PATRIOTS NEWS Rookie Mini Camp - news, notes, etc

[mgteich]

I'm high on farmer as he was in the rotation along with Tonga prior to him getting the ankle last season. Personally due to farmer and how the team feels about him likely made it easier to allow Tonga to get his $$# elsewhere.. can never go wrong having a guy on his rookie deal that will give you the same or potentially better at the position.

OK, Farmer will likely continue to contribute.

It seems that Tonga's roster spot will be taken by Taylor or Blye. Do you think that this is OK, a downgrade or an upgrade?
Yes, Gregory and Farmer will be expected to take more reps.

 

[scott99]

Hutchins got hurt day one of a rookie half speed practice?

Yeah no.

I think he’ll be ok. I saw him getting some hands on (no pun) instructions from Vrabel in the video I saw of rookie camp.

 

[jmt57]

Additionally, WR Jeremiah Webb, G Mehki Butler, OT Lorenz Metz and CB Brandon Crossley will participate.

They all ended last season on the practice squad.

Wow, interesting list.
Perhaps I am mis-remembering, but I don't recall that high a number of players invited for a tryout previously. I thought it was usually about three to six.

Besides Webb, Butler, Metz and Crossley, there were a few other signed to a futures contract in February that I don't see on Mike Reiss' photo:

Edit: all but one of these guys have played in the NFL before, that's why they're not included

LB Amari Gainer (considered to be a veteran, played 17 games w/Raiders in 2024)
LB Otis Reese (considered to be a veteran, played in 4 games w/Titans 2023-24)
OL Andrew Rupcich (played in 12 games for Titans, 2023-24)
S John Saunders ??? (no games played, but was on Pats active roster for three weeks)
DT Leonard Taylor (has played in 19 games)
OT Sebastian Gutierrez (has played in two games)

Others that were originally signed to a futures contract have already been released:
WR John Jiles, TE Marshall Lang, RB Elijah Mitchell.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I could see anything from 12 wins to 6. Wild swing year.

My only real concern if it’s a rougher year is local media spinning that to “see, Vrabel got lucky for a year and os no longer committed blahh blahh”.

I fully expect some regression next season and if it’s not a playoff year, it’s also not a bad year to have higher draft picks.

Key injuries aside I don't expect less than 9 wins.
8 Losses could be
2 Bills
1 Green Bay
1 Denver
1 Seattle
1 KC with Mahomes
1 Jagwads
1 someone
That would not be a successful season. What happened to Maye with improved OL and what happened to the D?
Just one more W with it against the Bills would be a decent 10W season.
I'm hoping for 11-6. (Homer)

 

[mgteich]

Key injuries aside I don't expect less than 9 wins.
8 Losses could be
2 Bills
1 Green Bay
1 Denver
1 Seattle
1 KC with Mahomes
1 Jagwads
1 someone
That would not be a successful season. What happened to Maye with improved OL and what happened to the D?
Just one more W with it against the Bills would be a decent 10W season.
I'm hoping for 11-6. (Homer)

nice analysis. To win 9, we basically have to go 8-1 against the games we should win and win one against the stronger team.

How many games will need to win to beat our BUF for the division? 10 will be enough if we beat them twice.
===============
I would consider LAC favorites at home. (your "someone"). They should be competing for the playoffs.

BUF faces the same games as we do (except for LAR/HOU/BAL instead of SEA/JAX/PIT. I'm sure that they expect to win against BAL as we expect to win against PIT.

9 we should WIN
MIA (2)
NYJ (2)
LV
MIN
PIT
CHI
DET

8 we might lose (basically the 8 good teams that will face)
BUF (2)
GB
DEN
SEA
KC
JAX
LAC

 

[PatsFan2]

Behren Purdy??

 

[PatsFan2]

Kyle Dixon... Chism and Pop Douglas watchout.

 

[n1997y]

Key injuries aside I don't expect less than 9 wins.
8 Losses could be
2 Bills
1 Green Bay
1 Denver
1 Seattle
1 KC with Mahomes
1 Jagwads
1 someone
That would not be a successful season. What happened to Maye with improved OL and what happened to the D?
Just one more W with it against the Bills would be a decent 10W season.
I'm hoping for 11-6. (Homer)

I dunno. You’re the one postulating the failure.

I’m thinking more like 3 to 5 losses, in the regular season, and a good playoff run. I don’t see Mahomes coming back to be as good as everyone remembers. I think the Pats will be up for a grudge match win against Seattle. We will split with the Bills. Jags, GB, and Denver will all be competitive but we should win one or two of them. There may be a surprise loss somewhere but I just don’t see the team reverting that much under Vrabel, despite the feared strength of schedule.

 

[DaBruinz]

FYI - 7 of the 9 Draftees have been signed.
Raridon and Hutchins signed today according to @Miguel

Obiazor, Miller, Behren, Prunty, and Crownover had signed prior to Rookie Mini-Camp.

Only Lomu and Jacas left to sign.

 

[Nunchucks]

Dixon is a small school guy with all the measurables. If he can compete at the pro level, it would be amazing

 

[Real fan 02]

I could see anything from 12 wins to 6. Wild swing year.

My only real concern if it’s a rougher year is local media spinning that to “see, Vrabel got lucky for a year and is no longer committed blahh blahh”.

I fully expect some regression next season and if it’s not a playoff year, it’s also not a bad year to have higher draft picks.

UGA I'm going to say they match thier record from last season..hear me out.. the roster is better, the QB is more experienced and seasoned with a full understanding of Josh's system.. the running game stands to be significantly better wich having a running game is best thing for a great QB to have.. see clock killin Dillon in 04! I expect more growth.. we also have a head coach that isn't allowing entitlement or a regression. Last season was just merely the tip of the iceberg to where this team can go.

 

[Real fan 02]

 

[p8ryts]

UGA I'm going to say they match thier record from last season..hear me out.. the roster is better, the QB is more experienced and seasoned with a full understanding of Josh's system.. the running game stands to be significantly better wich having a running game is best thing for a great QB to have.. see clock killin Dillon in 04! I expect more growth.. we also have a head coach that isn't allowing entitlement or a regression. Last season was just merely the tip of the iceberg to where this team can go.

It's all about the OL.

 

[Real fan 02]

It's all about the OL.

Agreed. And that is another huge reason why I feel the way I feel regarding this season. We had sustained greatness for nearly 1 decades. This team is being constructed to be a perennial contender not a flash in the pan. Sustainability is what needs to happen.

 

[Real fan 02]

OK, Farmer will likely continue to contribute.

It seems that Tonga's roster spot will be taken by Taylor or Blye. Do you think that this is OK, a downgrade or an upgrade?
Yes, Gregory and Farmer will be expected to take more reps.

The main guys are Barmore, Williams, Farmer, Durden, Gregory. Taylor and blye provided we don't add a veteran wich see Wozzy's post regarding adding a veteran like Wilkerson.. if that should happen then the whole rotation changes! To answer your question because all these guys have already been here in the system they all will project to be better simply by being more comfortable knowing thier roles and a full understanding of Kurhs system.

 

[Real fan 02]

11-5 would be an OUTSANDING season. Superbowl losing teams have historically had hard times during the following seasons. So even though the team has apparently improved over the off season, a harder SOS and having to deal with a 21-game season, which makes the off season shorter by 3-4 weeks vs most of their opponents. This is WHY teams that lose in the Superbowl often struggle the next.

Doesn't look to be an obvious win in your list outside of the Phins and Jets and both of those teams had excellent drafts and off seasons and will be much improved, as well as many others who drafted well ahead of us. For me, any more wins than 11 would be almost a result as shocking as last season's regular season record.

The object of this off season was to get better AND deeper, while maintaining cap discipline. On the surface, I think we did an OK job of doing that. It all depends of course on how the draft and some of the lesser-known FA's we added do. For the draft to be successful we need to have the top 3 become at least to have a regular role by October, and at least one other draftee joins them. 4 guys who look like they will become eventual starts is a must. Anything more is gravy. Missing the playoffs would be a big disappointment for me but not shocking. It's happened many times before.

Ken,

I truly believe what was accomplished last season was just scratching the surface for what this team can be as a perennial contender. I mentioned in my thread if How Drake waa supported about how the top 3 draft picks will likely play more of significant role this season especially Jacas and Raridon. Teams will be gunning for us no doubt but that is where having those two key elements that we as fans know more than anyone come into play.

Coach and QB! We have both and all the other elements mixed in that make up the ingredients of a contender. The only way we have a lesser record is by major injuries suffered.

 

[PatsFan2]

11 of 11 passing Check down Charlie or Check down Behren??

 

[Wozzy]

Wozzy call me too optimistic but I'll go on record now and predict our record.

Buffalo 1-1
Jets 2-0
Dolphins 2-0
Green Bay W
Denver L
Detroit W
Seattle W
LV W
Bears W
Kansas City W
Vikings W
Steelers W
Giants W
Jags L

I’ll just say this, assuming they stay healthy this team could have the same or even a worse record but still be a better team than last year. Ther schedule could end up being tougher.

If the record is in the vicinity of last year but their points scored/allowed are top ten this team will have a good shot as anyone in the postseason. There’s a long time between now and end of preseason. I want to see who stays healthy and what the projected starting lineup looks like before providing a prediction.

 

[Real fan 02]

I’ll just say this, assuming they stay healthy this team could have the same or even a worse record but still be a better team than last year. Ther schedule could end up being tougher.

If the record is in the vicinity of last year but their points scored/allowed are top ten this team will have a good shot as anyone in the postseason. There’s a long time between now and end of preseason. I want to see who stays healthy and what the projected starting lineup looks like before providing a prediction.

Health it the main thing here. You don't have Health it won't matter who you see on the schedule because you won't be at a fair advantage. I'm a firm believer in the NFL starters are starters for a reason and reserves are the same respectively.

I don't buy the schedule Wozzy.. we've supposedly had "tough" schedules" many times before and those years we've made or won superbowls.

Barring any major health issues the team had alot from the foundational year to build off. It takes at least a season with a new coach and staff for players to really get into reaching thier full potential.

You have the 2 singular most important elements of HC& QB.. that's first foremost. We've seen what the success brought when we had the HC &QB for 18 seasons.. and we've seen what happens when you don't! So everything else is building up the team to make up the 2026 patiots and beyond to be perennial contenders.

 

[Real fan 02]

11 of 11 passing Check down Charlie or Check down Behren??

Rookie Minicamp.. let me know when big boy training camp starts twin.. let's see how he fares with joint practices with that eagles front this summer.