The Quest for 7: Patriots healing, Brady-Brady-Brady, Rule change? Links 1.22.20

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.  Jason La Canfora of CBSSports shakes heaven and earth when he foresees every NFL team's projected 2020 starting QB. Some bold predictions in here. Speaking of which petting zoo you may find the GOAT in next year, BSJ's head honcho Greg Bedard talks Brady on the Felger & Mazz show, along with his thoughts on Super Bowl LIV. Super Bowl? I thought they canceled that?

2. When the health of the Patriots' second most valuable player, (at least in my opinion) was compromised all season, it's a relief to find out he had successful surgery and hopes to be back with the force of a thousand tornadoes. Kevin Patra of NFL.com fills us in on the uplifting details.

3. Feels like the NFL is slowly trying to phase special teams out of the game. No longer allowing the kickoff team a running start has made one particular play as boring as knitting talk radio, (Sorry Grandma.) Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit has what I feel is great news in his column explaining what the league will possibly experiment with during the Pro Bowl. Now this ... could add some real excitement to the end of games.

4. What has proved to be a sore subject with many Patriots fans, including myself, Tyler Sullivan of CBSSports revisits the agonizing Jimmy Garoppolo trade. Most will find it shocking to see who Tyler believes came out the winner. I clearly felt one team Connor McGregor-ered a Cowboy in this trade, looking back at my 1-13-20 Soap Box.

5. Another day another Patriots staff member gone. Doug Kyed of NESN explains how New England lost another coach, and are now left with only Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels, and bowling coach Roy Munson. (Kingpin! Anyone?) The good news? Isaiah Houde of Patriots Wire reports that this former practice squad player has now joined the Patriots' coaching staff. Maybe Morris Buttermaker is available? #BadNewsBears

6. Dan Kadar of SBNation gives his 2020 NFL mock draft, and the player he has the Patriots taking is picking up momentum amongst other draft experts. Not to be outdone, The Ringer's staff and Danny Kelly give their full 2020 NFL draft guide.

7. Ending this segment on a sunny and fuzzy note, Deyscha Smith of Boston.com tells us how Tom Brady responded to a message sent loud and clear by Patriots fans. Is it me or did this just warm up our chilly New England winter? Oh. Wait. No it's me. I live in Florida.

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

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

Grumblings are afoot that Tom Brady rumors are burying Super Bowl LIV to the help-wanted section of newspapers. (Yes they still exist ... in like, Russia or something.) Hate to say this Patriots fans, but lost in the TB12 fascination is this: whether it's 75%, 50%, or 2%, the return of a fully-healthy and rejuvenated Rob Gronkowski to the Patriots will drop to 0% if Brady does take his talents to where-the-hell-ever in 2020. As if that wasn't another turn of the vice crushing our hopes and dreams, here's another 18-year perk that will be gone: the good ole, "Veteran free agents taking less money to chase a ring with the six-time champs."

So much is at stake with this decision. Kraft and Belichick have to make the right call. See if Brady will take a three year deal with a base salary of 10-million each year, that escalates with bonuses to 20-mill if he has a good year, or 30-mill if he regains his MVP form. If Brady doesn't go for it, slide the blank check across the table, and tell the GOAT to name his price for one year, (with a reminder that the dollar figure will affect the players they could surround him with.) If these are Stupid-Steve level suggestions, or simply not doable, please just figure it out. Praying emoji.

Be on the lookout for more The Quest for 7 features. Want more Salty Tears and Soapbox? Click on my name above and scroll down for previous Quests!