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.
A few quick notes before we shake off our post-Halloween candy hangover (Reese's is the best, and I will fight you if you say otherwise) and start to look forward to Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers.
--I was in the locker room Wednesday when Rob Gronkowski was at the podium, so I didn't see it in real time, but after watching his weekly presser online Wednesday afternoon, it was clear something was gnawing at him a bit. Maybe it was frustration about questions about his production. Maybe it was the questions about his health. Maybe he was late for a Halloween party. I don't know. And I don't begrudge him for maybe just having a bad day -- he's been good with us over the years, so if he wants to/needs to bail on a presser a little early on occasion, it's OK. But for a guy who is usually pretty upbeat, it was out of character.
--Loved getting the perspective from Rodgers on his conference call with us. I asked him a couple of questions, including any inherent advantages both he and Brady face when it comes to having played for the same coach for an extended period of time.
"The biggest thing is just the offense not really changing," he said. "Staying in the same system for me for 14 years has been really helpful. The terminology stays very similar. Obviously, we’re changing subtle things every single year, but to have the same terminology for so many years allows you a great comfort within the scheme and the ability to continue to find ways to add your own creativity to the mix. It’s allowed me to continue to grow my game year after year, and I’m sure Tom would say the same thing about being in the same system for a number of years."
--Per league rules, we get the assistant coaches once a month. The Patriots made them available to us on Wednesday (Oct. 31), and will also make them available Thursday (Nov. 1). If this pattern holds, we'll get them again on New Year's Eve. Anyway, got some good stuff on Wednesday from Ivan Fears and Dante Scarnecchia. The stuff with Scarnecchia will be posted later this morning.
--Brad Allen has been assigned as the referee for Sunday's game. In his fifth year as an NFL referee, the Patriots are 4-0 in games where he has served as the lead official. This is his first New England game of the season. For a closer look at his work, check out his page at Pro Football Reference.
Thursday’s Schedule
Noon: Patriots assistant coach media availability (outside media workroom)
12:35 p.m.: Media availability at practice
4 p.m.: Approximate time for player availability (locker room)
Now, on with the links...
1. Fears had a lot to say about the idea of putting Cordarrelle Patterson in the backfield.
2. Video: We talked to wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea about Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman.
3. The notebook had a bunch of stuff, including the latest on the injury front and some thoughts from Rodgers on what it means to play against the Patriots and Brady.
4. In his latest, coach Cory Bailey takes a look at the different Patriots' coverages. Another great look inside the X's and O's by Bailey, who always delivers a good read.
5. Phil Perry has Rodgers calling Brady "a unicorn."
6. Jenny Vrentas has a good look at the unlikely rise of both Brady and Rodgers, two Northern California guys who have ascended to greatness.
7. Tom E. Curran says while Brady is the GOAT, Rodgers is brilliant.
8. The Patriots' secondary is expecting a big challenge from Rodgers and Green Bay this weekend.
9. PFF's Austin Gayle had Shaq Mason as one of his secret superstars for his performance Monday against Buffalo.
10. Our guy Teddy Karras was one of five Practice Players of the Week for their work in the days leading up to Monday's win over the Bills.
Extra Point:
Aaron Rodgers & Tom Brady:
• Will meet for the second time
• Are only active QBs with multiple MVP awards
• Have combined for 19 Pro Bowls
• Are the 1st (Rodgers, 103.6) and 3rd (Brady, 97.6) highest rated passers in NFL history#RodgersVsBradyII #Patriots #Packers
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 31, 2018