Welcome to first and 10, a roundup of all the (mostly) Patriots-related news you need to start your Friday. Grab your coffee and let’s get to it.
Going to jump right into things today, as the busy divisional playoff week is coming to an end and we still have a ton of stuff to write between now and Sunday afternoon.
Friday’s Schedule
11 a.m.: Bill Belichick press availability (media workroom)
11:40 a.m.: Media availability at practice
1:15-2 p.m.: Approximate time for player availability (locker room) and Tom Brady (media workroom)
Now, on with the links...
1. Greg looks at the Chargers' depth-challenged linebacking corps and wonders if the Patriots will be able to exploit them.
2. Had a ton of fun writing this one -- I talked with George Smith, the high school coach for both James White and Phillip Dorsett, about their development as players and young men. “Guys like Phillip and James, they get it. They understand,” Smith told me. “They’re two guys who go out and practice and don’t run their mouths. They can play.”
3. The Thursday notebook looks at a bunch of different stuff, including the fact the Patriots had a little snow at practice, an updated injury report, as well as some of the highlights from the podium.
4. We have podium video from Rob Gronkowski and Devin McCourty.
5. Miguel looks at the Patriots' putting the (financial) wraps on the 2018 season with a variety of moves.
6. I spent some quality time with Mike'l Severe of 590 ESPN Omaha talking Patriots and Chargers.
7. We have the podium transcripts from Gronkowski, McCourty and David Andrews from Thursday here.
8. L.A.'s Melvin Gordon reminisced about the time he and James White were teammates at Wisconsin.
9. Eleven years after a dispiriting playoff loss, Philip Rivers is relishing the chance to return to Foxborough for a shot at redemption.
10. Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com looks at an X-factor for each remaining playoff team. For the Patriots? Their ability to "pound the rock with heavy personnel." For the Chargers, it's running back efficiency.
Extra Point:
The '16 Patriots, '07 Giants, '05 Steelers, '00 Ravens, '89 & '84 49ers & '72 Dolphins
Only teams in the SB era to win 9+ games outside of their home stadium (incl. playoffs)
They all won the Super Bowl
The 2018 @Chargers have also 9+ games outside of their home stadium
So..
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 9, 2019