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.
So no moves at the deadline. What does that mean for the Patriots? (Other than a relatively uneventful day for New England football fans.)
The Patriots surprised some -- including me -- by not making any moves at all on Tuesday. (I thought they'd add a defensive piece, specifically a linebacker.) That doesn't necessarily mean they weren't in the market. It's just that nothing was able to get done. They'll theoretically add a few pieces down the stretch off IR, including (presumably) Duke Dawson and Rex Burkhead. But they didn't make any big splashes like the last two seasons, and ended up standing by as Demaryius Thomas, Golden Tate and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix all changed uniforms.
Two things to remember: One, this doesn't mean team-building screeches to a halt. They added James Harrison late in the year last season, and Michael Floyd the year before that. Those situations are rare, and I'm not going to suggest you're going to get someone like that this year. But it's certainly worth noting. And two, the Patriots have an incredible amount of draft capital for 2019. Eleven picks, including six in the first three rounds. That's small consolation now, I know, but worth keeping in mind moving forward.
Wednesday’s Schedule
12:45 p.m.: Patriots assistant coach media availability
1 p.m.: Bill Belichick press availability (media workroom)
1:30 p.m.: Media availability at practice
4:15-5 p.m.: Approximate time for player availability (locker room)
TBD: Conference call with Mike McCarthy (media workroom)
TBD: Conference call with Aaron Rodgers (media workroom)
Now, on with the links...
1. I had five thoughts on the Patriots not pulling the trigger on a deal at the trade deadline, including the fact that once Tate was off the market, they were wise to steer clear of just abut any other receiver who might have become available.
2. I dropped the latest edition of the BSJ NFL Power Rankings. While there wasn't a whole lot of movement, it set up what could be an epic Sunday this weekend with multiple games that could end up really shaking up our big board.
3. With the trade deadline -- and the craziness of the Monday night game in Buffalo -- now in the rearview, we had a special Tuesday night Overreaction Q&A. Tons of good stuff from BSJ subscribers, who mostly wanted to vent about the lack of deals from New England.
4. Miguel has the story on offensive lineman Jason King becoming the third player this year to file a salary grievance against the Patriots.
5. Greg spent some quality time talking with the fellas from Felger & Mazz.
6. Mike Reiss notes that at the halfway point of the season, Rob Gronkowski is off his usual statistical pace.
7. Tom E. Curran says the Pats stood pat at the deadline ... and that's OK.
8. The Pro Football Focus crew of analysts takes a look back at Patriots-Bills.
9. New England has opened the week as a six-point favorite over Green Bay.
10. Charles Robinson of Yahoo has three intriguing names the Browns should consider as their next head coach -- Josh McDaniels, Lincoln Riley and Dabo Sweeney. Someone asked about McDaniels and the Cleveland job in my chat, and I didn't dismiss it. He's an Ohio kid, which means he'd really grasp just how important that job can be. An interesting possibility, to say the least.
Extra Point:
How do you settle the debate over who is the ‘Greatest of All Time?’@Jumpman23 wants to see it happen head-to-head. pic.twitter.com/L4v6kOvJfF
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 29, 2018