A Cautionary Note

[maust]

I thought it was an autocorrect error in your post....so I googled it. And I'll be damned. H
Dudes name was Inigo, not Diego.
It sure sounded like Diego when he said it.
So I don't have to kill you.

 

[KCSVEN]

Schedule is shaping up to be a tougher one in 2026 so I’d like to take advantage of the weaker looking schedule this year and I think they can.

I feel like they have to be playoff contenders, probably feels like they should make the playoffs and if they don’t it’ll be a letdown to me based on how weak their schedule is
Outside of the injuries happening to a few key guys , I have high expectations.

 

[Hawaiipatsfan2]

Depth is definitely an issue, but you can only do so much in one off season. Next year they can address the depth issue....

On paper the Patriots now have a really good team, but some key injuries would devastate this team.

Speaking of which (I am going to get into trouble here...), trading Milton for a bag of balls and losing Jones to FA seemed very unwise to me (maybe there were some issues with Jone, I don't know). If Drake goes down, we are kaput. And as far as Jones, CBs get injured all the time--you need depth here.

If Drake goes down, the only thing I’d want at that point in another top 5 pick.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I appreciate the word of caution, but Ive already booked my tickets to Santa Clara

 

[The Gr8est]

If Drake goes down, the only thing I’d want at that point in another top 5 pick.

Actually that would not be for the best, particularly with a weak schedule.

A winning mindset is more important at this point, than the incremental improvement in draft position.

That became clear to me in 2001 when Bledsoe got injured and the Pats had a losing record.

I was looking forward to the top draft prospects, but Brady happened, and we know the rest.

Even if the Pats had not won the Superbowl the winning mindset that the Pats developed that year was hugely important to their success going forward.

Would be even more interesting if the Pats still had Milton, but insiders think his persona was a negative force in the locker room.

 

[Headcase]

You have to give them a pass for last year. Like that SB we lost to the Giants: in that almost perfect season...I don't want to remember.

Bell was a 7rd flyer, might as well have been a UDFA.....I would say one of the UDFA TEs or FB make it over him; Baker I just don't think he has it to play outside in the NFL.

 

[maust]

Baker I just don't think he has it to play outside in the NFL.

Baker simply lacks any awareness, be it of the common, football, situational or self variety.

 

[PatsFan2]

Bell was a 7rd flyer, might as well have been a UDFA.....I would say one of the UDFA TEs or FB make it over him; Baker I just don't think he has it to play outside in the NFL.

Baker is not handicapped by a lack of talent... his problem is the metal aspect: can He remember the plays and know where to line up?? You're sleeping on J Bell: he maybe better than regarded. McDaniels will let us know though. J Bell potentially could be a weapon from FB position or from the Slot.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Twin.. I like bell... i feel like he could be effective under Josh.. AVP didn't know how he was on the roster last season.. Bell has potential.

If the projection that MacDaniels is evolving the Erhardt-Perkins offense into a Power Run offense similar to the one Ben Johnson runs is accurate then they will keep a Fullback, and it will be at the expense of the 3rd TE. So Bell is probably on the outside looking in when final cuts come.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Baker simply lacks any awareness, be it of the common, football, situational or self variety.

If he couldn’t understand Van Pelt’s playbook there is no way he will understand MacDaniels.

 

[mayoclinic]

All we need is:

1. Drake Maye to take a leap to the next level
2. Hit on our first 7 draft picks, plus the K/LS picks
3. Have 2-3 UDFAs play their way onto the roster
4. Have 2-3 of our 2024 picks (after Maye) make significant second year leaps
5. Get starter contributions from 4-5 of our FA signings (Williams, Moses, Davis, Spillane, Bradbury, Landry)
6. Get some key veterans back at a high level (Barmore, Dugger, maybe even Strange)
7. Build a winning team culture
8. Coach them all up to execute seamlessly on game day
9. Have a relatively injury-free season

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[MrTibbs]

Agreed. This was a 4 win team 2 years running. It looks like a good start, but let’s hold off on the challenge Buffalo threads for now. I’m hoping for above .500.

A 3 win team, Buffalo tanked in order for the Pats to get that 4th win.

 

[jimnance]

I know Sicilians. Not scary. Not even those who are connected.

 

[maust]

I know Sicilians. Not scary. Not even those who are connected.

Well in Vizzini's case, his sense of self was obviously incorrect.

 

[Real fan 02]

If the projection that MacDaniels is evolving the Erhardt-Perkins offense into a Power Run offense similar to the one Ben Johnson runs is accurate then they will keep a Fullback, and it will be at the expense of the 3rd TE. So Bell is probably on the outside looking in when final cuts come.

Being that Henry and Hooper are 31 and Hooper is on a 1 year deal I can see them keeping a 3rd TE.. we have always held 3 TEs when we had a FB in devlin even. Bell is a undeveloped player with talent. I see Josh developing him.

 

[Headcase]

Baker is not handicapped by a lack of talent... his problem is the metal aspect: can He remember the plays and know where to line up?? You're sleeping on J Bell: he maybe better than regarded. McDaniels will let us know though. J Bell potentially could be a weapon from FB position or from the Slot.

We just see him differently, he isn't a great athlete in any of the measured categories; he doesn't generally run routes well enough to create space; and he doesn't seem to be self driven enough to put in the extra work to learn a playbook. He can make highlight catches, and that seems to be enough for alot of people to overlook everything else.

Bell is an above average straight-line athlete, but he is small for an inline TE, doesn't really show aptitude as a blocker as a FB or inline TE; and doesn't really move well enough to be a move TE.

I think Baker's best chance to make the roster is if Diggs starts the season on PUP, I doubt Bell makes it.

 

[Real fan 02]

If the projection that MacDaniels is evolving the Erhardt-Perkins offense into a Power Run offense similar to the one Ben Johnson runs is accurate then they will keep a Fullback, and it will be at the expense of the 3rd TE. So Bell is probably on the outside looking in when final cuts come.

 

[Headcase]

Being that Henry and Hooper are 31 and Hooper is on a 1 year deal I can see them keeping a 3rd TE.. we have always held 3 TEs when we had a FB in devlin even. Bell is a undeveloped player with talent. I see Josh developing him.

But he is undersized to replace either Henry or Hooper; UDFA Dippre is a better fit to learn to play the position at the NFL level; and Lampe at FB is more valuable as he can actually block.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

.

Where did you find that picture of Chism III running his 40 yard dash??

 

[manxman2601]

Where did you find that picture of Chism III running his 40 yard dash??

But Restrepo isn't even in the shot.