PostGame Thread OFFICIAL POSTGAME THREAD: 2025 Preseason Game 1: Patriots Blow Out Commanders 48-18

[p8ryts]

I am watching the replay now.

I isolated on Marcus Bryant at RT on the last 4-5 plays and he looks good to me.

He played a lot also some LT, I thought he did well all night. Still nervous about Center.

 

[Uptown]

 

[Ross12]

Just eyeballing it I’ve never been particularly impressed by Marcus Jones the defensive back. I wouldn’t say he instills confidence if given a larger role. I’m more looking to Austin or James to show out.

Marcus Jones is really just not as physical as the other guys. He's athletic and smart but he isn't someone who is looking to smack you into the turf, he's more of a "finesse" type. I think Vrabel probably knows that.

 

[Ross12]

Worth pointing out that this helps against the whole "Washington wasn't playing their ones!!" argument... The Pats also were without:

1. Their CB1 (Gonzo)
2. Their CB2 (Davis)
3. Their top DT (Barmore)
4. Their starting OLB (Landry)
5. Another OLB who will play a lot (Chaisson)
6. Their WR1 (Diggs)
7. Their starting RT (Moses)
8. A veteran starting-level WR (Bourne)

... and several other depth players competing for top backup jobs (Tavai, Sow, Wallace, Lowe).

 

[The Gr8est]

That hit he put on the DB that was amazing, as he was just coming off the first hit, but still managed to get leverage and deliver the blow. This front office didn’t just go out and sign and draft talent this offseason, they picked football players who know how to play the game and deliver the hits on both sides of the ball. Campbell was finishing off his blocks, Henderson was making plays and dishing out hits, and Kyle Williams was breaking up interceptions when he couldn’t haul in the pass. These things will all really add up over the course of the season if their additions to the team this offseason keep making these extra efforts on play after play. There is a massive difference from recent years in the way this team plays, and it manifests itself in all of the extra little things these players are doing. They are much faster, play harder, and play smarter than we have seen in a long time.

I have seen some coverage lately on Stretch and the Ernie Adams-type contributions he is making to the organization.

This coaching staff and front office are night and day from last season.

I found myself looking forward to the draft yesterday, not because our season already feels doomed, quite the contrary. I am more enthused about the Pats now than I have been in a long time.

I am looking forward to the draft to see if these guys can continue their magic.

Was it Cowden, Stretch, Vrabel, a combination of them?

No matter, I felt better immediately after the draft than I have since I can remember.

Reports are that Stretch’s goal is to become a GM. Remember, the Eagles are where they are and have been mainly because of one guy, Howie Rosenberg.

Maybe we found ours?

Going forward we should also have another advantage. We shouldn’t have to drastically overpay for FAs, they are going to WANT to come to the Patriots.

We have a bright future indeed.

 

[Ross12]

Watching Efton Chism in his press conference, it strikes me how he has the vaunted "crazy eyes" look like Hogan did, and to a degree Welker:

 

[p8ryts]

Worth pointing out that this helps against the whole "Washington wasn't playing their ones!!" argument... The Pats also were without:

1. Their CB1 (Gonzo)
2. Their CB2 (Davis)
3. Their top DT (Barmore)
4. Their starting OLB (Landry)
5. Another OLB who will play a lot (Chaisson)
6. Their WR1 (Diggs)
7. Their starting RT (Moses)
8. A veteran starting-level WR (Bourne)

... and several other depth players competing for top backup jobs (Tavai, Sow, Wallace, Lowe).

Good point. Washington completed too many easy passes all night. I hope that top five you listed would have made a big difference. I don't remember White making any impact, Ponder did have a quick get off but still ended up behind the QB each time. Truman Jones made a couple plays. Don't remember who else was in there.

 

[Ross12]

Good point. Washington completed too many easy passes all night. I hope that top five you listed would have made a big difference. I don't remember White making any impact, Ponder did have a quick get off but still ended up behind the QB each time. Truman Jones made a couple plays. Don't remember who else was in there.

Seemed like the guys who do project to be starters and did play didn't get that many snaps. Such as White, Peppers, Spillane.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

I think Maye should have played more snaps than he did. Kid still needs work and it showed.

what happened to JD

 

[BobDigital]

Some questions I'd like to hear a few people's takes on..

1 - Swinson.... are you starting to think he may be a guy you look at as a bit more of a practice squad candidate than a roster guy? Truman has outplayed him. And arguably Ponder too. He's super talented, but we know the league doesn't value him THAT high.. he was there in round 5.

2 - Interior OL Battle. Does anything have anything to add? I was too busy watching other stuff and it looked more or less okay though i didn't keep track of who was in.

3 - Chism on or off the roster currently?

4 - If you were to pick a 10th DB right now (not counting Schooler) who do you have (the 9 i think most have as clear keepers are Gonzo, Davis, James, Austin, Jones, Dugger. Peppers, Hawkins, Woodson)? <Remember Dial has an ACL>

5 - Give me a trade or target on WWs/FA you hope to make before the season starts.

 

[Dec54]

I have seen some coverage lately on Stretch lately and the Ernie Adams-type contributions he is making to the organization.

This coaching staff and front office are night and day from last season.

I found myself looking forward to the draft yesterday, not because our season already feels doomed, quite the contrary. I am more enthused about the Pats now than I have been in a long time.

I am looking forward to the draft to see if these guys can continue their magic.

Was it Cowden, Stretch, Vrabel, a combination of them?

No matter, I felt better immediately after the draft than I have since I can remember.

Reports are that Stretch’s goal is to become a GM. Remember, the Eagles are where they are and have been mainly because of one guy, Howie Rosenberg.

Maybe we found ours?

Going forward we should also have another advantage. We shouldn’t have to drastically overpay for FAs, they are going to WANT to come to the Patriots.

We have a bright future indeed.

It is so good to read a positive post, rather than all the doom merchants (that's you State) and others. There will be hiccups of course. But I believe the future is bright too for the Patriots..

 

[BobDigital]

BTW. Just some house keeping thoughts as we start to think about rosters. Lowe OT cost 3.4M cutting him saves 2.4M Is he worth keeping? Bourne is getting 6.3M not GTD. Cutting him saves 5.3M. That imo is an easy and obvious 7.7M which can be used.

 

[Toofy]

Some questions I'd like to hear a few people's takes on..

1 - Swinson.... are you starting to think he may be a guy you look at as a bit more of a practice squad candidate than a roster guy? Truman has outplayed him. And arguably Ponder too. He's super talented, but we know the league doesn't value him THAT high.. he was there in round 5.

I believe thats a fair call. Truman and especially ponder are in conversation.

2 - Interior OL Battle. Does anything have anything to add? I was too busy watching other stuff and it looked more or less okay though i didn't keep track of who was in.

3 - Chism on or off the roster currently?

Chism bas d on play looked good but so did Jiles who is taller and played similar . I donno if Chism has still more room to grow. His work ethics seem exemplary and he knows it's a dogfight for him to get a roster spot. I would value that a lot.

4 - If you were to pick a 10th DB right now (not counting Schooler) who do you have (the 9 i think most have as clear keepers are Gonzo, Davis, James, Austin, Jones, Dugger. Peppers, Hawkins, Woodson)? <Remember Dial has an ACL>

Battle .. has been making plays since last regular season game .

5 - Give me a trade or target on WWs/FA you hope to make before the season starts.

I think we will trade strange and one of the kickers and try to get a high level backup center or guard. Heard ravens is stocked there .

 

[The Gr8est]

BTW. Just some house keeping thoughts as we start to think about rosters. Lowe OT cost 3.4M cutting him saves 2.4M Is he worth keeping? Bourne is getting 6.3M not GTD. Cutting him saves 5.3M. That imo is an easy and obvious 7.7M which can be used.

Based on just last night and the age/experience level with growth potential, isn’t Bryant an easy choice over Lowe?

 

[BobDigital]

Based on just last night and the age/experience level with growth potential, isn’t Bryant an easy choice over Lowe?

Bryant has locked down the #3 OT spot, no question now. In fact he did so well last night that while back up OT is still a concern... I wouldn't call it the #1 concern right now like i would have 2 weeks ago.

The #4 and maybe #5 spot if they want it are open. Is Lowe better than Jacobs and/or Wallace is more to the point. Both are cheaper and just as young if not younger.

 

[Real fan 02]

I’d get used to that. Gonna be that way all season I’m afraid. Doesn’t matter that he’s already a massive upgrade over what we had. Unless he’s perfect people will constantly *****, post their trex gifs and continue to fantisize to every Josh Simmon’s highlight.

100% correct. Those same people seem to have forgotten how putrid the OL was all last season into the preseason.. the fact that vederian lowe who was th starter at LT last season didn't even see a snap yesterday should be confirmation how solid Campbell is.

 

[denverpatsfan]

I don’t care if the Patriots 1s were going up against Washington’s 2s, and the Pats’ 2s were going up against their 3s. Last year the Patriots 1s struggled against the Eagles’ 2s. At the very least this tells me our team has talent and will properly compete

THIS x 100

 

[denverpatsfan]

I think we need to be very patient with the QB. Maye is in his first season with an NFL caliber coaching staff. Also his first season under Skippy as an OC. It might take 8 or 9 games for Maye and the offense to figure it out and gel as a unit.
For example
Bo Nix is finally comfortable in Payton's offense. He struggled last season despite making the playoffs. He will take the leap in year 2. Watch these Broncos compete for the AFC championship.
So don't get too frustrated this season with the passing offense. It's going to be a work in progress all year.

 

[Grogan1980]

I looked at the eagles vs Bengals game. The game speed and pass accuracy was light years ahead of our game. Though our run game and Oline and defense came as advertised qb play and pass offense was putrid. Maye was rusty and doubs was awful . Hope they improve upon that

Tanner mckee looks like brady when compared to doubs who is playing at 2023 Mac Jones level .the difference in backup qb quality is huge . We need to really test our doubs even more.

McKee was someone I thought we should have taken a gamble on back when… really liked him:

G

Post in thread 'Trade Back or Straight QB Pick'

Dec 7, 2023

People seem to like to cherrypick drafts so here's another one. The 2020 draft. Burrow at 1, Tua at 5, and Herbert at 6. All great quarterbacks all went early. Hurts and Dak are anomalies. Look below at the names highlighted in red. Those are the only guys currently starting in the NFL since Dak in the 2016 draft and out of the 6 quarterbacks only Dak, Purdy, and Hurts would be considered good. That is 3 good quarterbacks drafted outside of the first round in the last 8 drafts out of all those names.

Tanner McKee was the...

• Grogan1980

That said, I don’t really know squat when it comes to overall draft ideology, and I’m super excited about the nucleus we have.

 

[Uptown]