Who are you hoping for in Training Camp?

n1997y · Jul 6, 2026

mgteich said:
Ninkovich has minimal play elsewhere for his first 3 years in the NFL and then was a given a chance by the patriots. This was hugely successful.

Holmes in a rookie UDFA. There is zero chance that he is Ninkovich in 2026.

Muma is much more in the pattern of Ninkoovich.

Reiss isn’t the only one suggesting Holmes could be another find like Ninkovich. This may be a better explanation:

mayoclinic said:
Patriots 'Shocked' by Free Agent Gabe Jacas Alternative

The New England Patriots are "shocked" by an unheralded free agent who's an alternative to still unsigned second-round draft pick Gabe Jacas.

heavy.com

From that article:

“Ninkovich won over the Pats by beating starting offensive linemen in pass-rush reps during the summer of 2009, per Reiss. Holmes has been using similar hustle to impress coaches this year.”

Or, there’s another comp in that same article if you prefer to use it over Nink:

“Ninkovich is the benchmark for a player like Holmes, who, as Reiss put it, ‘would be a Malcolm Butler-type emergence.’”

If X can perform at the level of either Butler or Nink I’ll be happy to have him on the roster.

I’d love to see him use the head start he’s been given by the jackass contract situation to usurp Jacas’ role as top rookie OLB in camp. I think Jacas is good enough to compete for the role once he gets going, and having him forced to compete with X will make them both better.

It would be so cool to have the Pats end up with two rookie studs at a position we’ve been seeing as a great need.

jdlboot14 · Jul 6, 2026

I remember some buzz about Muma in his draft class. His measurables are similar to Gibbens - who also is much better on paper than on the field. But we certainly need a solid #3 in that position, and it'd be great if he could pan out with some more opportunity.

Uptown · Jul 6, 2026

Lawrence Taylor

Wozzy · Jul 6, 2026

jdlboot14 said:
I remember some buzz about Muma in his draft class. His measurables are similar to Gibbens - who also is much better on paper than on the field. But we certainly need a solid #3 in that position, and it'd be great if he could pan out with some more opportunity.

Muma is a much better and stronger athlete than Gibbens. Gibbens was too weak and didn't have the instincts against the run to be an inside LB'er to replace Spillane. He didn't have the raw athleticism or speed to replace Elliss on the backend. He was kind of a tweener, better suited as a pure special teams player. Not sure Muma has the ability to do it, but he at least possesses the tools to replace Spillane.

PatsFan2 · Jul 6, 2026

jdlboot14 said:
I remember some buzz about Muma in his draft class. His measurables are similar to Gibbens - who also is much better on paper than on the field. But we certainly need a solid #3 in that position, and it'd be great if he could pan out with some more opportunity.

Are we're talking up a guy who has 1.5 sacks in 6 years?? Canton Mass watch out.

n1997y · Jul 6, 2026

PatsFan2 said:
Are we're talking up a guy who has 1.5 sacks in 6 years?? Canton Mass watch out.

Muma had 1.5 sacks in his rookie season.
Nink had no sacks in his first three years in the league.

Guess we shouldn’t be talking Ninkovich up either, right?

BobDigital · Jul 7, 2026

These guys stand out.

Holmes. LB. Here is what I know. He is over 235lbs and runs a sub 4.4. his pro day was clocked at 4.34. was it accurate? Idk. But that is freaky speed for that size dnd worth a look.

Gregory + Ponder both guys had really good rookie years for their positions. Ponde is a bit more interesting to me but both for the delayed reason.

Swinson. Not giving up yet. There is still hope. Many had him as a 2n rd guy the year before. Clearly he wasn't ready. This year he should be. His talent is legit. Show it now or the will and should move on after this year.

That 5th rd CB they drafted this year. Forgot his name and not going to look it up. You know who I mean. He had tools but but there are risk. Show it.

DarrylS · Jul 7, 2026

Continued development of O line
No significant injuries
They get Jacas on the field
Bolster positions considered weak LB, TE, DE

pazrul72 · Jul 7, 2026

Generic things I want to hear about from every training camp.

#1 NO major injuries.

#2 NO major injuries

#3 not too many days where one side of the ball "wins" the day. I want to read that the battles are intense and some plays are wins one way and some wins the other. A good well rounded team that can do a little bit of everything is a joy to watch. They also tend to get to and go deep in the playoffs as weaknesses can't be exposed.

#4 on joint practice days the other team got run off the field and blown away in every drill. Looked like a pro team going against a high school JV team. It's one thing to figure out the guy's you line up across from every day tendencies and weaknesses. It's quite another to whip another team's guy, speaks well to the future and is worth reading into (a little) at least more then 90% of the crap that comes out.

#5 at least one fight, though no more then 2 or 3. It's going to be hot and competitive I want to hear about how much guys are trying and give a ****. Though at the end of the day realize they are on the same team and refer back to #1 and #2.

#6 new patriot news cuz I am sick of reading the same old stale takes and projections I'm ready for some real football and camp means it's getting closer

PatsFan2 · Jul 7, 2026

n1997y said:
Muma had 1.5 sacks in his rookie season.
Nink had no sacks in his first three years in the league.

Guess we shouldn’t be talking Ninkovich up either, right?

Who?? Some of you are something else when irrelevant players sign with the Patriots. All of a sudden they become relevant.

farn · Jul 7, 2026

mayoclinic said:
What I would like to see in TC:

1. No injuries.
2. Everyone signed and participating.
3. Signs of continued development of key positions (OL, receiver room, etc)
4. Signs of individual guys stepping up and developing.
5. Better depth, either from development or acquisition.
6. No injuries.

Came here to say #1 & #6. That’s almost the only thing I care about during preseason.

But I’ll play : I want to see OL improvement. Hardly even care who breaks through on that unit - I just want a solid group. I think it could determine NE’s 2026 season.

BennyBledsoe · Jul 7, 2026

I want Campbell to come back completely healthy, with a resculpted NFL physique and refined technique and instincts.

Family · Jul 7, 2026

rkarp1 said:
cutting Knox saves them $2.3m

Not according to this:

Dawson Knox Contract, Salary & Cap Hit 2026 | Spotrac

Dawson Knox signed a 3 year, $20,000,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills with an average annual salary of $6,666,667.

www.spotrac.com

rkarp1 · Jul 7, 2026

Family said:
Not according to this:

Dawson Knox Contract, Salary & Cap Hit 2026 | Spotrac

Dawson Knox signed a 3 year, $20,000,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills with an average annual salary of $6,666,667.

www.spotrac.com

yes, you are correct
it costs them $2.3m post June 1, if cut

PatsFan2 · Jul 7, 2026

BennyBledsoe said:
I want Campbell to come back completely healthy, with a resculpted NFL physique and refined technique and instincts.

Lowered expectations.

BennyBledsoe · Jul 7, 2026

PatsFan2 said:
Lowered expectations.

I don't get it. That's the thing you want out of most developing college players, especially offensive linemen. Even 'bad' NFL teams are made up of former college all-stars. So you're never having a game you can just rely on physical skills. You need the experience and you need new techniques to deal with the constant onslaught.

p8ryts · Jul 7, 2026

farn said:
Came here to say #1 & #6. That’s almost the only thing I care about during preseason.

But I’ll play : I want to see OL improvement. Hardly even care who breaks through on that unit - I just want a solid group. I think it could determine NE’s 2026 season.

I'm hoping for Demetrius Crownover to show something.

PatsFan2 · Jul 7, 2026

BennyBledsoe said:
I don't get it. That's the thing you want out of most developing college players, especially offensive linemen. Even 'bad' NFL teams are made up of former college all-stars. So you're never having a game you can just rely on physical skills. You need the experience and you need new techniques to deal with the constant onslaught.

I get it I was joking.

mayoclinic · Jul 7, 2026

mayoclinic · Jul 7, 2026

5 Position Battles to Watch For at New England Patriots Training Camp 2026: Defense

We continue our examination of the top position battles to watch for at New England Patriots training camp 2026 today with a closer look at the defense.

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Who are you hoping for in Training Camp?

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