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.
A few quick thoughts before we get the morning started:
--Remarkable to think of Julian Edelman's career path. I can recall the former college quarterback and seventh-round pick being booed during training camp in 2009 trying to learn how to field punts. Almost 10 years later, he's become one of the most integral players in the recent history of the franchise. Not sure we'll ever see his likes again -- for me, the only guy who is even remotely similar is Stephen Neal, who went from college wrestling champion to elite-level offensive lineman. Anyway, the receiver, who turns 33 Wednesday, now has a chance to finish his career with the Patriots after agreeing to an extension that will take him through the 2021 season. Pretty amazing stuff.
—I don’t begrudge him retiring now — it’s better than, say, the start of training camp — but Jared Veldheer’s sudden departure leaves the Patriots in a bind when it comes to tackle depth. Basically, New England looks like it has lost any sort of leverage it might have had over Marcus Cannon when it came to 2019, and Isaiah Wynn better work out. There are always some trade possibilities (as always, look for the guys who are going into the last year of their deals), and if you’re a Patriots’ fan, you can rest a little easier knowing Dante Scarnecchia is at the wheel. But there’s suddenly little margin for error there for the Patriots.
--Hearing the Patriots will be pretty involved in the pregame scene for Cup final games that will be held in Boston. They've been a big part of the postseason run so far, but it sounds like they might be taking it to another level for the upcoming series against St. Louis.
Now, on with the links…
1. I offered a few thoughts on the fact Edelman landed a new two-year deal with the Patriots, including the fact it allows New England to hit the financial reset button when it comes to the receiver position. (For what it’s worth, here was Greg’s column from February arguing Edelman deserved a bump.)
2. Miguel’s new salary cap recap looks at the financial ramifications of the Edelman deal, as well as the Veldheer retirement and Danny Shelton’s return.
3. Here’s the official announcement on Veldheer going on the reserve/retired list.
4. Mark Chichester of Pro Football Focus looks at some potential landing spots for Gerald McCoy, including the Patriots. “A chance at a ring and the chance to work with one of the greatest defensive minds the game has ever seen? The Patriots should be well on McCoy’s radar, and frankly, that feeling should be mutual,” Chichester says of the possible marriage of McCoy and New England.
First day of Browns mini-camp, 1991. pic.twitter.com/NX3UQUukBk
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) May 21, 2019