New England Patriots

Could you imagine a young Doug Flutie playing in today's NFL? He can ... and the ex-QB says he's convinced he woulda crushed it -- pointing to Lamar Jackson as proof!

"I just wish I could play in the NFL today with these spread offenses, quarterback runs and all that," Flutie says ... "It would be a blast! It would be a little more suited to me."

Flutie was a human highlight reel back in the day ... he won the Heisman Trophy in 1984 and then played pro football until 2005!!!

He could run. He could throw. He even kicked a field goal!!!

So, when Flutie sees another amazing athlete like Lamar Jackson KILLING IT as a QB ... he LOVES EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!

"Lamar Jackson is unbelievable. I was a running QB. He's an elite tailback if he wants to! He's amazing! His shiftiness, his pure speed and then he has the ability to really throw the football too!"

"The other way to stop a QB that runs is loading up the box and leave 'em one-on-one coverage ... and he can make those throws out there, so he's really tough to defend."

Flutie says he's incredibly proud of his fellow Heisman winner and admits, "I love the way he's doing it because it makes me validate some of the stuff I did."

It's a really cool clip.

And get this, Doug is bringing back his famous Flutie Flakes breakfast cereal ... and he's telling TMZ Sports the story about bringing it back after 20 years!

A high percentage of the proceeds will go toward Doug's charity -- the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism -- a cause very dear to his heart.

Sorry, Tom Brady ... reinforcements are NOT on the way -- Rob Gronkowski's unretirement deadline has passed -- officially closing the door on a possible return for the TE this season.

Gronk has been rumored to be considering a comeback almost since the day he made his surprising retirement announcement last spring ... with the future Hall of Famer even joking about coming back to the Patriots around playoff time this year.

But, the NFL deadline for a possible return was Saturday ... and with Gronk choosing to remain retired -- he is now DONE for the 2019 season.

It's a bummer for Brady and the Pats ... their offense hasn't done much this season, and TB12 was seen openly screaming at his receivers during their loss to the Texans on Sunday.

Of course, Rob can come back to the Pats NEXT year ... and New England will have the first crack at signing him then if he chooses to do so.

But, Gronk sure as hell seems to be enjoying life away from the gridiron ... he's got a job analyzing football on FOX -- and he's spending others nights partying his face off!

TMZ Sports obtained video of the 30-year-old dancing in Dallas last week ... and he doesn't appear to be missing in-season practices that much.

Gronk was also spotted hunting for Christmas trees with his girlfriend, Camille Kostek, over the weekend ... and she seems to be enjoying his time away from football too!

"Family tradition with my favorite addition this year," she wrote.

Jerry Jones says he will NOT ax Dallas Cowboys head coach, Jason Garrett, during the 2019 season ... but it's clear he ain't happy with the guy.

Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan and was asked straight-up if he's considered removing Garrett after the Cowboys lost to the New England Patriots on Sunday, blowing several opportunities to win the game.

"The answer is no, period," Jones said.

Of course, Jones was highly critical of Garrett after Sunday's loss --  saying the Cowboys got outcoached by Bill Belichick and his crew.

Jerry essentially says he should bear some of the blame since he's the general manager and makes the personnel decisions.

"I look at every aspect of it since I put the coaches out there, since I put the players out there at the end of the day with a lot of help and with collaborated effort."

"But, at the end of the day, the buck stops with me and I am highly critical and I'm continually evaluating the performance of everybody involved with the game."

In other words, just because Garrett is safe for now doesn't mean he won't be gone after the season.

But, get this ... Jones DEFENDED Garrett's refusal to use in-game analytics when it comes to play-calling.

Jerry says analytics are "good to know" -- but the numbers don't take things like momentum and other immeasurable factors into consideration.

"I've had my biggest success when I'm sure analytics have said make the other decision the other way."

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft called out Donald Trump as "divisive and horrible" when talking about NFL kneelers at the '17 NFL summit ... and TMZ Sports has the audio.

It all went down in October 2017 -- roughly 1 month after President Trump called for NFL teams to fire any "son of a bitch" who doesn't stand for the national anthem.

The owners felt the league was taking a serious PR hit and called for owners, players and league execs to come together to talk about possible solutions.

That's when Kraft addressed the room ... and explained how POTUS would twist whatever plan they came up with to advance his own agenda.

"I must tell you, I think these dialogues are great," Kraft said. "But, the elephant in the room now in my opinion, is this kneeling, which every player has a right to do if they feel it's right."

"The problem we have is, we have a President that will use that as fodder to do his mission that I don’t feel is in the best interest of the matter. It's divisive and it's horrible. And, it’s actually the opposite of what you all are trying to do."

Kraft explains there is 40% of the country that will crap all over any possible plan just because they'll side with Trump no matter what.

"I just hope one of the things that can come out of here is that we find a way to be unified. And, be able to carry through and follow through."

Remember, Kraft and Trump -- once close friends -- had a rift in their relationship over the kneeling situation ... but seem to have patched things up.

Get your tissues ready ... 'cause this one is gonna hit you right in the feels.

New England Patriots rookie DE Chase Winovich wanted to thank his mom for everything she did to raise him throughout the years ... so he hooked her up with a brand new car!!!

... And, her reaction is perfect!!!

Winovich posted a play-by-play of the big reveal ... pointing at the shiny new 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata with a bow on it and saying, "It's yours, I bought it for you."

"Get out of here ... I'll go for the Prius!" Chase's mom, Nina, said in disbelief.

Chase said it's a way of giving back for all the times she drove her car without a radio from their home in Pittsburgh to Ann Arbor to watch him play at Michigan.

"I can never repay you, but here’s a start. I love you mom," Chase said on Instagram.

The 24-year-old had previously said it was his goal to get his mom a new car when he made it pro ... and now he's finally made it happen.

Winovich -- who signed a 4-year, $3.8 mil rookie contract after being selected in the 3rd round -- has been balling out for the Pats this season with 4.5 sacks and 14 tackles ... but this is the best highlight.

Rob Gronkowski ain't coming back to the New England Patriots this season ... but he says he might just rejoin Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in 2020!!

"I still stay fit, still watch the game whenever I can, still enjoy it," Gronk said. "I'm feeling good, but you know, one year off could possibly be the case."

Gronk officially ruled out a return to Foxborough this season with the announcement that he'll be hosting a festival in Miami during Super Bowl weekend instead of training for it.

But, when the 30-year-old superstar spoke with ESPN about the party plans Tuesday ... he left the door wide open for a Patriots return either next year or even in 2021.

"It's always an option in the back of my head," Gronkowski said. "It's not like I'm not staying in shape and not doing anything. I'm never stressed over it."

It's a bit of good news, bad news for the Patriots ... 'cause their offense has REALLY struggled over the past couple weeks and they definitely could use Gronk ASAP.

In fact, Gronk even joked about their issues, saying, "Man, they're missing some guy who is 6'6", 260 [pounds]. They're missing that guy, for sure."

But, if the future Hall of Fame tight end does return next year ... it could help the team keep Brady -- who's a free agent after this season -- for one more year.

Antonio Brown is TRYING to make things right with the New England Patriots -- starting with an apology to owner Robert Kraft.

"Mr.Kraft I apologize sincerely to you and your organization," Brown wrote.

"All I wanted to be was an asset to the organization; sorry for the bad media and the drama ! Thank you sincerely AB."

Remember, the Patriots cut Brown after just 1 game when the team learned the superstar WR sent menacing text messages to a woman who had accused him of sexual misconduct.

After the Patriots fired Brown, the WR attacked the team on social media -- and made reference to Kraft's prostitution case.

"Kraft got caught in the parlor AB speculations fired different strokes different folks clearly," Brown tweeted.

Brown later deleted the post -- but the damage had already been done.

So, why the apology? That's obvious ... Brown is desperate to get back in the NFL but no team is willing to take a chance on him right now for several reasons.

First, the NFL is currently investigating him over sexual assault allegations included in a lawsuit filed against him earlier this year.

Second, AB not only had a bad breakup with the Pats, but he burned the bridge with the Raiders all the way down too ... essentially forcing the team to cut him back in August when he illegally recorded a phone call with coach Jon Gruden and posted it on YouTube.

He also got into an altercation with Raiders GM Mike Mayock.

The Seattle Seahawks reportedly looked into signing Brown a few weeks ago but ultimately decided to go a different direction.

Will the apology pay off for Brown now? Maybe ... but don't hold your breath.

One more thing ... Tom Brady and AB have still been friendly on social media even after he was cut. And, with Brady recently criticizing the Patriots offense, it's possible the QB is lobbying to bring AB back.

Sorry, Patriots haters ... it could be another FIVE YEARS before New England sucks again -- 'cause Tom Brady's trainer says the QB is now gunning to play until he's 47!!!

TB12 has always said his goal was to play until his early 40s ... but on "The Greg Hill Show" on WEEI Thursday, Brady's trainer, Alex Guerrero, revealed that target has now shifted.

"He goes in and he's like, ‘Guys, I feel so good still. I think I am going to go till 45,'" Guerrero says. "I am like, 'okay.' Now he’s like, ‘Alex, I think I can go like 46 or 47.'"

Yeah, AFC East ... YIKES!!!

Guerrero says Brady's TB12 Method is working so well for him ... the 42-year-old's body just isn't breaking down like a normal aging quarterback would.

It's horrific news for everyone hoping to see the inevitable end to the Pats dynasty ... because all signs seemed to be pointing toward a demise.

Also, not great news for Gisele -- who's said for years she's tried to talk Tom into retiring.

Brady is selling his New England-area mansion ... and with the way his contract will make him a free agent in 2020 -- some thought this could be the end.

Even Brady himself hasn't exactly guaranteed a future on the gridiron beyond this season.

John Witherspoon would've loved this ...

New England Patriots star Mohamed Sanu showed love to the late "Friday" star on Sunday -- with custom cleats and a TD celebration inspired by "Pops."

As we previously reported, Witherspoon passed away on Oct. 29 at his home in L.A. He was 77.

Clearly, he meant a lot to Sanu who reached out to famed cleat artist Dez Customs and asked for something special to honor the legendary actor.

Check out the final product -- it's an image of Witherspoon from his 2008 comedy special 'You Got To Coordinate' with the title written across in the inside of the shoe.

"RIP to a Legend," Sanu posted on social media ... "You were great in everything you starred in. #bangbangbangbang #Yitty."

The cleats definitely gave Sanu a boost -- he WENT OFF on Sunday, hauling in 10 catches for 89 yards and a TD.

In fact, when Sanu scored ... he busted out John's "Don't tell noooobody" moves to celebrate. Cool little tribute to the legend.

The Pats ultimately lost to the Baltimore Ravens, but ya gotta think Witherspoon was smiling when he saw this.

Worst QB sneak ever?

A 33-year-old man was arrested at the New England Patriots Hall of Fame exhibit Thursday after cops say he tried to smuggle a Tom Brady jersey out under his shirt.

The TB12 jersey was part of a locker room display -- and officials say it's valued around $10,000. There are reports the jersey was signed and game-used, but Patriots officials tell us that's NOT TRUE. It was just a display jersey.

Well, Zanini Cineus apparently wanted it for himself and allegedly tried to stuff the uniform under his shirt -- along with a glove from the exhibit -- and make a break for it.

But, officials say he SLIPPED during the attempted theft ... which alerted cops to his actions ... and they swarmed in to make the bust.

Cops say Cineus was WEARING the stolen jersey under his jacket when they found him.

Cineus was charged with larceny -- but pled not guilty ... although he reportedly admitted taking the jersey to officials and local reporters.

Of course, it's not the first time someone swiped a Tom Brady jersey ... Mauricio Ortega jacked Tom's game-worn jersey after Super Bowl 51 in 2017.

Julian Edelman ain't going to love this ...

Patriots DB Devin McCourty just threw some hilarious shade at the New England star ... saying Jules is now no longer the best-throwing wideout on the team!

And, why? McCourty tells TMZ Sports that honor belongs to his former Rutgers teammate Mohamed Sanu after New England just made the trade for him!!!

"I always tell Jules playing quarterback at Kent State is not much of an accomplishment," McCourty says, "because Sanu actually played quarterback my senior year in the Wildcat!"

If you're unfamiliar, Edelman has been the darling of Pats trick plays for years now ... using his college QB training to post a few passing TDs for New England since 2014.

But, McCourty says Edelman might have to compete with Sanu for future gadget plays ... 'cause he says the newly acquired WR has a stronger arm than even Tom Brady!!!

"If we need it, Josh McDaniels is always drawing something up," McCourty says. "I think Mo's QBR is really high, so, we can definitely use that in the offense."

FYI, McCourty ain't lying  ... Sanu -- who played with Devin for 1 year at Rutgers in 2009 -- has 7 career NFL completions for FOUR TDs on just EIGHT passing attempts!!

#BEAST

By the way, when McCourty, Edelman, Sanu and the Pats aren't just killing it on the field this season ... they're doing some huge things off of it.

Devin told us all about his upcoming charity Casino Night next week ... and explained to us why the cause he's supporting hits so close to home.

Seriously, it's awesome ... check it out!!!

Tom Brady makes an eyebrow-raising cameo in Paul Rudd's new TV show, but he absolutely denies it was a shot at Robert Kraft ... and he may have a point.

Here's the deal ... the Patriots quarterback makes a brief appearance in Netflix's new comedy series, "Living with Yourself," which just debuted Friday. In an out-of-context clip that's going viral, Tom strolls out the front doors of a massage parlor called "Top Happy Spa."

Rudd's character meets Brady as he pulls up and internally debates whether he wants to go in or not. At that moment, TB walks out and asks Rudd, "First time?" Rudd says yes, and asks it back to Brady ... he tells Rudd, "Six," before getting into an SUV and driving off.

Obviously, with Kraft's prostitution case ... folks are wondering whether Brady's participation was a dig at his boss, or if this scene was shot before Tom knew about it. As it turns out, the show's creator says Tom shot the scene after the Kraft scandal became public.

But, Tom's calling BS, telling reporters Saturday that the scene was written 4 years ago, and that he had no idea that his character would be exiting a spa when he shot his cameo earlier this year ... adding that there was a green screen behind him while on set.

TB said, "It's unfortunate that people would choose to think I would do something like that about Mr. Kraft." He continued by saying the similarities were just a coincidence.

What added fuel to the fire prior to Brady's comments was the fact that the show's creator, Timothy Greenberg, previously told media outlets that, as noted above, Brady had shot the scene AFTER Kraft's scandal went public ... the implication being TB knew what he was doing.

Granted, Greenberg says they'd discussed Tom's involvement before the scandal broke, but when it finally came to light ... he for sure thought TB would pull out. To his surprise, the G.O.A.T. didn't ... and Greenberg says he never understood why, and didn't care to find out.

What's still unclear, though, is if Tom had actually been told what exactly the scene entailed and if he'd been given a copy of the script beforehand. Based on what he said Saturday, it makes it seem he was in the dark as to the context of the scene.

Presumably, if he'd known he was leaving a massage parlor, he might not have done it ... at least that's what we can glean from what he told reporters.

Now, for the real context of the scene ... it's not what you may think based on this one clip. In the minutes leading up to the scene, it's revealed that Rudd's character has impotence issues with his wife, and is looking into options to help him -- fertility clinics, etc.

At a bar, a friend of his tells him about a day spa he went to that rejuvenated him and his libido -- which Rudd initially scoffs off as just a place to get a "h*** j**."

The friend tells him otherwise though, saying it's not like that ... and that the spa gives you a full makeover, which might be able to help Rudd's situation. The friend tells him it's a highly exclusive place, with only VIP clients that pay a fortune for a session.

Rob Gronkowski is putting the rumors to rest once and for all ... saying he is NOT coming out of retirement to return to the New England Patriots.

There have been rumblings for weeks that the All-Pro tight end was considering a comeback after retiring last season ... with the 30-year-old himself even teasing he'd be back in Week 14.

But, Gronk has finally put the speculation to rest on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show" on Tuesday ... when one caller asked to give a definitive "yes" or "no" to whether there was a chance he could throw on the #87 jersey again.

"When I retired, I retired for a reason: because I needed to step away," Gronk said. "So, it would be a 'no.' There it is."

"I never say 'no,' because I've said 'no,' and everyone's like, 'Yeah ... he's kidding. He's coming back,' ... But it's a 'no.' In my mind, that's how it is. It's a no."

Of course, Gronk has moved on to promoting CBD Medic and has explained how it has kept his body finally pain-free after years of wear and tear.

He's also said he's had probably 20 concussions and 5 blackouts throughout his football career, so it shouldn't come as a surprise he's ready to put that behind.

Barstool Sports honcho Dave Portnoy is officially OFF the Antonio Brown bandwagon ... telling TMZ Sports he hates the WR now -- but he's open to change!!!

Remember, Portnoy sort of defended Brown after the Raiders cut his ass back in Sept. and then sung his praises once Dave's beloved New England Patriots brought him on board.

But, now that Bill Belichick and company kicked AB to the curb, how does Dave feel about the embattled wideout now?!?

"Hate him now," Portnoy says ... "when he's on the Patriots, I love him. When he's not on the Patriots, I hate him."

But, Portnoy admits he's not really trying to judge AB's character -- he's a fan of anyone who can help his team win. And, it seems obvious Dave thinks Brown can help (let's face it, the guy's a monster on the field).

Brown -- who recently filed a grievance against the Patriots and Raiders -- went on social media last week and suggested the Pats give him a second chance since he believes New England is gonna be on the hook for paying him roughly $10 mil in salary anyway.

Dave ain't opposed to the idea ... but says if Pats management makes it clear they want no part of AB, Portnoy will "fall in line" and swear off the WR too.

Tom Brady just took his first L of the season ... the Patriots quarterback was forced to slash the price of his mansion that's been up for sale -- cutting $5.6 MIL from the price tag!!!

If ya missed it ... Tom put his epic 5-bedroom, 7-bathroom New England-area palace on the market back in August -- and listed it for $39.5 MILLION.

Didn't seem the G.O.A.T. would have too much trouble unloading it ... the place is sick, with a rec room, gym, wine room, spa AND an outdoor organic herb/vegetable garden.

Plus, it's got all the history of maybe the best football player EVER in it!!!

But, it seems Tom's having trouble finding a buyer ... 'cause he's now dropping the price all the way down to $33.9 million.

Antonio Brown says the Patriots are gonna have to cough up the money he believes they owe him ... and he wouldn't mind catching some TDs for them in the process.

The controversial NFL superstar has made it clear that he wants back in the league after getting cut by New England last month ... and on Wednesday, he told his followers to "tell [the Patriots] to call me" during a mid-workout live stream on IG.

"They still gotta pay me, might as well let me earn it," Brown said.

Of course, Brown filed grievances against the Patriots earlier this month in an attempt to get his $9 million signing bonus and remaining guaranteed salary from New England.