Official Friday 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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# Undrafted Free Agent [Tracker](https://www.patspulpit.com/2023/4/29/23704883/nfl-draft-2023-undrafted-free-agents-tracker-patriots-signings-news-rumors-analysis).

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# New England Patriots News Link Catchup – [Replacing McCourty at Safety: The Devin is in the details](https://www.patspulpit.com/2023/6/8/23753405/new-england-patriots-links-6-08-23-replacing-mccourty-at-safety-the-devin-is-in-the-details)

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* **Alexandra Francisco** reports that [**Patriots Cheerleaders**](https://www.patriots.com/news/four-patriots-cheerleaders-celebrate-college-graduations) Alexa Pillsbury, Sarah Tong, Haley Schmich and Jillian Acevedo all recently earned their college degrees. Here’s what is next for them.
* **Taylor Kyles** shares his observations from the [**second OTA practice:**](https://www.clnsmedia.com/patriots-ota-day-two/) Attendance, Marte Mapu flexes his versatility, Antonio Mafi rising quickly, More.
* **Matt Dolloff** spotlights 6 [**Patriots who stood out**](https://985thesportshub.com/listicle/patriots-otas-players-stood-out-christian-gonzalez/) at the second open practice of OTAs.
* **Sara Marshall** (MusketFire) The 4 [**most impressive Patriots**](https://musketfire.com/posts/the-4-most-impressive-patriots-through-otas-so-far) through OTAs (so far).
* **Richie Whitt** (Patriots Country) So far, so good: [**Christian Gonzalez impressing**](https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-christian-gonzalez-otas-starting-cornerback-jonathan-jones-impressing) during OTAs.
* **Tom E. Curran** explains how [**age is a cautionary tale**](https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/promising-patriots-rookie-christian-gonzalez-age-old-question/421260/) when discussing talented Patriots rookie Christian Gonzalez, who is only 20 years old.
* **Andy Hart** says Rhamondre Stevenson wants – and needs – to [**be ‘the guy’**](https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/rhamondre-stevenson-needs-to-be-the-guy-for-patriots) for Patriots.
* **Mark Daniels** reports how [**‘very athletic’ Keion White**](https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2023/06/deatrich-wise-to-mentor-patriots-very-athletic-rookie-pass-rusher.html) brings more competition for Deatrich Wise, but the veteran is taking the rookie under his wing.
* **Karen Guregian** writes how Kyle Dugger is hoping to be a [**part of the solution**](https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2023/06/kyle-dugger-hoping-to-be-a-part-of-solution-to-replace-devin-mccourty.html) to replace Devin McCourty.
* **Alex Barth** highlights [**DB Jalen Mills**](https://985thesportshub.com/listicle/jalen-mills-recalls-his-brief-release-by-the-patriots-from-this-offseason/) mentioning his brief release and re-signing with the team from this past offseason. *“I’m here. I’m happy. I wanted to be a Patriot. I’m here.”*
* **Doug Kyed** explains how the [**Patriots seem to believe in**](https://atozsports.com/new-england/patriots-bill-belichick-gives-more-context-on-rookies-position-switch/) their highest-paid undrafted free agent Malik Cunningham.
* **Mike Kadlick**’s [**Patriots Mailbag:**](https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/is-it-put-up-or-shut-up-time-for-mac-jones) Is it ‘put up or shut up’ time for Mac Jones?
* **Chris Mason**’s [**Patriots Mailbag:**](https://www.masslive.com/sports/2023/06/who-will-start-in-patriots-offense-under-bill-obrien-mailbag.html) Who will start on offense under Bill O’Brien?
* **Sophie Weller** posts the newly announced Patriots’ [**preseason dates and times**](https://atozsports.com/new-england/patriots-preseason-dates-and-times-announced-by-nfl/).
* **Harrison Reno** (Patriots Country) Patriots new [**leading contender**](https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-leading-contender-deandre-hopkins-free-agent-signi) for DeAndre Hopkins?
* **Justin Leger** highlights Phil Perry [**making a passionate pitch**](https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/why-the-patriots-need-to-go-sign-deandre-hopkins/421344/) for the Patriots to sign star WR DeAndre Hopkins.
* **Alex Barth** finds DeAndre Hopkins has scheduled his [**first free agent meeting**](https://985thesportshub.com/listicle/deandre-hopkins-has-scheduled-his-first-free-agent-meeting/), with the Titans.
* **Mike D’Abate** (Patriots Country) Bill Belichick is apparently [**showing great faith**](https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-mac-jones-bill-belichick-obrien-offense-otas-practice-rumors-news) in Bill O’Brien and Mac Jones to fix last season’s woes on offense.
* **Nick Stevens** relays ex-Patriots staffers [**Scott Pioli and Eric Mangini**](https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/what-ex-patriots-staffers-are-saying-about-mac-jones) on how they feel about Mac Jones.
* **Riley Sheppard** (Patriots Country) ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano says [**there is pressure**](https://www.si.com/nfl/patriots/news/new-england-patriots-bill-belichick-pressure-hot-seat-fired-espn-dan-graziano-get-up) for [**New England Patriots**](https://www.patspulpit.com/) head coach Bill Belichick to win this season … or else.
* **Chris Mason** reports former Patriots [**safety Malik Gant dies at 25**](https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2023/06/former-patriots-safety-dies-at-25-family-remembers-valued-teammate.html), family remembers ‘valued teammate.’ */How sad*.
* **One Patriots Place podcast:** Clare and Murph are [**joined by Evan Lazar**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=c04dBWlXGCo) to talk all things Patriots. (65 min.)
* **Patriots OTA 2 practice recap:** [**Alex Barth joins Matt McCarthy**](https://985thesportshub.com/episodes/patriots-ota-2-practice-recap-alex-barth-w-matt-mccarthy-6-6-23/) to talk all things Patriots OTA’s and what he’s seen so far. (23 min.)