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.
--A very Happy Birthday to Shaq Mason. The guy had 23.5 million reasons to smile after getting a big new deal done on Monday that should keep him in Foxborough for the bulk of his career. We only get a limited time around the players, but in my experience, Mason is a good guy who has managed to carve out a very nice career to this point. Good to see someone like that rewarded. (Their situations were different, but when it came to guards and big contracts, I couldn't help but think of Logan Mankins on Monday. Mason never had to hold out like Mankins did.)
--When it comes to stories, there are inevitably some quotes that end up on the cutting room floor. In the case of the Mason feature I wrote on Monday where I talked with the defensive linemen, multiple guys told me to go back and re-watch his performance in both games against the Jets last season. Adam Butler said what Mason's performance in those two games left in him "disbelief." He said: "Go back and watch that first Jets game. In one game, on one play, I saw him … he started the play on a double team, got off, and them double-teamed somebody down the field with the tight end, and them … got off that block and blocked somebody else. I’ve never seen anyone do that."
--It'll be an interesting day for us -- the assistant coaches are scheduled to make a rare media appearance. That means a chance to connect with Dante Scarnecchia, Chad O'Shea, Brian Flores and the rest. It's always good to hear from Scarnecchia -- I feel like I learn something about football every time I speak with him. Anyway, that's set for 11. Bill Belichick's press conference is set for 11:30, practice at 12:15, and open locker room shortly after that.
Now, on with the links...
1. Greg takes another shot at predicting the 53-man roster. There are a few changes from his last attempt, as well as a few surprises.
2. In the wake of Mason's new deal, I wanted to get a defensive lineman's perspective on why Mason is so good at what he does. Trey Flowers, Adam Butler, Lawrence Guy and Danny Shelton were more than happy to educate me. Loved this quote from Butler. "A double team from him and (right tackle) Marcus (Cannon) is one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced in my career,” Butler said of Mason. “Shaq is so low and he’s so strong and so heavy, if you deal with him … first of all, it’s already a challenge dealing with him because of all those factors. Whenever you try and get low, he’s going to get lower than you. You’re not going to win the leverage battle with him."
3. Here's Greg's initial take on the Mason news.
4. And here's video of Mason discussing his new deal Monday after practice.
5. We got a surprise when we went out to watch the start of Patriots' practice on Monday, and we're not just talking about the heat: Sony Michel and Marcus Cannon were both out there in full pads. If those two are good to go, it could provide a boost at a pair of key positions moving forward.
6. Miguel's latest mailbag looks at a bunch of stuff, including the rules and regulations around the practice squad, as well as why Isaiah Wynn hasn't been placed on IR yet.
7. Another epic Q&A is in the books. A ton of great questions, as usual. (You guys are the best.) I'm telling you guys, next week, get your questions in early.
8. Greg has his look back at the offensive side of the ball from Friday against Carolina.
9. Tom E. Curran says Brady's hang-up on Monday shows that when it comes to public perception, the quarterback doesn't care as much as he used to. "Tom Brady is 41, entering his 19th NFL season and has accomplished more on the field than any player in the game’s history," writes Curran. "Over the past 18 months, he’s started acting like it. He’s entered “F*** it” mode."
10. Mike Reiss has a look at the state of the Patriots' wide receiving corps.
Extra Point:
Bill Belichick wouldn’t confirm or deny OG Shaq Mason’s new contract. But the coach did take time for a quick ? with @ShaqDiesel_70 before practice today#Patriots pic.twitter.com/MMCmtbbhOy
— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) August 27, 2018