The early indication is that trend could continue. Since then, hes positively recovering and the work of the training staff, including the likes of Denny Kellington, were called life saving.. The highly-anticipated matchup between the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots will be affected by COVID-19. Start free trial. Head coach: Bill Belichick Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks: Josh. Members of the Bills came to the stadium wearing Hamlin-inspired apparel and donned "3" hats on the sidelines in honor of his jersey number. We spent time learning special teams. continue. New England Patriots United States employs 213 employees. Despite the league updating its concussion rules and protocol to remove players who show gross instability, spotters and other medical staff missed New England Patriots' WR Devante Parker. Meyers is the best option. The free-agent receiver market is thin. Commercial reproduction, distribution or transmission of any part or parts of this website or any information contained therein by any means whatsoever without the prior written permission of the Club is not permitted. Dawson, meanwhile, got back on the field earlier than Burkhead, but despite being on the 53-man roster, the rookie was among the seven players deactivated for games down the stretch. On Wednesday, many of the defensive linemen and linebackers that took to the various podiums explained they were grateful for the experience with New England's staff. A calendar of important upcoming dates for the NFL and the New England Patriots in 2023. For all the pomp of the combine, the aforementioned defensive coordinator said the event is most useful for getting medical information on the college prospects, something in which coaches play no role. Among the activations: a pregame moment of support for Hamlin, the first responders and medical caregivers; outlining of the "3" in each 30-yard line number on the field in either Buffalo Bills Red or Buffalo Bills Blue; and pregame shirts reading "Love for Damar 3." Natalie Wizel Content Producer. Outside of Gillette Stadium, she walks in anonymity. The Patriots Director of Player Personnel spoke exclusively with Patriots.com about the NFL Scouting Combine and more. The brief interviews teams get with players, which coaches do typically attend, arent terribly revealing. Join Mike Dussault as he takes you on a tour behind-the-scenes of media coverage at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Sean Payton was impressed with Matt Patricia and still believes there's a chance he will join the Broncos staff. President - Jonathan Kraft. The New England Patriots . His sprit is so positive. I'm very fortunate to be given another chance to play football again. And even though it's now the offseason, when most players are far away from Foxborough, the medical and training staff remains available to those players who need to utilize the facilities at Gillette Stadium for rehabilitation purposes, so they can work toward getting back on the field in 2019. At the NFL Scouting Combine here Tuesday, head coach Mike McDaniel was asked for the first time about Jones' eye-opening comments and if the Dolphins knew Jones' stance over the past 12 months. Hamlin had his breathing tube removed Friday and has been able to talk to his family, his care team and the Bills. 14 pick. Director of scouting - Eliot Wolf. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. The cornerbacks were center-stage at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday night, a position the Patriots could target early in the draft. Try a week on us. A top receiver and three former teammates acknowledged the Patriots quarterback has made a lasting impression. Buffalo worked it out so he'll receive the whole thing, even though he's not on the active roster. Bills coach Sean McDermott told CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson that he texted with Hamlin on Saturday night and Sunday morning. #Bills pic.twitter.com/RfKezsoeDn, Today is for 3.#LoveForDamar | #ForDamar pic.twitter.com/qTW7OKJHYa, The Bills (12-3) also wore a special "3" patch on their jerseys against New England (8-8) in a game that general manager Brandon Beane said this week will be "a celebration of life. The NFL and the NFL Players Association have finished their joint review into New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker getting removed from the Week 14 contest against the Arizona . "It's up to the training room staff and the coaches. Kicking off what is clearly going to be a tumultuous offseason for the New England Patriots' coaching staff, Jerod Mayo is being courted, Bill O'Brien is being resurrected and Troy Brown is head coach? Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) March 1, 2023, Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin, who said hes not interested in trading Tee Higgins, put it more succinctly when discussing teams like the Patriots who need a receiver: Thats their problem. Saivion Smith was put onto a backboard and taken off the . He was giving hard criticism. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! link-placeholder-0] continues to make progress in his recovery after [suffering a cardiac arrest. Jonathan Kraft is the president of the Kraft Group, .the private holding company of the Kraft family's varied business interests. Bills honor Damar Hamlin, medical staff during win over Patriots, to pay safety's salary in full Around the NFL Bills honor Damar Hamlin, medical staff during win over Patriots, to pay. Full quote from Tobin on "ridiculous" Tee Higgins trade rumors. New England has done so at times early in the year in seasons past, but what was truly exceptional was how frequently the Patriots were able to dress all 63 players (the 53-man plus the 10-man practice squad) in December and January this past campaign. A note on all 68 players who played a snap for the Patriots this season. "I controlled what I could control.". Brian Belichick our linebacker coach out there, really great guy, very knowledgeable about the game, he just poured into us all week. The National Football League (NFL) today announced there will be two 2023 International Games in Germany next season. You'll now receive the top Bills Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. That appeared to be more of a coaching decision than a health-related one, however, as the Patriots had sufficient depth at cornerback. Every member introduced. With the conclusion of their 2022 season, the Patriots 2023 slate of opponents has been set. Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the New England Patriots will do in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. A medical team was sent to check on her and offered her wheelchair. "Whatever the coaches want me to do, I'm here to do it It's very exciting. Belichick credited his club's medical and strength/conditioning staffs for keeping his players in optimal physical shape for this latest playoff run, which resulted in another Super Bowl title. Charles Erdmann Video Producer/Editor. Please check your email for a confirmation. Our youngest son has been so inspired by others that he committed to training to run the Boston Marathon in April. We brung the world back together behind this. The Patriots placed four players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, and linebackers Harvey Langi, Cameron McGrone, and . "I'm thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Its mission is to provide excellence in the medical and surgical care of the athletes in the National Football League and to provide direction and support for the athletic . Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the New England Patriots will do in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Dynamic returner/cornerback/weapon Marcus Jones' exciting rookie year thrilled his former college teammates. Skilled in Event. Also not with the group traveling to Las Vegas is tight ends coach Nick Haley, whose contract is up and who interviewed for New York Jets' offensive coordinator earlier this month. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Lets hear it for these heroes!#ForDamar | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/8zAZ4ilWq8. "Being able to practice, being able to train, being able to string those days and weeks together, yeah, it's what you want.". They stood on the field in front of the 30-yard line, which had the number three outlined in blue . Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach acknowledged this week at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine the work that needs to be done to get under the salary cap. The intensity was a hallmark of the practice sessions, as the Shrine Bowl participants discovered a new level of immediacy in the NFL awaits them. The Patriots confirmed to reporters on the scene that Belichick will not attend this year's NFL Scouting Combine. Bills coach Sean McDermott thanked the first responders and medical staffs and specifically praised Kellington while speaking with reporters Thursday. #Billsmafia pic.twitter.com/OtqDlPRZIC, Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) January 8, 2023, The Bills just recognized the teams medical personnel and training staff: pic.twitter.com/i5k7T2iNGk, Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) January 8, 2023, So much love for No. "If I had to play 50 snaps, I could play 50 snaps," Dawson declared to reporters back in November. Quarterback Mike White said he'd like to return to the New York Jets, but knows it might not happen as he heads toward free agency. While Bill Belichick, new offensive coordinator O'Brien and presumptive defensive coordinator Mayo will serve in supervisory roles, Brown - who works with the Patriots' receivers and kick-returners - gets to be the East squad's de facto head coach. The @Patriots have announced coaching staff titles (finally) . Lets hear it for these heroes!#ForDamar | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/8zAZ4ilWq8, Denny kellington ( middle) is one of the trainers for the Bills that saved the life of Damar Hamlin. For the Patriots, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, cornerback Jack Jones, running back Pierre Strong and defensive lineman Sam Roberts were all participants in 2022, as were undrafted rookies LaBryan Ray and DEriq King. Gillette Stadium was the site of a scary scene in Sunday's game between the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions. New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) celebrates with teammate wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) after catching a 37-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, in Minneapolis. More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here. 3 #DamarHamlinStrong pic.twitter.com/2LROMLur6L, Briana Aldridge (@BreeAldridge) January 8, 2023, Several #Bills players ran onto the field waving Pray For Damar flags. Patriots 2023 mock draft: Bill Belichick's path to getting Mac Jones more weapons. He joined the Patriots Foundation Marathon He joined the Patriots Foundation Marathon These offensive tackle prospects were the most challenging players for the draft's top pass-rushers this past season. Michigan cornerback DJ Turner II is the early leader for fastest player at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine after posting a time of 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash on Friday. When that's out of the picture, I mean, it just makes practice that much easier, that much better. He wasnt alone. 2 seed with their eyes on the postseason and their hearts with their teammate. . That's the stuff I appreciate. Mustipher said. NEW YORK (AP) The NFL and NFLPA have determined spotters assigned to watch players for concussions were aware New England wide receiver DeVante Parker had a possible head injury on Dec. 12 and they were in position to prevent him from playing. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. So it was no surprise that he wasnt one of the 20 or so coaches who did so. Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon joined NFL+ to analyze the defensive line and linebacker groups at the 2023 NFL Combine. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. "It's a different transition from college to the NFL where you have classes, different things you have to worry about. As Bills safety link-placeholder-0] continues to make progress in his recovery after [suffering a cardiac arrest during Monday's game against the Bengals, Buffalo prepared for its first game without him on the field. November 27, 2021 12:00 pm ET. The defensive front seven prospects kicked things off with on-field workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday night in Indy. That could lead the Patriots to explore a trade for a wide receiver. Thats not to say general managers dont bluff about their trade plans. Chad Graff is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the New England Patriots after five years on the Minnesota Vikings beat. Thu Mar 02 - 03:00 PM | Tue Mar 07 - 11:55 AM. Patriots Debrief: Day Two of the 2023 NFL Combine, Patriots Debrief: Day One of the 2023 NFL Combine, Building The 2023 New England Patriots: 2023 Shrine Bowl. "GMFB" share which wide receiver in the 2023 Draft they have their eyes on. The Pats' Shrine Bowl staff: Supervisory roles: Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo, Bill O'Brien Head coach: Troy Brown Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks: Ross Douglas Running backs: Evan Rothstein Wide. The documents and interviews established that one of the spotters was engaged with New England's medical staff regarding a prior injury when Parker was hurt. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa believes if he and his brother Joey Bosa teamed up one day it would "break the NFL.". On This Day: Fans recall setting season ticket . Not only are the Patriots the hottest team in the NFL right now and in the midst of a five-game winning streak, but Tennessee is set to be without several key . The longtime defensive coordinator took over that duty this season following Josh McDaniels departure to Las Vegas as its head coach but the unit proceeded to stall throughout the season. Patriots Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh speaks about his past and present experiences at the NFL Combine. He's a New Hampshire native and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. Report: Dark horse team 'aggressively pursuing' Tom Brady. ", "It's much different than working with college coaches," said Florida's Brenton Cox, who was captured on camera during Shrine Bowl practices getting some up-close coaching from Bill Belichick himself. He underwent surgery several days later and is working with the team's staff to get back in playing shape sometime later this year. "Just worked my tail off, doing whatever I could," Burkhead said at the time. Now, New England will elect take care of offensive duties in-house. Zac Taylor called them "nonsense." there was a forced storyline that the team and its medical staff wasn't doing right by Thomas. ", The Bills announced on Saturday that Hamlin remains in critical condition, but is making continued progress, per physicians at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Hamlin has been under care since Monday night. New Englands update about an offensive coordinator search all but confirms the team will look to replace Matt Patricia as its play-caller. Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur were among the other head coaches who decided not to attend the weeklong event. The NFL Physicians Society was founded in 1966. "He's amazing. . Josh Uche and Matthew Judon were great last season. The New England Patriots will begin the 2022 season without a titled offensive or defensive coordinator on staff. So New England doesn't have an OC or DC (by title). https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2022/07/21/patriots-coaching-staff-titles-offensive-defensive-coordinator/, Two Patriots offensive rookies placed on non-football injury list, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. So for coaches, the combine is more about socializing with friends and colleagues than actually getting a bunch of work done. Director of player personnel - Matt Groh. If youre a coach with a major project on your hands or who wants to get an early start in preparing for free agency, you can certainly get more done at home. Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the New England Patriots will do in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. New England Patriots | A Family of Businesses New England Patriots Careers As a member of the New England Patriots, you are part of a championship culture and winning tradition that has established one of the most recognizable brands in professional sports. NEW YORK -- The NFL and NFLPA have determined spotters assigned to watch players for concussions were aware New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker had a possible head injury on Dec. 12 . The day after Robert Kraft's purchase of the Patriots became official, nearly 6,000 fans helped set a single-day ticket sales record in New England. the New England organization to the point of being hired as Dolphins head . Patriots special teams coach Cam Achord immediately ran on the field and confronted Robinson, grabbing him by the jersey. Listen to the best sound bites from the exclusive NFL+ stream of the 'Players Only' coverage provided by Dwight Freeney, Matthew Judon, and Calais Campbell from Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. As a competitor, you always want to go out and compete and help the team any way you can.". Even though the Patriots had the NFLs best pass-rushing duo last season based on pressure rate, dont rule out New England going after another edge rusher early in the draft. Commercial reproduction, distribution or transmission of any part or parts of this website or any information contained therein by any means whatsoever without the prior written permission of the Club is not permitted. "Treat everything like a pro and be as consistent as possible, that's how you stick around. It's going to be a process. "GMFB" share which wide receiver in the 2023 Draft they have their eyes on. Check in with Mike Dussault and Evan Lazar as they discuss special teams and defensive prospects during the third day of the 2023 NFL Combine. New England has done so at times early in the year in seasons past, but what was truly exceptional was how frequently the Patriots were able to dress all 63 players (the 53-man plus the 10-man practice squad) in December and January this past campaign. Theyre confident that Cole Strange will improve in Year 2, especially now that hell have a position coach whose sole responsibility is working with the unit (after Matt Patricia also handled offensive play-calling duties a year ago). As president of the Patriots, Kraft oversees the management and strategic planning of each department within the organization and works closely with his father to represent the Patriots in all league matters. During pregame introductions, there was special acknowledgement at Highmark Stadium for the medical staff who helped save Hamlin's life Monday night. Newton comes into this competition with a decade more of NFL experience than Jones, including his time in the Patriots offense last year. The perceived drawback would be missing out on the socializing that goes on here, a place where trade talks have often begun. The Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard if the two sides cannot reach a long-term deal before March 7's deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources. In a Thursday evening release, New England announced that the team and head coach Bill Belichick have begun discussions with inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo about a long-term extension. They stood on the field in front of the 30-yard line, which had the number three outlined in blue as a tribute to Hamlin and his No. No look back at the Patriots' visit would be complete, or even be able to begin, without acknowledging the efforts to commemorate both Hamlin's ongoing recovery from his on-field collapse on. While finding a new right tackle remains a top priority for the Patriots this offseason, theres a belief from some in the organization that the line shouldnt be a huge concern and that improved play there is expected. Thats My Quarterback . New England Patriots; New York Jets; Pittsburgh Steelers; Tennessee Titans; NFC. Defense co-coordinator Steve Belichick isn't on the staff, but that's likely because he and his wife are expecting a child. There will be a number of tributes for Damar Hamlin across the NFL during Week 18: https://t.co/YhD5s9k2jx pic.twitter.com/SlIviqGriI. The second-year player addressed the team via FaceTime on Friday, telling them, "Love you boys.". ", "It was a lot of fun. Here's everything we'll be monitoring from a Patriots perspective in Indianapolis this week. Credit: Getty, The staff was honored prior to the start of the Bills' matchup against the, The staff has been praised for their immediate response and quick action in. The organization will instead delegate responsibilities according to position. Certainly, the team had its fair share of players who wound up on injured reserve and saw their seasons end there. The Patriots and Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday announced their coaching staffs for the all-star game played Feb. 2 at the home of the Raiders in Las Vegas. He was enraged and played only three more games for the Raiders last season. Belichick coached Mayo for eight seasons from 2008 through 2015 with the Patriots, and Mayo made two Pro Bowls while earning First-Team AP All-Pro honors once. Yet, Dawson's participation in practice helped the club prepare for its opponents each week. Since taking over the Patriots, he has had 14 selections in the top 30 of the draft. Mark D. Price, MD PhD , Head Team Physician (voting) Paul Cusick, MD (voting) Peter Asnis, MD . Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook, Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Chairman/CEO - Robert Kraft. Jan. 13 -- According to Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is not expected to pursue head coaching opportunities during New England's playoff run. "Sony's dealing with the injury," running backs coach Ivan Fears remarked on Halloween, shortly after one of Michel's injury scares, "so, he's still keeping up on what we're doing, still in the meetings, learning how we're installing, but he spends a lot of time with the trainers and the strength guys, just trying to get ready.". Yet, after brief spells on the sideline or missing just a couple days of practice, Michel was able to bounce back and become New England's leading tailback in 2018. The next event in Phoenixville Public Library's co-sponsored "Community Gardening around the Village" series will take place on Sunday, March 5, from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. The . Even inside Gillette, when she sits among the fans on game days, it's . More NFL staffs. The Bills defensive back, 24, was set to earn $825,000 in 2022, with his split rate on injured reserve at $455,000. New England Patriots corporate office is located in 1 Patriot Pl, Foxborough, Massachusetts, 02035, United States and has 312 employees. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. The names of each staff member were announced by the public address announcer, with many holding up three fingers in honor of Hamlin as they were called. The. Listen to the best sound bites from the exclusive NFL+ stream of the 'Players Only' coverage provided by Dwight Freeney, Matthew Judon, and Calais Campbell from Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Dr. Matt Provencher, the team's medical director since 2014, is stepping down from his role as Chief of Sports Medicine . New England will have a chance to explore fresh ideas in what is a different-looking staff from last season. PROVIDENCE The nationwide shortage of Adderall, a medication used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, is . But Judons contract is one the Patriots could easily get out of next year if Judon slows down, and its always wise to invest at premium positions like pass rusher. NFL prospects speaking at the Scouting Combine were quick to credit the work of Patriots coaches at the Shrine Bowl in preparing them for life in the NFL. https://t.co/qoMK1W8M0Y, Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) February 28, 2023. The Patriots did not name a defensive coordinator for the fourth straight season. Hamlin remains in critical condition but has made continued improvement. Thanks for contacting us. Community gardening. Twice this year, it looked as if rookie running back Sony Michel had suffered potentially season-ending injuries during games. Though Hamlin's four-year, $3.64 million rookie contract contains a standard split to pay him at a lower rate if he lands on IR, Buffalo worked out an agreement with the NFL and NFLPA to pay his full rate for Week 18's games, Rapoport reported. What was different was Belichicks absence altogether. It's the Super Bowl. Management #Chargers GM Tom Telesco: Keenan Allen isnt going anywhere. He reiterates the point be made in January that it is not tempting to part ways with Allen. Patriots players Matthew Slater and Ronnie Perkins also went after. https://billswire.usatoday.com/lists/buffalo-bills-honor-medical-staff-damar-hamlin-denny-kellington-patriots/, NFLPA team report card: Bills grade well in most, but not all, categories, Morning mock draft: PFF and their two-round predictions for Bills, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Leslie Frazier leaving the Bills (video), Current Bills players at the NFL combine through the years, Von Miller is shadowing Bills GM Brandon Beane at 2023 NFL combine, 7 takeaways from Bills' Sean McDermott at 2023 NFL combine, National reactions: Bills' Leslie Frazier stepping away called a big loss, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Its top trade options at this point are probably DeAndre Hopkins (Arizona) and Brandin Cooks (Houston). 29 years later, season ticket members re-live that memorable day: bit.ly/3mcdix1. His holdings include the New England Patriots, New England Revolution, Gillette Stadium, International Forest Products, Rand-Whitney Group, Rand-Whitney Containerboard and a portfolio of more than 100 venture and private-equity investments. Director of scouting administration - Nancy Meier. The @BuffaloBills honored the medical and athletic training staff members who helped save @HamlinIsland's life.Heroes. Thu Mar 02 - 03:00 PM | Tue Mar 07 - 11:55 AM. They want to see if you can take coaching on the spot. The Buffalo Bills may have received a hero's welcome when they returned to the field Sunday for the first time since Damar Hamlin collapsed on Monday. Then, the Bills came out of the tunnel waving multiple "Pray for Damar" flags and collectively held up the No. Director of pro scouting - Steve Cargile. The Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots will make their debuts in Germany as designated teams, following the inaugural international game in Munich in 2022. This week, however, several team executives warned that their top players arent on the trading block. The team honored him Sunday afternoon ahead of and during their 35-23 win over the Patriots in more ways than one. This website is the only official website of the New England Patriots and is Copyright New England Patriots (the "Club"). The Vikings insisted in March 2020 they wouldnt trade Stefon Diggs then sent him to the Bills a few days later. And besides, for a coach contemplating skipping the event, the interviews are all taped, the defensive coordinator said, and coaches will get another shot at chatting with prospects when team visits occur next month. The Patriots were zeroed in on specialists this week, per sources. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! dxxxxxxxxxxxd@patriots.com: Cory Goldstein: Equipment staff/ Ball boy: Massachusetts, USA gxxxxxxxxxc@patriots.com: James Liipfert: Area Scout: Louisiana, USA . "Yeah, it tightened up. The National Football League (NFL) today announced there will be two 2023 International Games in Germany next season. Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the New England Patriots will do in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This is going to be a vibe. The staff included head athletic trainer Nate Breske, assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington, physical therapist Joe Micca, assistant athletic trainer Tabani Richards, medical director Dr. Leslie Bisson, team internist Dr. Tom White, team internist Dr. Mark Kim, team orthopedist Dr. Marc Fineberg, director of sports performance Joe Collins, team sports psychologist Dr. Desaree Festa, athletic training intern Marissa Figueroa, team chiropractor Dr. Zachary Musial, coordinator of player services Kelsey Harkins and equipment assistant Kori Reblin. I want to be under somebody who challenges me every day because I know that's going to make me a better player.". He was thankful when Las Vegas traded him back. No long term issues are expected. The club's medical staff removed the player from the field. The younger Belichick has been the outside linebackers coach since the 2020 season. "I think I was able to connect with themIt was awesome. Not only were the two men available to help the team both at practice and, in Burkhead's case, in games, but also, by contrast, the Patriots tried and failed to activate their two designated players in 2017 (linebacker Shea McClellin, who also dealt with a concussion, and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, limited by a nagging knee injury).