Bedard's Daily Briefing 11.29.18: Things to feel good about with the Patriots; McDaniels; Bruins back

Good morning! 

A few random thoughts while I wonder if the Vikings will bring that stupid horn that used to haunt my dreams when I covered the NFC North ...

• So we've reached that time of year where people try to poke holes in the Patriots, the Twittership of the Miserable goes into overdrive trying to find and disprove any slights (real and perceived) ... and it will be this way until the Patriots exit the playoffs, or win the Super Bowl. Good times.


• Well, I'm going to take a different tack and tell you things that I feel good about with the Patriots. But it will be down below in an area only for BSJ members.


• In the meantime, I wouldn't go overboard on the Josh McDaniels chatter. I know Felger called it a media blitz ... I think that's incorrect, sort of how a lot of people refer to things as leaks when it's really just good reporting (there is a difference).


• I'd say this McDaniels stuff is an example of the NFL media echo chamber. This is how it goes: one person brings up McDaniels' name because it's that time of year and he'll always be the most-qualified NFL candidate. Producers for other shows (or editors at NFL websites) with endless amount of hours dedicated to talking about the NFL say, "McDaniels spurned the Colts last year ... that's a good talker, we should have a segment on that." And then it just takes off.


• No leak. No real new information. Just chatter.


• Bruins are back in action against the Islanders tonight.


• I'm no Hockey Krishna, but I watch at least some of all the games and know the roster reasonably well. With all the injuries, I was just looking at the roster ... give Bruce Cassidy coach of the year right now.

• Elandon Roberts may whiff after shooting a gap once in a while, but he's been pretty good this season.


• Kyle Van Noy's instincts, especially on the line.


• Stephon Gilmore when the ball is in the air ... nobody pulls off the wily vet tugs and pulls better.


• Sony Michel's ability to get the yards blocked on a fullback lead draw.


• Lawrence Guy has been one of the five best players on this team all season ... go ahead, @ me about that.


• When Shaq Mason is fully healthy, the Patriots' interior three are among the best in the league.


• Joe Thuney is tremendously underrated.


• Marcus Cannon looks like he has turned a corner.


• Phillip Dorsett should be used a lot more.


• Their overall health. The Patriots only have one preseason starter on IR (Eric Rowe). Not many teams can say that.


• Brian Flores is starting to get into a playcalling rhythm.


• Patriots have gone four-straight games without a turnover.


• The defense has a takeaway in every game except Tennessee.