Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your Wednesday. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
Checking in on some former Patriots through the first two games of the regular season...
Dion Lewis (Tennessee): 30 carries, 117 yards, one TD; six catches, 36 yards
Malcolm Butler (Tennessee): 12 tackles, four passes defensed, one INT (According to Pro Football Focus, he has been targeted 17 times while surrendering 257 yards — most in NFL — and three TDs — also most in NFL — when in coverage.)
Jordan Richards (Atlanta): four tackles
Danny Amendola (Miami): eight catches, 58 yards
Brandin Cooks (Los Angeles Rams): 12 catches, 246 yards
Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco): 33-for-59 (56 percent), 467 yards, three TDs, three INTs,
LeGarrette Blount (Detroit): 12 carries, 35 yards
Clete Blakeman has been assigned as the referee for Sunday's game. Blakeman worked last year's AFC title game. Overall, the Patriots have a 3-4 mark with him as a referee. For more on his work, check out his page at Pro Football Reference.
Wednesday’s media schedule
10:50 a.m.: Matt Patricia conference call
11 a.m.: Bill Belichick press availability (media workroom)
12:35 p.m.: Media availability at practice
3:45-4:30 p.m.: Approximate time for player availability (locker room) and Rob Gronkowski media availability (media workroom)
--Got a scouting report on the Lions' coming on Wednesday.
--Happy Birthday, Stephon Gilmore. He turns 28 on Wednesday.
--If YOU own a business and are interested in being a presenting sponsor for "First and 10," please let me know. Drop me a line at price@bostonsportsjournal.com.
Now, on with the links...
1. Our Week 3 Power Rankings led with the Rams, while we dropped the Patriots a few notches.
2. The notebook led with Bill Belichick's reticence to talk about Josh Gordon until the receiver was signed, sealed and delivered to Foxborough.
3. I talked Patriots and Gordon with KFH Radio in Wichita.
4. And I also chatted with my buddy Adam Jones of 98.5 about You Know Who Tuesday night.
5. Greg spent some quality time with the guys from Felger & Mazz.
6. Mike Reiss has a quick look at some of the guys the Patriots worked out on Tuesday.
7. Tom E. Curran says it won't be easy for Gordon to earn the trust of the quarterback.
8. As usual, our pal Dan Wetzel crushes it here -- Gordon is walking into a great opportunity in New England.
9. The Lions could be without No. 1 corner Darius Slay this weekend against the Patriots.
10. The NFL and NFLPA are reviewing the application of the concussion protocol that was used on Patrick Chung on Sunday, according to USA Today.
Extra Point:
Who’s ready to see @JOSH_GORDONXII on the @patriots?! @EAMaddenNFL pic.twitter.com/V7vEQoCGDd
— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2018