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.
Busy day around Gillette on Monday, as it was reported the Patriots are ready to sign linebacker Albert McClellan and defensive back Obi Melifonwu to the active roster, and defensive end Ufomba Kamalu to the practice squad.
--We went deep on Melifonwu here, but we can also tell you McClellan is an intriguing prospect. A 6-foot-2, 255-pounder out of Marshall, he's a 32-year-old linebacker who is in his seventh year in the league. Considered a special teams' standout, he'll also provide some depth at the linebacker position for New England. (He was let go when Baltimore added ex-Packers return man Ty Montgomery.)
--No player availability today. Guys will all be back in Wednesday as prep will start in earnest for the Titans.
Tuesday’s Schedule
2:30 p.m.: Conference call with Bill Belichick
2:45 p.m.: Conference call with Josh McDaniels
3 p.m.: Conference call with Brian Flores
Now, on with the links...
1. The Patriots are set to add Melifonwu, who is a native of Grafton, went to UConn, and was drafted by the Raiders. We took a look at his NFL film to try and figure how how he might fit in Foxborough.
2. Another great Overreaction Monday Q&A is in the books. Tons of good questions about the win over the Packers on Sunday, what Melifonwu might bring to the table, and the state of the defense at this point on the calendar.
3. It sounds like Sony Michel is on track to return Sunday against Tennessee.
4. Kamalu, a 6-foot-6, 295-pounder out of the University of Miami, joined New England's practice squad. Kamalu appeared in 13 games with three starts for the Texans from 2016-17 and registered 11 tackles and three sacks. He was released by the Texans prior to the start of the 2018 regular season, and has since had a brief stint on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.
5. Mike Reiss notes that when it comes to things like the double-pass we saw Sunday night, trickery has deep roots in the Belichick Era.
6. Phil Perry has more on the work of Cordarrelle Patterson Sunday night against Green Bay.
7. Kyle Hightower also has a look at the gains that have been made by Patterson at running back.
8. The Pro Football Focus analysts take a look back at Patriots-Packers. "The New England secondary stepped up in a big way, as they were able to contest multiple passes," writes PFF. "Jason McCourty and Stephon Gilmore each had a pass breakup and held the combination of Davante Adams and Randall Cobb under 70 combined yards on 11 receptions."
9. Our pal Judy Battista of NFL Media has a good look at how Aaron Rodgers was frustrated by having to compete against Brady's more complete Patriots.
10. The Patriots have opened as 6.5-point favorites over the Titans.
Extra Point:
The Wise Guys (@wisehog94 and @thatLGUY) are back at it after another #Patriots win. pic.twitter.com/1VjSUf78Ii
— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) November 5, 2018
