Marcus Cannon
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) keeps the ball and rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle. A big part of the success the Patriots have enjoyed on offense this season has to do with the discipline of its offensive line. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Lack of O-line mistakes has helped propel Patriots offense

By Kyle Hightower Oct. 02, 2020 01:46 PM EDT

Tom Brady-less Patriots are a brand new bunch entering 2020

By The Associated Press Sep. 08, 2020 02:16 PM EDT
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-5) New Faces: QB Cam Newton, K Justin Rohrwasser, S Kyle Dugger, LB John Uche, LB Anfernee Jennings, LB Cassh...

New England Patriots offensive lineman Mike Onwenu (58) steps on the field for an NFL football training camp practice, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)
Pats preparing to make tough roster calls at O-line, WR, RB

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 02, 2020 07:45 PM EDT

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick enters the field for an NFL football training camp practice, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, Pool)
Cam Newton era begins as Patriots turn page on Brady years

By Kyle Hightower Aug. 27, 2020 04:17 PM EDT

List of players to opt out of playing the 2020 NFL season

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 05:36 PM EDT
Players who have opted out of playing the 2020 NFL season because of the coronavirus: Arizona Cardinals — T Marcus Gilbert ...

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) watches from the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Hightower might be the most accomplished player to opt out of the season because of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
66 players opt out of NFL season due to coronavirus pandemic

By Barry Wilner Aug. 06, 2020 05:23 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Green Bay Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark (97) watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark admits he's surprised at how many players are passing on 2020. Although he is not considering it, he understands why the number of NFL opts outs surpasses the total for Major League Baseball, the NHL and NBA combined. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
On Football: Opt outs should not have doubts or a deadline

By Barry Wilner Aug. 03, 2020 05:07 PM EDT

Marqise Lee, Matt LaCosse bring Pats list of opt outs to 8

By Kyle Hightower Aug. 02, 2020 07:47 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — The number of New England Patriots who have decided to sit out the season because of concerns over the coronavirus continues to grow. ...

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass. Belichick is being coy about his expectations for the quarterback position as his teams prepares for the start of training camp. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Belichick mum on plans for QB position as camp nears

By Kyle Hightower Jul. 31, 2020 06:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 file photo, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (97) follows a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Defensive end Joey Bosa has agreed to a six-year, $135 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to multiple people familiar with the decision. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday, July 28, 2020 because the contract has not been finalized.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
NFL training camps opening with eye on baseball, babysitting

By Barry Wilner Jul. 28, 2020 05:19 PM EDT

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) breaks away from Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
The Latest: Arizona set to resume on-campus team activities

By The Associated Press Jul. 28, 2020 01:32 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Foxborough, Mass. A person familiar with the situation says Hightower has decided to opt out of the 2020 season. Hightower’s decision was made out of concern for the health of his fiancée and child, who was born earlier this month, the person said. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Pats face challenges as starters Hightower, Chung opt out

By Kyle Hightower Jul. 28, 2020 11:27 AM EDT

FILE - In this May 23, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) heads to the practice field during NFL football training camp in Foxborough, Mass. Andrews says he believes the blood clot issue in his lungs that caused him to miss the 2019 season was a freak occurrence that he’s ready to put behind him. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Pats' Andrews has no restrictions after blood clots issue

By Kyle Hightower May. 05, 2020 06:45 PM EDT

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) dives past New England Patriots outside linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Despite work at fullback, Pats' Roberts still defense first

By Ken Powtak Dec. 26, 2019 07:52 PM EST

New England Patriots wide receiver N'Keal Harry, left, runs with the ball as quarterback Tom Brady, right, runs ahead to block in the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Through ups and downs, Patriots still atop AFC East

By Jimmy Golen Dec. 23, 2019 06:35 PM EST

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, front, catches a pass for a two-point conversion in the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Patriots beat Bills 24-17, win 11th straight AFC East crown

By Jimmy Golen Dec. 21, 2019 08:02 PM EST

Houston Texans inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) celebrates after he sacked New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Watson throws 3 TDs, catches another; Texans top Pats 28-22

By Kristie Rieken Dec. 01, 2019 11:48 PM EST

FILE - In this July 24, 2014, file photo, Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77), center Travis Frederick (72) and guard Zack Martin (70) take the field for afternoon practice during an NFL football training camp in Oxnard, Calif. The Cowboys invested heavily in their offensive line and have become consistent winners behind the unit with the NFL’s highest salary-cap figure. While Dallas isn’t the only example of a club benefiting from a heavy investment up front, the New England Patriots are several notches higher than Dallas as an elite team with a more frugal approach. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas, File)
Cowboys build model by paying line, Pats win another way

By Schuyler Dixon Nov. 12, 2019 06:37 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, left, passes against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots 10/27/2019

Oct. 27, 2019 04:43 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns' Christian Kirksey (58) celebrates with Myles Garrett (95) after Garrett sacked New York Jets' quarterback Luke Falk (8) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Rare trade aside, ailing Jets still heavy underdog to Pats

By Kyle Hightower Sep. 19, 2019 05:37 PM EDT