NFL Notebook: With coaching turnover, it'll be a big year for Patriots' defensive leaders

In this week’s NFL Notebook, we look at whether or not the Steelers should be removed from the list of Patriots’ AFC rivals, try and figure out at least a portion of the preseason schedule in advance of its release, and consider a few names as possible candidates for this year’s Patriots’ Hall of Fame. But first, 2019 is going to be a big year for New England’s defensive veterans. We explain why.

1. With an unprecedented (for them) amount of turnover when it comes to the coaching staff, the 2019 season is shaping up to be a key year for New England’s veterans, particularly on defense. The group, led by Dont’a Hightower and Devin McCourty, will likely be taking more on their plate this year as New England transitions into a new era when it comes to coaching. “Those two have always been like coaches on the field anyway,” said one longtime league observer this week. “But they’re going to have to take it to the next level in 2019.” There is faith Jerod Mayo will be a quick study when it comes to coaching — several veterans praised his knowledge when he was a player. And there’s a belief the coaching assistants will be able to make the leap this offseason. But this coming season will prove to be a real test for the likes of Hightower and McCourty and their leadership skills.

2. Had a good conversation with Big 10 TV football analyst Gerry DiNardo this week, and while the focus was on Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson, it’s worth noting DiNardo has a pretty good idea as to what sort of player fits in Foxborough. DiNardo coached at LSU, and was in charge of the Tigers program when future Patriots like Kevin Faulk and Jarvis Green were at Baton Rouge. “You spend two minutes with those guys, and you talk with Bill, and you realize how quickly they would mesh with Bill and his program,” he said. “Really, it’s more personality than anything else. When I coached Kevin at LSU, he graduated in three-and-a-half years, and knew everyone’s job on offense. That’s pretty much all you need to know right there.” DiNardo was eventually replaced at LSU by Nick Saban, but the LSU-to-Foxborough pipeline in the early days of the 21st century that included players like Faulk, Green and Randall Gay started with DiNardo.

3. One more note as it relates to Hockenson: his high school coach Curt Smyser said tiny Chariton, Iowa has been sent into a frenzy with Hockenson's ascent. "It really is kind of something special," he said of Hockenson's move from small-town high school star to potential first-round pick. "This is a really small town — around 4,600 people — and for him to just be able to go on and play at Iowa is really special. We had one other guy from town who started at Iowa, but to see what TJ has done, coming from a small community and now looking like a first-round pick, people are excited. I can’t even go to the grocery store without people talking to me about him. Now, it’s great — he comes back and kids look at him and say ‘We can do this.’"

4. The countdown to the release of the preseason schedule is on, but based on the Gillette Stadium summer concert schedule — as well as history — we already have a pretty good idea as to how some of the preseason will shake out. With the knowledge preseason games have almost always been on Thursday and Friday lately, the fact the Pats have alternated with the Giants when it comes to the preseason finale, and that George Strait is playing Gillette on Saturday, August 17, we can assume the following: The Patriots will be on the road the third week of August (August 15?) for the second preseason game, and home the last week of preseason (August 29th?) against the Giants. If history is any indication, the preseason slate should be made public in the next 10 days or so.