The Quest for 7: Patriots Haunted by Drafts, Vegas Bets on Brady, Links 1.10.20

Morning! Welcome to The Quest for 7, where volunteer writer, Steven Viner, scours the net for seven Patriots related articles from other sites offering different points of view on the six-time champs. Paid subscribers not only get to read all seven, but they also get to check out his always fiery "Steve's Soapbox" at the end.

1. Ever have a crusty old family member constantly throw the same piece of eye-rolling advice at you, only to have it come true one day? Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus lectures us on how Patriots' failure at drafting skill position players has dynasty at a crossroads. Throughout the past six months, Boston Sports Journal's own, Greg Bedard, has used a paragraph here and there in many of his columns to warn us of recent poor drafts eventually coming home to roost. Now dagnabbit! Get off Grampa Greg's lawn before he returns from the barbershop and takes back that shiny nickel he gave you for picking up his tobacky!

2. Three years from now when Tom Brady retires in a Patriots uniform, bringing all of humanity together to join hands and sing Christmas Carols in July while we all finally give peace a chance, Ryan Gaydos of Fox News offers info on New Englands next potential QB with 5 things to know about Patriots' quarterback Jared Stidham. Ha. See ... this Brady thing isn't making me crazy. Oh look! The Easter Bunny's ringing a unicorn! Make a wish!

3. With the NFL draft three-and-a-half excruciating months away, The Draft Network presents Jonah Tuls' 2020 NFL mock draft 4.0. What's so tough about this draft thing, anyway? Just pick the next Brady, Gronk, and Edleman and poof! ... problems solved.

4. In my Salty Tears Take of the day, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com adds his two cents in Pats should let Brady walk. His patronizing tone — as if this is what's best for us meek Patriots fans and we're better off — will have you taking his two pennies and plunking them off his smug puss. .... Leave that complicated winning-decision stuff to the adults in the Gillette conference room.

5. In a fun little piece put together by Isaiah Houde of Patriots Wire, Stephon Gilmore challenges Chad Johnson to a 1-on-1. Old Man Ochocinco may not have the moves anymore, but he still has the flair for gab. After Gilmore takes Ocho down, maybe Grampa Bedard will take a shot at the title? After his nap and Geritol of course.

6. Not a lot here that hasn't already been covered by every journalist and their uncle's, cousin's, mother. But in 4 questions about Tom Brady's future, answered, Hayden Bird of Boston.com explains the important details of Brady's soon-to-be expiring contract as if he was telling it to a 7-year-old. And when it comes to legal mumbo-jumbo, (like Grampa Bedard would say) Stupid Steve certainly appreciates that!

7. In managing to keep my streak alive in finding a look-on-the-bright-side (running out of cliches) angle on Brady staying put, the Golocalprov Sports Team proclaims Vegas sportsbook says Brady most likely to return to the Pats. The boys in Vegas give their odds for every TB12 scenario, and they're not idiots. There's a reason why the "House always wins." If Vinnie-the-Fish from the neighborhood tells Bobby-Bag-O-Donuts from South Side that the Brady guy is likely staying, sounds like a solid bet to me. Fuggedaboutit!

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

The place where Steve gets to give his take of the day from the perspective of a Patriots fan.

Expecting some hate here. I have crazy thick skin, so bring it!

Yes, whining about the refs is lame, (and I do plenty of it.) Although if you say that to a Saints fan, they'll probably punch you in the throat. Honestly, everyone hates NFL officiating. When you freeze like a statue for five seconds before reacting after every play — to see if there's a yellow hankie — it's a problem. Here's what Viner the Whiner would do.

#1 Hand out weekly fines for every bad flag thrown, or call missed. Not talking huge fines, but if your boss had the ability to shave a buck or two off of every piss-poor hour you had at work, your focus would sharpen. Refs don't like it? Tough! It's an amazing job with amazing pay. If they make 180,000 instead of 200,000 they're not going to starve. Oh! And refs get double-fined for blowing a play dead too early. If it remotely looks like a fumble or interception, let it bleeping play out!

#2 Whether on the field, or sidelines, players and coaches are to treat referees as if they were invisible. Period! Tired of players jumping off the ground, arms flailing, gums flapping, and two seconds later, out comes the flag. If a ref sees or hears a reaction they feel is directed at their call, at all! ... automatic 10-yard penalty. No more "jockey" or "working the refs." If the ref screwed up, they'll be fined.

#3 Replay for every score, and turnover. Otherwise, each team gets one challenge a game, and they can challenge anything. Penalties included. (And call pass interference when it's there!) So use it wisely coaches. "You get one shot! Do not miss your chance to blow this opportunity comes once in a gametime." #Eminem

Be on the lookout for more The Quest for 7 features, leading into what is hopefully another epic Patriots' Super Bowl run.