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.
We're going to get into the news you need to start your day, but first, a quick story:
So it turns out that the 86-yard run from Danny Etling against the Giants was the longest from scrimmage in the NFL this past preseason. With Chad O'Shea on the headsets for the game, I asked the wide receivers' coach if he's the one who should get credit for the play call.
"In all plays in the game, there are a lot of people involved in those," he said on Sunday. "From players executing to a lot of staff involved during the week and certainly on game day. We never put anything good or bad on one person. Certainly, I thought (Danny) did a great job in that position, (as well as) some of the guys who were battling for roster spots. But we’re moving forward to the Texans now. That’s our deal. (But) it certainly as a good opportunity for myself and some of the other players to have an increased role in that game."
O'Shea did acknowledged that given Etling's hard work this summer, it was nice to see him have a nice moment like that one.
"Danny, since he’s come here, has proved to be very athletic. He works so hard, and it was really neat to see him have that success," he said. "I was really happy for Danny’s success because he works so hard."
--The schedule for Tuesday looks like this:
Approx. 12:30 p.m.: Media availability at practice until team drills
4 p.m.: Conference call with Bill O’Brien
4:15-5 p.m.: Player availability (open locker room) and Rob Gronkowski media availability
Now, on with the links...
1. Now that cuts are done, Greg has a breakdown of what he likes and doesn't like about this team on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
2. I had an absolutely epic Labor Day BBQ&A that ran the gamut, with questions about roster makeup, the Texans and possible trades. As always, BSJ commenters knocked it out of the park. Good stuff.
3. We put the wraps on our Sunday sitdown with some of the assistant coaches. This time around, we focused specifically on questions for Dante Scarnecchia and Brian Flores.
4. Miguel says Dwayne Allen's re-done deal gives the Patriots more financial flexibility.
6. Phil Perry says Jeremy Hill is in line for a sizable role in the New England offense.
7. Sony Michel, J.C. Jackson and Duke Dawson were three of a handful of guys who got new uniform numbers on Monday.
8. Mike Reiss led his Sunday Notebook by asking the Patriots' assistants a simple question: Why did you get into coaching? Loved this response from Ivan Fears: "I went to school for a business management degree (at William & Mary), thought I was going into banking, blew my knee out (playing football), and the doctor said, ‘You’ll never play again.’ I’m lying in the bed, and coach said, ‘How would you like to come out in the spring and help us?’ All of a sudden, banking was out and football was in.”
9. Houston linebacker Whitney Mercilus is back from his hamstring injury and pointed toward Week One against the Patriots. "It feels good to be back with the team and be back against the Patriots, that's the goal," Mercilus told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. "I'm ready to go out there and run and make plays. I don't think I've dropped off."
Sam Darnold was four years old when Tom Brady and the #Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI. https://t.co/4lwaBPNT85
— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) September 3, 2018