Boston
Footballguy
Drake Maye making Josh McDaniels modify his Patriots offense
McDaniels is adapting his offense to fit Drake Maye’s preferences.www.patspulpit.com
I think the McDaniels/Maye combo is gonna make some beautiful music.
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Indefinite New England Patriots Thread (7 Viewers)
- Thread starter captain_amazing
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I think the McDaniels/Maye combo is gonna make some beautiful music.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Vrabel continues to strip away players from the BB and JM regimes. I think they are up to 40%+ in terms of roster turnover so far (with 15 new guys set to take on significant roles). While that's probably a good idea, it only emphasizes that running it back with the same players over the past couple of years probably wasn't the swiftest of moves, but re-signing a bunch of guys to some pretty pricey contracts wasn't such a great idea either. (I get it . . . in many cases they didn't have much choice. They had to field a team, and they weren't exactly a destination for free agents.)
Guys that I have heard rumors as players they would probably consider moving off of if they could include Stevenson, Gibson, Dugger, Strange, Barmore, Bourne, Tavai, Peppers, and maybe even Onwenu (if he doesn't play to the level he did a few years ago). That could involve being the choice of a different staff, not a fit for what they are planning on running this year, not reliable or productive enough, overpaid, or not enough people in the building loving them enough to have big plans for them. That doesn't mean they are in a position to completely move off of guys that have been around for a while . . . they may have no choice but to keep them.
They will have to trim more guys on the OL (currently 16 on the roster). As discussed in one of the other threads, they can't carry all the receivers they have either, and they will only be able to carry one or two of Bourne, Boutte, Polk, and Baker. NE still has $58M in effective cap space (most in the league by $24M). They could take the cap hit by cutting players they have no use for. They will probably just roll most of that into the cap for next season.
Just a heads up that the bounty of cap space they seemed to have moving forward beyond this year has mostly been used up. As of now, their effective cap space for 2026 is -$1.5M. That shouldn't be an issue if they roll over the surplus from this year. But they no longer have gobs and gobs of cap space for future seasons like they did a month or two ago. They are ranked 24th in cap space for 2026 and 26th in cap space for 2027.
Guys that I have heard rumors as players they would probably consider moving off of if they could include Stevenson, Gibson, Dugger, Strange, Barmore, Bourne, Tavai, Peppers, and maybe even Onwenu (if he doesn't play to the level he did a few years ago). That could involve being the choice of a different staff, not a fit for what they are planning on running this year, not reliable or productive enough, overpaid, or not enough people in the building loving them enough to have big plans for them. That doesn't mean they are in a position to completely move off of guys that have been around for a while . . . they may have no choice but to keep them.
They will have to trim more guys on the OL (currently 16 on the roster). As discussed in one of the other threads, they can't carry all the receivers they have either, and they will only be able to carry one or two of Bourne, Boutte, Polk, and Baker. NE still has $58M in effective cap space (most in the league by $24M). They could take the cap hit by cutting players they have no use for. They will probably just roll most of that into the cap for next season.
Just a heads up that the bounty of cap space they seemed to have moving forward beyond this year has mostly been used up. As of now, their effective cap space for 2026 is -$1.5M. That shouldn't be an issue if they roll over the surplus from this year. But they no longer have gobs and gobs of cap space for future seasons like they did a month or two ago. They are ranked 24th in cap space for 2026 and 26th in cap space for 2027.
Boston
Footballguy
The eye-opening numbers behind Patriots' roster turnover under Vrabel
Mike Vrabel has taken a sledgehammer to the Patriots' roster since taking over in January. Here's a rundown of how much has changed in New England.
www.nbcsportsboston.com
Could you imagine if they...um...got a head start on cleaning house last year? And didn't hand out all those stupid contracts?
They would have still sucked, but they'd be a little ahead of the game.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
If only there were signs to predict that a team with a rookie head coach, coordinators that never called plays before, a front office that couldn't draft or sign free agents, and a roster devoid of talent and no O-line would lead to suboptimal results and a terrible record.
And that regime cost us draft capital with that dumbass win with Mr. Milton.
Alas, what could have been.
Now we're entering the dead zone for the NFL.
Will now be turning more of my attention to the NBA playoffs where the Celts will surely prove frustrating and the Sox have to deal with lofty pre-season expectations.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Echoing what I posted the other day, ESPN released their update team power rankings. They had NE 24th prior to free agency, 24th after free agency, and now 23rd after the draft. Yes, I realize power rankings are nothing more than click bait to keep readers engaged, but the Pats bevy of free agent signings and high draft grades only resulted in a one spot bump from ESPN after hundreds of millions of dollars invested and lots of draft praise. NFL.com has them at 25 (no change after the draft). Sure, they could be way off-base on their opinions. Locally, the talk is still at the level of NE being in the running for the playoffs. That's clearly a different view than those power ranking spots.
Boston
Footballguy
The fact they had them as high as 24th before free agency does zero for their credibilty which is not surprising because it is ESPN.
ratbast
Footballguy
I guess in the eyes of these power ranking guys Diggs and Henderson don’t change Pats O enough. The new defense looks incredible, especially if Barrymore comes back strong.
They improved in the trenches on both sides. Their WR room is still a huge problem. It’s still not good. They TEs are solid but not a separator from the rest of the NFL. The offense is probably 2 years away still. The D will be strong from the get go. But they don’t look sexy enough on offense to get the recognition.
They improved in the trenches on both sides. Their WR room is still a huge problem. It’s still not good. They TEs are solid but not a separator from the rest of the NFL. The offense is probably 2 years away still. The D will be strong from the get go. But they don’t look sexy enough on offense to get the recognition.
I told y'all you'd learn of his obsession with hand placement and pushing and...day one!
www.masslive.com
It's great that he was this well received but veterans don't always love this stuff.
He's a bit much at times.
It's ok though (except a revolving door at LB) and it just feels like welp this is our guy so if it doesn't sync up with you, best of luck with your next team.
He wants and truly is determined to build team unity and battle together mindset and...I have no doubt Vrabel can build and develop a very good football team. He does whatever it takes and I love it.
Year 3 or 4...I don't know that that "act" is acceptable. Veterans grew tired of it and when they spoke almost apologetically it resonated with me. As much as we pretend we're in their shoes, I could understand and empathize with not angry not boisterous but almost sorry it just doesn't fit them anymore and he's kind of getting on their nerves.
Vrabel with rookies-great.
Vrabel with aspiring depth journeyman- great.
Vrabel with a star or older player- great at pushing and giving rest.
The others...that's the backbone of the team. This is where Vrabel has to change and this will be what could make him a Superbowl winning coach.
Cowden and Wolf can not give him (more of) rookies and older players because it suits him either. He has to change.
The alternative is ironic but...an owner will treat him as Mularkey in TEN. You built this team and thanks but I'm gonna bring in someone else to get us to the Superbowl
Karen Guregian: Mike Vrabel was the Day 1 star of rookie minicamp
Mike Vrabel was hands on, and then some during Patriots rookie minicamp Friday.
It's great that he was this well received but veterans don't always love this stuff.
He's a bit much at times.
It's ok though (except a revolving door at LB) and it just feels like welp this is our guy so if it doesn't sync up with you, best of luck with your next team.
He wants and truly is determined to build team unity and battle together mindset and...I have no doubt Vrabel can build and develop a very good football team. He does whatever it takes and I love it.
Year 3 or 4...I don't know that that "act" is acceptable. Veterans grew tired of it and when they spoke almost apologetically it resonated with me. As much as we pretend we're in their shoes, I could understand and empathize with not angry not boisterous but almost sorry it just doesn't fit them anymore and he's kind of getting on their nerves.
Vrabel with rookies-great.
Vrabel with aspiring depth journeyman- great.
Vrabel with a star or older player- great at pushing and giving rest.
The others...that's the backbone of the team. This is where Vrabel has to change and this will be what could make him a Superbowl winning coach.
Cowden and Wolf can not give him (more of) rookies and older players because it suits him either. He has to change.
The alternative is ironic but...an owner will treat him as Mularkey in TEN. You built this team and thanks but I'm gonna bring in someone else to get us to the Superbowl
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Looking back at Vrabel's time in TEN, the Titans were 30-10 (.750) when they had a RB run for 100 yards in a game and 26-38 (.406) when they didn't. Having Derrick Henry didn't hurt. I know people keep pointing out that this Patriots team isn't that Titans team (or other Patriots teams), but IMO, they are shaping up to be similar to both environments (play tough defense and run the ball).
In 104 games with Vrabel as HC, the Titans had 11 games (out of 104) with 300+ net passing yards (10.5%). The Titans average ranking was 30th in passing attempts and 26th in passing yardage in that time. In 85 games since Brady left, the Pays had only 7 games with 300+ net passing yads (8.2%). NE post-Brady has averaged 25th per year in both passing attempts and passing yardage. I would expect a similar approach (at least for this season . . . run a lot and not many games airing it out). It's also been pointed out that Maye is a future stud. Maybe that's true, but for now I think they keep him running a conservative game plan.
In 104 games with Vrabel as HC, the Titans had 11 games (out of 104) with 300+ net passing yards (10.5%). The Titans average ranking was 30th in passing attempts and 26th in passing yardage in that time. In 85 games since Brady left, the Pays had only 7 games with 300+ net passing yads (8.2%). NE post-Brady has averaged 25th per year in both passing attempts and passing yardage. I would expect a similar approach (at least for this season . . . run a lot and not many games airing it out). It's also been pointed out that Maye is a future stud. Maybe that's true, but for now I think they keep him running a conservative game plan.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
So are you saying Vrabel is bad for Maye? I always got the same feeling about hin as coach of the Titans that he seemed to throw as little as possible, but didn't look up any stats to back that up like you just did.
Why Patriots outbid six teams to sign undrafted rookie WR Efton Chism III
The former Eastern Washington receiver draws comparisons to Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I can promise that some people will get on me for this, BUT IT'S JUST MY OPINION, MAN!
Going back pages and pages in this thread, I was pretty vocal that I didn't love the staff they put together. To recap the past few seasons, ownership didn't love BB being so authoritative and felt that he was too rigid and too old school. They wanted a kindler, gentler coaching staff and installed Mayo with a bunch of other coaches all in over their collective heads. Now they have reverted to another hard-nosed coach that plays a very similar brand of football to BB (at least that's my assessment). Part of the issue for NE as I saw it was the past few years was they needed a more modern offense with innovative ideas. Yet they brought in Vrabel and McDaniels to potentially position them to be what they were in the early 2000s just without the talent. Vrabel is just about the same age Bill was when he took over as HC.
IMO, they needed to pull off the band aid and start new. Get in new coaches with a new philosophy . . . guys with fresh ideas and a new system. Bring in new players that had no ties to the organization or the coaches in the organization. But they did the opposite. They stuck with guys they knew as coaches and players the coaches knew. That's like getting divorced and going back to an old girlfriend. That's not exactly getting back on the dating scene.
I posted the records of the teams all of the coaches and front office guys had in the last few years on the teams they came from. It was a who's who of teams you DON'T want to emulate. The staff is made up of guys from NE, TEN, LV, CLE, CHI, NYJ, CAR, and the NYG. That's pretty much the core of Bottom 10 teams over the last 3 years. Sure, Vrabel will probably have a better culture and get guys more in line. But I have never been a huge fan of valuing leadership, coachability, smarts, and intangibles over talent and skill. I like my players to be able to play. I still think NE has a deficiency in the talent department. This coaching staff certainly has more experience than the Mayo regime did, but being experienced doesn't necessarily mean more successful.
NE could certainly win more games with what on paper looks like a pretty light schedule and some better players than last year. They have a lot of new expensive players on defense and a lot of new not expensive players on offense. They haven't played a single snap yet, so it's hard to have an opinion of how they look. How everything fits together at this point is a mystery. For now, all we know is this team is a lot different than last year's team.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
I think you're being to hard on them, but I get it. It seems more of the old guard than new. I actually like what they are doing in NE and love the OL and RB choices they made this year. I still don't think they are very good at WR, but Williams may be the exception this time. So, If Vrabel can keep from being too vanilla and develop more of a dynasmic offense around Henderson and Maye, then the Patriots will ascend IMO. Possibly even be a playoff team.
Boston
Footballguy
How versatile UDFA Lan Larison could make Patriots' roster
Former UC Davis running back Lan Larison is an exciting UDFA signing who could carve out a meaningful role on the Patriots’ roster.
www.nbcsportsboston.com
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Saw a win total line today . . . NE 8.5 (o/u: +115, -140). That would mean Vegas thinks the Pats would be under that total (56% on the under, 44% on the over). Based on their soft schedule, I would probably guess they could cobble together 8 wins. But I wouldn't make a win total bet at this point until I see more what the team looks like.
Boston
Footballguy
Perry's schedule takeaways: Patriots have a shot at a hot start
Could the Patriots make some noise right out of the gate in 2025? Phil Perry shares five takeaways from New England's 2025 schedule.
www.nbcsportsboston.com
Boston
Footballguy
I am trying to remain realistic and not making any predictions after the past two seasons...that being said after hiring Vrabel, what they have done this offseason and this schedule this is the most excited I have been for a season since TB12 left.
Boston
Footballguy
NE: Trayveon Williams signed
Source: Patriots.comFree-agent RB Trayveon Williams (Bengals) signed with the New England Patriots Wednesday, May 14. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The team also released DT Eric Johnson.
Our view: Williams, 28, has spent the last six seasons with the Bengals after joining the team as a sixth-round draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The 5-8, 206-pounder has played in 68 regular season games and has 62 rushing attempts for 307 yards and 15 receptions for 74 yards. He has also returned 33 kicks for 743 yards. Last season, he played in all 17 games for the Bengals, mostly on special teams. That's also his likely role in New England, with Ramondre Stevenson, rookie TreVeyon Henderson, and Antonio Gibson ahead of him on the current depth chart.
Would guess there is a battle between Williams and the Larison kid for the #4 RB/special teams role.
Just read somewhere that while we were favorites in ZERO games last year, Vegas has us favored in 11.
Yikes.
Boston
Footballguy
That would be the quickest turnaround since Jor-Don’s bank account after she met BB.
greenmountaingoat
Footballguy
@Anarchy99 counterpoint- defense and the run game still win championships- if the talent is there. So sort of a disagree- agree point of view from your post.
Boston
Footballguy
I would add one more thing…and a QB that can put up points in the 4th QB…if Maye is the real deal (and I am totally onboard that he is) the Pats have the blueprint to be very competitive this year.
All the typical local media types throwing in their two cents and most, at minimum are saying 9 wins.
I find it odd that most are thinking the game against PIT is a slam dunk too.
Here we go...expectations already getting set a tad too high.
Boston
Footballguy
Agreed…after the debacle of the past two years it takes a big leap of faith to think this team is suddenly a playoff contender after one offseason…we should be optimistic they are heading in the right direction because I do believe they are but some of these expectations are based on best case scenarios for everything which just isn’t going to happen…I am not too concerned with the won lose-record this year…if they end up 7-10 but are a team no one wants to play at the end of the year and Maye has taken another step, the draft class is legit and Vrabel has changed the culture I will be very pleased…this year is about building a foundation you can grow with…do that and I will get far more aggressive with my expectations for 2026.
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I didn't watch much but Vrabel was starting to make me consider going thru a brick wall
Boston
Footballguy
You've come a long way JohnnyU!!!
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Just like in “The Last of Us”, I can travel hundreds of miles on horseback and look like I just stepped out of a GQ magazine.
Boston
Footballguy
Definites:
Diggs-short-term answer as long as another issue doesn't come up...Vrabel is instilling a new culture and I don't think he will get another strike
Williams-hopefully he turns into a solid #2 type of WR...would be a relief if he is legit so we can finally trust their drafting at this position.
Hollins-solid vet who brings extra value in special teams and with the culture (that is a big part of why they signed him)
Pretty sure:
Pop-many probably have him as a definite and I fully understand why (and they are probably right)...but if some best-case scenarios play out with the group below, I can see him being a sneaky trade candidate.
Fighting for 2/3 spots:
Boutte-really tough to get a handle on him...definitely progressed last year and seemed to have Maye's trust...if he shows some maturity and growth as a WR he will be tough to cut.
Polk-positive reports in camp last year then it was a complete disaster...another guy who needs to show he is serious...would be a major statement cutting a second-round pick after 1 year but if he sticks it will be because he earned it in camp/pre-season
Bourne-I hope he doesn't make it because that would mean the youngsters are progressing...if they don't, he could have one more year in Foxboro...possible trade candidate but the return would be very minimal.
Chism-the wildcard...on paper he checks a lot of boxes for a McDaniel's offense...real productive college career but is still an undrafted FA...would love to see him stick and carve out a role in the slot.
I don't think so:
Baker-too much baggage and I don't think he is mature enough to be focused to beat out these other guys.
Feels like they will keep 6 WRs and that could actually be 7 if Diggs misses some time...for me I would like it to be Diggs-Williams-Hollins-Boutte-Polk-Chism with Pop getting traded...the reality is these are legit training camp battles so there is a lot still to be decided.
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Lansdowne
Footballguy
Assuming Diggs is good for Week 1 (which isn't a given)
Starters
Stefon Diggs (slot)
Mack Hollins (split end)
Kayshon Boutte (flanker)
Reserves
Kyle Williams
Ja'Lynn Polk
Efton Chism
Pop traded, Bourne and Baker cut
If Diggs has to start on short term IR, that could save Pop or Bourne. If Chism looks good in training camp I have a feeling they'll want to keep him.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
My best guess is guys with NFL experience do way better under McDaniels than those that don't. We also have seen that Vrabel has no qualms purging players from the BB or JM regimes.
They just brought in Diggs, Wiliams, and Hollins, so those guys should be locks. They were said to have been trying to move Boutte this offseason, so I could see all of Boutte, Polk, and Baker gone. Bourne did well with McDaniels before, and he's the only one other than Hollins that has played for McDaniels. They still have a ton of cap room, so there really isn't a financial motivation to move off of Bourne.
Douglas at least has played for two years . . . and has done way more than those other three guys. Given that they just paid a decent amount for an UDFA in Chism, if they see potential and want to develop him, they will have to keep him on the roster. He likely would be claimed if they tried to get him to the practice squad (especially if he flashes in camp).
That would leave, in my mind, Diggs, Hollins, Bourne, Douglas, Williams, and Chism with Boutte, Polk, and Baker off the roster. I can see them bringing Williams along slowly, as rookies haven't done a ton under McDaniels. I am not sure that Boutte, Polk, or Baker have a lot of friends or allies in the building, and the new staff won't put up with antics, complaints, and drama, especially from younger, unproven players.
Who knows the landscape as to whether they could trade any of these guys, and realistically the best they could probably get would be a 7th rounder or a pick swap with someone. I suspect that the opinion around the league on the younger guys would be that they couldn't make a dent or get on the field on a team that effectively had no wide receivers or competition for snaps.
I saw earlier today that someone suggested Week 4 as a possible return date for Diggs, and that seems like an odd time to bring him back. If he started the season on PUP or short-term IR, that would be a minimum of 4 weeks. That would make more sense than having to keep him on the active roster for 3 weeks and then making him inactive.
Boston
Footballguy
The Boutte-Polk-Baker trio is interesting...as you point out if they haven't matured Vrabel won't hesitate to send them packing...I do hold out some hope for Boutte and Polk because of their age and potential upside (and the fact the alternatives are nothing too special)...the fact McDaniels is here will make this decision easier because there are no short-cuts with his offense and if these guys aren't fully onboard they will get exposed very quickly...all that being said I expect at least one big addition next offseason and most likely two...this unit is still very much a work in progress (would be real nice if Chism is legit)...it should be a decent amount better than last season's debacle but they aren't where they want to be yet.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
TBH, I really have no idea what to make of the offense. There's a broad range of potential outcomes. There are a bunch of new faces on the OL. Maybe they will be better than last year's faces (or the faces that were injured trying to come back that mostly didn't do much). The WR group also features a handful of new guys (and a bunch of returnees that were underwhelming). All we really know at this point is there are some different guys than they were from last year. Similarly, this is the third coaching staff in as many seasons. In some spots, like OL, they are onto their 5th coach in as many years.
I suspect the offense will be a little better . . . not because I think they are all that great, but mostly because the last two seasons they were so bad it would take a lot for them to be worse. There's a chance Maye makes a jump, they finally hit on a WR, the JMD offense gels, the line stays healthy and is functional, the running game does better, and the defense gets turnovers and gives the offense some great field position to work with. That is certainly a possibility, and if that happens, they could be in the running for a playoff spot.
But I can also see the defense not being a ton better, with teams sustaining long drives and playing keep away, and NE having to play from behind. The offense could struggle to get on the same page, the younger guys get overwhelmed and don't do much, and an injury or two and they are right back to another season of mediocrity.
I suspect we will see a mixed bag . . . with some games going in either of those directions, and some weeks being inconsistent from drive to drive (Jeckyl & Hyde). I think all of that is to be expected. Given their schedule and moderately good health, they should probably get 7 or 8 wins. If things go better, than maybe they get into the playoff mix. If things go worse or if a couple of key pieces get hurt, start deducting wins.
Boston
Footballguy
The odd part of all this is because of that schedule I don’t think some who are hyping them up are just Patriot loyalists (Bedard certainly isn’t one)…you can see the past pretty clearly although I am sure many of the fans of the other teams are giving their team a W against the Pats…that being said the reality is if they end up 8-9 with a lot of things I have mentioned before I think we all should be happy…this is a complete roster/coaching/organizational overhaul and things would have to break almost perfectly to get 11 wins and that usually doesn’t happen…next year is the year I will have high expectations as far as wins and losses but the good news is we at least have hope for this season which we did not have the past two seasons.
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Anarchy99
Footballguy
If I had to guess, the 2025 Patriots will have a much better record but may not be that much better talent wise than last year. And the 2026 Patriots will make strides and be more cohesive yet have a worse record than the 2025 Patriots (based on having a lot harder schedule). I could see them getting 9 or 10 wins like the Mac Jones season in 2025. If you stop and think about it, they don't have to be good, they just have to be better than their opponents . . . and a lot of their opponents (at this point) don't look to be world beaters.
They could end up finishing 2nd in the AFCE, but I can see them then sliding back to 7 or 8 wins with a more difficult schedule in 2026 (but being competitive in almost every game by that point). Hopefully by then, they would have jettisoned the deadwood, gotten rid of the divas, and put some consistently in place. Cycling though coaching staffs and systems repeatedly doesn't do anyone any good, and many young QBs have been ruined by having to learn new playbooks over and over again with a new coordinator each season.
I am curious to see how this team looks and plays . . . in actual football conditions. I will not be swayed by reports or video clips of PLAYER X making a nice grab in shorts and t-shirts on a throw from a backup QB against a practice squad level 8th CB because a bunch of players aren't attending OTAs. I think Vrabel will have his hands full this year, as they have a long way to go to get back to respectability.
Boston
Footballguy
I think they will be far more talented then last year and it's not even close...now I don't say that because they are loaded but because last year they were a disaster...they have added a good amount of talent this offseason...Henderson is a big upgrade at RB...Diggs and potentially Williams are better than what they had last year...Campbell and Moses are a monster upgrade at tackle and the interior has a chance to be better...on D they get Barmore back to go with Williams as well as Tonga and Farmer on the interior...Landry is an upgrade, Swinson could be a steal and I fully expect Spillane to be an impact player...Davis is a big upgrade at CB and Gonzalez should still be getting better...outside of TE I think this team should be improved from last year at very positional unit...also, let's remember this team got almost no help from the coaching staff so the improvement there will be dramatic...I can definitely see pumping the brakes on the playoff talk but under no condition is this team not improved from last year's mess.
Boston
Footballguy
Giardi with some WR info:
- It was an eventful day for Javon Baker. He had a couple of drops, including one during individual drills at the start of the day. The second-year pro didn't move between drills or plays with any expediency yesterday or last week when we were in attendance. For a guy who has to realize he's fighting for a roster spot, that's a hard one to gather.
That's why I wasn't surprised when Mike Vrabel got after him not once but twice during the session. The first came after Baker got squeezed on a deep ball from backup Joshua Dobbs. As the wideout slowly jogged his way to the opposite sideline, Vrabel reminded him to continue his route and play to the end of the play.
Later, Baker reeled in a ball from third-stringer Ben Woodridge and went 60 or so yards for a touchdown. There were two problems, however. The first was Baker was guilty of offensive pass interference, shoving Brandon Crossley to the ground. The entire sideline immediately reacted. The second happened after the play when Baker again took his sweet old time heading back to the opposite sideline because he was too busy yapping at the defense. Vrabel did not appreciate that and reminded him he was still in the game.
After practice ended and Vrabel addressed the team, he walked alongside Baker as they left the field. The coaching no doubt continues, albeit with a softer touch. Vrabel has emphasized the importance of building connections with his players, and Baker's talent occasionally shines through. It's worth the coach's effort...for now. But if the kid doesn't know the clock is ticking, that's on him.
“There’s 12 of us," said Kayshon Boutte. "At the end of the day, there will probably be six of us, if we’re being honest.”
- Speaking of Boutte, I found it notable that Vrabel mentioned his conditioning before practice.
"I think that he's gotten in better shape as we started to go on to the OTAs, and I think that's really started to help him as we stack plays together," he said. "In the game, you don't just take a play on and just come off and then go back and forth. Hopefully, you can string together four or five plays as we work down the football field. So, I think that he's working to do that. I like his attitude. I enjoy his willingness to continue to improve and maybe do some things a little differently.
Despite working with the ones, Boutte had a quiet day, not getting a single target during team periods. But, in contrast to Baker, I liked his energy.
- Kyle Williams had the play of the day (as Bedard detailed). You want to see that speed and savvy play, especially in what's essentially a passing camp. It did, unlike last week.
- It was an eventful day for Javon Baker. He had a couple of drops, including one during individual drills at the start of the day. The second-year pro didn't move between drills or plays with any expediency yesterday or last week when we were in attendance. For a guy who has to realize he's fighting for a roster spot, that's a hard one to gather.
That's why I wasn't surprised when Mike Vrabel got after him not once but twice during the session. The first came after Baker got squeezed on a deep ball from backup Joshua Dobbs. As the wideout slowly jogged his way to the opposite sideline, Vrabel reminded him to continue his route and play to the end of the play.
Later, Baker reeled in a ball from third-stringer Ben Woodridge and went 60 or so yards for a touchdown. There were two problems, however. The first was Baker was guilty of offensive pass interference, shoving Brandon Crossley to the ground. The entire sideline immediately reacted. The second happened after the play when Baker again took his sweet old time heading back to the opposite sideline because he was too busy yapping at the defense. Vrabel did not appreciate that and reminded him he was still in the game.
After practice ended and Vrabel addressed the team, he walked alongside Baker as they left the field. The coaching no doubt continues, albeit with a softer touch. Vrabel has emphasized the importance of building connections with his players, and Baker's talent occasionally shines through. It's worth the coach's effort...for now. But if the kid doesn't know the clock is ticking, that's on him.
“There’s 12 of us," said Kayshon Boutte. "At the end of the day, there will probably be six of us, if we’re being honest.”
- Speaking of Boutte, I found it notable that Vrabel mentioned his conditioning before practice.
"I think that he's gotten in better shape as we started to go on to the OTAs, and I think that's really started to help him as we stack plays together," he said. "In the game, you don't just take a play on and just come off and then go back and forth. Hopefully, you can string together four or five plays as we work down the football field. So, I think that he's working to do that. I like his attitude. I enjoy his willingness to continue to improve and maybe do some things a little differently.
Despite working with the ones, Boutte had a quiet day, not getting a single target during team periods. But, in contrast to Baker, I liked his energy.
- Kyle Williams had the play of the day (as Bedard detailed). You want to see that speed and savvy play, especially in what's essentially a passing camp. It did, unlike last week.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
The perception is they got better, and maybe that will turn out to be the case. So many things have changed that it's really hard to tell. They spent a lot of money on free agents a few years ago and had a playoff season (and then fell off after that). I'm not saying that they can't be better, we just haven't seen how this group of guys and coaches work together. The safe assumption is last year they were so inept that they almost have to be better by default.
Just as a barometer, I looked up the PFF rankings for the players involved. Not the end all of opinions, but at least it's a set of performance based rankings.
Jack Gibbons - 12th ranked LB in 2024 - Thought this was one of their better off season signings.
Stefon Diggs - 21st ranked WR - I'm still leery of 32-year-old diva WRs coming off serious knee injuries (that already have been in the spotlight for doing something stupid).
Carlton Davis - 29th ranked CB - He's a solid starter . . . but is he that much better than Jonathan Jones (who had years ranked in the Top 10-20 CBs)?
Milton Williams - 31st ranked DT - We'll have to see how it goes, but he got a boatload of money for a guy that played in 42% of snaps for PHI.
Garrett Bradbury - 33rd ranked C - David Andrews was a solid center for years. Who knows if Bradbury (or Wilson) can fill his shoes?
Harold Landry - 51st ranked LB - He should be an above average starter.
Robert Spillane - 66th ranked LB - LOL at the Patriots blurb about him calling him PFF's 4th ranked LB. That was his ranking for total snaps. Not sure he's an upgraded over Ja'Whaun Bentley, who was ranked in the Top 15-25 LBs before he got hurt last year.
Wes Scweitzer - 74th ranked G - Fits in with many other not highly ranked guards on the roster.
Kryiris Tonga - 83rd ranked DT - Is he any different than Godchaux or Ekuale or Wise?
Morgan Moses - 84th ranked OT - Also leery of 34-year-old tackles recovering from knee surgery.
Mack Hollins - 87th ranked WR - Journeyman WR on his 6th team coming off a 30-catch season.
K'Laveon Chaisson - 93rd ranked LB - Depth piece.
Marcus Epps - 154th ranked S - Another depth piece.
That the rundown of the free agents they added. Then there's the rookie class. They're rookies. Who the heck knows how they will do. They haven't had a ton of luck in recent drafts, but that should not be held against this class. Maybe some guys will turn into something, and hopefully some will be productive out of the gate.
I pretty much stand by my initial statement that they swapped out a batch of guys for a different batch of guys. They had so much roster churn that it's hard to tell how the puzzle pieces will fit together. I'm always a little hesitant when it comes to free agents, as the team that had them didn't want them enough to resign them. If they were really impact players, they would never have let them go. I do think that with a seasoned, more savvy coaching staff that they should be able to get more out of the roster, so that could be a big piece to them playing better. I certainly have more desire and enthusiasm to watch this group than last year's team.
Boston
Footballguy
Ok...I stand by my statement that they will be much improved over last year's mess so we'll watch this unfold.
Boston
Footballguy
Patriots OTAs Round Up: Mike Vrabel's Defensive is Starting to Take Shape. But So is Javon Baker's Status as Another WR Bust.
Eric Canha. Shutterstock Images.Once again, I'm going to be honest with you. Ours is a relationship built on mutual trust and respect. Once we lose that, it becomes nearly impossible to get back, so ...
Boston
Footballguy
Unfortunately, I don't...Diggs has put Vrabel in a real tough spot...the last few years under Mayo and when BB went from a great HC to Jordon's BF the team culture has been awful...Vrabel has been banging the culture drum non-stop and now a very high-profile veteran player pulls this stunt...not good...I bet this is 50/50 on what happens...it would be a big time statement by cutting Diggs that would most certainly get the culture message sent throughout the organization...the negative is very obvious as the WR room is subpar to begin with and losing Diggs would be a huge short-term hit...I heard Breer say that this will be taken care of very quickly and probably comes down to the Vrabel/Diggs meeting and how that goes...after a fun offseason we are now into reality and dealing with adversity...the good news is we have an HC I fully trust to make a wise decision.
Just watched A. Breer's take on it. Similar to yours. He speaks to Vrabels 26 years in NFL locker rooms.
It's only May, but I bet Diggs only gets one more strike here. Anything remotely close to another slip up and he's gone.