PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP 2026 Patriots Training Camp - Day 9

[rkarp1]

That's a one day snapshot from him, not what he''s been saying in each case all camp.

Bedard discussed OL one on one blocking wins-draws-losses for camp totals, not 1 day totals.
he said Campbell and WIlson have looked very good, stronger, bigger
Onwenu was "his usual self rounding in to shape"
AVT looked rusty, but in the past has been best in the league, so will give him the benefit of the doubt
Lomu simply said, "has looked bad". comp'd him to Campbell last year, and said that while Campbell started slowly last summer, Lomu looks much worse

 

[Wozzy]

I'm still not convinced the Pats aren't highlighting him in an effort to get something for him. The 49ers are hurting at WR again.

Somebody has to go, barring injury.

 

[Triumph]

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.

Because its in Bouttes best interest to play nice and develop as much video to shop him to potential buyers.

 

[Gumby]

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.

Nor WAS THERE EVIDENCE directly WHEN/AFTER HE „ASKED“ for the trade.

This trade ask took 60+ days to come to light as „validated“; and even then it hasn’t been put in context to HOW it was asked or what specifically was asked.
- Maybe he asked: ‚ can you explain how you plan to use me in conjunction with all these new WRs or investigate my worth elsewhere?‘
- - That certainly comes off a lot different than a Vita Vea Insta post about ‚ Move me to Cali!…now!! “

He is NOT A PROBLEM CHILD and shows every EVIDENCE of being a GOOD PIECE of the Drake „ Drake Maye“ & Josh McD O solution. A year is a long time …. He could still prove to be Here & Worth Extending when Feb rolls around.

 

[Wozzy]

Josh McDaniels teams have have at times but certainly not always.
Welker was a “slot guy” in the way you are referring to them.
Edelman was not, he played outside a lot. Last year we used Diggs who is absolutely not that guy.
Having to use a small quick short route guy in the slot is huge misconception. We saw it last year when “the slot guy” Douglas played 10 snaps a game or so. Running quick hit routes out of the slot isn’t a system it’s a package.

Edelman was a slot guy. Playing a little outside late in his career when he and Tom had a unique connection doesn’t change that. He did most of his work in the middle of the field. There’s no rule saying slot guys can’t flex outside.

And slot guys also don’t have to be small as a requirement, they just need to have great agility, the ability to get open in short space and find soft spots in the zone. Jakobi Meyers was 6’2” and did the job well.

Controlling the middle of the field is a tenet of the Ernhardt-Perkins system. It went all the way back to the 80’s Giants with Phil McConkey, up to the Pats and Troy Brown… it was not McDaniels or his system… but the slot position is certainly a thing.

It was largely precipitated by bad weather (snow, rain) conditions and wanting to keep the passing game close to the QB. Outside receivers created the threat with speed and physicality, which allowed slot and TE’s to control the middle of the field. This hasn’t changed.

Bottom line, Brown and Doubs are the best threats outside, Douglas is the best, most difficult cover inside because of agility and explosion. This is why Boutte is behind all three… even if the team forces him into the lineup out of respect.

 

[Wozzy]

Because its in Bouttes best interest to play nice and develop as much video to shop him to potential buyers.

He’s got two years starting worth of tape…

Nobody is going to overpay in draft capital for a 500-700 yard receiver they also have to extend a contract to.

 

[Clonamery]

Edelman was a slot guy. Playing a little outside late in his career when he and Tom had a unique connection doesn’t change that. He did most of his work in the middle of the field. There’s no rule saying slot guys can’t flex outside.

And slot guys also don’t have to be small as a requirement, they just need to have great agility, the ability to get open in short space and find soft spots in the zone. Jakobi Meyers was 6’2” and did the job well.

Controlling the middle of the field is a tenet of the Ernhardt-Perkins system. It went all the way back to the 80’s Giants with Phil McConkey, up to the Pats and Troy Brown… it was not McDaniels or his system… but the slot position is certainly a thing.

It was largely precipitated by bad weather (snow, rain) conditions and wanting to keep the passing game close to the QB. Outside receivers created the threat with speed and physicality, which allowed slot and TE’s to control the middle of the field. This hasn’t changed.

Bottom line, Brown and Doubs are the best threats outside, Douglas is the best, most difficult cover inside because of agility and explosion. This is why Boutte is behind all three… even if the team forces him into the lineup out of respect.

The only comment I'll make about Douglas in the slot is that 31 receptions in 17 games puts a bullseye on his back. And rightly so.

 

[Headcase]

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.

The other part of the team building equation is that you do have Williams for a couple more years, and need to see what you have in him with the ones, Boutte is also blocking that from happening.

Williams was much more productive than Boutte in their rookie years (yes, yes, different teams, QBs, coaches, ect...), has an element of speed/explosiveness that the WR core is missing overall.

If you want to keep Boutte for injury insurance go for it, but make him the last guy in the X rotation.

 

[patchick]

What is that picture? It’s like somebody put Borregales, Carlos Santana and Cher in a blender.

 

[patfanken]

I hope that this isn't the case for our defense. Our #3's (first off the bench)
Farmer
Muma
Jacas
Woods
Pettus

To be clear, these are NOT our bottom of the roster players. They are our best backups.

l think my point is that LAST season we had no clue on so many guys on the defensive side and they turned out to be solid starters and reserves. Now we have a confidence in more players than we had last season and just have to hope that all the question marks you pointed out will produce at least SOME dependable players

 

[manxman2601]

What is that picture? It’s like somebody put Borregales, Carlos Santana and Cher in a blender.

He's auditioning for the latest pirate, or three musketeer, movie.

 

[Wozzy]

The only comment I'll make about Douglas in the slot is that 31 receptions in 17 games puts a bullseye on his back. And rightly so.

Not really, Drake clearly worked from the outside in last year.

Also Douglas started game one as the clear starter in the slot. Nothing happened, so they moved away from him. In the second half of the season his usage increased and he ended up leading the team in receiving in the Super Bowl.

It’s been my contention Drake needs to work on his short game, has to be better recognizing and adjusting to pressure. Part of that is knowing where his hot routes are and who can get open quickly against press and pressure.

Drake and Pop just need to build upon the momentum they started last year.