The Quest for 7: Patriots and Brady clues, Jimmy G reviewed, Edelman being Edelman, Links 2.5.20

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. If you'd like to know the intricate details that explain the truth about Jimmy Garoppolo's Super Bowl performance, Boston Sports Journal's own Greg Bedard hits the film room to tell you, How Garoppolo actually played, and would a Brady swap make sense? So my opinion on Jimmy's perfor — wait ... what! That last part. Talk about burying the lead!

2. For obvious reasons, much of the focus in these parts has been on Tom Brady, layered with Tom Brady, next to a side of Tom Brady, with Tom Brady sprinkled on top. But Matt Dolloff of 98.5 The Sports Hub gives us the Honey-Do list of everything the Patriots need to accomplish that doesn't involve a QB. It's a pretty meticulous list, that I suggest washing down with a glass of Tom Brady.

3. Like any great mystery, clues are dropped throughout the story, leading to a big reveal. Henry McKenna of Patriots Wire pieces together all of the subtle Brady/Patriots rumors as of late, and he can't help but wonder if TB12 and New England are posturing for their upcoming contract negotiation? You know, if we lock them in a room and tell them they can't come out until they get a deal down, then add my wife and bring up politics ... papers will get signed fast! 

4. Before you skip over this story due to deserved disgust with this player, there might be something afoot here. First, Brad Crawford of 247 Sports informs us that Antonio Brown has offered an apology for his recent actions, then, Dakota Randall of NESN also reports that Tom Brady and Brown have stayed in touch since the Patriots booted the receiver on his rear. I hope Brady isn't thinking of using the "if I'm coming, he's coming too" leverage against the Patriots or any other team he negotiates with. The thought has me wanting to vomit for fun.

5. This came out of nowhere. Nicole Yang of Boston.com reports on what the man who stole Tom Brady's jersey had to say since the heist. Hope the film crew and interviewer checked their pockets once they were through.

6. For those salivating and rubbing their hands together in anticipation of the draft, the Patriots.com Staff has a gift for you. They collected many of the big sportswriters' predictions into one article, letting you know who these experts think the Patriots will select in the first round with the 23rd pick. Bon Appetit, Pats fans!

7. If you don't like Julian Edelman, you have no soul and hate puppies. Shanna McCarriston of CBSSports tells us how the Mighty Mouse receiver tried to woo his football brother back to New England, and of course, it's innocent and hilarious.

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

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

In this Part 3 of 5 Series, I'll be forcing myself to select the person MOST responsible for the Patriots winning or not winning the Super Bowl out of Belichick the Coach, Belichick the GM, and Tom Brady the QB. So far, 2000 to 2003, and 2004 to 2007 have been featured. Today is 2008 to 2011. Fight me in the comments if you disagree — but no kicking in the Jimmies!

2008: I'm going to wuss out and skip this year. With Brady missing the season, how can I justify putting blame on any of them? Perhaps Belichick should have played Brady at least a few snaps in the preseason, so maybe TB12 had a better feel in the pocket for Benard Pollard coming at him, but even this is a reach.

Belichick the Coach: +1 and -1 … Belichick the GM: +1 and -2 … Brady the QB: +1 and -1

2009 Belichick the Coach: -1. The infamous 4th-and-2 in Indy, getting outcoached by Josh McDaniels in Denver, losing to the Dolphins with Chad Henne lighting them up, playing Wes Welker and crucial starters in the last game of the year when the Patriots had no shot at a bye and Welker tears his ACL. Hell, even Belichick mic'd up admitted, "I just can't get through to these guys."

Belichick the Coach: +1 and -2 … Belichick the GM: +1 and -2 … Brady the QB: +1 and -1

2010 Tom Brady the QB: -1. Belichick the GM had maybe his finest year. Traded Moss at the right time, brought Deion Branch back, drafted Gronk, McCourty, and Hernandez. Coach had them at 14-2 with home-field throughout. Brady's regular-season rivaled 2007, (It was that good.) Then Tom plays maybe the most skittish game of his career at home against a team he beat 45-3 a month earlier. Rex Ryan turned Brady into Sam Donald, and had him seeing ghosts. TB12 had 2 interceptions, was sacked 5 times from holding the ball too long, and on the famous, "Drive to Nowhere" he refused to throw the ball downfield while trailing by 11 in the 4th quarter.

Belichick the Coach: +1 and -2 … Belichick the GM: +1 and -2 … Brady the QB: +1 and -2

2011 Belichick the GM: -1. On a team that clearly needed defensive help, Belichick the GM drafts one defender (the awful Ras-I Dowling) in the first 6 rounds, whiffs on free agents who can play both the run and pass, and never called Romeo Crennel to see if he'd like to come back. Then in the Super Bowl, the defense couldn't get off the field. Time of possession: Giants 37:05, Patriots 22:55. (Don't Google this, I assure you it is correct.) DISCLAIMER: Welker is still the biggest reason why we lost this game.

Belichick the Coach: +1 and -2 … Belichick the GM: +1 and -3 … Brady the QB: +1 and -2

To be continued tomorrow with 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015!

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!