2025 New England Patriots Discussion Thread

erikthredd · February 25, 2025 10:26AM

Might as well turn the page and start a new Pats thread as well. Here's Vrabel's press conference from this morning at the combine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv5jZLMB3mY

perkdog · February 25, 2025 10:38AM

Nice job!

craig44 · February 25, 2025 11:19AM

Awesome, I am in, right after perk.

priority number 1, Offensive Line.

perkdog · February 25, 2025 2:19PM

@craig44 said:
Awesome, I am in, right after perk.

priority number 1, Offensive Line.

100%

OL and some WR's

erikthredd · February 25, 2025 3:03PM

I'm ok with passing on drafting more WRs in this draft when they haven't been able to develop the four talented wideouts already on the team in Polk, Douglas, Boutte & Baker. That group needs another adult in the room, not another 20yr old in his first NFL camp. I'd rather see them use a somewhat high pick on a legit pass catching TE though. Gunnar Helm out of Texas or LSU's Mason Taylor (former Fins DE Jason Taylor's son) are the two that I'd be looking at in rounds 3-4. Maybe even Iowa's Luke Lachey later on.

The only real elite wideouts in this draft will likely be off of the board by the time our 2nd pick comes around and I'd prefer that they use their top two picks beefing up each side of the ball at the line of scrimmage. We have zero serviceable tackles on offense and their main defensive line rotation is a bunch of guys in their 30's (Godchaux/Wise/Ekuale) and one that's been battling blood clots in Barmore. Two picks in the top 38 should be able to land you two foundational linemen like you found in 2001 with Richard Seymour & Matt Light. Now go put in the work and find those caliber of players.

bronco2078 · February 25, 2025 4:39PM

OL

Basebal21 · February 25, 2025 5:17PM

Supposedly rumors are starting that Hunter may still be there at 4 With the Titans looking to move down and some combination of Ward, Sanders, Ewers or Milroe being the top 3 picks. RIP to whatever fan base gets subjected to Milroe as their first round QB if that happens. Dart could potentially be another but Milroe is going to look incredible at the combine and I really think someone is going to do something stupid with him.

Hunter and Maye together would be awesome. Its not a good offensive draft overall but even if they dont take a WR at 4 there should still be a premium one at the top of the 2nd.

Im very curious how Vrabel and Boutte are going to get along. Boutte has the talent to be that adult in the WR room, but his attitude has always held him back. Vrabs is generally really well liked by all the former Titans players but they all also say hes not going to put up with any crap and you get a lot of that with Boutte

erikthredd · February 25, 2025 8:42PM

I'd be really surprised if Vrabel moves on from Boutte over anything he said or did under a previous head coach here. From all reports it sounds like the majority of players under contract will be given a fresh start now with Vrabel taking over and Boutte was the one wideout in the WR room last season that actually showed flashes of possibly developing into a better WR down the road. That all being said, this time around those young WRs won't be running their mouths like they did a year ago.

At this point I'm cool with any of Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, Mason Graham or Will Campbell with that 4th pick. Even better if they could possibly drop back 2-3 spots, add a pick or two and still land one of the four but that would take a QB falling and some team trying to move up to land him.

Basebal21 · February 25, 2025 9:05PM

I dont think Vrabs would do it from the past unless every one just hates him, but Boutte has shown for years that hes going to end up doing something. His all American freshman year at LSU seemed to get to his head. Thats the part I am very curious about seeing how it will develop. You can be a players coach and still not put up with nonsense which is Vrabs reputation

At least 1 of the three of Carter, Hunter, Campbell will be there for sure, two if Graham is included.

erikthredd · February 26, 2025 10:03AM

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44022968/sources-titans-give-harold-landry-permission-seek-trade

Here's an interesting name to keep an eye on. Vrabel actually traded up for Landry in his first draft with the Titans and the Pats LBs are pretty meh.

perkdog · February 26, 2025 10:16AM

Can always use a good LB

erikthredd · February 26, 2025 11:08AM

His sack totals for his past three seasons have been 12/10/9, he’d almost instantly become their best pass rusher. His 17m salary could easily be manageable with the cap space they have. It would then just come down to cost, likely a 4-5th rounder at most. I'd do that trade in a heartbeat. Having played at BC and previously under Vrabel is just a huge bonus here.

bronco2078 · February 26, 2025 2:44PM

@erikthredd said:
His sack totals for his past three seasons have been 12/10/9, he’d almost instantly become their best pass rusher. His 17m salary could easily be manageable with the cap space they have. It would then just come down to cost, likely a 4-5th rounder at most. I'd do that trade in a heartbeat. Having played at BC and previously under Vrabel is just a huge bonus here.

BC ?
british columbia has football?

erikthredd · February 26, 2025 2:59PM

@bronco2078 said:

@erikthredd said:
His sack totals for his past three seasons have been 12/10/9, he’d almost instantly become their best pass rusher. His 17m salary could easily be manageable with the cap space they have. It would then just come down to cost, likely a 4-5th rounder at most. I'd do that trade in a heartbeat. Having played at BC and previously under Vrabel is just a huge bonus here.

BC ?
british columbia has football?

Actually, they do, the BC Lions in the CFL and they won twice as many games as the Pats in 2024. Maybe we should be looking to raid their roster lol.

Basebal21 · February 26, 2025 8:36PM

Deebo is supposedly getting traded and supposedly the price wont be that high

perkdog · February 27, 2025 4:30AM

@Basebal21 said:
Deebo is supposedly getting traded and supposedly the price wont be that high

Possibly because the guy has done such a Phenominal. job of ruining his reputation

He sucked last year and was literally a high maintenance distraction

perkdog · February 27, 2025 4:33AM

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/new-england-patriots/news/patriots-predicted-land-four-time-1000-yard-receiver-pair-drake-maye/a208704995e74280e67c096f

Hopefully Godwin isn't washed up, if they land him I'd love to see him take on a veteran leadership role and teach some of our WR's how to play , notably Polk who was an utter disaster

craig44 · February 27, 2025 4:43AM

I would take Godwin. My only experience watching him was during the brady years. he was a very good WR, but somewhat fragile.

Basebal21 · February 27, 2025 7:17PM

@perkdog said:

@Basebal21 said:
Deebo is supposedly getting traded and supposedly the price wont be that high

Possibly because the guy has done such a Phenominal. job of ruining his reputation

He sucked last year and was literally a high maintenance distraction

Other than Kittle they all sucked including their QB lol. If the rumors are true that it would only take a 4th rounder I would take a chance on that

perkdog · February 28, 2025 10:02AM

@Basebal21 said:

@perkdog said:

@Basebal21 said:
Deebo is supposedly getting traded and supposedly the price wont be that high

Possibly because the guy has done such a Phenominal. job of ruining his reputation

He sucked last year and was literally a high maintenance distraction

Other than Kittle they all sucked including their QB lol. If the rumors are true that it would only take a 4th rounder I would take a chance on that

100%

Basebal21 · March 1, 2025 5:39PM

Well Washington apparently just got Deebo for a 5th round pick according to Shefty and Rap

erikthredd · March 9, 2025 5:07PM

Well they got him without needing to give up a draft pick and IIRC its for even less money. I'll take it.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44183911/sources-patriots-lb-harold-landry-agree-deal

Now go find a left tackle.

Austin Hooper back on a 1yr deal too

erikthredd · March 10, 2025 10:14AM

A couple more signings so far...
Raiders LB Robert Spillane for 3yrs/37M
Bucs CB Carlton Davis III for 3yrs/60M

Add in getting Landry last night and they're definitely improving their defense. Also all three have ties to either Vrabel or DC Terrell Williams.

edit: Also signed Jets tackle Morgan Moses 3yrs/24M

bronco2078 · March 10, 2025 11:02AM

IRC ?
not to many people still on internet relay chat , but fidonet is still going strong

erikthredd · March 10, 2025 11:09AM

erikthredd · March 10, 2025 11:19AM

Its being reported that NE just signed Eagles DT Milton Williams for big bucks. Supposedly it was reported earlier that he was signing with the Panthers but it sounds like Pats owner Scrooge McDuck dug down deeper into the couch cushions and scrounged up some more money for Williams. If this news is true they're defense just got significantly better today and now leaves them the ability to go draft heavy on offense.

Schefty is reporting its true. 26M/yr

erikthredd · March 10, 2025 2:58PM

Here's a surprise, QB Josh Dobbs to NE on a 2yr deal plus Cards DT Khyiris Tonga was signed.

perkdog · March 11, 2025 3:21AM

Dobbs is the kid with no hair?

https://www.patriots.com/news/report-patriots-make-free-agency-splash-with-milton-williams

Williams is huge

bronco2078 · March 11, 2025 3:54AM

@perkdog said:
Dobbs is the kid with no hair?

https://www.patriots.com/news/report-patriots-make-free-agency-splash-with-milton-williams

Williams is huge

kraft must run pats.com personally ,
see everyone we spent money! now now , pay no attention to the curtain of fine print ......................26m it is! how much of that is real money ? and how much is deferred in the form of dunkin donuts giftcards?

Source , Ian rapoport ? can we really trust the word of a man who spells his own last name wrong? don't even get me started on Ian's in general its a girls name

that aside if the text would only flash purple and green the myspace nostalgia level would be maxed

erikthredd · March 11, 2025 8:03AM

No, they actually spent some legit money yesterday, real money, or they would have never reeled in any of those players.
Surprising though that Vrabel was able to splurge like that, maybe we'll hear news come out that Mike stole Kraft's checkbook, then locked Bob in a closet for the day. 😎

Their defense is going to be really good, even more so if Christian Barmore finally heals up this offseason, but they now have to go find an offense through the draft. Here's hoping that Travis Hunter falls to #4. 🤞

erikthredd · March 11, 2025 8:28AM

They spent 132M more than the next highest team? Someone should probably do a wellness check on Robert Kraft and make sure his Air Force 1's are still blinking.

Just for the fact that the team needed to go set spending records in free agency twice in a 5yr stretch shows just how bad Belichick's drafting was in his later years.

craig44 · March 11, 2025 9:27AM

I am happy overall with the signings. The Defense should be very good next season.

now, do we want Travis Hunter or the best OL available?

erikthredd · March 11, 2025 9:46AM

If he's available at 4, Hunter is too good to pass up IMO and that's even with factoring in their OL problems. If he's off the board then I have no problem with Will Campbell's tiny arms, preferably after a trade down first.

craig44 · March 11, 2025 10:17AM

@erikthredd said:
If he's available at 4, Hunter is too good to pass up IMO and that's even with factoring in their OL problems. If he's off the board then I have no problem with Will Campbell's tiny arms, preferably after a trade down first.

he may very well be there at 4. I have been hearing that tennesee is drafting a QB. Cleveland really needs a rookie contract to counteract the giant elephant that is watsons contract and I dont think NYG have any good options at QB right now.

erikthredd · March 11, 2025 10:34AM

@craig44 said:

@erikthredd said:
If he's available at 4, Hunter is too good to pass up IMO and that's even with factoring in their OL problems. If he's off the board then I have no problem with Will Campbell's tiny arms, preferably after a trade down first.

he may very well be there at 4. I have been hearing that tennesee is drafting a QB. Cleveland really needs a rookie contract to counteract the giant elephant that is watsons contract and I dont think NYG have any good options at QB right now.

This is where winning that Week 17 game really hurt them. You could have had your choice of whichever player that you want while, in all likelihood, also having the option to sell off that pick to a QB needy team. On the plus side, after having improved their defense like they just did, they can now go real heavy on offense in the draft. Their O still needs a huge overhaul.

craig44 · March 13, 2025 7:00AM

David Andrews being released today.

erikthredd · March 13, 2025 7:27AM

Plus Jonathan Jones & Deatrich Wise both leaving to sign with the Commanders, IIRC those were the last three players on the roster from the 2019 SB winning team. (edit: long snapper Joe Cardona is last one)

It looks like they'll be completely overhauling the OL through the draft which I'm all for.

bronco2078 · March 13, 2025 4:05PM

this everyone has to prostrate themselves to the creepy midget whenever the team signs someone routine is old
i never want to hear this little turd speak again
you are just the owner no one cares about you

maybe go hang with meek mill if you need attention?

erikthredd · March 13, 2025 5:21PM

A rant like that needs to be visualized. 😎

bronco2078 · March 13, 2025 6:42PM

everyone makes a big deal about jerry jones being a moron owner but at least he just flops it out there take it or leave it. He does weird things because he wants to and doesn't care what people think

Kraft on the other hand has to constantly gaslight (current buzzword) us into professing our love for him

his ridiculous ego(among other things) needs constant stroking

oh bob is a great guy , man of the people, ambassador of racial harmony

he ( like bill fell ass backwards into a dynasty via tom brady and yet needs to constantly remind us of all he has done for us

I could wax on but i've exceeded my daily limit of ironic parentheses

craig44 · March 26, 2025 2:47AM

the Diggs signing will give Mcdaniels more to work with this coming season. we really need to work on the left side of the OL in the draft.

perkdog · March 26, 2025 3:40AM

I just hope Diggs has matured and realizes he is not an elite WR anymore and won't be getting 20 targets every game like he thinks he should.

I like the signing if he can keep.his mouth shut and do what he can to help the team

bronco2078 · March 26, 2025 3:44AM

when has a wide receiver ever matured

perkdog · March 26, 2025 6:44AM

@bronco2078 said:
when has a wide receiver ever matured

Well humbled might be the term

Even that clown Odell Beckham learned to shut his mouth and be thankful he was on a team late in his career

I'm somewhat confident this clown will do the same

erikthredd · March 26, 2025 7:03AM

I’m not worried about Diggs wanting more targets at any point in the future when this offense desperately needs that type of playmaker.

I really don’t care about the money either. This contract is really just a two year deal, which is really just a one year deal if he absolutely bombs in 2025 and they decide to cut bait. They’re going to have so much cap space in the next couple years that eating some dead money shouldn’t hurt them in the slightest if they decide to move off of him.

My only holdup would be his knee. In this situation, if the team thinks it has healed enough for them wanting to sign, then I’m good too.

Now go find a left tackle and more playmakers.

perkdog · March 26, 2025 7:54AM

@erikthredd said:
I’m not worried about Diggs wanting more targets at any point in the future when this offense desperately needs that type of playmaker.

I really don’t care about the money either. This contract is really just a two year deal, which is really just a one year deal if he absolutely bombs in 2025 and they decide to cut bait. They’re going to have so much cap space in the next couple years that eating some dead money shouldn’t hurt them in the slightest if they decide to move off of him.

My only holdup would be his knee. In this situation, if the team thinks it has healed enough for them wanting to sign, then I’m good too.

Now go find a left tackle and more playmakers.

Will you be excited if they get Hunter in the draft or would prefer they trade the pick or go OL

erikthredd · March 26, 2025 8:11AM

@perkdog said:

@erikthredd said:
I’m not worried about Diggs wanting more targets at any point in the future when this offense desperately needs that type of playmaker.

I really don’t care about the money either. This contract is really just a two year deal, which is really just a one year deal if he absolutely bombs in 2025 and they decide to cut bait. They’re going to have so much cap space in the next couple years that eating some dead money shouldn’t hurt them in the slightest if they decide to move off of him.

My only holdup would be his knee. In this situation, if the team thinks it has healed enough for them wanting to sign, then I’m good too.

Now go find a left tackle and more playmakers.

Will you be excited if they get Hunter in the draft or would prefer they trade the pick or go OL

My preference would be...
Hunter
trade down
Campbell/Membou/Banksjr

Hunter is the caliber of elite talent that this team hasn't had in a very long time and would be IMO too good to pass up.
If he's off the board then I'd be looking to trade down and hopefully get an extra pick in the top 50.
If no one is willing to move up then I'd just go with whichever tackle prospect that they like best.
I doubt that Abdul Carter drops to 4 but if he does I'd be looking to see which team would have the best trade offer for him.
Regardless of what happens at 4, they're probably going to draft multiple OL after that.

craig44 · March 26, 2025 8:32AM

And this is where Mayo really screwed them that last game. I remember people trying to defend winning that game saying it is "honorable" to try to win every game. not so. They could have had their choice of a couple of dynamic players when they were sitting at 1 going into that last game. or they could have had that extra draft capital to trade down with. instead, they need to hope that Hunter or Carter drop to 4.

I am still aggravated they won that final meaningless game.

erikthredd · March 26, 2025 9:06AM

I can't really blame Mayo for winning that game when, if the rumors are true, he went into it knowing he would be getting canned immediately after. Playing to win was basically Mayo giving Kraft the finger on his way out the door after he set him up to fail, then firing him when he did.

Not to rile up our bro' Bro' here but all of the blame for that situation falls solely at the feet of Robert Kraft imho.

craig44 · March 26, 2025 9:15AM

@erikthredd said:
I can't really blame Mayo for winning that game when, if the rumors are true, he went into it knowing he would be getting canned immediately after. Playing to win was basically Mayo giving Kraft the finger on his way out the door after he set him up to fail, then firing him when he did.

Not to rile up our bro' Bro' here but all of the blame for that situation falls solely at the feet of Robert Kraft imho.

yes, Mayo never should have been allowed to coach that game if he knew he was getting canned. 100% on Kraft/front office. That meaningless win screwed the team and the fan base.

erikthredd · March 26, 2025 9:26AM

@craig44 said:

@erikthredd said:
I can't really blame Mayo for winning that game when, if the rumors are true, he went into it knowing he would be getting canned immediately after. Playing to win was basically Mayo giving Kraft the finger on his way out the door after he set him up to fail, then firing him when he did.

Not to rile up our bro' Bro' here but all of the blame for that situation falls solely at the feet of Robert Kraft imho.

yes, Mayo never should have been allowed to coach that game if he knew he was getting canned. 100% on Kraft/front office. That meaningless win screwed the team and the fan base.

Here's another way to look at it...Which scenario sounds more promising?
Option 1: We own the 1st overall pick but Mayo is coming back for season two with his somewhat inexperienced coaching staff still in place.
OR
Option 2: We own the 4th overall pick with Vrabel running things along with two of the best coordinators in football in Josh McD & Terrell Williams.

I'm option 2 all day everyday.

2025 New England Patriots Discussion Thread

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