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.
--The franchise tag window closes Tuesday, and a bunch of defensive linemen/pass-rush types were hit with the tag on Monday. Trey Flowers was not among them. There's sill time before the deadline, of course, but the fact DeMarcus Lawrence and Jadeveon Clowney were among those who got the tag means they won't be on the market. That means (at least at this point) Flowers could be even more of a man in demand than expected. For the record, I still think he'll be back. But we might be getting to a point where he's going to take some visits before circling back around and rejoining the Patriots.
--One of those teams interested should really be Miami. But while the Dolphins will likely be an intriguing option for any Patriots' free agent given the fact there are so many ex-New Englanders now on that coaching staff, any substantive fear has to be tempered with the understanding Miami has already acknowledged it's committed to tanking in 2019. That's not to say the Dolphins will be completely off the radar when it comes to the possibility of them being in play for someone like Flowers. It's just worth keeping in mind their approach to 2019 when the free agent chase begins.
--Just as a quick reminder that we pay really close attention to the short-area quickness drills involving the wide receivers and defensive backs at the combine. The 3-cone times for the receivers are here -- meanwhile, the top defensive backs, who had their workouts Monday, are here (cornerbacks) and here (safeties). While cornerback probably isn't an overriding need, I still think the Patriots should focus on getting younger at safety this spring.
--Pro Day slate opens Tuesday with Purdue and Miami (Ohio). Hard to believe we're at that point on the calendar already.
Now, on with the links...
1. Greg has a really good column on Josh Gordon, and how -- even after the way things went down last year -- they should bring him back, if they have an opportunity.
2. Miguel has the latest salary cap recap, with a closer look at how much financial flexibility the Patriots gained with their two moves Monday. (For what it's worth, Dwayne Allen has already reportedly drawn interest from the Bills and Lions, among others.)
3. Another electric Monday afternoon Q&A that covered a bunch of good post-combine stuff. Check the transcript here.
4. Marty Bennett is selling his Super Bowl ring. (He would Tweet later that he wasn't in need of cash -- just looking to do some "spring cleaning.") In related news, I miss covering Marty Bennett.
5. Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus says Flowers is a "blue-chip" defender who could be a big free-agent addition. "He’s a movable chess piece with consistent, high-end play in several areas over the years, a piece that teams should and will jump to move into their system if given the opportunity this offseason," says Gayle.
6. Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com says Trent Brown could be one of the more overpriced guys on the market when free agency opens next month.
7. Bucky Brooks of NFL.com has his winners and losers from Day 4 of the combine workouts.
8. Speaking of the combine, Jarrett Bell of USA Today has a really interesting look at our guy Andy Isabella breaking stereotypes this past weekend in Indy.
9. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report looks at every teams toughest contract decision this offseason. In New England, that's Tom Brady. "The trick will be figuring out just how long Brady plans to play — and, more importantly, how long he will perform at a high level," writes Knox.
10. Josh Rosen to the Patriots. Are you buying?
11. Ex-Patriots offensive lineman Ryan Wendell has a new gig with the Bills.
Extra Point:
1976 - Jets at Patriots, Monday Night Football. New England QB Steve Grogan glides 41 yards untouched for a TD. The Pats squeaked by the pesky Jets 41-7. pic.twitter.com/5tnzWAdpjG
— Ƒunhouse (@BackAftaThis) March 5, 2019