Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your Thursday. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
Big day here for BSJ. We'll be hitting the road for North Jersey shortly, so we've got a quickie version to get you ready for Thursday's game. (Our own game preview will be up a little later this morning.)
1. Greg made a few calls around the league and got some good info on some wide receivers who might be available. Some interesting names in the bunch.
2. Because of his history, every conversation about the expectations around Rob Gronkowski comes with the disclaimer “If he can stay healthy….” But this summer, I get the feeling the stars are aligning for him to put together an MVP-caliber season.
3. After Shaq Mason got paid, Phil Perry speculates on who might be next in line for a payday from the Patriots.
4. Mike Reiss has a couple of names at wide receiver who could draw the attention of the Patriots.
5. Mike also looks at the bond that's been built between Jacob Hollister and former Giants tight end Kevin Boss.
6. Gregg Rosenthal writes about some notable veterans who are on the bubble heading into the final weekend of the preseason, as well as some guys who could be cut (Mike Gillislee is in that group) or traded (Malcom Brown).
7. OddsShark has the Patriots with the best odds to league the NFL in scoring this season. And New England, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Rams have the best odds when it comes to landing the league's best regular-season record.
8. ESPN's Bill Barnwell looks at the 50 most fascinating people in the NFL. Two Patriots make the list: Trey Flowers (36th) and Gronkowski (42).
9. Our buddies Don Banks and Nick Stevens have a another dynamite edition of the "Cover 2" podcast. This one has contributions from Tony Romo, Bill Cowher and Gene Steratore. Good stuff here.
10. I am an incontrovertible sap, which makes me really enjoy stories like this one and this one.
Extra Point: Teddy Bridgewater was apparently on the Jets' bus headed to the airport on the way to New York's last preseason game before he got the word he was traded to the Saints.
they didn't have to do Teddy Bridgewater like this. pic.twitter.com/m95L3At7aj
— maurice (@tallmaurice) August 29, 2018