The Patriot Way: New England Patriots News, 7/12
By Cyrus Geller
Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘The Patriot Way’, your number one source to New England Patriots news and analysis from around the web.
Rob Gronkowski: Coach Belichick gives me the space for me to be me
"New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has co-authored a new book titled “It’s Good to be Gronk” and I gave it a quick read after receiving it late this week.Here is one excerpt, from Chapter 14 (“Down but not out”) that caught my eye:Since I couldn’t participate in [2013] training camp, I watched practice on the sideline in between my own conditioning drills. … While I was watching a practice, Coach Belichick, who was standing right next to me, turned and said, ‘Rob, you are one of the hardest workers I’ve seen and you’re always working hard when you’re here, but when you’re not here … I don’t know about your craziness off the field, the messing around.’"
Patriots Chasing NFL Records: Quarterback Tom Brady
"While it’s uncertain if New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will play the full season, here’s a list of league records he’ll be chasing down.Attempts: 7,168; Rank: 6thBrett Favre’s 10,169 attempts are far out of reach (Brady will need six more seasons to catch him), and Peyton Manning will continue to add to his 9,049. Dan Marino’s 8,358 attempts are out of reach this year, and Drew Brees will also be adding to his 7,458. But Brady can pass John Elway and his 7,250 attempts pretty easily."
Tom Brady appeal: New England Patriots QB awaits verdict, faces same suspension length as Greg Hardy
"Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy had his appeal heard on May 28, and the NFL finally delivered a verdict on July 10. Hardy’s 10-game suspension has been reduced to four games.Next up: Tom Brady and the Deflategate suspension.Brady’s appeal was heard by Roger Goodell on June 23, and Thursday the NFL commissioner told CNBC that a decision could be made as early as next week."
Best of the Belichick Era: Number 17 — Deion Branch
"Deion Branch never had a 1,000-yard receiving season (he topped out at 998 in 2005). His high for receiving touchdowns was five. But the kismet between Branch and Tom Brady allowed Brady to see just how good he could be if he had a receiver with whom he shared an almost telepathic connection. When Branch arrived in 2002 as a second-round pick, the Patriots were still building their roster from the dregs Bill Belichick found when he arrived in 2000."