Indefinite New England Patriots Thread (4 Viewers)

[Anarchy99]

But, that's the floor.

This is obviously not the floor if a bunch of injuries happen. If Maye goes down for the season next week (and a couple of other key pieces get hurt), they could still be in a situation where they only end up with 5 or 6 wins.

Yes, they are better than the past few seasons when they don't fundamentally make self-inflicted mistakes (ie, tons of turnovers or stupid penalties). But they played 3 of the weakest teams in the league in LV, MIA, and CAR . . . and PIT's defense is Bottom 5 in the league. Their schedule could hand them a lot of wins.

As for the remaining schedule, of the 12 remaining games, 10 of them are against teams ranked 20th or worse in either points scored or yardage. And 10 are against defenses ranked 20th or worse in points allowed or yardage allowed. NE should win those games and end up with a strong record. But IMO, that would really be heavily influenced by the schedule.

 

[kyoun1e]

They should make a run for AJ Brown. Probably unlikely as they are in their championship window and probably don't want to mess with things.

AJ Brown, Diggs, Henry...that would be nice.

As an aside, REALLY impressed with the defense last night. Did not think they had that in them after the first few weeks. Something must have come together.

Hard not to get excited. Also finding it hard to keep my expectations in check.

 

[Boston]

They should make a run for AJ Brown. Probably unlikely as they are in their championship window and probably don't want to mess with things.

AJ Brown, Diggs, Henry...that would be nice.

As an aside, REALLY impressed with the defense last night. Did not think they had that in them after the first few weeks. Something must have come together.

Hard not to get excited. Also finding it hard to keep my expectations in check.

I can't see Philly dealing AJB during a season when they have a chance to win the Super Bowl...not sure how the $ would work but I could definitely see the Pats and Eagles talking trade this offseason...overall, there is so much to be excited about...first and foremost, Maye is the real deal...hard to believe there were those advocating not to draft him last year but because they got him it just makes everything else so much easier...Vrabel is a legit HC and has put his stamp on this team very quickly...the fact McDaniels will not get another chance at being an HC is a bonus as that will give Maye stability...right now the draft looks like a home run...Campbell has been great (another player that some fans did not want them to take), Wilson and Woodson are starting, Henderson is a solid contributor with a ton of upside and after a slow start Borreagales looks like he will be their kicker a long time...I expect Williams to be a factor at some point and I still believe that Chism (UDFA) can play...Farmer is getting snaps (and made a foolish play last night) and right now Bryant is on the roster, and I hold out some hope he can take over for Moses at some point...on the free agent front Milton Williams has been an awesome signing, Diggs looks fantastic, Landry has been playing very well, Carlton Davis gives stability on the other side of Gonzalez, Morgan Moses is doing exactly what he was brought here to do and Bradbury has been an upgrade...overall you could not have asked for more...when the season ended last year it looked like it was gonna be a very long road back but they are way ahead of schedule right now and there can be zero doubt Vrabel is the man for this job...there will still be some ups and downs but I do think they can contend for a playoff spot with their schedule and Maye's development...after that if they can nail another draft and another couple of good FA signings they have a chance to be a legit contender...so nice to put the stink of Mr. Jor-Don's last two seasons and the Mayo debacle behind us...it is on to New Orleans!

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

They should make a run for AJ Brown. Probably unlikely as they are in their championship window and probably don't want to mess with things.

AJ Brown, Diggs, Henry...that would be nice.

As an aside, REALLY impressed with the defense last night. Did not think they had that in them after the first few weeks. Something must have come together.

Hard not to get excited. Also finding it hard to keep my expectations in check.

a couple thoughts on the defense.....1. Gonzo lifts all secondary boats 2. the linebackers have been dogpoo but played well yesterday...spillane actually made a couple of good plays 3. the Bills played sloppy and got out-coached.

 

[JohnnyU]

They should make a run for AJ Brown. Probably unlikely as they are in their championship window and probably don't want to mess with things.

AJ Brown, Diggs, Henry...that would be nice.

As an aside, REALLY impressed with the defense last night. Did not think they had that in them after the first few weeks. Something must have come together.

Hard not to get excited. Also finding it hard to keep my expectations in check.

a couple thoughts on the defense.....1. Gonzo lifts all secondary boats 2. the linebackers have been dogpoo but played well yesterday...spillane actually made a couple of good plays 3. the Bills played sloppy and got out-coached.

I really like that Gonzalez kid.

 

[Boston]

They should make a run for AJ Brown. Probably unlikely as they are in their championship window and probably don't want to mess with things.

AJ Brown, Diggs, Henry...that would be nice.

As an aside, REALLY impressed with the defense last night. Did not think they had that in them after the first few weeks. Something must have come together.

Hard not to get excited. Also finding it hard to keep my expectations in check.

a couple thoughts on the defense.....1. Gonzo lifts all secondary boats 2. the linebackers have been dogpoo but played well yesterday...spillane actually made a couple of good plays 3. the Bills played sloppy and got out-coached.

I can definitely see LB being a focus this upcoming offseason...Vrabel wanted to concentrate on the trenches this offseason and that plan is paying dividends.

 

[Born to Run]

They should make a run for AJ Brown. Probably unlikely as they are in their championship window and probably don't want to mess with things.

AJ Brown, Diggs, Henry...that would be nice.

As an aside, REALLY impressed with the defense last night. Did not think they had that in them after the first few weeks. Something must have come together.

Hard not to get excited. Also finding it hard to keep my expectations in check.

a couple thoughts on the defense.....1. Gonzo lifts all secondary boats 2. the linebackers have been dogpoo but played well yesterday...spillane actually made a couple of good plays 3. the Bills played sloppy and got out-coached.

4. da Bills had 11 accepted penalties for 90 total yards (a big part of the Pats Def effort)

 

[Boston]

Gibson with an ACL...tough loss, he's a solid RB who can help on special teams...they were already thin at RB before this...will be interesting to see what they add.

 

[Bossman]

What a difference in this NE D with Christian Gonzalez back.
Josh Allen standing in the pocket like a statue ...with nobody to throw to last night.
That said, the BUF O-line is fantastic... or NE needs to find some better pass rushers. It was scary the amount of time Allen had to throw it.
TE's continue to be a problem for this defense. I guess they just don't have an answer on the roster.
All that said, let's keep things in perspective. NE beat a SB contender last night... but BUF is far from flawless.

 

[kyoun1e]

Looking at the schedule I'm going to be surprised if NE is NOT favored in any of these games.

Scary.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

The New England Patriots have confirming the signing of running back Jashaun Corbin to the practice squad. In order to accommodate Corbin’s signing, the Pats released offensive lineman Royce Newman from the scout team.

Corbin has spent time with the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons after originally joining the Giants as a rookie free agent out of Florida State in May 2022. The 5’11” 215-pound rusher spent his rookie season on the practice squad in 2022 and then briefly was on the Carolina practice squad in 2023 before returning to the Giants. The 25-year-old appeared in six games for the Giants and finished with one rushing attempt for one yard and three receptions for 12 yards during the 2024 season.

Earlier this year, Corbin played for the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL, leading the league in rushing yards with 514 yards on 97 carries with four touchdowns and 18 receptions for 138 yards. He also gained 252 yards as a kick returner. He went to training camp with Atlanta this past summer but was released prior to the start of the season. Corbin now joins veteran Terrell Jennings on the Patriots’ practice squad.

source

 

[Bossman]

Looking at the schedule I'm going to be surprised if NE is NOT favored in any of these games.

Scary.

True. On paper, it's looking like a 10 or 11 win season for them.
Beating the Bills makes up for gifting that game to the Steelers.
I'm sure Bills fan feels like we do about that Steelers game. Would have won if not for all the turnovers.
I think NE is right back where we expected they would be as far as W's and L's.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Looking at the schedule I'm going to be surprised if NE is NOT favored in any of these games.

Scary.

True. On paper, it's looking like a 10 or 11 win season for them.
Beating the Bills makes up for gifting that game to the Steelers.
I'm sure Bills fan feels like we do about that Steelers game. Would have won if not for all the turnovers.
I think NE is right back where we expected they would be as far as W's and L's.

two biggest caveats are (a) lack of depth across the roster and (b) running game sucks.

 

[kyoun1e]

Looking at the schedule I'm going to be surprised if NE is NOT favored in any of these games.

Scary.

True. On paper, it's looking like a 10 or 11 win season for them.
Beating the Bills makes up for gifting that game to the Steelers.
I'm sure Bills fan feels like we do about that Steelers game. Would have won if not for all the turnovers.
I think NE is right back where we expected they would be as far as W's and L's.

Was watching Curren and Perry last night and they were cutting to clips of Hoyer and Andrews counting up the wins. They were at 13.

Lol.

They Maye hype train is off the rails at this point. Hope Vrabel keeps them in check this week. Would be a travesty to slip up down on Bourbon Street this Sunday.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Looking at the schedule I'm going to be surprised if NE is NOT favored in any of these games.

Scary.

True. On paper, it's looking like a 10 or 11 win season for them.
Beating the Bills makes up for gifting that game to the Steelers.
I'm sure Bills fan feels like we do about that Steelers game. Would have won if not for all the turnovers.
I think NE is right back where we expected they would be as far as W's and L's.

Was watching Curren and Perry last night and they were cutting to clips of Hoyer and Andrews counting up the wins. They were at 13.

Lol.

They Maye hype train is off the rails at this point. Hope Vrabel keeps them in check this week. Would be a travesty to slip up down on Bourbon Street this Sunday.

agreed. based on context, I give NO at least a coin toss chance of a win, Vegas be damned.

 

[Bossman]

NE was fortunate to get the win this week. Took some ridiculous pass plays on offense (or just pathetic NOS defense) and another opportunistic turnover on what might have been the game winning drive by NOS.
I DO appreciate the fact that Maye seems to be no longer afraid to air it out.

 

[Bri]

Welp...it's probably for the best.

The Titans have long had this international TE that is a supreme blocker. Lots of pancake videos in preseason each year and as our tackles stink I'm screaming for them to at least put him in to help. It's been years and he almost never plays and it drives me nuts because the coaches also rave about the guy.

Apparently Vrabel watched Titans highlights and remembered his fondness for Odukoya. Idk that he even plays for the Pats with their TE room.

He's a perfect student. Blocks exactly as a coach says and then there's a defender on their rear. Maybe Vrabel wants him in practice embarrassing DL that don't use proper techniques? Maybe some offensive linemen need technique work and an example? Idk but again I can't imagine him playing but I can imagine Vrabel ecstatic to have him.

The praise from staff and what I saw never equated to playing time for some weird reason I'll never understand. Y'all got an absolute bull though.

 

[Bri]

FF people expecting Pats to run a zillion times with Titans having more edges on IR than healthy.

They were probably doing that anyway.

Vrabel knows better than to run at Big Jeff and no one sees Sweat and thinks let's run at him.

I think the question is, is this the week Treyveon explodes? They might be just fine at stopping Rhamondre but speed to the outside could be a huge deal.

****

Vrabel's knowledge may have them taking advantage of something but there's been massive roster turnover.
Who doesn't know the Titans safeties?
Their LBs tackle late and the CBs haven't been much since Brownlee was given away.
Every opponent absolutely thrives with short to mid range passes and screens which they seem powerless to stop.
I completely expect the Pats to beat em the same way

There's more of a prob of "do we win by 50 or rest n get guys healthy" than anything else

 

[Bri]

I saw Vrabel said some nice things about Odukoya. Good player, great teammate also unquestioned effort on every rep.

I see a lot of blocking highlights shared on X

Here's a stat for ya of a single play where he hunted down a defender to save a TD.

https://x.com/jwyattsports/status/1828846887241179311

 

[Bri]

I know earlier y'all said there wasn't a pressing need and the Titans have said they aren't trading Big Jeff but the rumor seemed to pick up some steam this weekend.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Lets play the desired trade by position game. I'll go first.

Tier 1

Running back

Tier 2

Linebacker
Tight End

Tier 3

Wide receiver
Edge rush

Swap Dugger to the Vikings as a box safety for a coverage safety or linebacker depth. Pay some of his salary if needed. He's good in the box but doesn't have a role in Vrable's speed emphasis defense.

 

[Boston]

I know earlier y'all said there wasn't a pressing need and the Titans have said they aren't trading Big Jeff but the rumor seemed to pick up some steam this weekend.

I haven't see anything locally about the Pats sniffing around Simmons...while Simmons is a stud with Williams and Barmore both young, playing well and making big $ I don't see how that would fit, especially with how much you would have to give up to get him...the Titan some of the local media think the Pats may have interest in is Key as a lot of the reports are the Pats would like to add an edge rusher.

 

[Boston]

Great Q&A with Perry that hits on a few topics that we are discussing:

Perry's Mailbag: Familiar faces on trade market, an RB conundrum and more

Should the Patriots target a player with ties to the current coaching staff at the NFL trade deadline? Phil Perry opens up his latest Mailbag.

www.nbcsportsboston.com

 

[Bri]

Lets play the desired trade by position game. I'll go first.

Tier 1

Running back

Tier 2

Linebacker
Tight End

Tier 3

Wide receiver
Edge rush

Swap Dugger to the Vikings as a box safety for a coverage safety or linebacker depth. Pay some of his salary if needed. He's good in the box but doesn't have a role in Vrable's speed emphasis defense.

I never heard Chig to Pats. Interesting considering he's long been trade bait.

It seems Odukoya is also going to be a great guy to have around and not actually play much for you guys too.

I think there's a good amount of decent serviceable depth TEs as backups around the league. With the Raiders supposedly considering fire sale mode, I would trade for Mayer. When Brock was drafted I was saying didn't y'all tell me they had a good rookie TE the year before? and ok they went with a stud but...Mayer looks good.

Bellinger always looks grunt tough type good. The type of depth fillin starter that bad teams don't value properly. I'd definitely try to trade for him too because he's probably also always gonna have an affordable contract.

I think the Jets are crazy how they adored Hall when they drafted him and have minimized him ever since. This summer he looked smooth catching passes and they don't throw him the ball despite a bad line and QB needing to dump it. Despite tons of talent, the production and usage (til recently) I wonder how much he'd really cost. RB market was putrid two years ago. I'd kick the tires there.

Jaylen Wright is probably the need Henderson isn't filling and Jennings seems questionable despite Vrabel's statements. Wright has third down scat back written all over him and he never plays. Idk that he's big play go the distance type but he's fast and can get third down back type nice 10 yard scampers.

I'm not certain the Titans love Spears. He's always hurt. They seem ready to be an expansion team and have nothing going into 2026. Vrabel used to be a fan.

I think with Henderson, y'all can't trade for a back that costs too much. Backup RBs have pretty common NFL salaries so who cares if they're not there next year or they are and...again RB market.... I'd trade for speed. IIRC Spears and Wright have lined out wide and returned kicks or punts and...maybe add usefulness to it

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

As far as Meyers goes...my opinion which isn't worth much...is that he's not definitively better than Boutte who is paying dividends in McDaniels system...so do I really want to trade to "upgrade" the Douglas/Williams/Chism/Hollins sphere or to have a better backup if Diggs or Boutte go down...keeping in mind that depth is a problem all across the roster? I could understand trading for a second WR stud...but I don't think Meyers is that.

 

[Boston]

As far as Meyers goes...my opinion which isn't worth much...is that he's not definitively better than Boutte who is paying dividends in McDaniels system...so do I really want to trade to "upgrade" the Douglas/Williams/Chism/Hollins sphere or to have a better backup if Diggs or Boutte go down...keeping in mind that depth is a problem all across the roster? I could understand trading for a second WR stud...but I don't think Meyers is that.

He would also be a rental so unless he comes dirt cheap I don't really see the need when there are other holes to fill...I would like to see another RB added...not so much to be better than Stevenson and Henderson but because they are just so thin there right now...I get the feeling D will be more of a focus if they make some moves.

 

[Bri]

NWI was paid way too much by Miami. He's like a sub tough rebounder in hoops. He doesn't care about contact and maybe even likes it. He's a bit weird for a WR. He's a gem on ST. Vrabel adores him.

If the Fins are willing to eat some of his $, he might be someone here. Tough catch ability, short to mid range, he might minimize the TE need too.

Many years ago we used to say do you want a player or a piece? He's a piece- only. That might be good with Williams and Boutte around. No threat of stealing their job and yet capable

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

NWI was paid way too much by Miami. He's like a sub tough rebounder in hoops. He doesn't care about contact and maybe even likes it. He's a bit weird for a WR. He's a gem on ST. Vrabel adores him.

If the Fins are willing to eat some of his $, he might be someone here. Tough catch ability, short to mid range, he might minimize the TE need too.

Many years ago we used to say do you want a player or a piece? He's a piece- only. That might be good with Williams and Boutte around. No threat of stealing their job and yet capable

I'm not rejecting the idea....just noting that he's 6'2" / 220lbs and Mack Hollins is 6'4" / 220lbs. Of course NWI is a far better receiver....let's do this: add NWI AND add a quality TE to Henry/Hooper.

 

[Bri]

NWI was paid way too much by Miami. He's like a sub tough rebounder in hoops. He doesn't care about contact and maybe even likes it. He's a bit weird for a WR. He's a gem on ST. Vrabel adores him.

If the Fins are willing to eat some of his $, he might be someone here. Tough catch ability, short to mid range, he might minimize the TE need too.

Many years ago we used to say do you want a player or a piece? He's a piece- only. That might be good with Williams and Boutte around. No threat of stealing their job and yet capable

I'm not rejecting the idea....just noting that he's 6'2" / 220lbs and Mack Hollins is 6'4" / 220lbs. Of course NWI is a far better receiver....let's do this: add NWI AND add a quality TE to Henry/Hooper.

Yeah maybe no need with Mack. I do wonder why I don't see him more. Some games he had snaps and I just didn't notice.

Maybe Vrabel wants the big WR for the cold weather?