New England Patriots links 9/04/25 – Pats have a lot riding on the rookies

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Raiders Wednesday Injury Report.
• Evan Lazar‘s Patriots Gameplan: Previewing Week 1 vs. the Raiders. How will New England match up? Patriots offense vs. Raiders defense: “…Assuming the Raiders continue to blend Carroll and Graham’s systems, their pass defense could be vulnerable to downfield crossers and running back routes.” … “McDaniels has also succeeded with scheming open running backs against Carroll’s defenses.” /Good read.
• Transcripts: Mike Vrabel (plus 11 min. video) – Drake Maye (plus 10 min. video).
• Press Conference
• Alexandra Francisco has the story of the Patriots selecting Mattahunt Elementary School in Mattapan as the team’s 2025 Adopt-A-School. Mack Hollins and Kyle Dugger were there to help make a special delivery for teachers and staff.

LOCAL LINKS

• Ethan Hurwitz talks about the Patriots’ plan to stop Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
• Andrew Callahan explains why the Patriots’ season opener will be more telling than most.
• Matt Vautour makes his pick for Week 1 Patriots vs. Raiders. Pats win 31-28; More on Maye, Diggs.
• Mike Reiss reports Stefon Diggs declared himself healthy and ready to go for the season opener.
• Karen Guregian highlights WR Stefon Diggs clearing the air on his media silence.
• Khari Thompson reports Stefon Diggs addressed report of him being a ‘pain in the posterior’ for Patriots, “Obviously, I don’t want to come across as that … I apologize and I’m not up here to ego trip.” Both Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry, who were in attendance at the press conference, apologized to Diggs.
• Mark Daniels highlights Drake Maye who says he has noticed an increased intensity from Stefon Diggs as the Week 1 approaches. Maye says he’s excited to ‘get the rock’ to Diggs.
• Karen Guregian wirtes how Drake Maye has watched a lot of Tom Brady film to get a handle on Josh McDaniel’s offense, but to also glean the GOAT’s secrets to success.
• Doug Kyed looks at how CB Alex Austin has improved in the defense. Fortunately, Austin saw even more reps in the top defensive unit this summer than Gonzalez or Carlton Davis because of how much time the starters missed in training camp and preseason.
• Doug Kyed notes that WR Efton Chism III fully participated in practice despite a knee injury that sidelined him for the final week of training camp.
• Zack Cox hears from the newest Patriots rookie DT Eric Gregory, who’s hoping for opportunity after his ‘odd’ arrival in New England. Gregory is the 3rd undrafted rookie on the roster.
• Ian Logue‘s Patriots Notebook: Gonzalez sits out, Preparation gets underway for Raiders.
• Alex Barth notes WR Efton Chism and CB Charles Woods are listed alongside CB Christian Gonzalez on the Patriots’ first injury report of 2025.
• Jennifer Streeter notes Drake Maye and Tom Brady both pointing out the skill of the O-line.
• Alex Barth mentions the Pats added veteran LB Darius Harris with final open practice squad spot....