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.
Do you care the Patriots had only two guys named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday night?
Didn't think so. On Tuesday, it was announced Tom Brady and Stephon Gilmore made it. There are probably some other guys who are deserving who missed the cut like Shaq Mason and James Develin and maybe Trey Flowers. And while some guys will drop out and open the door for others, this feels about right for New England. (For what it's worth, if the Pats are out of the playoffs, I'd be shocked if Brady ends up going.) But regardless of what ends up happening, it's an honor for Gilmore, who has had a really good season.
--One thing to remember? Other than bonuses, not a lot of guys who have been in the league for a few years give a you-know-what about the game. Not to sound like an old man, but I can remember when it meant something to get a Pro Bowl invite. Now, the thing you always have to remember is that Brandon Meriweather and Rodney Harrison have gone to the same number of Pro Bowls. Make of that what you will.
--Shawn Smith will serve as the referee for Sunday's Patriots-Bills game in Foxborough. This is his first full season as a referee -- he was an umpire for three years before this one -- and it will be his first New England game where he'll serve as the lead official. Check out a complete rundown of his work here. (Per Mike Reiss, his crew averages the second-most penalties in the league this year.)
--Wednesday should be a full day of action in Foxborough. We'll get the first practice peek of the week, and we'll also hear from the coach and a few of the players as the attention really starts to shift from Pittsburgh to Buffalo.
Wednesday’s Schedule
11:40 a.m.: Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott conference call (media workroom speakerphone)
11:45 a.m.: Bill Belichick press availability (media workroom)
12:30 p.m.: Media availability at practice
4-4:45 p.m.: Approximate time for player availability (locker room) and James White availability (media workroom)
Now, on with the links...
1. Had three takeaways from the conference calls with Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, including one where Josh McDaniels fell on his sword when it came to late-game play-calling against the Steelers. “I have to do a better job than we did at the end of the drive to get that thing in the end zone and to give our team a chance to win the game," said McDaniels of what happened at the end of the game against Pittsburgh. "Hopefully, I’ll learn from that one as best I can, and try to apply it here going forward next week.”
2. The latest edition of the oft-imitated, never-duplicated NFL Power Rankings was in the holiday spirit this week, and so we looked at the holiday wishes for each one of the 32 teams.
3. Miguel crafted a feasible contract scenario for Trey Flowers, who remains unsigned after this season.
4. Greg spent some quality time Tuesday afternoon with Jim Murray and Adam Jones on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
5. Here's the transcript of Belichick's conference call from Tuesday afternoon, as well as the transcripts from the Q&As with McDaniels and cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer.
6. Reiss writes on run defense being an ongoing concern for the 2018 team.
7. Offensive tackle Eric Smith was signed off the Patriots' practice squad by the Jets, and left a nice note for the Patriots on his way out the door.
8. Over at Yahoo, the always sensible Dan Wetzel says the Patriots look like they're struggling, but given their history, no one should slam the door on them just yet. "Gleefully burying the Patriots remains foolish, and not merely because we’ve been down this road too many times," writes Wetzel.
9. In Buffalo, they know that just because he's struggled the last few weeks, Brady won't go easy on the Bills this weekend.
10. If you're interested in a bit of a wager, the Patriots remain a decent Super Bowl bet.
Extra Point:
.@patriots @NFL and before you stick a fork in this team please go back and study this game carefully. Lots of mistakes by a cauldron of players. They have a long long history of cleaning up those mistakes. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/AnXVsCzmsO
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 18, 2018