PATRIOTS NEWS 2026 Training Camp - Week 1

[Zuma]

Dude is tall 6' - 7" and kinda lanky @ 245.

It would be interesting to see Raridon trying to pass block Milton Williams LOL

 

[Sect140]

The only leverage Witherspoon has is that hes won a superbowl. Otherwise we all know Gonzo's a much better player. Very, very intriguing that they both have the same agent .

Shouldn’t the agent have them both sign for the same amount of money that way they both can say they are the highest paid? It might make it less complicated.

 

[patchick]

Shouldn’t the agent have them both sign for the same amount of money that way they both can say they are the highest paid? It might make it less complicated.

Make it a choreographed synchronized signing routine.

 

[Real fan 02]

Shouldn’t the agent have them both sign for the same amount of money that way they both can say they are the highest paid? It might make it less complicated.

You make a good point.. I'd love to know what Gonzo's offer is in comparison to Witherspoon...

 

[Real fan 02]

Ponder was already ahead of Jacas on the depth chart regardless of injury, contract or draft position. Jacas starts at the back of the line.

Ponder beat out drafted Swinson along with everyone else for that backup job. Football is a meritocracy, everyone earns everything they get… at least on the good teams.

Get Ponder stronger and smarter this year and you already have a stud starting OLB. He’s a great athlete, small school means nothing… Matt Judon came from a small school.

Elijah Ponder's Training Camp Rise Should Give Patriots Defense Hope

The second-year edge rusher has made his name known for the New England Patriots this offseason.

www.si.com

 

[rabidfireweasel]

I get what you are saying but do not forget that it mostly depends on the QBs comfort in making the throw.

Sort of. The play is designed with a first read, second read, etc based upon alignment and coverage. The QB does not pick the progression. The play and coverage dictate progressions. The QB does pick whether or not the read is open and picks whether to deliver the ball to the wr.

I am saying you don’t spend WR2 FA money on a player and then only design 3.5 targets per game for that player. In Doubs career, in an offense that spread the ball around, he had totals of 67, 96, 72, and 85 targets. I don’t think they signed him to reduce that role and expect him to be at least at the 80 targets total. But, that’s just me.

 

[dliverey44]

Sort of. The play is designed with a first read, second read, etc based upon alignment and coverage. The QB does not pick the progression. The play and coverage dictate progressions. The QB does pick whether or not the read is open and picks whether to deliver the ball to the wr.

I am saying you don’t spend WR2 FA money on a player and then only design 3.5 targets per game for that player. In Doubs career, in an offense that spread the ball around, he had totals of 67, 96, 72, and 85 targets. I don’t think they signed him to reduce that role and expect him to be at least at the 80 targets total. But, that’s just me.

All of what you said is true, but the bottom line is if the QB does not feel comfy with the throw to the 1st read then he moves on. Regardless of the play design ultimately the QB makes the play.

I am just repeating what you said. I agree that he gets at least 80 targets.

 

[n1997y]

Sort of. The play is designed with a first read, second read, etc based upon alignment and coverage. The QB does not pick the progression. The play and coverage dictate progressions. The QB does pick whether or not the read is open and picks whether to deliver the ball to the wr.

All of what you said is true, but the bottom line is if the QB does not feel comfy with the throw to the 1st read then he moves on. Regardless of the play design ultimately the QB makes the play.

Those are exactly why the defenders of Maye’s disinclination saying that he’s making the reads the play calls for are missing the point. And the same about those who cite the distribution of Maye’s passes including short and medium throws not just long passes.

The problem with Maye is that it seems when he “moves on” as @dliverey44 puts it the way he moves on is more likely with his feet than throwing to the next receiver in his progression. That’s his stated antipathy to being known as “Checkdown Charlie”. He seems to think it’s a mark of QB excellence to connect with the first read and a QB failing to have to check down. Plus being a heroic runner is a hallmark of an outstanding QB. Put those two together and he’s leaving an important part of the QB craft on the table. Brady was known to be great at finding the open receiver. Drake needs to value that more highly than he apparently does. Completing a challenging throw to his first read when another receiver is wide open but lower in the progression really isn’t good QB play. Taking the easiest completion available is always a good productive choice even if it’s not the first read.

 

[Salsalife]

Why would we lose to Jacksonville and Buffalo, we are better.

Road games.

 

[jimnance]

Road games.

They were undefeated in road games last year. 8-0.
They are clearly a better team now than last year. That excels winning road games.
Keep digging that hole. Its getting g deep

 

[jimnance]

It would be interesting to see Raridon trying to pass block Milton Williams LOL

"Interesting"?
"Traumatic" might be a better choice of words

 

[Salsalife]

They were undefeated in road games last year. 8-0.
They are clearly a better team now than last year. That excels winning road games.
Keep digging that hole. Its

They were undefeated in road games last year. 8-0.
They are clearly a better team now than last year. That excels winning road games.
Keep digging that hole. Its getting g deep

The 2025 New England Patriots played the easiest regular-season schedule in the NFL by combined opponent win percentage (.391), facing opponents with a 113-176 record. It was statistically the softest schedule for any team since 1999. Try not to let the facts get in there...

 

[n1997y]

It would be interesting to see Raridon trying to pass block Milton Williams LOL

"Interesting"?
"Traumatic" might be a better choice of words

“Amusing” might be my choice.

 

[Salsalife]

Need the whiner line on this board, that would be fun! Let's start with doubs. 17 mill per year, same amount Diggs would have sign for... Paul said Doubs I'm Para phrasing looked a bit slow. Here's what people was saying about Diggs his first couple of weeks. Rehab Progress: Despite returning from a major knee injury, Diggs was cleared for practice early, showing fluid route-running and building a strong rapport with quarterback Drake Maye. We shall see...

 

[Ring 6]

Road games.

We were undefeated on the road last year.

 

[Ring 6]

Those are exactly why the defenders of Maye’s disinclination saying that he’s making the reads the play calls for are missing the point. And the same about those who cite the distribution of Maye’s passes including short and medium throws not just long passes.

The problem with Maye is that it seems when he “moves on” as @dliverey44 puts it the way he moves on is more likely with his feet than throwing to the next receiver in his progression. That’s his stated antipathy to being known as “Checkdown Charlie”. He seems to think it’s a mark of QB excellence to connect with the first read and a QB failing to have to check down. Plus being a heroic runner is a hallmark of an outstanding QB. Put those two together and he’s leaving an important part of the QB craft on the table. Brady was known to be great at finding the open receiver. Drake needs to value that more highly than he apparently does. Completing a challenging throw to his first read when another receiver is wide open but lower in the progression really isn’t good QB play. Taking the easiest completion available is always a good productive choice even if it’s not the first read.

This is not correct. Maye is not leaving the pocket after one progression. It’s blatantly clear in film. He leaves when he has to escape pressure

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

This is not correct. Maye is not leaving the pocket after one progression. It’s blatantly clear in film. He leaves when he has to escape pressure

Maye leaves a bit early at times. He did similar out of the pocket runs in college but he has improved some. Let's hope he more patient this year and only runs when he has to.