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.
• I have no issues with the Stephen Gostkowski deal. I mean, I'm not shocked at all -- basically said as much a few days ago in the NFL Notebook. Anyway, I know Gostkowski is a polarizing figure, so I found a couple of notes in terms of where he ranks when stacked against the rest of the league since his first year in the NFL (2006). Below is a list of the best field-goal percentages in that time with a minimum of 100 chances.
It's also worth noting his field-goal percentage since 2006 is better than Adam Vinatieri (87.4 percent to 86.4 percent.) For his career, he's also made 89 percent of his field-goal attempts in the playoffs.
I'm not going to ignore the glaring postseason misses the last few years (and I still wouldn't be shocked if the Patriots brought someone in this summer). There's a bit of a white-knuckle element that's creeped in over the last couple of seasons, and it's important to note he's been under 90 percent on his field-goal percentage two of the last three regular seasons.
But his return brings some continuity in an area (special teams) Bill Belichick considers absolutely vital. (I know some of you are going to roll your eyes at that, but that's the reality of the situation.) In the end, while he might have been overpaid on his last deal, his new contract is more in line for a veteran kicker who plays for a coach who still puts a premium on special teams.
•The pregame at Fenway Tuesday looked like it was fun -- nice to see some guys other guys acknowledged. And it sounded like Rob Gronkowski got the biggest round of applause.
•Belichick is scheduled to address the media at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Gillette Stadium. We'll be front-and-center for the proceedings.
Now, on with the links...
1. Right smack in the middle of the pregame ceremonies at Fenway, the NFL unveiled the 2019 preseason schedule. The Patriots will face some familiar foes -- I have three thoughts on the summer slate here.
2. Miguel opens up his latest mailbag -- topics include the 2019 draft, cap casualties, 2020 cap space, Jakob Johnson, offseason workout bonuses, and much more.
3. We touched on this topic, but the folks in Tennessee sound an awful lot like a group ready for some joint practices with the Patriots this summer. “Clearly you know all the head coaches, but you have a better relationship with some of the other ones, and Bill is one that I have a better relationship with,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said of Belichick. “So it was, “Hey, we’re putting in to play you guys in the preseason. And Bill was like, “Can we come to Nashville and practice?’”
4. In his pre-draft guide, Eliot Harrison of NFL.com has one burning question for each AFC team. For the Patriots, it's simple: Trade up to select one of the draft's premier tight ends?
5. Dan Graziano of ESPN says the Patriots are the team most likely to trade up when it comes to the draft.
6. Gennaro Filice of NFL.com has a roster reset for the AFC East.
Yup. We're ready for today.
Flashback to last spring's Fenway field trip before we return to the ballpark this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/NFwpoVVwV7
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 9, 2019