BEST PALS: Tom Brady barely thought twice about Julian Edelman when he first joined the team in 2009. But Edelman kept trying, moving to Los Angeles to be close to him in the offseason, running errands for him in the locker room. All that work finally paid off.
Julian Edelman always wanted to be Tom Brady’s best buddy
The scrappy li’l receiver wasn’t about to become just another face in the crowded Patriots locker room. He had a mission.
JPP IS BACK: The Giants got a little pass rushing help, agreeing to a one-year deal with Jason Pierre-Paul. He was originally scheduled to make more than $14 million on the franchise tag this year, until his fireworks accident. His new deal won’t match that, but he’ll have a chance to earn some of the money back.
MALLETT CUT: The Texans released Ryan Mallett, something head coach Bill O’Brien reportedly wanted to do earlier in the week but was blocked by GM Rick Smith. Mallett apologized to fans on social media. T.J. Yates, who is already kind of a folk hero for Texans fans, was added to be the new backup. Someone immediately vandalized Mallett’s Wikipedia page.
ROETHLISBERGER: The Steelers expect Ben Roethlisberger to start this week against the Bengals. Landry Jones is the team’s new No. 2 quarterback, jumping Mike Vick on the depth chart.
WHITE OUT: Chicago Bears receiver Kevin White, the team’s first-round pick this year, acknowledged that he still has a long way to go recovering from the stress fracture in his left leg. It’s almost certain he won’t play this year.
TOWN HALL: The NFL held a town hall meeting in St. Louis, checking a box and giving fans there an evening to vent their frustrations with the league and the Rams owner bent on moving the team. Oakland and Sand Diego fans will have their chance soon too.
“DOESN’T GET IT”: Brandon Marshall had some strong words for Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy on Inside the NFL.
PRIME TIME BENGALS: We’ll get another indication of just how real the Bengals are soon enough. Five of their last nine games are in prime time. Cincinnati currently owns a 3-11 record in prime time games during Andy Dalton’s tenure as the starting QB.
BENNETT BELIEVES: Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett gave a wild interview where he said that he believes that if you can dip on the sidelines, you should be able to smoke on the sidelines. This is yet another reason why Bennett should be one of your favorite players.
PETERSON’S NEW LIFE: Things are different for Adrian Peterson in Minnesota now. Robert Klemko of the MMQB gives us a look at Peterson’s role in a more balanced offense, one that lacks a true fullback, which clearly Peterson misses.
VIKING ROOKIES: Peterson’s new role aside, the Vikings are winning games, and they’re doing it with major contributions from rookies like WR Stefon Diggs and linebacker Eric Kendricks.
ODDS: The Dolphins are 7.5-point underdogs to the Patriots, and they haven’t won straight up or against the spread versus New England in their last five games. Will that change this week?
SHORT STANDS TALL: The Carolina Panthers are more than just Cam Newton. Budding defensive superstar Kawann Short is proof.
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