New England Patriots Links 12/18/15 - Patriots Playing Running Back Roulette

TEAM TALK

• Patriots - Titans Thursday Injury Report.
• Paul Perillo scouts the matchups: Defense too much for young Mariota.
• Erik Scalavino shares the buzz from the locker room: Fresh faces on the roster.
• Media Availability transcript: Rob Gronkowski.
• Press Pass - New Patriots LaAdrian Waddle and Montee Ball share their thoughts. (1 min. clip)
• Patriots Today - Paul Perillo breaks down three key factors for Sunday. (2.36 min. video)
• PFW TV 12/17: Titans preview; One-on-One with Brandon Bolden. (22.58 min. video)
• Photos - Memorable moments: Patriots-Titans.

LOCAL LINKS

• Jimmy Toscano previews Patriots-Titans.
• Glen Farley says the Patriots will be facing Marcus Mariota on Sunday, a young QB who brings mobility to the position.
• Mike Reiss points to the best story of Patriots-Titans week: Mama McCourty.
• Jeff Howe writes 'Julian Edelman’s presence forces opposing defenses to deal with an unrelenting tornado on a play-by-play basis'; without him the offense is not as efficient.
• Tom E. Curran suggests that just because Julian Edelman is back practicing, it doesn't mean he's ready to play.
• Ryan Hannable believes that with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman on the field together, it makes the offense nearly impossible to stop.
• Mark Daniels thinks that Duron Harmon's development should help ease the pain of losing Devin McCourty.
• Mike Reiss notes the Patriots are down to two running backs on the roster.
• Glen Farley reports there have been so many players in motion recently, name tags may be in order at Gillette Stadium.
• Doug Kyed checks in with newly signed RB Montee Ball: 'Bill Belichick knows what I'm capable of doing for the Patriots.'
• Mike Reiss notes former Lions lineman LaAdrian Waddle was happy to land with a contender.
• Christopher Price addresses ten questions for the AFC as the drive for the playoffs looms: 1. Can the Patriots get/stay healthy?
• Danny Picard says the Patriots are right back in the AFC driver's seat, after an interesting few weeks.
• Matt Dolloff tells Pats fans who New England should root for in this week's Steelers vs. Broncos matchup.
• Steve Buckley can't envision the Patriots having two straight home losses.
• Michael Felger admits it's a ridiculously high bar, but says there's no excuse for the Patriots not to make the Super Bowl.
• Cameron McDonough reports Randy Moss says "I was definitely blessed to be a part of" the Patriots.
• Jeff Howe's Friday 6-Pack: Examining Malcolm Butler's contract situation, Dion Lewis' future running mates.
• Doug Kyed Patriots Mailbag: Leonard Johnson could lessen the impact of Devin McCourty's injury.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: RB Montee Ball is ready to help out in the backfield; T LaAdrian Waddle was claimed after being released by the Lions and was at Gillette Stadium for practice within a few hours; WR Leonard Hankerson debuted at practice after being claimed from the Falcons.
• Tom E. Curran looks at 20 under 25 candidates: Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Cameron McDonough jokes you'll never guess Mark Wahlberg's pick for Greatest Boston Athlete. (1.10 min. video)
• Jim Lazar states no one escapes the Pats' house of pain, and makes his Week 15 picks. Pats win 37-16.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Darin Gantt (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady edges Cam Newton in fan voting for Pro Bowl.
• A.J. Perez (USA Today) Tom Brady beats out Cam Newton as top vote-getter on the fans' Pro Bowl ballots.
• Steven Ruiz (USA Today) QB Rank, Week 14. No. 1: Tom Brady.
• Erik Frenz (Bleacher Report) Taking stock of the Patriots injuries.
• Jackie MacMullan (ESPN) Malcolm Butler here to stay.
• Andrea Hangst (The Comeback) Salary cap 101: Super Bowl contending defenses getting bang for their buck.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Montee Ball: I’ll do anything Patriots want me to do.
• Paula Pasche (Oakland Press) Detroit Lions note: Caldwell praises Waddle; Pasco ready to go.
• Paul Kuharsky (ESPN) Considering Josh McDaniels as a candidate for the Titans' job.
• Greg A. Bedard (SI) Best fits for the NFL’s most likely coaching openings.
• Ross Tucker (Sports on Earth) No need to change NFL playoff format.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Pereira sees some drawbacks to the new officiating protocol.
• Mike Tanier (Bleacher Report) Is Mike Pereira the most trusted man on Sundays?
• Kevin Seifert (ESPN) Suspicions remain high about NFL's communication with referees.
• Richard Sherman (The MMQB) Four ways to fix NFL officiating: And the one thing you should always remember.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Third-party brief in Brady case focuses on "integrity of sport".
• Ben Rohrback (Yahoo! Sports) N.Y. law professor files deflate-gate brief accusing NFL of fraud.
• Tom Pelissero (USA Today) NFLPA outlines proposal for neutral arbitration in personal conduct policy.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) NFL Week 15 Game Rankings: Can nasty Broncos' D stop Steelers' roll?
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) PFT’s Week 15 picks. Florio picks Patriots 45-10, MDS picks Patriots 31-20.
• Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) NFL Week 15 game picks: Panthers fall; Steelers top Broncos. Pats win 37-14.
• Rufus Peabody & Will Leitch (Sports on Earth) Man vs. Machine: Week 15 NFL picks. Man: Patriots 33-17, Machine: Patriots 32-15.