, the upcoming 2021 NFL season is all about starting fresh, both on and off the field. It was just this past September that the veteran Patriots running back was blindsided hours before New England’s second game of the season with news of a horrific car accident in Florida that killed his father and critically injured his mother. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Patriots' White ready to turn page on painful 2020 season

By Kyle Hightower May. 11, 2021 04:50 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — For James White, the upcoming 2021 NFL season is all about

FILE - New England Patriots center David Andrews prepares to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage in the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Foxborough, Mass., in this Monday, Dec. 28, 2020, file photo. There was a moment when it seemed as if center David Andrews would be adding his name to the list of a key Patriots offensive linemen joining new teams in 2021. He explored possible new suitors in free agency, including the rival Dolphins, but in the end decided to return to the only NFL team he’s played for. After watching the team spend big in free agency and bring in a possible quarterback of the future in Mac Jones, he says he's excited about being part of a rebuilt roster that hopes to turn the page on a 7-9 season.(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Andrews excited about possibilities of Pats' new-look roster

By Kyle Hightower May. 04, 2021 02:47 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — When free agency opened last month, there was a moment it seemed

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, right, holds a team jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the New England Patriots selected him with the 15th pick in the NFL football draft, Thursday April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Patriots wait, draft former Alabama QB Mac Jones at No. 15

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 29, 2021 10:28 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — Mac Jones has only been to New England once, a trip to Boston

FILE - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, talks to head coach Bill Belichick as their team warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, file photo. Belichick never was one to spent wildly in free agency. But after watching Tom Brady celebrate another Super Bowl in another city, Belichick and his boss, Robert Kraft, had seen enough. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
QB position still in spotlight for Patriots entering draft

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 23, 2021 04:09 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — Four seasons ago, Patriots coach Bill Belichick entered training

Jackson returning to Patriots after signing one-year tender

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 16, 2021 06:33 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — The Patriots have re-signed cornerback J.C. Jackson, bringing

FILE - Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch walks off the field after NFL football practice in Renton, Wash., in this Friday, Dec. 27, 2019, file photo. During Marshawn Lynch’s 12 NFL seasons he earned a reputation for his fearless style on the field, while remaining one of the league’s most reclusive figures off the field. Now the retired running back is lending his voice to try to help members of Black and Hispanic communities make more informed decisions about receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Lynch released a 30-minute interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci on his YouTube channel Friday, April 16, 2021, becoming the latest prominent athlete to sit down with him to discuss the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines as the U.S. continues to combat the pandemic. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Marshawn Lynch, Dr. Fauci discuss vaccine hesitancy

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 16, 2021 04:11 PM EDT
During Marshawn Lynch’s 12 NFL seasons he earned a reputation for his fearless

ADDS RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT FILE — In this Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 file photo New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) stretches but cannot catch a pass in front of New York Jets safety Jamal Adams, rear, during the second half of an NFL football game, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots terminated Edelman's contract with a failed physical designation Monday, April 12, 2021, according to the NFL's transaction wire. Citing a knee injury that cut his 2020 season short after just six games, Edelman announced Monday that he is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Patriots receiver Julian Edelman announces retirement

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 12, 2021 05:39 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — For more than a decade Julian Edelman lived the ultimate NFL

Analytics shifting views on 40-yard dash, other matrixes

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 08, 2021 05:20 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — Every year the 40-yard dash is one of the most-watched segments

FILE - Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, file photo. The Miami Dolphins told linebacker Kyle Van Noy he will be released, two people familiar with the discussion confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. The people confirmed the disclosure to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins have not commented.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Pats' defensive newcomers arrive with 'something to prove'

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 24, 2021 05:15 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — A smile hugging his face, Davon Godchaux had no trouble

FILE - Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) makes a touchdown catch against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the first half an NFL divisional playoff football game in Baltimore, in this Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to sign free agent tight end Jonnu Smith in their biggest move to date to fill the void created by the departure of Rob Gronkowski. Smith, who was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2017 draft, agreed Monday, March 15, 2021, to a four-year, $50 million deal, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, FIle)
New Pats TE Jonnu Smith eyeing 'fresh start on the journey'

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 23, 2021 02:58 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — Jonnu Smith’s NFL career hasn’t been short on highlights.

Patriots get extra compensatory pick via NFL miscalculation

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 22, 2021 06:15 PM EDT
The NFL says it has awarded the Patriots an additional compensatory pick for

FILE - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) pulls in a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team in Glendale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to terms on a new three-year, $22.5 million contract with free agent receiver Kendrick Bourne. His agent, Henry Organ of Disruptive Sports, says the new deal is for three years and could be worth as much as $22.5 million. New contracts can't officially be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Energy already high among new additions to Patriots' roster

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 22, 2021 05:57 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — The first time Kendrick Bourne walked into the New England

Center David Andrews returning to New England Patriots

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 19, 2021 01:03 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — David Andrews says he's staying in New England.

FILE - Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, file photo. The Miami Dolphins told linebacker Kyle Van Noy he will be released, two people familiar with the discussion confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. The people confirmed the disclosure to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins have not commented.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Patriots trade Izzo to Houston, re-sign Van Noy

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 18, 2021 01:13 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — Linebacker Kyle Van Noy is returning to the New England Patriots