PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP 2026 Patriots Training Camp - Day 9

[p8ryts]

Pop and Boutte aren't really competing against each other.

You got me thinking about who might be directly competing. So I lump AJ,
Boutte, and Kyle. We all lump Pop and Chism but I don't know that is correct. Chism is a quick, short to medium receiver with little threat deep. Pop seems to need time but is able to get open deep. I don't know if he is effective on routes close to the line of scrimmage. Hollins again is middle to deep as is Doubs.

So I end up with AJ, Boutte, Kyle
Doubs Hollins Pop
Chism
I expect one of Boutte, Pop or Kyle are traded and we keep six on the roster.

 

[patchick]

That really isn't a paradox, he tends to make the big plays that get media/fans excited, when they really mean nothing when he is doing it recently against whoever is running at CB on the second field.

Alternate interpretation: Douglas gets more reps with the first team because he's their #1 slot option. Meanwhile Boutte, who IMO is clearly the "better" player, is stuck behind Brown and Doubs.

Which is really the one and only problem with this WR corps--the talent is overloaded toward outside receivers.

 

[Headcase]

Alternate interpretation: Douglas gets more reps with the first team because he's their #1 slot option. Meanwhile Boutte, who IMO is clearly the "better" player, is stuck behind Brown and Doubs.

Which is really the one and only problem with this WR corps--the talent is overloaded toward outside receivers.

And it is the thing that the people who love Boutte don't understand....you don't have to "hate" Boutte to think he should be moved, it just makes sense in the team building.

 

[Headcase]

You got me thinking about who might be directly competing. So I lump AJ,
Boutte, and Kyle. We all lump Pop and Chism but I don't know that is correct. Chism is a quick, short to medium receiver with little threat deep. Pop seems to need time but is able to get open deep. I don't know if he is effective on routes close to the line of scrimmage. Hollins again is middle to deep as is Doubs.

So I end up with AJ, Boutte, Kyle
Doubs Hollins Pop
Chism
I expect one of Boutte, Pop or Kyle are traded and we keep six on the roster.

Pop and Chism would definitely play the slot for the Patriots differently, but they would both play the slot and that is why they are in competition.

 

[patchick]

And it is the thing that the people who love Boutte don't understand....you don't have to "hate" Boutte to think he should be moved, it just makes sense in the team building.

And yet, for short money I'm happy to have a receiver of Boutte's caliber on hand in case of injury--or even in case Doubs and Maye never do click. Unless a team ponies up something unexpected, I'll keep the player for the year then maybe pick up a comp pick.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

And yet, for short money I'm happy to have a receiver of Boutte's caliber on hand in case of injury--or even in case Doubs and Maye never do click. Unless a team ponies up something unexpected, I'll keep the player for the year then maybe pick up a comp pick.

This logic applies in a vacuum where there is no friction.

What friction do I feel you missed?

The player has to be on board with it.

I don’t believe Boutte is or even should be okay with basically being insurance, getting limited opportunities (only one ball) in a contract year.

We know he asked for a trade.

He doesn’t give a **** that the Pats didn’t like the offers.

The reason he asked for the trade (they are not going to pay him, he wants to put reps on tape so someone will) remains true.

 

[WazzuWheatfarmer]

Sounds like things are looking pretty good overall thus far. It’s a great problem to have when you have an abundance of quality WRs. I would not let Boutte get away. I realize he’s redundant, but that guy can play. I would not let him go. I’ve seen enough roster manipulation over the first couple of weeks of the season over the years to know that NE will be able to find a way to keep all the WRs if they choose to.
I’m also encouraged by what we’ve heard about the O-line. Seems like Campbell is looking very good and I love seeing Lomu get some run with the 1’s. I know Lomu has struggled in 1 on 1’s, but I’m not worried about the rookie. I think he’s going to be a long term player for the Pats. Love his skill set.
Keep the updates coming. They are much appreciated.

 

[rkarp1]

Sounds like things are looking pretty good overall thus far. It’s a great problem to have when you have an abundance of quality WRs. I would not let Boutte get away. I realize he’s redundant, but that guy can play. I would not let him go. I’ve seen enough roster manipulation over the first couple of weeks of the season over the years to know that NE will be able to find a way to keep all the WRs if they choose to.
I’m also encouraged by what we’ve heard about the O-line. Seems like Campbell is looking very good and I love seeing Lomu get some run with the 1’s. I know Lomu has struggled in 1 on 1’s, but I’m not worried about the rookie. I think he’s going to be a long term player for the Pats. Love his skill set.
Keep the updates coming. They are much appreciated.

Wazzu? get outa here!
is that you? really?

 

[javajunky]

This is a GREAT post.

Again, this is just a good post.

 

[Urgent]

This logic applies in a vacuum where there is no friction.

What friction do I feel you missed?

The player has to be on board with it.

I don’t believe Boutte is or even should be okay with basically being insurance, getting limited opportunities (only one ball) in a contract year.

We know he asked for a trade.

He doesn’t give a **** that the Pats didn’t like the offers.

The reason he asked for the trade (they are not going to pay him, he wants to put reps on tape so someone will) remains true.

From Bouttes position, he may have no choice.
But it’s also possible being behind Brown and Doubs with Maye still offers him better production than a #2 role with a bottom ten team after missing their training camp. He may not get volume here but he will get some big play opportunities with Maye.

 

[The Gr8est]

If he batted the pass to Henry that’s not so good.

Hopefully it means he broke up the pass.

 

[WazzuWheatfarmer]

Wazzu? get outa here!
is that you? really?

What’s up rkarp? Good to hear from you. Yep. I’ve been following these camp threads quite a bit. Very good stuff. Haven’t been posting lately. Been very busy. But big season for NE coming up so getting back into it. This is a great forum.

 

[The Gr8est]

Blame Canada!

 

[The Gr8est]

Not good for Kyle Dixon if you are the only WR Kobe Minor can cover.

 

[upstater1]

And it is the thing that the people who love Boutte don't understand....you don't have to "hate" Boutte to think he should be moved, it just makes sense in the team building.

No one is going to give you anything for him. Might as well have him around in case of injury. It would be myopic to trade him for a 5th.

 

[rkarp1]

What’s up rkarp? Good to hear from you. Yep. I’ve been following these camp threads quite a bit. Very good stuff. Haven’t been posting lately. Been very busy. But big season for NE coming up so getting back into it. This is a great forum.

welcome back!
go Pats!
Even from Washington state

 

[Ring 6]

Alternate interpretation: Douglas gets more reps with the first team because he's their #1 slot option. Meanwhile Boutte, who IMO is clearly the "better" player, is stuck behind Brown and Doubs.

Which is really the one and only problem with this WR corps--the talent is overloaded toward outside receivers.

“Slot guy” in the sense I think you are referring to it is only a minimal role in some 3rd downs. All 3 of Brown, Boutte and Doubs can align in the slot and run their route tree from it.
We seem to think a WR3 needs to be in the Welker mode but very few teams use them that way

 

[WazzuWheatfarmer]

welcome back!
go Pats!
Even from Washington state

lol. Eastern Washington State. I like to emphasize that. Thanks man

 

[patchick]

This logic applies in a vacuum where there is no friction.

What friction do I feel you missed?

The player has to be on board with it.

I don’t believe Boutte is or even should be okay with basically being insurance, getting limited opportunities (only one ball) in a contract year.

Obviously Boutte would prefer a bigger showcase opportunity in a contract year, but I haven't seen any sign that he's causing "friction." If anything, he's making the case for playing time with his work. What's more, there's a difference between an off-season trade and an end-of-camp trade. Landing in a new offense at the last minute, likely with an inferior QB, might not be such a fabulous opportunity.

 

[mgteich]

This logic applies in a vacuum where there is no friction.

What friction do I feel you missed?

The player has to be on board with it.

I don’t believe Boutte is or even should be okay with basically being insurance, getting limited opportunities (only one ball) in a contract year.

We know he asked for a trade.

He doesn’t give a **** that the Pats didn’t like the offers.

The reason he asked for the trade (they are not going to pay him, he wants to put reps on tape so someone will) remains true.

he wants, he wants, he wants

He can choose to be a pain and be inactive. Maybe the team might trade him before the trade deadline. He won't get his big contract next year that way.

However, I see NO evidence of this negative attitude since camp started.