Better, younger, cheaper

[SlowGettingUp]

Steve Smith's assessment of Dobbs

Which was basically a good WR2 with upside to develop into a lowish-end WR1.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

The Athletic's takes on signings to date and prospects for AJ Brown:

Patriots’ pursuit of A.J. Brown and Maxx Crosby, and news on their free-agent signings

Eliot Wolf isn't buying the idea that Tom Brady wouldn't have allowed a Crosby trade to the Pats. But could they still go after Brown?

www.nytimes.com

 

[Raccoonsuit]

Truth
Uninspiring UFA signings
No game changers
Draft is not going to provide any elite skill position players. Trade is only hope.
Love Vrabel but he and Wolfe always play it too safe.

I agree with you. People are confusing executive moves and coaching moves when they are criticizing this post.

FA this year overall was pretty sucky for the entire league.

I don't think the pats have improved versus last years team. Kansas and Buffalo have made moves that will help their offense. Doubs isnt moving the needle in terms of what diggs gave us last year

 

[Real fan 02]

I agree with you. People are confusing executive moves and coaching moves when they are criticizing this post.

FA this year overall was pretty sucky for the entire league.

I don't think the pats have improved versus last years team. Kansas and Buffalo have made moves that will help their offense. Doubs isnt moving the needle in terms of what diggs gave us last year

2024-25 team heading in FA 2025 upon hiring Vrabel:

New England Patriots 2024 NFL Regular Season Players Stats - ESPN

Full player stats for the 2024 Regular Season New England Patriots on ESPN. Includes team leaders in passing, rushing, tackles and interceptions.

www.espn.com

So... you had the 32nd ranked Offensive line and a bottom ranked offense

You bring in FAs as well as Vrabel and new coaches

We supersede expectations and get to the SB


This offseason FA period we made sensible and logical signings.. we thus far have improved on the Offensive line, added a proven pass rusher, a beast at FB, a nice talented WR, a bruising blocking TE.. an all pro at safety... there's still much more do to as FA and the draft goes along.. all that matters is the final 53 come week 1..

 

[Triumph]

See you soon Triumph

Dobbs had 6 TDs last season. Same as Boutte.

Redzone Weapons. Get the cigars and champagne ready..

 

[Real fan 02]

Dobbs had 6 TDs last season. Same as Boutte.

Redzone Weapons. Get the cigars and champagne ready..

Red zone and 3rd and short were shortcomings for this team last season.. Doubs played in a stacked WR room in Green bay... he's going to be able to flourish in a better system and with a better coaching and QB.. Doubs can do what Boutte and Diggs can't... get off man covers..

 

[PatsFan2]

See you soon Triumph

 

[Real fan 02]

I believe He will be able to help the 20th ranked red zone offense...

 

[JohnJH]

I'm one that thinks that you need 3 or even 4 RB's, with one almost always inactive.

Vrabel seems fine with 3 and even with the 3rd coming from the PS.
================
I want a true backup to the top 2 plus a short yardage back. One of the backups should be a top receiver.

But that's me.

Vrabel seems fine using a roster spot for a 6th WR.

Yep. A PS RB doesn't instill confidence in me, even if they have no injuries to the RB Corps (just because the statistical probability of at least one getting injured is high for the position).

 

[JohnJH]

Those guys will be made available.. cap cuts, UDFA, I even brought up the idea of signing chubb for a 3rd back role as a veteran who can really help the run game as well. Henderson and rham are the bell cows and change of pace guys... Jennings is also another option at RB.

I wanted Raachad White, but another team snagged him yesterday.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

I agree with you. People are confusing executive moves and coaching moves when they are criticizing this post.

FA this year overall was pretty sucky for the entire league.

I don't think the pats have improved versus last years team. Kansas and Buffalo have made moves that will help their offense. Doubs isnt moving the needle in terms of what diggs gave us last year

On offense they added 3 talented blockers (LG, FB, TE), and a very good WR. On defense they added 2 playmakers. That’s 6 new starters. Not sure what you were expecting but that’s a good haul and definitely improves the team.

 

[captain stone]

Guregian: For the most part, better, younger, cheaper. Except Byard and Dre'Mont Jones. And overall worse at edge. She gives it a B+ and believes we still get AJ Brown.

https://www.masslive.com/patriots/2026/03/10-thoughts-on-the-patriots-moves-in-free-agency-thus-far-karen-guregian.html

I don't believe her - on Both counts.

 

[Grogan14]

On offense they added 3 talented blockers (LG, FB, TE), and a very good WR. On defense they added 2 playmakers. That’s 6 new starters. Not sure what you were expecting but that’s a good haul and definitely improves the team.

How does anyone kniw Julian Hill is a good blocker? Very small for a TE used sparingly

VT has been injured for a year. Not a sure thing

 

[n1997y]

How does anyone kniw Julian Hill is a good blocker? Very small for a TE used sparingly

VT has been injured for a year. Not a sure thing

He took the most snaps of any TE on the Miami roster in 2025, almost twice the snaps of the next highest, if that’s what you mean by “used sparingly”.

From his snap count being so much more than any other TE on the roster we can infer he’s good at something. This board claims he can’t catch so must be blocking, right?

 

[Wozzy]

They have 11 draft picks and that doesn’t include undrafted free agency. There’s a lot of work left to do to get better, younger and cheaper.

 

[Zuma]

He took the most snaps of any TE on the Miami roster in 2025, almost twice the snaps of the next highest, if that’s what you mean by “used sparingly”.

From his snap count being so much more than any other TE on the roster we can infer he’s good at something. This board claims he can’t catch so must be blocking, right?

and FWIW the most ST snaps on the entire team

 

[captain stone]

They have 11 draft picks and that doesn’t include undrafted free agency. There’s a lot of work left to do to get better, younger and cheaper.

That shouldn't excuse them for the...uninspiring... offseason they've had so far.

 

[Real fan 02]

That shouldn't excuse them for the...uninspiring... offseason they've had so far.

Cap in all reality.. coming off a superbowl year.. I'm not complaining about the off-season.. because it's night amd day comparable to the prior 3 offseasons with the likes of Bailey Zappe and crying mac Jones... with devante stuck in park-er at wr...

 

[Huckleberry1]

I agree with you. People are confusing executive moves and coaching moves when they are criticizing this post.

FA this year overall was pretty sucky for the entire league.

I don't think the pats have improved versus last years team. Kansas and Buffalo have made moves that will help their offense. Doubs isnt moving the needle in terms of what diggs gave us last year

Disagree completely. You are basing your take on signing high priced free agents, not improving the team. The Patriots came out of the playoffs and Super Bowl with the clear need to get tougher on offense and that's what Vrabel did. By moving Wilson to center, and signing Alijah Vera-Tucker, Julian Hill, and Reggie Gilliam that's exactly what they did. Were they sexy signings, like these I wanted ( Pierce and Lindebaum) no, but they accomplished what they set out to do for the offense, they made them much tougher and a better blocking unit, and by doing so significantly improved their greatest need.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Disagree completely. You are basing your take on signing high priced free agents, not improving the team. The Patriots came out of the playoffs and Super Bowl with the clear need to get tougher on offense and that's what Vrabel did. By moving Wilson to center, and signing Alijah Vera-Tucker, Julian Hill, and Reggie Gilliam that's exactly what they did. Were they sexy signings, like these I wanted ( Pierce and Lindebaum) no, but they accomplished what they set out to do for the offense, they made them much tougher and a better blocking unit, and by doing so significantly improved their greatest need.

Exactly. In the Super Bowl we couldn't run against a light nickel front. Everything problematic on offense flowed from that.