mid week observations and random thoughts

[DoubleDeluxe]

Contract facts.

Boutte is eligible for an extension NOW.

And?
He's under contract for 2026.
Being "eligible for extension" doesn't mean one is coming.
Contract facts.

 

[JoeSixPat]

KW can run those deep routes faster.

And get much better separation with nearly 8 yards after catch on his 10 catches compared to Boutte's pretty awful 1.2

Though one needs to factor in, Boutte was running deep routes (as opposed to Diggs who's longest catch was 34 yards) often paired against a good CB, as opposed to Williams who was typically covered by safeties playing off of him.

 

[Triumph]

And?
He's under contract for 2026.
Being "eligible for extension" doesn't mean one is coming.
Contract facts.

No kidding. That's the whole reason why Boutte asked to be traded.

Some believe the Pats cant extend him because he has a rookie contract.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I believe Boutte wants to get paid first and foremost.
who can blame him

Boutte would want a contract the same as Doubs and possibly better.

Boutte really does have a case that he should’ve received that money over Doubs. He asked for the trade because he feared he’s now going to lose targets with the addition of Doubs and the rumor of AJ Brown showing up.

Boutte and Doubs do the same job and Doubs got paid. Guess who goes?

Doubs can play the slot as he did frequently in GB. Surprisingly, the odd man out could be Douglas as he’s strictly limited to the slot. Keeping Boutte gives them a lot of flexibility. Trading him would be a massive mistake.

 

[Triumph]

Boutte really does have a case that he should’ve received that money over Doubs. He asked for the trade because he feared he’s now going to lose targets with the addition of Doubs and the rumor of AJ Brown showing up.

Doubs can play the slot as he did frequently did in GB. Surprisingly, the odd man out could be Douglas as he’s strictly limited to the slot. Keeping Boutte gives them a lot of flexibility. Trading him would be a massive mistake.

I wish that it had turned out different and Boutte kept his cool and went into this Pats season with a mission. Although, when he does get paid will he act right or be in all kinds of trouble?

I believe that Pop stays right where he is.

Brown
Doubs
Hollins
Douglas
Williams

Plus, NE stashes a WR on the practice squad.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I wish that it had turned out different and Boutte kept his cool and went into this Pats season with a mission. Although, when he does get paid will he act right or be in all kinds of trouble?

I believe that Pop stays right where he is.

Brown
Doubs
Hollins
Douglas
Williams

Plus, NE stashes a WR on the practice squad.

I think we go with 6.
Add Boutte to list if here, Chism if not.
DeG on the PS, or both him and Chism if Boutte is here.

 

[Salsalife]

Where's the weight stat from?
He was 245 at the combine.
If he's up 6 lbs in less than 4 months that is encouraging.

Big paws...catch radius, can block? Seam guy??

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Big paws...catch radius, can block? Seam guy??

Definitely can be a seam stretcher, quite athletic.
Willing blocker by all accounts, but needs to keep working at it. Should be at least above avg.
He has length, which helps with his radius and contested catch success rate.
He has all the physical tools, but so did many failed TEs that came before him.
He's having a good camp, I'm excited.

 

[Zuma]

My main concern is the lack of another coverage LB...we need a good one.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

My main concern is the lack of another coverage LB...we need a good one.

I was really hoping for a stud LB in the draft (I know, hard to hit all needs).
Spillane is reliable and Ellis is very athletic, but when was the last time we had a real stud at LB?
It's been far too long imo.

 

[Wozzy]

And I stand by mine, you think your opinions are more relevant than others.

Nobody’s opinion is more relevant until time provides the answer. If Boutte gets moved and Williams posts a much better season than Boutte ever has I will have been correct.

I challenge you to find one post where I said those guys can't be better than Boutte.

You’re talking out both sides of your mouth at this point.

I have advocated for KW all off-season, and he will be better than Boutte.

Then why are you arguing the opposite, or are you…. you seem to be all over the place.

You're turning into another famous poster on this forum who says people said things they didn't.
One is enough.

sigh

 

[TheRainMaker]

Brown
Doubs
Hollins
Douglas
Williams

I definitely don’t want Hollins as the 3rd most targeted WR. He wasn’t brought in for that. Could’ve been worse, but I wouldn’t be too thrilled if this is the final depth chart. Unless Boutte demands it, it doesn’t make sense to move him unless they get back at least a 3rd round pick.

I was really hoping for a stud LB in the draft (I know, hard to hit all needs).
Spillane is reliable and Ellis is very athletic, but when was the last time we had a real stud at LB?
It's been far too long imo.

I guarantee this board would be divided on when and who that actually was.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I definitely don’t want Hollins as the 3rd most targeted WR. He wasn’t brought in for that. Could’ve been worse, but I wouldn’t be too thrilled if this is the final depth chart. Unless Boutte demands it, it doesn’t make sense to move him unless they get back at least a 3rd round pick.

I guarantee this board would be divided on when and who that actually was.

So who would you say?
Hightower was great, but he was LOS guy, not good in space.
Last guy I can remember that was truly dynamic was Jamie Collins, and that was a short stint.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Nobody’s opinion is more relevant until time provides the answer. If Boutte gets moved and Williams posts a much better season than Boutte ever has I will have been correct.

You’re talking out both sides of your mouth at this point.

Then why are you arguing the opposite, or are you…. you seem to be all over the place.

sigh

You apparently have a hard time reading.
I have been incredibly consistent in my posts on the WR group.
I think we should keep 6.
That 6 has always included KW, I have never deviated once and have stated multiple times I think he's a big part of our future.
How will you be correct if Boutte gets moved and KW has a better season than he ever has?
I have repeatedly said Boutte could be moved, but I don't think we should do that for our 2026 hopes. And I have repeatedly stated my positive outlook for KW.
So to recap.
We should keep 6.
That includes KW and Boutte
May the best man get more snaps.
Not sure how that's talking out of both sides of my mouth.
Sigh

 

[Wozzy]

You apparently have a hard time reading.
I have been incredibly consistent in my posts on the WR group.
I think we should keep 6.
That 6 has always included KW, I have never deviated once and have stated multiple times I think he's a big part of our future.
How will you be correct if Boutte gets moved and KW has a better season than he ever has?
I have repeatedly said Boutte could be moved, but I don't think we should do that for our 2026 hopes. And I have repeatedly stated my positive outlook for KW.
So to recap.
We should keep 6.
That includes KW and Boutte
May the best man get more snaps.
Not sure how that's talking out of both sides of my mouth.
Sigh

What you’re arguing about?

 

[timesync]

So who would you say?
Hightower was great, but he was LOS guy, not good in space.
Last guy I can remember that was truly dynamic was Jamie Collins, and that was a short stint.

For me, it's Ted Johnson, his arrival instantly fixed years of pathetic run defense.

 

[TheRainMaker]

So who would you say?
Hightower was great, but he was LOS guy, not good in space.
Last guy I can remember that was truly dynamic was Jamie Collins, and that was a short stint.

This is what I mean. posters are going to name a guy and say “but”. There’s no clear cut answer.

HT was playing out of position because Mayo crapped out within 5 years. HT made plays in crucial moments, but he wasn’t regarded among the elite ILB’s. I would have preferred to keep him at outside linebacker where he excelled at rushing the passer like he did in his early years. He reminded me of Chris Slade.

Collins was elite in 2015, but that was it.

Mayo was just a stat collector who was awful in space despite his measurables. He was a very reactive player.

Bruschi was a “lunchpail” guy.

For me, it's Ted Johnson, his arrival instantly fixed years of pathetic run defense.

Ted Johnson was my favorite in the 90’s. He’s by far the Pats most violent hitter. However, injuries took over and it was surprising BB got anything out of him in the early 2000’s.

 

[n1997y]

Where's the weight stat from?
He was 245 at the combine.
If he's up 6 lbs in less than 4 months that is encouraging.

Roster on patriots.com lists Raridon as 245.

I would hope they’d update it with the current weight from player medical exams when they checked in for camp, but I suspect that’s not a safe assumption.

 

[Salsalife]

Roster on patriots.com lists Raridon as 245.

I would hope they’d update it with the current weight from player medical exams when they checked in for camp, but I suspect that’s not a safe assumption.

I want this production from this kid.
Rookie Statistics Breakdown

• • Games Played: 16
  • Games Started: 11
  • Receptions: 42
  • Receiving Yards: 546
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 10
  • Yards Per Reception: 13.0
  • Longest Reception: 29 yards [1, 2]
  • Gronks Rookie year! Red zone !

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

This is what I mean. posters are going to name a guy and say “but”. There’s no clear cut answer.

HT was playing out of position because Mayo crapped out within 5 years. HT made plays in crucial moments, but he wasn’t regarded among the elite ILB’s. I would have preferred to keep him at outside linebacker where he excelled at rushing the passer like he did in his early years. He reminded me of Chris Slade.

Collins was elite in 2015, but that was it.

Mayo was just a stat collector who was awful in space despite his measurables. He was a very reactive player.

Bruschi was a “lunchpail” guy.

Ted Johnson was my favorite in the 90’s. He’s by far the Pats most violent hitter. However, injuries took over and it was surprising BB got anything out of him in the early 2000’s.

Loved Ted.
My first authentic Pats jersey is a Johnson.
Still hanging in my basement.
He was so good before injuries got him.
Torn bicep if I remember correctly