"DE" Weakest Link

[mayoclinic]

Take it FWIW, but the coaching staff seems high on Xavier Holmes:

With plenty of question marks along the edge this offseason, the Patriots signed Xavier Holmes after he participated in rookie minicamp as a tryout player. Positional coach Mike Smith was originally surprised by the rookie.

"He's one that shocked me," Smith said. "You know, those guys that just get that tryout, it's not a priority free agent. I mean, that's a tough deal to do and to make it. But what I saw from him, a bigger guy that can move. He's got some athletic ability, more than people think. Running his tail off to the ball. He's in there asking questions, asking good questions.

"I get a feeling in my stomach sometimes. Not always right. Nobody's [always] right. But there's something about him that I like, and there's something about him that he seems tough."

Holmes, who Smith acknowledged has plenty of work to do when the pads come on, began his collegiate career in Maine where he earned Second Team All-CAA honors. He eventually transferred to James Madison and posted six sacks.

"X was a productive college player," Vrabel said. "There's a lot of reasons guys fall through the draft or maybe don't sign as a free agent. He came here. You're just looking for little things. Are they coachable? They make a mistake, and can they correct it? You look at effort, you look at skill set. Sometimes when they're doing the drills, X was able to do that. Most of the guys, you have to do something to kind of stand out, and he did that."

Sunday Patriots Notes: Defensive ‘showstoppers’ ready to build off late-season success

Notes and thoughts on the Patriots defense and secondary, a free agent tight end, and more.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Real fan 02]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/4361419/jesse-luketa

That ^ guy might surprise I am also interested to see where Bradyn Swinson is at. Love what we are hearing about Ponder nice story.

Source: NESN
Mike Vrabel Calling On Christian Barmore To Finish More Sacks This Year | NESN

 

[Real fan 02]

He’s right. If Landry and Jacas are not available we have 1 NFL caliber edge player on the roster.

Correct. Is exactly why I felt we should have been in on Thibiduaux... clearly it's an injury matter with Jacas. Who knows when he we actually even see the practice field. We have essentially 2 healthy edge rushers unless I'm missing something...

 

[Ring 6]

Correct. Is exactly why I felt we should have been in on Thibiduaux... clearly it's an injury matter with Jacas. Who knows when he we actually even see the practice field. We have essentially 2 healthy edge rushers unless I'm missing something...

But we don’t have a game for almost 3 months. There isn’t any reason to believe Landry and Jacas won’t be ready. Having jags and hopefuls as DE4 isn’t a big deal. Williams can play outside too

 

[Ring 6]

Take it FWIW, but the coaching staff seems high on Xavier Holmes:

Sunday Patriots Notes: Defensive ‘showstoppers’ ready to build off late-season success

Notes and thoughts on the Patriots defense and secondary, a free agent tight end, and more.

sports.yahoo.com

Best case is practice squad I imagine.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Source: NESN
Mike Vrabel Calling On Christian Barmore To Finish More Sacks This Year | NESN

I saw that quote recently, but couldn't tell if it was taken from earlier in the season. But no, Vrabel talks about it again. Posters are in denial over it, but Barmore himself has been frustrated and mentioned he needed to do a better job finishing after his rookie year. As a pass rusher (what he's paid to be) has been flat out awful since he returned in 2024.

And the "9th in pressures for a DL with 50" is beyond BS. You can't be around the QB that often, but somehow not take him down - It's impossible. Over 30 DT's had more sacks than him in 2025. Another subjective stat that misleads people and only shows how inefficient he really is. Pro Football Reference has a more accurate number of 15.

He has no guaranteed money after this season. If he wants the Pats to pick up the tab in 2027, he better have a standout season.

 

[Real fan 02]

Landry is still in rehab hasn't even practiced.. Jacas isn't even signed yet.. so until either or step on the field we have essentially 2 edge rushers to enter camp with.. not ideal at all..

But we don’t have a game for almost 3 months. There isn’t any reason to believe Landry and Jacas won’t be ready. Having jags and hopefuls as DE4 isn’t a big deal. Williams can play outside too

 

[Real fan 02]

I saw that quote recently, but couldn't tell if it was taken from earlier in the season. But no, Vrabel talks about it again. Posters are in denial over it, but Barmore himself has been frustrated and mentioned he needed to do a better job finishing after his rookie year. As a pass rusher (what he's paid to be) has been flat out awful since he returned in 2024.

And the "9th in pressures for a DL with 50" is beyond BS. You can't be around the QB that often, but somehow not take him down - It's impossible. Over 30 DT's had more sacks than him in 2025. Another subjective stat that misleads people and only shows how inefficient he really is. Pro Football Reference has a more accurate number of 15.

He has no guaranteed money after this season. If he wants the Pats to pick up the tab in 2027, he better have a standout season.

Exactly!! Is why I posted a few weeks Back that He has big reasons to want to have a good season. Specifically financially.. while the team picked up his roster Option in March the 10 million I believe or it was to commit to the contract? We've seen him play elite in 2023.. that version orlf him or something close to it is what it's going to have to take in order to see another contract in my opinion!

 

[TheRainMaker]

Exactly!! Is why I posted a few weeks Back that He has big reasons to want to have a good season. Specifically financially.. while the team picked up his roster Option in March the 10 million I believe or it was to commit to the contract? We've seen him play elite in 2023.. that version orlf him or something close to it is what it's going to have to take in order to see another contract in my opinion!

The $10M guaranteed was only for this season. The team has their first out in 2027 where they could save $20M against the cap to a $3.6M dead cap it.. Unless he has a standout season, he will either take a pay cut or get released.

I also don't rule out a trade this season.

 

[mgteich]

Landry is still in rehab hasn't even practiced.. Jacas isn't even signed yet.. so until either or step on the field we have essentially 2 edge rushers to enter camp with.. not ideal at all..

You say that we have 2 EDGE rushers entering camp. I suppose that you mean Jones and Ponder.

I suppose that we should simply cut all the backups competing for the 5th OLB roster spot since that they essentially don't exist. There is ZERO need for Landry to be taking lots of reps early in camp. I would prefer the Jacas be available so that he can learn more of what it means to be an NFL LB.
=================
Early camp is exactly when we see who might be the 5th OLB, if we have one. Possibilities include Swinson, Luketa, Hutchins and Jacobs. We also should carry a couple of EDGE rushers on the Practice Squad.

 

[mayoclinic]

Forgotten member of Patriots' loaded 2025 draft class has coaches buzzing

Most NFL teams would be happy to land two high-impact players in a single draft class. And if they're really lucky, maybe three. However, the New England Patri

musketfire.com

 

[Zuma]

Forgotten member of Patriots' loaded 2025 draft class has coaches buzzing

Most NFL teams would be happy to land two high-impact players in a single draft class. And if they're really lucky, maybe three. However, the New England Patri

musketfire.com

MassLive's Karen Guregian spoke with several Patriots coaches on Swinson's rapid rise over the last few months. And based on those comments, it sure sounds like the second-year pro looks poised to compete for playing time at a position that isn't exactly well-stocked.

“There’s so many different ways you can look at that to our daily routine, the weight room, the diet, nutrition, all that stuff. Being all in on everything. Being consistent with that. Being consistent with our drills,”Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith told Guregian. “To me, that’s what he’s been doing this spring. His body’s changed. He’s gotten stronger. It’s his second year, and I think that’s a big thing for him. He is another one who had a good spring.”

 

[mgteich]

MassLive's Karen Guregian spoke with several Patriots coaches on Swinson's rapid rise over the last few months. And based on those comments, it sure sounds like the second-year pro looks poised to compete for playing time at a position that isn't exactly well-stocked.

“There’s so many different ways you can look at that to our daily routine, the weight room, the diet, nutrition, all that stuff. Being all in on everything. Being consistent with that. Being consistent with our drills,”Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith told Guregian. “To me, that’s what he’s been doing this spring. His body’s changed. He’s gotten stronger. It’s his second year, and I think that’s a big thing for him. He is another one who had a good spring.”

Looks like he'll be is #5 OLB.

 

[Ring 6]

Landry is still in rehab hasn't even practiced.. Jacas isn't even signed yet.. so until either or step on the field we have essentially 2 edge rushers to enter camp with.. not ideal at all..

They missed 3 June practices. Every indication says they will be ready.

 

[Ring 6]

Looks like he'll be is #5 OLB.

How do you get #5?

 

[Ring 6]

You say that we have 2 EDGE rushers entering camp. I suppose that you mean Jones and Ponder.

I suppose that we should simply cut all the backups competing for the 5th OLB roster spot since that they essentially don't exist. There is ZERO need for Landry to be taking lots of reps early in camp. I would prefer the Jacas be available so that he can learn more of what it means to be an NFL LB.
=================
Early camp is exactly when we see who might be the 5th OLB, if we have one. Possibilities include Swinson, Luketa, Hutchins and Jacobs. We also should carry a couple of EDGE rushers on the Practice Squad.

You need to include Ponder with the group competing to make the team

 

[TheRainMaker]

Looks like he'll be is #5 OLB.

Landy and Jones are slated to be the starters, while Jacas will be given every opportunity to be the #3 guy in rotation at worst. Ponder only played 21% and made the most of it getting 4 sacks. That makes Swinson #5 who only played 2% of the total snaps last season.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Source: NESN
Mike Vrabel Calling On Christian Barmore To Finish More Sacks This Year | NESN

Nice article. Thanks. Vrabel is a smart guy. Concentrating on what is important.

 

[Wozzy]

Nice article. Thanks. Vrabel is a smart guy. Concentrating on what is important.

Everyone wants Barmore to have a good season, he's playing for his next contract like a lot of these guys. He does need to finish stronger in pass rush, he seems to let off on QB's like he's afraid of flags. He has to get over that. Mostly he needs to prove he's healthy, past blood clots... and ascending. If Barmore has a great season, that's just one more person to pay.

 

[captain stone]

Looks like he'll be is #5 OLB.

He's already #3 as of right now.