FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Stephen Gostkowski’s powerful right leg could become more valuable to the Patriots if an unconventional rule is passed at this week’s NFL annual meeting. The rule would reward kickers who boot kickoffs through the uprights by spotting the football at the 20-yard line for a touchback instead of the 25.
Want to add more excitement to the kickoff? This proposal by the Washington Redskins could do it.
“I think it’s a great rule, a pretty neat idea to say ‘OK, it’s not just another touchback.