Patriots Player Departure Marte Mapu Released [UPDATE: Traded to HOU - Mapu+7th for 6th]

[Grogan14]

I am not a BB apologist, many of his draft picks sucked....no nice way to put it, but you're really classifying Washington as a stud TE? He certainly is not that.

Great blocking TE who can make an occasional big catch

Much better pick than Mapu

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Much better pick than Mapu

Well I can't argue with that!

 

[n1997y]

You have to be the only one on this board that believes the Pats dont need a WR1 to replace Diggs.

Diggs was the 1st Pats WR since Edelman 5 years ago to have a 1000 yard season. The Pats should actually add 2 starting WRs for 2026.

He’s not.

 

[Triumph]

He’s not.

n1997y said:
Simple question.

You must improve the offense. You can have either, but not both.

Who do you get, A.J.Brown, or Tyler Linderbaum?

You suggest fixing the OL and then see if the current NE WRs are good enough. I agree that the OL needs to be dealt with now before Maye gets carried off on the back of the John Deere. Not sure which game Maye got hurt in, but he is taking way too many hits.

But, I disagree that you can gamble that Romeo Doubts and company is enough. GB had the 16th ranked 2025 offense and basically the same Redzone offense as NE - both 57%. Doubts has 18 TDs in 3 seasons. You even agree right here that the Pats WR corp needs to step up and do way more.

We should move on from digs then. I forgot he was even on the team once the postseason started.

That applies to every receiver on the roster that wears shoes.

 

[n1997y]

n1997y said:
Simple question.

You must improve the offense. You can have either, but not both.

Who do you get, A.J.Brown, or Tyler Linderbaum?

My first answer is “Neither.” They’re both very expensive, more than I really think either is worth.

But if I absolutely have to pick one or the other of those two, and I don’t have any concern about costs and cap hits, Tyler would be my choice. If I do have concerns about costs and cap hits I stand with my first answer.

You suggest fixing the OL and then see if the current NE WRs are good enough. I agree that the OL needs to be dealt with now before Maye gets carried off on the back of the John Deere. Not sure which game Maye got hurt in, but he is taking way too many hits.

You’re right about my feelings about the OL. And I agree with you about Maye. I’m skeptical that what everyone seems tomusually want in a WR1 is the best answer for fixing Maye. I think Maye’s style contributes to his getting pounded. His aversion to becoming Checkdown Charlie is what I think needs to be fixed. He improved when he started being more willing to thrown the ball away. He would improve if he would be quicker to go for check downs and shorter passes instead of standing in to throw bombs, imo. I think Josh may be coming up with the way to teach him that style of play, or to overcome his aversion to playing it, by going to a smash mouth run game this year. For that the WR upgrade we need is one that can get open quickly, to complement the running game. The receivers that have consistently been key to the Patriots offense have been Welker, Amendola, Edelman, none of them are what I think anyone means when they call for a WR1, nor what I think A.J.Brown would be.

But, I disagree that you can gamble that Romeo Doubts and company is enough. GB had the 16th ranked 2025 offense and basically the same Redzone offense as NE - both 57%. Doubts has 18 TDs in 3 seasons. You even agree right here that the Pats WR corp needs to step up and do way more.


That applies to every receiver on the roster that wears shoes.

agree, and totally love your final sentence!

 

[Triumph]

My first answer is “Neither.” They’re both very expensive, more than I really think either is worth.

Your first answer was that All NE WRs disappeared down the stretch. All the ones wearing shoes.

Diggs too. Romeo Doubt isnt a Diggs to where you must take him away.

But if I absolutely have to pick one or the other of those two, and I don’t have any concern about costs and cap hits, Tyler would be my choice. If I do have concerns about costs and cap hits I stand with my first answer.

That still doesnt address the void at WR.

Waiting until the seaspon begins to find out if NE can hang with the best offenses is too late.

You’re right about my feelings about the OL. And I agree with you about Maye. I’m skeptical that what everyone seems tomusually want in a WR1 is the best answer for fixing Maye. I think Maye’s style contributes to his getting pounded. His aversion to becoming Checkdown Charlie is what I think needs to be fixed. He improved when he started being more willing to thrown the ball away. He would improve if he would be quicker to go for check downs and shorter passes instead of standing in to throw bombs, imo. I think Josh may be coming up with the way to teach him that style of play, or to overcome his aversion to playing it, by going to a smash mouth run game this year. For that the WR upgrade we need is one that can get open quickly, to complement the running game. The receivers that have consistently been key to the Patriots offense have been Welker, Amendola, Edelman, none of them are what I think anyone means when they call for a WR1, nor what I think A.J.Brown would be.

agree, and totally love your final sentence!

I dont want old AJB.

He is an axxhole. Philly stepped up and paid him and he has been nothing but drama and trouble. For the right price Id rather take a shot with MHJ playing with Maye. 5 years younger and not a cancer to my knowledge. The Pats would be getting him on his rookie deal and if he worked out MHJ is young enough to be a fixture in the Pats offense for the future.

Personally, I see Doubt as a replacement for Boutte. Bouttes contract is up after 2026 and Doubt and Boutte do the same job. I believe Boutte is going to ask for too much after a couple of good years assuming that he steps up this season.

 

[n1997y]

Your first answer was that All NE WRs disappeared down the stretch. All the ones wearing shoes.

I don’t think it was all the WRs that disappeared.

There’s just one guy who throws the ball to all of them. He disappeared.

Immediately after most playoff games, and particularly after the Super Bowl, there were breakdown tapes posted by several ex-NFL QBs that showed there were receivers open and Drake didn’t get the ball to them.

I think it was a combination of pressure, because TRex had a bad knee to go with his short arms, Wilson had his brains scrambled so he forgot how to block, and on top of that Drake had a bad wing.

It’s axiomatic that the healthiest team is usually the one that wins the Super Bowl. The Pats were relatively healthy all season, healthy enough to get to the game, but they got dinged up too badly in the playoffs to seal the deal.

That’s why much of our conversation is now about backups.

It’s also why I’m not a big fan of having a dominant WR1 as the linchpin of the offense, because with that there’s no backup.

 

[Real fan 02]

Updated!

Great.. can't wait for that 7th round pick!

 

[Real fan 02]

I don’t think it was all the WRs that disappeared.

There’s just one guy who throws the ball to all of them. He disappeared.

Immediately after most playoff games, and particularly after the Super Bowl, there were breakdown tapes posted by several ex-NFL QBs that showed there were receivers open and Drake didn’t get the ball to them.

I think it was a combination of pressure, because TRex had a bad knee to go with his short arms, Wilson had his brains scrambled so he forgot how to block, and on top of that Drake had a bad wing.

It’s axiomatic that the healthiest team is usually the one that wins the Super Bowl. The Pats were relatively healthy all season, healthy enough to get to the game, but they got dinged up too badly in the playoffs to seal the deal.

That’s why much of our conversation is now about backups.

It’s also why I’m not a big fan of having a dominant WR1 as the linchpin of the offense, because with that there’s no backup.

Think back to when we had Clock killin Dillion.. we were a dominant ground game and Weis and Brady were in play action all game because of it.. Given and branch were able to eat handily due to it. The same applies here to what Vrabel is assembling a bruising FB, physical TE and physical OG.. can't wait to see some smash mouth football.

 

[TheRainMaker]

This was an easy call. Vrabel is 95% done clearing out the "hybrid's", bad contracts, entitled players and non system fits.

This was one of Bill's worst and unnecessary draft picks. Go look at his college tape where he's extremely slow diagnosing a play. Dude also had lead feet. He had that issue every year in NE and him playing deep S was a troll move by BB/Mayo. Watch the 2023 home game against Miami. He looked like poor AI in Madden where they just stand there and let your players run by him. He was good for at least one play per game where he squares up, but lets the running go right passed him.

 

[Bill Lee]

et tu, Mapu?

¿Y tú, Mapu?

 

[captain stone]

There aren't any brainless management toadies out there who still insist that 2023 was a good draft, are there?

 

[Real fan 02]

There aren't any brainless management toadies out there who still insist that 2023 was a good draft, are there?

 

[rkarp1]

Think back to when we had Clock killin Dillion.. we were a dominant ground game and Weis and Brady were in play action all game because of it.. Given and branch were able to eat handily due to it. The same applies here to what Vrabel is assembling a bruising FB, physical TE and physical OG.. can't wait to see some smash mouth football.

I very much recall Dillon. but that was a different era. teams need to throw the ball and score
I would point to Blount and how he was used.
protect the lead. protect the ball. eat clock. great inside the 5 yard line.
I don't believe that type of back is on the roster, and that type of back could be available day 3 pending how the draft board unfolds.
I did think last year, Gibson could have been that type of back

 

[Wozzy]

I very much recall Dillon. but that was a different era. teams need to throw the ball and score
I would point to Blount and how he was used.
protect the lead. protect the ball. eat clock. great inside the 5 yard line.
I don't believe that type of back is on the roster, and that type of back could be available day 3 pending how the draft board unfolds.
I did think last year, Gibson could have been that type of back

Leaving college at 231 pounds Rhamondre is already that, he was closing games out despite Josh telegraphing to the whole world he was running. The Pats need to keep improving the O-Line, they also need better blocking from their TE and FB. They need to overpower teams, because scheme is rarely going to benefit them.

Henry is old and Westover wasn't good. Add a big blocking TE so they don't have to use 6 O-Linemen, add a FB so they don't have to use a DT. The latter has been accomplished. Now they need Dippre and/or a rookie to add to the TE room. The ability to block and catch from these positions will improve the running game and offense as a whole. Balance creates uncertainty for opposing defenses.

They need to add a power back behind Rhamondre who can spell him and possibly return kickoffs. Elijah Mitchell could be that if he could stay healthy, they can't rely on that with his injury history. Draft a guy towards the middle or end of the draft.

I like Adam Randall the RB from Clemson in the 5th/6th/7th round or as an UDFA... is a beast a 6'3" 232 pounds, reminds me of Corey Blount. He's a former WR convert and only played one year of HB, but is a very good athlete for his size and can catch like a WR so he has some similar traits to Rhamondre. You can't just ignore him if he's split out wide. He could also block, they should use more 2 RB sets anyway.

 

[rkarp1]

Leaving college at 231 pounds Rhamondre is already that, he was closing games out despite Josh telegraphing to the whole world he was running. The Pats need to keep improving the O-Line, they also need better blocking from their TE and FB. They need to overpower teams, because scheme is rarely going to benefit them.

Henry is old and Westover wasn't good. Add a big blocking TE so they don't have to use 6 O-Linemen, add a FB so they don't have to use a DT. The latter has been accomplished. Now they need Dippre and/or a rookie to add to the TE room. The ability to block and catch from these positions will improve the running game and offense as a whole. Balance creates uncertainty for opposing defenses.

They need to add a power back behind Rhamondre who can spell him and possibly return kickoffs. Elijah Mitchell could be that if he could stay healthy, they can't rely on that with his injury history. Draft a guy towards the middle or end of the draft.

I like Adam Randall the RB from Clemson in the 5th/6th/7th round or as an UDFA... is a beast a 6'3" 232 pounds, reminds me of Corey Blount. He's a former WR convert and only played one year of HB, but is a very good athlete for his size and can catch like a WR so he has some similar traits to Rhamondre. You can't just ignore him if he's split out wide. He could also block, they should use more 2 RB sets anyway.

Stevenson to me looks like he shed 10-15 lbs. he can make defenders miss, but is more body wiggle than size/mass to my eye.
I too like Randall. his size, athleticism and hands would make him a lock for the 53 regardless what rd he was drafted.
remains to be seen, but they gave Hill a lot of money. Dippre should have a better understanding of the offense and come back stronger. Gilliam is an upgrade for sure.

 

[Real fan 02]

I very much recall Dillon. but that was a different era. teams need to throw the ball and score
I would point to Blount and how he was used.
protect the lead. protect the ball. eat clock. great inside the 5 yard line.
I don't believe that type of back is on the roster, and that type of back could be available day 3 pending how the draft board unfolds.
I did think last year, Gibson could have been that type of back

Agreed. However Buffalo and recently the Ravens have proved dominant running games still win in this league! You have to be able to be multiple on offense. Have to be able to put teams away in the 4th quarter. Drake can throw it anywhere on the field accurately.. now imagine him with a physical running game. That's what adding R. Gilliam and Vera-tucker give you!

For example up 10 In the 4th quarter& being able to run the ball taking 6,7 minutes off the clock wearing down a defensive line does wonders for a offense. You stay in play action becuase the the threat to run and it takes a safety away. Now you have doubs,

Blount and Dillon were bruising backs who no one wanted to tackle when they were coming down hill..

Those backs also had dam good offensive lines to run behind.. Sebastian vollmer was a menace in the running game..

 

[rkarp1]

Agreed. However Buffalo and recently the Ravens have proved dominant running games still win in this league! You have to be able to be multiple on offense. Have to be able to put teams away in the 4th quarter. Drake can throw it anywhere on the field accurately.. now imagine him with a physical running game. That's what adding R. Gilliam and Vera-tucker give you!

For example up 10 In the 4th quarter& being able to run the ball taking 6,7 minutes off the clock wearing down a defensive line does wonders for a offense. You stay in play action becuase the the threat to run and it takes a safety away. Now you have doubs,

Blount and Dillon were bruising backs who no one wanted to tackle when they were coming down hill..

Those backs also had dam good offensive lines to run behind.. Sebastian vollmer was a menace in the running game..

I believe we are saying much the same thing
this past season, those crucial yards gained, moving the chains, eating clock, many times were had by Maye.
I like the thought of Randall. I also would entertain bringing Gibson back if he is healthy, would accept a show me type deal, and he is still available after the draft, and the team did not draft a big back

 

[Real fan 02]

I believe we are saying much the same thing
this past season, those crucial yards gained, moving the chains, eating clock, many times were had by Maye.
I like the thought of Randall. I also would entertain bringing Gibson back if he is healthy, would accept a show me type deal, and he is still available after the draft, and the team did not draft a big back

Yes. Gibson was a real factor in the offense and on STs. It's unfortunate he fot hurt because he was thriving in his role..being that do it all back that could get tough yards and catch it out the backfield.. I think what made Gibson expendable was Henderson and his impressive rookie season. Drake jade alot of designed runs like in the AFCCG we couldn't do anything on offense Drake essentially was the offense. I believe what the running game and protection will do this year for Drake is allow him the time he needs to get to his 2nd or 3rd reads.. he didn't have this time enough last season wich is why he broke the pocket alot.

 

[Real fan 02]

Stevenson to me looks like he shed 10-15 lbs. he can make defenders miss, but is more body wiggle than size/mass to my eye.
I too like Randall. his size, athleticism and hands would make him a lock for the 53 regardless what rd he was drafted.
remains to be seen, but they gave Hill a lot of money. Dippre should have a better understanding of the offense and come back stronger. Gilliam is an upgrade for sure.

Yes. Rham said he was done about 10-15 pounds coming into camp last season and it showed he waa awesome catching the ball last year and down the stretch last season. I really love the Gillaim pick up.