Quick-hit thoughts around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. If Patriots defensive tackle Akiem Hicks keeps playing like he has of late, he’s going to make himself a lot of money on the free-agent market after this season, as one of his current teammates pointed to him in the locker room last week and said, “I’ll play with that guy any day of the week.” Defensive tackles with Hicks' combination of size (6-foot-5, 325 pounds), strength, intelligence and athleticism are commodities if they are used correctly, and that’s my biggest takeaway from watching Hicks emerge.