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Indefinite New England Patriots Thread (2 Viewers)

Lansdowne said:
Boston said:
Jabril Peppers cut in a surprise move (especially the timing)...just guessing but it doesn't seem like he or Duggar are a great fit for their scheme and there is only room for one of them...not sure if this happens if they had dealt Duggar...hearing a lot of very good things about Woodson and it looks like he is getting thrown right to the wolves.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Patriots release veteran safety Jabrill Peppers in surprise move:

The Patriots are parting ways with one of their projected starters, as the team has released veteran safety Jabrill Peppers.
www.nbcsportsboston.com www.nbcsportsboston.com
Click to expand...
Vrabel has been quick to move on from those who aren’t buying in to team over individual (see Joe Milton). Either Peppers was being demoted and he responded poorly to the news, or something worse outside of football forced the team’s hand. I hope we get some sort of closure either way soon.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I thought but Phil Perry is reporting that there isn't something else going on...still, on a team that is not very deep this move at this time is a head-scratcher.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Perry: Making sense of Patriots' stunning Jabrill Peppers release

Why are the Patriots parting ways with one of their most proven defenders? Phil Perry reacts to Jabrill Peppers' surprising release.
www.nbcsportsboston.com www.nbcsportsboston.com
 
From BSJ:

Bedard here. My understanding is the Patriots see Peppers' role decreasing this season due to his lack of mobility, and just decided to move on now.

From Giardi:
On the surface, the news is surprising, and I can confirm, based on sources, that there were no off-field issues that arose. Peppers obviously dealt with legal problems a season ago and ended up on the Commissioner's List, missing a good part of the year.

There is definitely a scheme-fit question for Peppers. The Pats are going to use their safeties to play more man-to-man, and that is not Peppers' strength. He is more of a box safety, bringing the physicality that, coincidentally, mirrors the skillset of another veteran who was/is on the bubble in Dugger. There's no question Peppers has improved his ability to play in space, but Vrabel is telling you that for that price, he's not doing it as well as Hawkins or the rookie Woodson. He also appears to be saying that 2nd-year UDFA Dell Pettus is more capable as well. This move is a gamble, and Vrabel has to know it.
 
Lansdowne said:
Boston said:
Jabril Peppers cut in a surprise move (especially the timing)...just guessing but it doesn't seem like he or Duggar are a great fit for their scheme and there is only room for one of them...not sure if this happens if they had dealt Duggar...hearing a lot of very good things about Woodson and it looks like he is getting thrown right to the wolves.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Patriots release veteran safety Jabrill Peppers in surprise move:

The Patriots are parting ways with one of their projected starters, as the team has released veteran safety Jabrill Peppers.
www.nbcsportsboston.com www.nbcsportsboston.com
Click to expand...
Vrabel has been quick to move on from those who aren’t buying in to team over individual (see Joe Milton). Either Peppers was being demoted and he responded poorly to the news, or something worse outside of football forced the team’s hand. I hope we get some sort of closure either way soon.
Click to expand...
I would have thought they could trade him for something.
 
ironic that Peppers is a casuality at least in part due to the size of Duggar's contract (only need one slow box safety and can't afford the dead money hit to release Duggar).
 
TripItUp said:
Looking forward to seeing Anarchy take a huge L on Henderson this season.

Who is with me?!! :towelwave:
Click to expand...
Well, I don't know what he said about Henderson and I don't want to search thru the thread. I hope we all come together and root for Henderson and the Pats to win this yr!
 
Boston said:
Jabril Peppers cut in a surprise move (especially the timing)...just guessing but it doesn't seem like he or Duggar are a great fit for their scheme and there is only room for one of them...not sure if this happens if they had dealt Duggar...hearing a lot of very good things about Woodson and it looks like he is getting thrown right to the wolves.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Patriots release veteran safety Jabrill Peppers in surprise move:

The Patriots are parting ways with one of their projected starters, as the team has released veteran safety Jabrill Peppers.
www.nbcsportsboston.com www.nbcsportsboston.com
Click to expand...
Peppers talks too much.
The announcers say "and the defense takes the field" and a coach barks out whatever and ten guys are headed out, you can often see Peppers turn and discuss something.
Why then?
That has always looked like such an annoying habit for coaches to deal with. You shush and do whatever the coaches said, maybe give em a yes coach but to turn and discuss?

It looks so uncomfortable
 
Bri said:
Boston said:
Jabril Peppers cut in a surprise move (especially the timing)...just guessing but it doesn't seem like he or Duggar are a great fit for their scheme and there is only room for one of them...not sure if this happens if they had dealt Duggar...hearing a lot of very good things about Woodson and it looks like he is getting thrown right to the wolves.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

Patriots release veteran safety Jabrill Peppers in surprise move:

The Patriots are parting ways with one of their projected starters, as the team has released veteran safety Jabrill Peppers.
www.nbcsportsboston.com www.nbcsportsboston.com
Click to expand...
Peppers talks too much.
The announcers say "and the defense takes the field" and a coach barks out whatever and ten guys are headed out, you can often see Peppers turn and discuss something.
Why then?
That has always looked like such an annoying habit for coaches to deal with. You shush and do whatever the coaches said, maybe give em a yes coach but to turn and discuss?

It looks so uncomfortable
Click to expand...

I think you’re reading a bit too much into it.
 
Giardi gave out some pre-season/camp awards...could not agree with this one more:

MVP: Mike Vrabel - Make no mistake, the optimism you are feeling is because the Krafts righted a wrong and hired someone who has proven he can win games in the league. Vrabel has set a clear course for this organization, one it was lacking not only last season but also in Belichick's final campaign (or three). The 50-year-old is an interesting mix; a player's coach - remember he said he wants to help players maximize their earning potential? - but also someone who drives his players, especially his best ones, hard. That might be a shock to those with country club memberships, but thus far, the majority is buying what Vrabel is selling. And if someone doesn't, they won't be here for long.
 
Forged in Foxboro is such a well done production. I like it much better than Hard Knocks. Episode 3 is well done and I liked the focus on Spillane and Chism. My only criticism is I wish they spent more time on roster cutdown day. Show a couple of the players getting cut and the conversations that took place, but I get they’re going for a positive vibe overall.
 
ponchsox said:
Forged in Foxboro is such a well done production. I like it much better than Hard Knocks. Episode 3 is well done and I liked the focus on Spillane and Chism. My only criticism is I wish they spent more time on roster cutdown day. Show a couple of the players getting cut and the conversations that took place, but I get they’re going for a positive vibe overall.
Click to expand...

Total guess on this but I heard Vrabel talking about cuts and you could tell it was almost sacred to him (being a former player I am sure it runs even deeper for him)...after hearing that I can't picture him wanting to have cameras rolling for these moments.
 
ponchsox said:
Forged in Foxboro is such a well done production. I like it much better than Hard Knocks. Episode 3 is well done and I liked the focus on Spillane and Chism. My only criticism is I wish they spent more time on roster cutdown day. Show a couple of the players getting cut and the conversations that took place, but I get they’re going for a positive vibe overall.
Click to expand...
Most annoying part was watching Wolf. Guy is just unlikeable to me.
 
@AdamSchefter
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez is out Sunday vs. the Raiders due to a hamstring injury and LT WIll Campbell is questionable due to an ankle injury.
 

Patriots' starting offensive line vs. Raiders​

By​

Here's a look at the Patriots' new-look offensive line, which features two rookies on the left side in Will Campbell (left tackle) and Jared Wilson (left guard):

  • Left tackle: Will Campbell
  • Left guard: Jared Wilson
  • Center: Garrett Bradbury
  • Right guard: Mike Onwenu
  • Right tackle: Morgan Moses
Onwenu is the only holdover from the 2024 roster, as fourth-fifths of the starting o-line is new to the team this season.
 
10 thoughts on the game
1. Expected more fire out of them. Just an all around dull, boring outing
2. Thought Campbell played pretty well first game as a left tackle. He had a few moments in the second half when he got beat but overall I thought he was solid.
3. Moses on the right side got smoked over and over. Granted he was going against Crosby but that’s where most of the pressure came from
4. Diggs is a possession receiver nothing more at this point. Could still be recovering from the ACL but as of now there’s no explosiveness to this offense.
5. Josh McDaniels calls a boring, lame game. I question whether he’s the best fit for Drakes skillset
6. Stevenson is a waste of a play
7. Landry is the real deal
8. I think the defense will play a lot better going forward, particularly when Gonzo gets back
9. Maye really went into a shell after the INT. Wondering if he got screamed at on the sideline that he needed to protect the ball
10. Really thought Vrabel would have this team ready to run through a brick wall and they wilted
 
fruity pebbles said:
10 thoughts on the game
1. Expected more fire out of them. Just an all around dull, boring outing
2. Thought Campbell played pretty well first game as a left tackle. He had a few moments in the second half when he got beat but overall I thought he was solid.
3. Moses on the right side got smoked over and over. Granted he was going against Crosby but that’s where most of the pressure came from
4. Diggs is a possession receiver nothing more at this point. Could still be recovering from the ACL but as of now there’s no explosiveness to this offense.
5. Josh McDaniels calls a boring, lame game. I question whether he’s the best fit for Drakes skillset
6. Stevenson is a waste of a play
7. Landry is the real deal
8. I think the defense will play a lot better going forward, particularly when Gonzo gets back
9. Maye really went into a shell after the INT. Wondering if he got screamed at on the sideline that he needed to protect the ball
10. Really thought Vrabel would have this team ready to run through a brick wall and they wilted
Click to expand...
5. Hard to say if McDaniels called a boring game because Maye was scared to death to throw the ball more than 10 yards. There were several plays where Maye had ample time and still wouldn't let it fly... scrambled for a short gain... or settled for an underneath target for an incomplete or short gain. Unfortunately the stupid TV view has us wondering what's happening downfield. I'll just assume there were lots of missed opportunities.
9. Maybe it had something to do with the interception but it felt like Maye was playing it uber safe from the start. Felt like the plan going in was to win it 16-13.
11. Defense was good but they missed Gonzalez more than we expected. Too many WIDE open targets for LVR.
12. They still can't cover a TE. LBs are too slow and DBs are too small. No adjustments made ... or none that were effective anyway.
13. Still looks to me like Lack of talent ...or poor coaching. Probably both.
 
NE needs a better plan on defense to defend the TE position.
LVR TEs were 9-141 ... and guessing those were mostly all for 1st downs.
Wonder if Mapu could cover a TE 1 on 1. Being a large Safety / small LB hybrid... seems like the perfect fit.
 
Agree with Bossman and Pebbles on their observations…I was really disappointed with Maye’s legs…for some reason he didn’t look as athletic as usual…it was like when he ran his main concern was when to slide and due to that he wasn’t using his full speed…he needs to stop sailing passes as well…Henry looked like he was going to be a weapon early than kind of disappeared…I am just not a big Pop Fan…I hope they give Chism a chance…Stevenson did not look good at all…one of the biggest plays of the game was when he caught a ball and could not power for a first down on a second down play (than they did not get it on third down)…he has to make that play…Raiders were not going to let Henderson beat them, they were all over him in space…I hope we don’t have to go thru a full year worrying about every FG and PAT…D did a nice job in the run game and got solid pressure but the amount of big plays is totally unacceptable…overall I was hoping for more but I think reality may be hitting on just how big of a ditch the roster got into after the last three inept year.
 
Sloppy game but the most important things were encouraging.
1. Maye looked fantastic
2. The o-line is much improved from last season, particularly the left side. First game of Maye’s career with a pressure rate below 20%. Campbell and Wilson with ZERO pressures.
 
fruity pebbles said:
Sloppy game but the most important things were encouraging.
1. Maye looked fantastic
2. The o-line is much improved from last season, particularly the left side. First game of Maye’s career with a pressure rate below 20%. Campbell and Wilson with ZERO pressures.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I think this igame was much more of what we thought we were going to see this year (vs what we saw last week).
Run heavy offense and a stout defense.
They still miss Gonzalez and maybe could have sent more than just the 4 linemen to rush on passing downs if he was on the field.
Also need to clean up those penalties. Too many lack of focus false starts and lining up in the neutral zone crap.
And that rookie kicker needs to figure things out sooner rather than later with two missed PATs and a kickoff short of the landing zone.
 
fruity pebbles said:
Sloppy game but the most important things were encouraging.
1. Maye looked fantastic
2. The o-line is much improved from last season, particularly the left side. First game of Maye’s career with a pressure rate below 20%. Campbell and Wilson with ZERO pressures.
Click to expand...

Much improved for sure, but I think we need to put an asterisk here because clearly the Miami D is TERRIBLE.

What's truly disturbing is our defense. Wow. Tua was just ripping us to shreads.

I can't recall if C. Davis left the game or not, but certainly Gonzo isn't going to have THAT much of an impact where the whole thing turns around. I certainly hope so, but I doubt it.

Also looks like R. Stevenson is far from dead.
 
ffmail4me said:
Is there any hope for a breakout of Henderson or Kyle Williams this year?
Click to expand...
In redraft, I've already dropped Kyle Williams. This team will likely be run heavy and there just isn't enough targets to go around for Williams to be a factor. It'd take an injury or two for Williams to get his opportunity to break out.

Henderson is worth holding onto imo. He was more involved in game 1 when Stevenson wasn't so effective.
I think Henderson will have his moments and could break out at some point.
 
Bossman said:
ffmail4me said:
Is there any hope for a breakout of Henderson or Kyle Williams this year?
Click to expand...
In redraft, I've already dropped Kyle Williams. This team will likely be run heavy and there just isn't enough targets to go around for Williams to be a factor. It'd take an injury or two for Williams to get his opportunity to break out.

Henderson is worth holding onto imo. He was more involved in game 1 when Stevenson wasn't so effective.
I think Henderson will have his moments and could break out at some point.
Click to expand...
Henderson blew some blocking assignments which is a bit shocking considering how good his blocking tape is.

I wonder if Vrabel ratcheted down his snaps a bit because of that.
 
kyoun1e said:
Bossman said:
ffmail4me said:
Is there any hope for a breakout of Henderson or Kyle Williams this year?
Click to expand...
In redraft, I've already dropped Kyle Williams. This team will likely be run heavy and there just isn't enough targets to go around for Williams to be a factor. It'd take an injury or two for Williams to get his opportunity to break out.

Henderson is worth holding onto imo. He was more involved in game 1 when Stevenson wasn't so effective.
I think Henderson will have his moments and could break out at some point.
Click to expand...
Henderson blew some blocking assignments which is a bit shocking considering how good his blocking tape is.

I wonder if Vrabel ratcheted down his snaps a bit because of that.
Click to expand...
Henderson had same snap% in week 1
 
kyoun1e said:
Bossman said:
ffmail4me said:
Is there any hope for a breakout of Henderson or Kyle Williams this year?
Click to expand...
In redraft, I've already dropped Kyle Williams. This team will likely be run heavy and there just isn't enough targets to go around for Williams to be a factor. It'd take an injury or two for Williams to get his opportunity to break out.

Henderson is worth holding onto imo. He was more involved in game 1 when Stevenson wasn't so effective.
I think Henderson will have his moments and could break out at some point.
Click to expand...
Henderson blew some blocking assignments which is a bit shocking considering how good his blocking tape is.

I wonder if Vrabel ratcheted down his snaps a bit because of that.
Click to expand...

I have been on team-Henderson but as I mentioned elsewhere it looks like he is thinking too much out there...that zip he had in pre-season is not as apparent (right now he looks like Shane Vereen...which is good except I think/hope there is much more there)...I do believe it will happen but right now he is playing like a rookie...after looking pretty average in week 1 the good Rhamondre showed up yesterday...if he can play like that every week that will be a huge boost to this offense because when he is on he is a handful...between him, Henderson and Gibson the Pats have a real nice mix of backs.

I am hoping both Williams and Chism get an opportunity at some point this year...Boutte looks solid and Diggs looks like he will be reliable and hopefully he gets even better as the season goes on and the ACL is further behind him...Pop was MIA yesterday and I just don't have high hopes for him...Hollins is what he is...would love to see Boutte, Williams and Chism prove they can be quality WRs (I think Boutte is probably there although the upside is still a question)...they are three diverse WRs who are all young and very affordable...if they all develop (or at least two do) if you add in a legit #1 and a quality athletic TE they could finally have a skill group that can put some fear in defenses as well as grow with Maye.
 
Last edited:
Harbaugh added his eighth former Titan today.
I've found it to be a curveball that Vrabel would sign a bunch of former Titans and nope Harbaugh did.

Me? I'm not here wondering why two great coaches want players my team let's go. No no, not at all
 
So why did Vrabel seem to decide the WRs weren't going to be much last week?

I only watched parts of condensed but what I saw didn't look so much like the WRs stunk but like it was planned.

Did y'all want Treyveon wide or long for some infusion?
 
Was expecting to see an Anarchy "I told you so" reply in here lol.

What a brutal performance. Totally a game they should have won.

The turnovers. I would have expected this last year, but not this year.

I've got to think Stevenson is officially in the doghouse. That fumble on the goaline was just brutal. Apparently, he hasn't learned and I'd expect Henderson starts getting more touches.

Maye if not for that stupid no touch/float on his pass to the endzone had a good game.

D not bad. If Gonzo can get on the field that could change quite a bit.

NE -4.5 over CAR at home. Gonzo active...yes. Gonzo inactive...I don't know.
 
As strange as it sounds I was kind of encouraged by the game. Five turnovers and they still almost won. Team is making a lot of mistakes but I attribute to being young and learning a new system. They generally look like they’re not all on the same page at times. I’d say Stevenson should be benched too but for whom? Think that’s why Vrabel didn’t bury him after the game. Henderson is a work in progress. Not seeing that shiftiness from college and the next tackle he breaks would be his first.
 
I about lost my mind with the play calling at the end of the half;
1st and goal from the 2 ... with all 3 timeouts remaining.
They were dominating running the ball and the Steeler defense was exhausted after 14 plays / 92 yard drive to that point.
1st down - pass - incomplete
2nd down - pass - incomplete
3rd down - pass - interception
How do they not run the ball there? ... Made me think of Malcom Butler and the SEA superbowl fiasco.
They go into the locker room with no points to show for a 92 yard drive ... and still having all 3 timeouts.
To their credit, they DID run the ball the next time they got down there. Unfortunately RS coughed it up at the goal line.

Shame. Such a winnable game. Not that the Patriots are that good but more that the Steelers are trash.
Can only hope lessons were learned on that day.
 
2-2 and some random thoughts...been some ups and downs but I definitely feel they are heading in the right direction...I don't think they are ready to compete with the Bills but after that they have three very winnable games against the Saints, Titans and Browns...I would be ecstatic if they are 5-3 after that...Drake Maye is the real deal...the most important thing for this franchise was his development and so far it is going great...I only see it getting better as he gets more comfortable in the McDaniel's system and gets better weapons...love what I see with Will Campbell...my hope was he would be Matt Light 2.0 and right now that looks very realistic...overall the O-line is dramatically better than last year...defensively it has been a rollercoaster...just feels like there are some series where they are locked-in and others they look lost...would like to see that side of the ball get more consistent...another big positive is Milton Williams looks like an excellent signing...overall they now have a foundation of good young players and a real coaching staff to build on...would like to see more discipline with regard to the penalties...if they end up with at least 8 wins and the youngsters continuing to develop this season will be a huge success and they would be one more quality offseason away from being a legit playoff team.
 
I'm still predicting the Bills to win this week ... but it wouldn't shock me if NE pulls off the upset.
If NE offense can continue what they had going on vs CAR ... and the defense can play up to their ability like we've seen for a quarter or two each game.
Almost everything would have to go right for NE tho ... no turnovers, no missed FG / XP, limited penalties, special plays on special teams ...
and just the opposite for BUF. Maybe NE gets a strip sack fumble or returns a muffed punt for a TD. Something that gives NE "bonus" points.
Either way, hoping it's a good game and not a one sided BUF blowout.
 
Boston said:
2-2 and some random thoughts...been some ups and downs but I definitely feel they are heading in the right direction...I don't think they are ready to compete with the Bills but after that they have three very winnable games against the Saints, Titans and Browns...I would be ecstatic if they are 5-3 after that...Drake Maye is the real deal...the most important thing for this franchise was his development and so far it is going great...I only see it getting better as he gets more comfortable in the McDaniel's system and gets better weapons...love what I see with Will Campbell...my hope was he would be Matt Light 2.0 and right now that looks very realistic...overall the O-line is dramatically better than last year...defensively it has been a rollercoaster...just feels like there are some series where they are locked-in and others they look lost...would like to see that side of the ball get more consistent...another big positive is Milton Williams looks like an excellent signing...overall they now have a foundation of good young players and a real coaching staff to build on...would like to see more discipline with regard to the penalties...if they end up with at least 8 wins and the youngsters continuing to develop this season will be a huge success and they would be one more quality offseason away from being a legit playoff team.
Click to expand...
Honestly I think I'm just trying to enjoy the sparks this year.

I can't remember the last time we blew out ANY team. Last week felt good.

Would love to see the Pats put a scare in Buffalo and gain some confidence.

That team can be run on. Big time. If Stevenson shows up protecting the ball the Bills run D can be had. Like the Diggs revenge game angle too.

If they don't make mistakes I think they give em a game. That's a big if though.
 
Vrabel and Drake have their statement game...amazing how quickly Vrabel has turned this around...3 very winnable games coming up...this team is a lot of fun to root for.
 
The Patriots schedule is actually looking even weaker than in did before the season started

@ New Orleans (1-4)
@ Tennessee (1-4)
Cleveland (1-4)
Atlanta (2-2)
@ Tampa Bay (4-1)
NY Jets (0-5)
@ Cincinnatti (2-3)
NY Giants (1-4)
Buffalo (4-1)
@ Baltimore (1-4)
@ NY Jets (0-5)
Miami (1-4)

Total: 18- 41 (.305)

@ Tampa Bay and home vs. Buffalo are the only games which definitely look tough. Maybe @ Baltimore will be too in late December.

If they Patriots are any worse than 7-5 in the remaining twelve games, finishing the season at 10-7, it would now be a big disappointment.

But, that's the floor.

What's the ceiling? 10-2 the rest of the way and finishing the season 13-4?
 
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