The Quest for 7: Belichick on the prowl, Spygate 2.0 concluding, CBA near? Links 2.27.20

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. This is like Picasso studying finger paintings by chance it might improve his craft. Patrik Walker of CBSSports reports how Bill Belichick skipped the beginning of the NFL combine to scout this one prospect in person. This guy just went from Steve Viner playing flag football in a 40-and-over league to top ten of the NFL draft.

2. Are N'Keal Harry's ears itching? Because it seems like someone's talking about him. Henry McKenna of Patriots Wire explains how Mike Mayock's comments indirectly speak to Harry's slow development. I mean, I think he's going to be a good player, but Mayock isn't wrong.

3. This would technically help the Patriots to re-sign Brady, so hand them a pen! Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit gives us the details on the proposed collective bargaining agreement clearing this hurdle. Feels like the owners are on the attack and winning. Little surprised the players are playing more Prevent than Blitz here.

4. Givanni Damico of The Scorecrow has the Patriots trading down a few spots in his 2020 NFL mock draft. Plus, lack of weapons for Tom Brady might be stealing all the headlines, but the step back his protectors took last season needs to be addressed more than this country's health-care system. Ben Lindsey of Pro Football Focus lists all categories of offensive linemen to target in both the draft and free agency.

5. Can't wait to see the punishment on this one. Chris Rosvoglou of The Spun informs us Patriots fans that the pathetic case of Spygate 2.0 is nearing its end. Maybe a public caning for Belichick is in order? Lop off one of Brady's throwing fingers? Send them all to their lockers with no phone? Only Goodell the Tyrant knows.

6. Felger & Mazz can blab on and on about the silliness of this, but when you're dealing with obsessed and driven nuts like Belichick and Brady, it's best to keep the flame away from the gasoline. Adam London of NESN lets the world know why this NFL writer believes the Patriots will not make the playoffs next season. Keep talking doubters. They feed off this "Silliness."

7. Might be the only pic on the planet worse than 17 -year-old me sporting a mullet. Mike Reiss of ESPN shares the story of Brady's famous combine photo celebrating its 20th year. Homeless-runaway-looking teenage Tom has come a looooooong way.

STEVE'S SOAPBOX

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

Everyone's taking a swing at what the Patriots should do this off-season. I believe these moves would work with the cap if my estimates are close, and the free agents accept these offers, but don't hold me to it. Here is my non-professional, playing GM as a fan, Stupid Steve plan.

#1. Cut or trade Hightower, Sanu, Harmon, J. McCourty, Gostkowski, Burkhead, Simon, Wise, Bethel, Bolden, LaCosse, Kessler, Bower, Izzo. This should put the Patriots at about 67 million in cap space. Let all other Patriots' free agents walk.

#2 Bring back Brady at 2 years 50 million, Thuney at 5 years 55 mill, Van Noy at 4 years 44, and Collins at 3 years 21 mill. Sign Emmanuel Sanders for 2 years 20 mill. Depending on signing bonuses, should leave about 15 mill in cap space for rookies and veteran minimums.

#3 Trade 23rd pick to Lions for the 35th and 67th picks.

Here's what it would look like.

OFFENSE:

QB: Tom Brady (Needs to be signed before March 18th. Would this offense get him back to being an assassin?)

RB: Damien Harris (Can't trade Sony Michel, so he goes to the bench. Excited to see Harris in action.)

FB/3rd down: James Develin/James White (Assuming Develin's back. And draft the next James White to groom.)

LT: Isaiah Wynn (If he can't stay healthy, Hopefully Cajuste is up for the job.)

LG: Joe Thuney (Brady needs more pocket comfort, not less. Hopefully he takes 1 or 2 mill a year less to stay.)

C: David Andrews (We all have our fingers and toes crossed.)

RG: Shaq Mason (Hopefully he's embarrassed after last year, and works to get back to form.)

RT: Yodny Cajuste (Maybe the Patriots knowing they'd have to wait a year for this prize pays off?)

ST: Marcus Cannon (Old, and can't be cut due to his contract. Hopefully a lesser role as Swing Tackle helps.)

TE: Cole Kmet (Acquired by trading 23rd to Lions for 35th and 67th. Use 35th to nab him.)

TE: N'Keal Harry (Have him put on 10 pounds, and with Kmet, Brady has a young version of Gronk/Hernandez.)

WR: Julian Edelman (Zero pre-season snaps. No more jet sweeps. Use rookie slot to reduce snaps until playoffs.)

WR: Emmanuel Sanders (Hopefully he take the 2 years 20 million.)

WR: Jakobi Meyers (Showed enough to garner another look.)

WR: K.J. Hamler (Trade 23rd to Lions for 35th and 67th. Use 67th to nab him. Edelman's eventual replacement.)

DEFENSE:

Edge: Chase Winovich (Year experience brings more production. Better gap and run responsibility comes with job security)

DT: Lawerence Guy (Underrated rock. If he ever gets hurt, yikes.)

DT: Cheap Free Agent fattie (Want Shelton, but for under 3 mill a year. Otherwise, these guys come cheap.)

DT: Adam Butler (Bring the restricted free agent back for a decent price, if not, Cowart gets his snaps.)

DT: 3^rd round fattie (Start getting young here. Just don't repeat Vincent Valentine, who was a projected 6th round pick.)

Edge: Derek Rivers (Doesn't he have to stay healthy one of these years? Or keep Simon at 2 mill.)

LB: Kyle Van Noy (Again, hopefully he takes 11 mill a year.)

LB: Ja'Whaun Bentley (All we ask, is be 80% of Hightower.)

LB: Jamie Collins (Does a team get stupid and overpay for his first-half-of-the-year performance? Hopefully not.)

CB: Stephon Gilmore (New foundation of the D.)

CB: J.C. Jackson (If he cuts the penalties down, could be the next Talib.)

CB: Jonathan Jones (Top 3 slot corner in the league, thank goodness we have him.)

CB: D’Angelo Ross (The more I read about him, the more I like. Could be Jonathan Jones 2.0.)

SS: Patrick Chung (Start preserving him. Wouldn't mind him getting a minor injury in camp so he starts on PUP.)

FS: Joejuan Williams (Waste as a 4th corner. Has the size for safety, and it's time for youth there. Sic him on TEs.)

SS/NS: Terrance Brooks (Love him to take some of Chung's snaps to reduce his wear and tear. Nickel safety)

NS: Obi Melifonwu (Want him in Harmon's role.)

What do you think ... a path to Trevor Lawrence, or Quest for 7 complete? Or ... what would you do?

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!