New England Patriots Rumors & News

Exploring the lesser known: Browns

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — The Patriots and Browns haven't squared off since the 2010 regular season, but there a number of connections between the franchises that make Cleveland a familiar foe. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick once was the head coach of the Browns, and his right-hand personnel aide, Mike Lombardi, recently was rehired by the franchise to serve as the general manager. He's part of a brain trust charged with rebuilding the franchise that has struggled through recent seasons.

Quick-hit thoughts around NFL & Pats

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — Quick-hit thoughts around the NFL and with the Patriots: 1. When media members are present for the Patriots’ organized team activity on Tuesday, one of the first areas of interest will be starting middle linebacker Brandon Spikes’ presence. Spikes, who joined the team as a 2010 second-round draft choice, enters the final season of his contract so this is a big year for him to improve his stock and land what he hopes is a big payday. Given that background, it’s notable from this perspective that Spikes hasn’t been seen much at Gillette Stadium since the offseason program began in mid-April.

Prisco's top Pats question: Outside WR

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — In a column that provides a snapshot look at some of the larger issues facing each team in the NFL, Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com writes a piece titled, "Pressing questions for all 32 teams heading into the summer." For the Patriots, Prisco focuses on the offense, with this question: "Who starts outside at receiver with Danny Amendola in the slot? As previously noted by Patriots owner Robert Kraft, the club returns all but two starters and both are at the receiver position (Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd), so it makes sense that Prisco would look to that area.

Exploring the lesser known: Panthers

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — The Patriots will play just once on "Monday Night Football" during the 2013 season, and the game comes on the heels of their Week 10 bye. It will take place in Charlotte against the Carolina Panthers, who feature one of the most exciting young players in football, quarterback Cam Newton. The teams have something of a history after a memorable meeting in Super Bowl XXXVIII, but while the Patriots have continued their success since that time, the Panthers took a nosedive in the standings and have had to rebuild the franchise.

Catching up with Dobson at Premiere

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — James Walker, who covers the AFC East for ESPN.com, was in Los Angeles for this year's NFL Players Association's Rookie Premiere and caught up with Patriots second-round draft choice Aaron Dobson. One question that Walker asked Dobson was on his penchant for making tough, one-handed receptions. "It’s all instinct," Dobson tells Walker. "I’m just going for the ball and I attack the ball very well. That’s how it happens. I can bring them in with one hand and I can catch with two hands.

Rob Gronkowski back at it?

Boston Herald — There’s more surgery news with respect to Rob Gronkowski, and it’s not particularly encouraging. It appears along with the forearm surgery the Patriots tight end is expected to undergo next week, back surgery might also be in Gronk’s future.

Report: Gronkowski may need back surgery, too

Boston Globe — A day after the Globe reported that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will have a fourth surgery on his left arm — to replace a plate — USA Today reported he also may need back surgery.    

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski having issues with back, may require surgery

Boston Globe — Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will have a fourth surgery on his left forearm in the coming days, to determine if the infection that has plagued it over the past couple of months is finally gone and if that is the case, to again replace the plate that has been placed over his ulna.    

Source: Fourth surgery for Gronk "likely" to happen next week

The Point After | Boston Herald — Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is "likely" to have that fourth surgery on his left forearm performed at some point next week, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. As we reported last week, this surgery was going to take place no matter what. The exact date, however, has not yet been determined.

Second round pick Jamie Collins signs rookie deal with Pats

The Point After | Boston Herald — They're starting to drop a bit like dominoes, as the Patriots can check off another rookie, announcing today that Jamie Collins had signed his deal. The second round pick, who played defensive end at Southern Mississippi, was the Pats first selection in the 2013 draft.

Source: Gronk may also need back surgery down the road

The Point After | Boston Herald — There's more surgery news with respect to Rob Gronkowski, and it's not particularly encouraging. It appears along with the forearm surgery the Patriots tight end is expected to undergo next week, back surgery might also be in Gronk's future.

Report: Gronkowski may need back surgery, too

Patriots Blog | Providence Journal — By Mike McDermott Providence Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who is set for a fourth surgery on his injured arm, may also need back surgery due to chronic pain, reports the NFL Network. According to the report by former Boston Herald Patriots reporter Ian Rapoport, Gronkowski had an MRI recently to determine the severity of his problems, and is will be sent to a spine specialist after his forearm surgery next week. An infection has required the latest forearm surgery; it is possible that Gronkowski could require a fifth procedure if the infection does not...

Schefter: Possible back surgery for Gronk

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweeted the following today: "A disc issue in Rob Gronkowski's back is being examined and could require surgery. This does not sound good ... Then followed up with this: "Rob Gronkowski's back issue considered minor, per source. If he needs surgery it'd be during time frame that he'd be out with arm surgery. ... And this: "Quote from person close to Gronk: 'He is going to be fine long term. (He is) not worried about the short term, i.

Patriots sign top pick Jamie Collins

Patriots Blog | Providence Journal — By Mike McDermott AP photo / Michael DwyerJamie Collins makes his first visit to Gillette Stadium, earlier this week. The Patriots have announced the signing of linebackers Jamie Collins and Steve Beuharnais. Collins, who went to Southern Mississippi, was New England's top pick in the 2013 draft; they grabbed him in the second round with the 52nd overall selection. Beauharnais was one of the team's seventh round picks. The Patriots have signed four of their seven draft picks. Remaining unsigned are second-round pick wide receiver Aaron Dobson, fourth-round pick wide receiver Josh Boyce ...

Top pick Collins signs contract

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — The New England Patriots have signed second-round draft choice Jamie Collins, the team announced Friday. Collins was the team's top choice in last month's draft. Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Collins, who played defensive end at Southern Mississippi, will begin his career in New England at linebacker. The Patriots also made the signing of seventh-round pick Steve Beauharnais official, meaning the team has now signed four of its seven draft choices.

• Pats Pulpit:Dwight Freeney Signs With Chargers; Pats Showed 'Last Minute Interest'
• Patriots Gab:New England signs top draft pick LB Jamie Collins
• Patriots Gab:Rob Gronkowski underwent an MRI on his back
• Pats Pulpit:USA Today: Gronkowski Dealing With Back Issue, Could Face (Another) Surgery
• Pats Pulpit:Pats Pulpit Off-Season Caption Contest #19