The Quest for 7: Sly NFL Owners, Brady's secret, Bargain bin free agents, Links 2.21.20

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. As a former 20-year member of a union, Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal makes a great point. When one side is shoving the pen into the other's hand, and forcing it to paper, that's enough red flags to wave in the entire U.S. Airforce. In his latest piece, he lets us know why the Players should turn this CBA down and drive a harder bargain and why one bye team is bad for the NFL. Be strong, NFLPA, and don't fall for the banana in the tailpipe.

2. Addressing the same subject, Zack Cox of NESN slaps hands with tag-team partner Bedard and jumps into the ring to take on how the Patriots would be affected by the NFL's new proposed playoffs. Personally, I hope the Player's Union jumps off the top rope and gives this deal a Randy "Macho Man" Savage elbow.

3. So apparently, it's more than good genetics. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated explains why it's not surprising to see Brady and Brees playing into their 40s. If I buy into this regiment, maybe I can dust off the leather helmet and knee pads and make a go at the NFL! First I'll need an agent, then a nap.

4. Everyone knows about the Tom Bradys, the Chris Jones' and the Hunter Henrys, but Cody Benjamin of CBSSports gives us the 5 most underrated free agents who could be bargains. If Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy decide to take their talents elsewhere, there are two players here who might make suitable replacements at a cheaper cost.

5. Um. So you can just about kiss this Patriot good-bye. Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub warns us that this New England defender signed with Drew Rosenhaus ahead of free agency. Belichick better make a run to Home Depot, there could be another crack in the damn for him to spackle.

6. Danny Kelly of the Ringer gives overall ratings for the top 32 college players along with his most recent mock in this 2020 NFL draft guide. In yet another three-round mock that doesn't include the compensatory picks at the end of the rounds, Justin Rochat of Fanside gives his 2020 NFL mock draft. Apparently compensatory picks have Cooties, because none of these mocks want to include them.

7. Great to see this lovable former Patriots — and underrated player in the greatest comeback in sports history — doing well. Henry McKenna of Patriots Wire tells the story of Martellus Bennett channeling Belichick while making business decisions.

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

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

Feel free to drop old-man and corny jokes in the comments. I have thick skin and the truth is, I'm actually both in real life. My biggest beef with the 17th game is simple, a greater chance of injury. I have a few suggestions that could help, but before that, there's one bad memory I can't shake ... Wes Welker going down in the last game of the 2009 season. I'm not saying the Patriots were winning the Super Bowl that year, but who knows? Maybe that was the postseason where Welker stopped dropping crucial playoff passes and started carrying the team as Edelman did in the 2018 championship run. When Welker went down with a torn ACL, Patriots' fans everywhere said, "Well ... so much for this season!" Imagine if there was a 17th game in 2018 and Edelman went down playing in it? That Super Bowl 53 trophy wouldn't be at home in Foxboro. Safety measures that could help?

#1. Have the league and players agree on one universal knee brace, and make it mandatory for every player to wear them. It'll do the obvious, (reduce knee injuries) but it will also reduce concussions. The game is already lightning fast, slowing each player down a pinch would barely be noticeable. A little less speed at impact means a little less brain trauma and little more players active on gameday.

#2. Aging myself even more, a former player with the Buffalo Bills named Don Beebe was famous for special teams and his Great Gazoo helmet, (It was the size of Kyrie Irving's head.) Beebe's huge helmet looked silly, jokes were made, but ultimately, if every NFL player had to wear a modern-day version of one, viewers would eventually get used to the look and concussions would be cut drastically.

#3 The idea isn't perfect, or my own, but force every player to sit out one regular-season game. The NFL pounds their chest about how they're making the game safer, and yet they do the most unsafe thing next to taking away their equipment and adding landmines.

This lame Soapbox was brought to you by Steven "The Dad" Viner. Have a good, and safe, weekend everyone!

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!