The Quest for 7: Tight End turmoil, Batman fights Patriots crime, Brady updates, Links 2.19.20

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. It's been ten years since Bill Belichick drafted a couple of tight end bazookas like Rob Gronkowski and you-know-who, and now he's left with broken Nerf guns. Boston Sports Journal's own Greg Bedard warns that with few free agents, the Patriots may have to get creative to upgrade the TE position. Certainly feels like a DEFCON 1 need for New England.

2. The points made here are as shocking as finding a Massachusetts street without a pothole. Dave D'Onofrio of Boston.com explains why longterm planning in the NFL is overrated, and that benefits Belichick. That old saying that the NFL stands for, "Not For Long" has never been truer ... unless you're this epic Patriots dynasty of course!

3. Everyone wants to know why the Patriots Big Three haven't met yet, and more importantly when? Dakota Randall of NESN reports on the rumor of if the sitdown will take place soon according to this Patriots insider. Let's hope that Godfather Belichick gives Tom Brady the Michael Corleone treatment, and not Fredo.

4. Henry McKenna of Patriots Wire details the ESPN's "Get Up" clip showing Batman himself defend all things Patriots. Also, here's a bonus link of Ben Affleck walloping Hack Kellerman on his outdated Tom Brady opinions and "Falling off the cliff" take.  "POW!" "BAM!" Attah boy, Ben.

5. It's a painful subject that surfaces every year on Felger & Mazz, and it looks like next year we'll hear the other side of the debate. John Breech of CBSSports gives us the scoop on the 2020 Patriots having the toughest schedule in the NFL. The talk show duo will no longer be able to throw it in Patriots fan's faces that their team is playing "crap, crap, crap." Until the Patriots keep winning and they come up with another unfair advantage as to why. (Big grin emoji)

6. If you're in the camp that wants the Patriots to find the "next guy" by using one of their higher draft picks to do it, check out Morgan Moriarty of SBNation as he rates the QB's in this upcoming NFL draft. Also, see who Charley Casserly of NFL.com has the Patriots taking in his 2020 NFL mock draft.

7. Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub gathers some scuttlebutt to inform Pats fans not to worry: Brady and the Patriots are still getting along juuuuuuust fine. There's also some info on if Brady will tour other franchises like an 80's hairband getting showered with love by groupies, or have a simple sit-down at one place with each team. Just remember Tom, every rose has its thorn.

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

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

He's like the hot, crazy ex who drove you nuts. The one you know damn well that if you were single, you'd be on board for another short term fling. Besides Tom Brady, there's something Patriots fans may want to monitor on March 18th. If there is no report whatsoever about New England courting the top tight ends in free agency, could it be because they know someone's coming back?

Greg Olsen has already agreed to a deal with the Seahawks. He spoke with several teams. And yet the Patriots — with an offense in dire need of a tight end — had zero reports written about them chatting with Mr. Olsen. Perhaps Belichick wasn't interested? Maybe. Perhaps with Brady in limbo, Olsen wasn't interested? Maybe. Or ... perhaps the Patriots are keeping it on the down-low, and have a wink-wink-nudge-nudge agreement with Gronkzilla returning?

It's farfetched, just from the fact that it's nearly impossible for Gronkowski to open his mouth without spitting flamming-hot words at everyone. But consider this, if Belichick shows zero interest in Hooper, Henry, Ebron, or even a broken down Eifert, would he leave it to the draft to restock the tight end position? He did in 2010, but he also had a much younger Tom Brady. A veteran TE would seem to make more sense if Brady's returning. (In the name of the father, son, and holy spirit.) There's a little smoke with the Pats not contacting Olson, and if they continue to show zero interest in the position once free agency starts, I think there might be fire ... a fire breathing Gronkzilla.

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