Can Patriots salvage relationship with Matthew Judon?

On Thursday's Felger & Mazz program, Alex Barth joined the show to explain the latest with Matthew Judon's contract negotiations.

Parts of conversation abbreviated for clarity.

Felger: Ok, Alex, what were your impressions of Matthew Judon today? How did he carry himself on the field? What went down the field and how did Jerod Mayo handle everything? 

Alex Barth: Yeah, on Judon’s end, things were pretty uneventful. Instead of walking up the steps where the players usually walk up, he came up the back way through the second practice field. Which guys do from time to time, that's not that unusual. Brady used to do that. 

Besides that, things were business as usual. He was a full participant. Today was a non-padded practice. So, to me, the stakes will ramp up tomorrow. And if this is about long-term security, will he want to do full contact? Theoretically, he wouldn’t risk injury when his contract is uncertain. 

Judon more or less went about his business today. Jerod Mayo mentioned he and Judon met, and that they had a good meeting. He said, “We're moving forward.” 

That could be interpreted in any number of ways. What exactly is the path back? It would be great to get him on the field because he is one of their best players. But how do they do that after what transpired earlier this week? The answer might just be to forget about things. Right? Like, let's just pretend it didn't happen. At least that was kind of the vibe today. 

Jim Murray: Was there more juice out of the team today? It looks like Judon is back in the fold. I saw Josh Uche say things like, “You want to be appreciated. You want to be respected. Want to feel valued? I understand the emotional component behind it.” 

Alex, do you get the vibe that his teammates appreciate Matthew Judon? He’s so big of a leader that they’re pumped that their teammate is most likely coming back. 

Barth: Yeah. I think there was an edge to the defense. Plus, they worked in Red Zone today, and, you know, that helps the intensity level a little bit. But it felt like there was something more from the defense today in practice.  

Felger: Do you think it's salvageable? Do you believe Judon is on the team this year? 

Barth: The fact that he was back out here today makes me think “Yes.”  

This might sound dumb but if you can get through one day then you can start to build back towards it. I don't think it's a guarantee, but I feel a lot better about it now than I did 24 hours ago. 

Ryan Beaton is a producer for 985thesportshub.com. You can follow Ryan at @ry_beaton on Twitter.

Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!

On Friday's Felger & Mazz program, Mike Felger gives his list of best summer vacation spots in New England.

Mike Felger is well-traveled over the New England area. Many know of his love for the Island of Nantucket, but as it turns out, he's been to more vacation spots in New England than you'd think. 

On Thursday's show, the first of August, Felger and "Big Jim" Murray did a remote broadcast from The Faregrounds Restaurant on Nantucket. And it only seemed right for the guys to rank their best summer vacation spots. And while Murray and Matt McCarthy—stuck back at the Town Fair Tire Studios in Waltham—chimed in, Felger wanted everyone to know that these are his Tiers. Nobody else's. 

From time to time, Felger can be seen doing remote broadcasts from his backyard in Nantucket. Thursday’s event, however, was a little more dressed up as Heineken Silver sponsored the broadcast. And the Faregrounds are known to be a regularly frequented spot by Felger.  

Jim Murray, on the other hand, is less privy to the secrets of Nantucket. He did take the pro move by taking a flight to the island, though. Typically, many passengers will take a one- to two-hour ferry to Nantucket. 

But flying regionally out of a local New England airport will get you to the Island in a mere 20-30 minutes. Felger was almost too scared to share this secret on the air, as he was afraid too many people would find out about this ultimate life hack.

And now... Mike Felger's ultimate list of best New England Vacation spots, going from worst to best...

-ANYWHERE IN CONNECTICUT (BOO!)

-LAKE SUNAPEE

-CAPE COD

-KENNEBUNKPORT

-NEWPORT

-OGUNQUIT

-CONWAY

-STOWE

-WELL BEACH

-PEAKS ISLAND

-MARTHA'S VINEYARD

-KEZAR LAKE

-BAR HARBOR / ACADIA

-WINNIPESAUKEE

-WATCH HILL

-NANTUCKET! (AND ONLY NANTUCKET)