Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your Tuesday. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
The Patriots are back on the field Tuesday morning, pointed right toward Thursday's preseason opener against the Redskins. A few quick thoughts before we get down to business.
--The decision to cut ties with Malcolm Mitchell is unfortunate, both on a football level and on a basic human level. But that's life in the NFL. The wide receiver was not only talented, his backstory was amazing. He overcame so much just to reach the NFL level, but the fact he ended up as a key part of a Super Bowl champion? Icing on the cake. I wish him nothing but the best in whatever he ends up doing. A nice guy who was easy to root for. I don't know really just how bad the knee is, but as someone in the BSJ Q&A suggested on Monday, the idea of cutting him now means he has a greater chance of catching on with someone this season.
--Schedule for Tuesday has Bill Belichick talking at 8:45 a.m., with practice starting at 9:15 a.m. and running until 11:15 a.m. As always, if there’s a question about practice and weather, you can verify practice times by calling 508-549-0001 or by visiting www.patriots.com/trainingcamp.
Now, on with the links...
1. I talked with Frisman Jackson, who served as Eric Decker's position coach last season in Tennessee. Despite the fact that Decker's numbers were some of the worst of his career with the Titans, Jackson believes Decker can still bring something to the table in New England. “He’s a great locker room guy, very humble,” Jackson said. “At this stage of his career, I think he just wants to win. The Patriots have a guy who is outstanding when it comes to that sort of thing. I think he’ll do a great job for them.”
2. With the off-day on Monday, here are six camp-related thoughts about the Patriots I haven’t been able to wedge into a roundup and/or notebook to this point in the summer, including some thoughts on Braxton Berrios and Danny Shelton.
3. Miguel has a look at what the Mitchell move means for the Patriots from a financial standpoint.
4. Here's my take on the Mitchell move, what it means for New England, and what the receivers' legacy is with the Patriots.
5. I had an epic Monday afternoon Q&A that ran for more than an hour and covered a TON of topics. One of the best chats I've been a part of. Check out the manuscript here.
6. Mike Reiss looks at how the decision to cut Mitchell alters the wide receiver depth chart.
7. Our pal D.J. Bean says Trent Brown is shaping up to be the latest trade steal on the part of the Patriots.
8. Tom E. Curran says the release of Mitchell is an example of the "Other Patriot Way."
9. Eliot Harrison of NFL.com predicts that when the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019 is announced, Ty Law will hear his name called. Harrison said Law will just edge Edgerrin James for the final spot. "Law, a two-time finalist, has over 50 career interceptions (plus three high-profile picks off Peyton Manning in the 2003 AFC title game); in other words, he carries the numbers," writes Harrison. "The other big number? Three. As in, three Super Bowl rings."
10. As they prep for the Patriots, the Redskins are dealing with some out of control temps in the D.C. area.
Extra Point:
Somewhere, somehow, Tom Brady is screaming “LETS GOOOOO” pic.twitter.com/PbgElFUkZP
— Angelique Fiske (@angeliquefiske) August 6, 2018