From the desk of our Managing Editor, here is the Postseason Bye-Week Edition of Patriots Dispatches.
Patriots ‘Bye-ing’ Their Time

For the eighth straight season, the New England Patriots are enjoying a bye week to start the postseason. It’s a position with which the Pats are quite familiar.
As there is in every year, many of the team’s walking wounded are using this time to heal, as much as possible.
New England is surely pleased to see the return of defensive tackle Alan Branch and running back Rex Burkhead. Both have been dealing with right knee injuries. Branch had not played or practiced since sustaining his injury against the Dolphins in Miami in Week 14. Burkhead was injured a week later at Pittsburgh and was sidelined until today’s session. Their return to practice could signify a readiness to return to action on January 13.
Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (knee) continues to make progress in his attempt to return from injured reserve. He has now appeared in five consecutive practices dating back to last week. Also, wide receiver Chris Hogan continues to show promise and looks to be set for a return to action.
As always, watchful eyes are on quarterback Tom Brady. While he has taken Wednesday workouts off in recent weeks to treat an Achilles heel problem, Brady has been practicing during the bye week. Many believe that Brady is at the very least, ‘bothered’ by this injury. The time off can only serve to help him in that regard.
Of course, the same can be said for everyone on the team.
Snow Days = No Days Off

With Winter Storm Grayson set to drop something called a ‘Bomb Cyclone’ on much of New England on Thursday, many have been encouraged (if not, ordered) to stay home, safe and off of the roadways. However, any fan of the New England Patriots knows that there are no days off in Foxboro.
Many Patriots players told reporters that head coach Bill Belichick (a stickler for routine and “process,”) reiterated to them the importance of being on time for practice Thursday morning, regardless of weather.
-
Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm
“He’s mentioned that he doesn’t care,” Patriots safety Devin McCourty told reporters. “Don’t call and say your car got stuck. I think everyone knows there are two hotels up here at Patriot Place, so stay there for the night. Find a way.”
Belichick has historically had little patience for tardiness, no matter what the cause. In 2009, for example, linebacker Adalius Thomas told ESPN he showed up nine minutes late for a team meeting after snowfall nearly caused him to get into an accident on the way to the facility. Belichick sent him home.
Regardless of the stormy weather, it’s unlikely that anyone on this team will look to put the coach’s patience to the test.
HC of the NYJ?

January 4 holds a very special place in New England Patriots lore.
Why, you ask?
Let’s step back 18 years to Jan. 4, 2000. It was the day that Bill Belichick made a decision that incensed New York Jets fans and paved the way for a Patriots dynasty.
A mere 24 hours earlier, Belichick accepted the role of Jets head coach after Bill Parcells stepped down from the position. Belichick had been Parcells’ right-hand man in New York, serving as his assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 1997 to 1999. When Parcells gave up his post after the 1999 season, he planned to hand the reins to his pupil. Belichick, of course, had other plans. He came armed to his introductory press conference on Jan. 4 with a single sheet of paper that contained just seven words: “I resign as HC of the NYJ.” He then shocked Jets by doing just that, ending his one-day tenure as Jets head coach in under 10 seconds.
Less than a month later, on Jan. 27, 2000, Belichick accepted a job as head coach of the Patriots, New York’s bitter AFC East rival. Fast forward to 2018, where the coaching legend has guided New England to five Super Bowl titles and is eyeing a sixth as the team enters this season’s playoffs as the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed.
Since then, Patriots Nation has remained overwhelmingly grateful. Its safe to say that they hope Belichick will continue to patrol the New England sidelines for many years to come.
–Mike D’Abate is a Managing Editor and National Columnist for Full Press Coverage Sports Media. He covers the New England Patriots and the AFC East Division. Follow him on Twitter @mdabateFPC
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
Ep 167: Discussing Buddy Parker With Hall of Fame Voter Paul Kuharskyby Full Press Coverage on August 19, 2023 at 1:23 am
Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Paul Kuharsky joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Some Initial thoughts on Ohio State vs Notre Dameby LandryFootball.com on September 21, 2023 at 10:00 am
Have the season’s first few weeks revealed how No. 6 Ohio State at No. 9 […]
-
A Film Room look at this Miami Dolphins teamby LandryFootball.com on September 20, 2023 at 11:00 pm
For the second straight year, the Miami Dolphins are 2-0 after the […]
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 303: Ambiguous Situations in Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on August 29, 2023 at 2:47 pm
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Ep 182: Week 2 Instant Reactionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 1:52 am
The Green Bay Packers lost a close 25-24 game at the hands of the Atlanta […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-21 - Training camp, Prospects, Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Previewing training camp, looking at prospects. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 9-20 - The Southeast Florida Prospect Showcase & the Hurricanes Training Campby Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 3:00 pm
The Hurricanes have won all 3 games at their prospect showcase this past […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Farby Charlie Saunier on September 20, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Far Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-19 - Connor Bedard is HIM!!!by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Breaking down Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks games at the Tom Kurvers […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-18 - 2021 draft, Shane Wright, training campby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 3:00 pm
A look back at the 2021 Draft, Shane Wright update, Camp primer Learn more […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/15 - Eagles Survive Vikings; Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles win over the Vikings and preview Week 2. […]
-
9/14 - Aaron Rodgers And The AFC East, Vikings at Eagles Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John further discuss the Aaron Rodgers injury and the impact on […]
-
9/12 - Jets Stun Bills; Aaron Rodgers Injuredby Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John discuss the (likely) season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Cowboys at Cardinals - Bears at Chiefsby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Patriots at Jets - Bills at Commanders - Panthers at Seahawksby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
-
Philadelphia 76ers Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep. 278: Clayton State University Head Men's Basketball Coach Vince Alexanderby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
-
Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Dudsby Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm
-
Titans at Browns - Colts at Ravens - Broncos at Dolphinsby Broken Controller Media on September 20, 2023 at 4:15 pm
-
Chargers at Vikings - Saints at Packers - Texans at Jaguarsby Broken Controller Media on September 20, 2023 at 3:02 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "NFL Picks"by Boot 2 The Face on September 7, 2023 at 1:59 am
Boys are back talking CM Punk firing, AEW All Out, WWE Payback and picking […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Back To Back Events Just Too Much... Let's Enjoy All Inby Full Press Coverage on September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they discuss […]
-
Ep 182: Michelle McCoolby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're looking at the career of Michelle McCool. A teacher by […]