New England Patriots links 4/18/17 - Brady expected at OTAs today, Butler expected to sign tender this week

TEAM TALK

• Press Release: NFL Offseason Workout Program Primer.
• John Rooke View from Above: Playing the Fame game.
• EXCLUSIVE: The Pats get back to work on Patriot's Day. (Video)
• Preview: 3 Games To Glory 5 - Running the hills. (Video)
• Marathon Monday inspires a Patriots spin on historic runs. (2.56 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran reports the Patriots opened their offseason training program without Tom Brady and Malcolm Butler. Brady is expected to arrive Tuesday, and Butler later this week.
• Jeff Howe discusses the Patriots' return to Foxborough yesterday to start their nine-week offseason workout program. Malcolm Butler can't participate until he signs his tender.
• Ricky Doyle relays info from an ESPN Insiders' piece with GM Mark Dominik speculating on the Patriots' asking price in Malcolm Butler trade talks.
• Phil Perry tells us the Patriots began Phase 1 of their offseason workout program Monday, and explains what is allowed by the league.
• Ryan Hannable explains what each phase of the offseason workout program entails.
• Ryan Hannable notes Tom Brady will reportedly attend today's OTA, as he was returning from a family vacation on Monday.
• Tom E. Curran brings his slant on whether OTA’s are really a measure of where championships are won and lost in the NFL. (2.38 min. video)
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) New England Patriots News, AFC East notes.
• Adam Bogdan (PatriotsLife) Current state of the Patriots roster. /Pretty thorough analysis.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Dont'a Hightower's new contract protects Patriots from his injury history.
• Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) How Lawrence Guy fits in Patriots' defense may influence the draft.
• Kevin Dillon ranks the top New England Patriots draft classes under Bill Belichick.
• Mark Daniels Patriots Draft Preview: Butler’s status leaves questions at cornerback.
• Phil Perry profiles prototypical Patriots: Slot corner.
• Mike Reiss focuses on positions of need to ID players in the draft who could help the Patriots in the third round and beyond: Running backs.
• Jeff Howe Patriots draft series: Gerald Everett offers plenty of potential as a third tight end.
• Doug Kyed identifies pass rushers and defensive tackles the Pats could likely pick in each round of the 2017 draft.
• Brent Schwartz (PatriotsWire) Browns should trade 12th-overall pick for Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Adam London reports on a Patriots fan who was motivating Boston Marathon runners with a '28-3 Super Bowl LI 'sign.
• Mark Farinella gives us his take on the Patriots Hall of Fame nominating process, and his efforts to get CB Raymond Clayborn enshrined.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Matt Yoder (Awful Announcing) Patriots-Chiefs, not a Super Bowl rematch, looks set for Thursday Night Football opener.
• Alex Putterman (Awful Announcing) This Patriots fan has definitely not forgiven ESPN for stoking Deflategate.
• Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) Top 17 games of the 2017 NFL season: Must-see matchups. 11. NE at PIT, 7. NE at TB, 3. NE at OAK, 1. ATL at NE.
• John Breech (CBS Sports) Here are 10 things we already know about the 2017 NFL schedule.
• Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report) Grading every NFL team's offseason before the 2017 Draft. Pats get an A.
• Marcus Mosher (Bleacher Report) Biggest offseason arrivals, departures for every NFL team.
• Andrew Brandt (The MMQB) How the NFL gets covered and consumed.
• Scott Kacsmar (Football Outsiders) 2016 Adjusted games lost.
• Scott Kacsmar (Football Outsiders) NFL head coaches: Adjusted games lost.
• Phillip Bupp (The Comeback) NFL referees side with many fans and want the NFL to eliminate excessive celebration penalties.
• Nick Schwartz (Fox Sports) Skip Bayless explains why excessive celebration penalties are a ‘necessary evil’.

DUMPSTER DIVE

• Daniel Wallach (Legal Sports Report) Part 1 - The NFL's argument that sports betting causes harm is wearing thin.
• Daniel Wallach (Legal Sports Report) Part 2 - Legal sports betting could happen quickly in the U.S. if the NFL and other leagues can't prove harm.
• Daniel Wallach (Legal Sports Report) Part 3 - The NFL's move to Las Vegas may be the death knell for 'irreparable harm' argument against sports betting.
• Kate Hairopoulos and Sarah Mervosh (Dallas News) These players fought the NFL over brain injuries. Now they're fighting to keep the money.
• Nicki Jhabvala (Denver Post) For years, former CU and Broncos lineman Ryan Miller refused to tell his full story. Not anymore.
• Geoff Baker and Hal Bernton (Seattle Times) Ex-Seahawk fights team over painkiller handouts that kept him playing NFL games while hurt.