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.
--As the week has continued, one thing has become increasingly clear -- Patriots-Chargers is shaping up to a no-B.S. football game. No trash talk, no dopey storylines, no nonsense. There's still time for this whole thing to go off the rails, I suppose. But to this point, there's just been a healthy amount of respect between these teams. Been fun to cover.
--Now looking at an occasionally overcast Sunday with highs in the 20s.
--So Adam Gase goes from the Dolphins to the Jets? I like the idea of Gase getting a chance to develop a solid young quarterback in Sam Darnold, but I want to see who he adds as assistants. For what it's worth, the last coach I remember making a move from one divisional team to another was Rex Ryan, when he went from the Jets to the Bills. Meh. And no word on Miami, which means -- at least at this point -- Brian Flores is still part of the mix when it comes to the Dolphins.
--Oh ... and I have a fun story that should be up sometime around midday.
Thursday’s Schedule
12:30 p.m.: Media availability at practice
3:45-4:30 p.m.: Approximate time for player availability (locker room) and availability for Devin McCourty and David Andrews (media workroom)
Now, on with the links...
1. Rookie cornerback J.C. Jackson was measured at the combine as being 5-foot-9 3/4. He's now listed at 6-foot-1. So what happened? I asked him about it on Wednesday, and the first-year defensive back just smiled. “One thing I know is I’m not 5-foot-9," he said. “They must have measured me wrong.” Can he measure up to some of the Chargers' bigger receivers?
2. Our notebook has a ton of good stuff, including a look at Philip Rivers recalled what it was like to be coached by Bill Belichick at the Pro Bowl a few years ago, as well as the news Devin McCourty was back at practice.
3. Miguel has an exhaustive look at what the Patriots can do this offseason to create some more financial flexibility against the cap.
4. The Patriots are looking to win the mind game against the crafty Rivers. "Just try to make it hard on him," Duron Harmon said of the matchup against the veteran passer. "Give him different looks. Try to make him play that game with us and hopefully we can win that mind game against him."
5. Lots of transcripts from Wednesday -- here's Rivers and Anthony Lynn, as well as James White and Patrick Chung.
6. Chargers defensive tackle Brandon Mebane is mourning the death of his 7-week-old daughter.
7. L.A. frequently used seven defensive backs last Sunday against the Ravens. Could they do it again this week against the Patriots?
8. Lynn and Rivers appreciate the Patriots' longevity. Rivers was asked Wednesday if he thinks the Patriots are on the decline. “You’re asking the wrong person,” Rivers said. “What (Tom Brady has) done at this level, at the highest level for 18, 19, 20 seasons, whatever it is, he’s been remarkable.”
9. Lorenzo Reyes from USA Today looks at eight potential X-factors for the playoff field in the divisional round. In New England, it's White and his pass-catching ability.
10. While the Patriots remain favorites, in some corners, the line for Sunday's game has moved a bit from 4.5 to 4.
Extra Point:
James White is presented the Ron Hobson Good Guy Award. The award goes to the Patriots player that willingly fulfills his media duties professionally.
Presented by NE PFWA president @DougKyed and VP @cpriceNFL @ABC6 #Patriots #EverythingWeGot pic.twitter.com/K0ZD6v41ix
— Ian Steele (@ISteeleABC6) January 10, 2019