Official Thursday Free Chat Thread

Good Morning r/Patriots

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**Free place to chat and a good place to discuss whatever you like with other sub users**

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# Key dates on the 2023 [NFL / Patriots calendar](https://www.patriots.com/news/key-dates-on-the-2023-nfl-patriots-calendar).

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# New England Patriots News Link Catchup – [Patriots already a better team than pre-free agency](https://www.patspulpit.com/2023/3/17/23644259/new-england-patriots-links-3-17-23-patriots-already-a-better-team-than-pre-free-agency)

* **Patriots** 2023 [**Free Agent Tracker**](https://www.patriots.com/news/2023-patriots-free-agent-tracker).
* **Mike Dussault** notes that according to reports, the Patriots are [**adding a move tight end**](https://www.patriots.com/news/report-patriots-add-tight-end-mike-gesicki) to their roster. Mike Gesicki should form a nice pairing with veteran Hunter Henry, providing the offense with an athletic player to be utilized by offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
* **Transactions:** Patriots [**sign OT Calvin Anderson**](https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-tackle-calvin-anderson-release-qb-brian-hoyer); Release QB Brian Hoyer.
* **Mike Dussault** reports the Patriots are bringing back long-time [**long snapper Joe Cardona**](https://www.patriots.com/news/report-patriots-bring-back-long-time-long-snapper-joe-cardona).
* **Mike Dussault** reports [**DT Daniel Ekuale re-signs**](https://www.patriots.com/news/report-daniel-ekuale-re-signs-with-patriots) with Patriots. He appeared in 15 games last season with two sacks.
* **Evan Lazar** reports the Patriots are [**bringing back LB Mack Wilson**](https://www.patriots.com/news/report-patriots-re-sign-lb-mack-wilson-to-a-one-year-deal) on a one-year contract. Along with maintaining their depth at off-ball linebacker, Wilson should remain a regular in the kicking game.
* **Patriots Catch-22**: [**JuJu Smith-Schuster reaction**](https://www.patriots.com/audio/patriots-catch-22-3-16-juju-smith-schuster-reaction-analysis-of-new-england-s-ro), analysis of New England’s roster moves in free agency. (84 min.)
* **Patriots Unfiltered**: Reaction to [**Pats’ free agency moves**](https://www.patriots.com/audio/patriots-unfiltered-3-16-reaction-to-patriots-free-agency-moves-so-far-juju-smit) so far, JuJu vs. Jakobi debate; More. (2 hours)
* **Mike Reiss** passes along a report the Patriots agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent [**tight end Mike Gesicki**](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35879064/sources-patriots-agree-ex-dolphins-te-mike-gesicki) that is worth up to $9 million.
* **Mark Daniels** believes that after signing Mike Gesicki, the Patriots offense is [**headed in right direction**](https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2023/03/after-signing-mike-gesicki-patriots-offense-is-headed-in-right-direction-mark-daniels.html).
* **Dakota Randall** isn’t buying the [**Patriots doomsday takes**](https://nesn.com/2023/03/lets-chill-on-patriots-doomsday-takes-aaron-rodgers-jets-trade/?utm_source=patspulpit&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=patspulpit2022) amid the Aaron Rodgers-Jets rumors.
* **Khari Thompson** feels that all in all, the [**Pats are a better team than they were**](https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/patriots-got-better-this-week-but-how-much-better) when they started free agency and still have some money they could use to put toward negotiating extensions, but it’s not nearly enough.
* **Andy Hart** wants to emphasize that the Patriots are the [**fourth-best team in the AFC East**](https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/yes-the-patriots-are-the-fourth-best-team-in-the-afc-east) and yes, he’s aware it’s only March. */Insert eye-roll emoji here*.
* **Chris Mason** writes that after jettisoning Jonnu Smith, [**Bill Belichick has landed Mike Gesicki**](https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2023/03/patriots-sign-top-te-on-the-market-mike-gesicki-report.html), the top free agent TE on the market. Gesicki has averaged 52 catches for 604 yards and five touchdowns over the past four seasons.
* **Darren Hartwell** says [**Mike Gesicki is a nice pickup**](https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/report-patriots-signing-ex-dolphins-te-mike-gesicki-free-agency) for New England: The 27-year-old set career highs in receptions (73) and receiving yards (780) during a breakout 2021 campaign and caught five touchdown passes in 2022 despite taking a backseat to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the [**Dolphins**](https://www.thephinsider.com/)’ offense.
* **Alex Barth** brings up how for the second time in three years, the Pats are signing a [**high-profile free agent TE**](https://985thesportshub.com/listicle/for-the-second-time-in-three-years-the-patriots-are-signing-a-high-profile-free-agent-tight-end/).
* **Mike Reiss** offers his take on why [**Bill Belichick took a risk**](https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4826555/why-did-patriots-belichick-take-juju-smith-schuster-over-jakobi-meyers) in signing JuJu Smith-Schuster over Jakobi Meyers.
* **Alex Barth** talks about the Patriots bringing back [**underrated DT Daniel Ekuale**](https://985thesportshub.com/listicle/patriots-bringing-back-defensive-tackle-on-multi-year-deal/) on a multi-year deal.
* **Doug Kyed** explains how the [**Patriots haven’t missed**](https://atozsports.com/new-england/patriots-re-signing-every-defensive-free-agent-nfl-news/) on re-signing defensive free agents.
* **Doug Kyed** reports the Patriots finally [**released QB Brian Hoyer**](https://atozsports.com/new-england/patriots-confirm-suspicion-latest-roster-move-nfl-free-agency-news/) on Thursday.
* **Matt Dolloff** explains that no, the Patriots are not just [**dropping $8 million**](https://985thesportshub.com/listicle/patriots-8-million-running-back-james-robinson/) for a running back.
* **Zack Cox** considers what’s the [**Patriots’ plan at Tackle**](https://nesn.com/2023/03/whats-patriots-plan-at-tackle-after-free-agent-additions/?utm_source=patspulpit&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=patspulpit2022) after the team’s free agent additions.
* **Mike D’Abate** (Patriots Country) Patriots [**host five free agent visits**](https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-free-agent-visits-taylor-rapp-andrew-van-ginkel-bisi-johnson-juju-smith-schuster-chris-board-trey-flowers-rumors) including Rams safety Taylor Rapp and former Patriots DL Trey Flowers.
* **Zack Cox** notes the Patriots are reportedly hosting oft-injured free agent [**wideout Bisi Johnson**](https://nesn.com/2023/03/patriots-reportedly-hosting-free-agent-wideout-for-visit/?utm_source=patspulpit&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=patspulpit2022) for a visit. Johnson missed the 2021 and 2022 seasons with injuries.
* **Tyler Lamb** (StadiumRant) The Patriots should look Into these [**under the radar free agents**](https://stadiumrant.com/2023/03/16/the-patriots-look-into-these-fas/).
* **Zack Cox** notes Jakobi Meyers explains [**his ‘childish’ tweet**](https://nesn.com/2023/03/how-jakobi-meyers-explained-patriots-juju-smith-schuster-tweet/?utm_source=patspulpit&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=patspulpit2022) after the Pats signed JuJu Smith-Schuster.
* **Sean T. McGuire** highlights [**Jakobi Meyers’ response**](https://nesn.com/2023/03/jakobi-meyers-reflects-on-lowlight-with-patriots-in-raiders-presser/) when asked about his lowlight at introductory Raiders presser. As always, he handled the question well.
* **Sean T. McGuire** notes former Patriot and Jet [**WR Braxton Berrios**](https://nesn.com/2023/03/braxton-berrios-patriots-reunion-no-more-after-reportedly-signing-in-division/) is staying in the division, signing with Miami.
* **Locked On Patriots podcast:** [**Mike D’Abate discusses**](https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-patriots/episode/juju-smith-schuster-joins-new-england-patriots-james-robinson-signs-special-edition-300644709) the JuJu Smith-Schuster signing, his take on the RB James Robinson and more. (20 min.)