PATRIOTS NEWS 2026 Patriots OTAs - First Open Media Day (5/27)

[captain stone]

Pop is an unusual player.

That is, he doesn't fit the New England model of a slot receiver. He's not a shifty, high playing strength, good ball carrier, need-six-yards-catch-the-ball-at-four-and-bull-your way-for-the-other-two type. Edelman was the model for that and others have tried to imitate him.

Pop is a slot receiver, but he does his best work further downfield. He doesn't have the flat-out speed or playing strength to burst through tackles -- his sweeps and reverses are disappointing -- and he falls over. What are his strengths, then? He has amazing hands and ball-tracking abilities. The thing that makes him fall over (positioning himself to take the ball off-balance) is just what enables him to make great catches.

Unfortunately for him, the slot role was taken by Diggs soon after the start of the season (I think they initially wanted Diggs to play outside). So except for a few great plays (I'm remembering New Orleans and Cincinnati) he didn't have that many opportunities.

Don't give up on Pop, cap'n!

Yep, without Diggs here there are still slot snaps to be had; Pop is as good a candidate for that role as anyone else right now...

 

[captain stone]

Boutte has been compared to Lloyd who had a fine year and then was cut, partly because of his 2.3 YAC average.

Yup, they didn't get open, had the Defense all over them, and then made circus catches to the wild cheers of the fans.

To be clear, I was one who wanted us to re-sign Lloyd.

Especially after The Prisoner was arrested that summer and Bill didn't do a damn thing to help Gronk except to sign junk like Matthew Blackjack Mulligan & D-Junior Williams; oh yeah and he drafted Aaron Drop,son instead of Keenan Allen... Maybe if Lloyd hadn't been let go then we wouldn't have been subjected to watching Matt Slater attempt to catch passes in the AFCCG...

 

[SpartanStar]

And Rams get Garrett for Verse and a 27 1st rd pick.... should have traded Gonzo for him....Rams get it and what to win... they are the new Patriots
.Pats want to play games... not win now

 

[Clonamery]

And Rams get Garrett for Verse and a 27 1st rd pick.... should have traded Gonzo for him....Rams get it and what to win... they are the new Patriots
.Pats want to play games... not win now