PATRIOTS NEWS Aug 12: Patriots headed to Minnesota for Joint Practices on Wed/Thurs.

[Pape]

missed this tidbit yesterday...

 

[PatsFan2]

I think not playing with S Diggs; makes the Patriots a little easier to defend on the outsides. I wonder if he goes in the joint practices; Diggs that is??

 

[PatsFan2]

missed this tidbit yesterday...

Kinda surprised Gee Scott didn't post a stat last game.

 

[Triumph]

Even if JM dumbed it down, it’s a tough offense to master. Still a little less than four weeks to go before the Raiders game.

19 days left before preparation for Vegas begins.

 

[Ross12]

Even if JM dumbed it down, it’s a tough offense to master. Still a little less than four weeks to go before the Raiders game.

Yeah it will be a learning experience, both for Maye and also the WRs. There will be missed throws, receivers in the wrong spot, timing issues. As they get more practice and time in the system as the weeks go on, that will improve. I am guessing they are going to lean heavily on the run game in the first month or even two months to help balance that out. Thankfully, it looks like they will be a pretty good rushing team.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I think we're seeing the growing pains with Maye and we might not be a great passing offense this season. Hopefully we see some growth, though. And that's where having a good run game and a decent defense might be parts of the game we can lean on.

 

[Steve102]

OL and don't put the ball in jeopardy.

yeah. Take the profit.

 

[Dec54]

lol, on my way...

Brilliant, love it

 

[denverpatsfan]

Going to be tough to bounce back against what could be a top 3 defense this season. I expect Maye and the offense to continue to struggle and heads will explode here.

Good experience to practice and play against this D. Might be the best one they face this season

 

[javajunky]

Going to be tough to bounce back against what could be a top 3 defense this season. I expect Maye and the offense to continue to struggle and heads will explode here.

Good experience to practice and play against this D. Might be the best one they face this season

If the offense can hold its own this week, book double-digit wins.

 

[Pape]

Kinda surprised Gee Scott didn't post a stat last game.

All depends on what they were working on at the time

 

[PatsFan2]

All depends on what they were working on at the time

Even J Bell caught something.

 

[jmt57]

The search for Lan Larison's replacement continues.

Watts was in for a visit yesterday
Prince was held out of both practices during his 48-hour stay.







Watts is physically quite different from Prince.

Patriots Sign Rookie RB Shane Watts and Release RB Deneric Prince

The Patriots announced today the signing of rookie RB Shane Watts. In addition, the Patriots released first-year RB Deneric Prince, who was signed by New England on August 10, 2025.

www.patriots.com

Watts, 23, played four years at Fort Hays State and was an All-America Second Team selection in 2024 by three separate organizations, including the D2CCA, Associated Press (AP), and Don Hansen Football Committee. The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder, finished the year with 1,303 rushing yards and 449 receiving yards for 1,752 all-purpose yards. He scored 17 touchdowns, including 13 rushing and four receiving. Watts spent the first two seasons at Fort Hayes State as a defensive back before switching to running back.​

​

Prince, 25, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 out of Tulsa. The 6-foot, 211-pounder, spent the majority of his rookie season on the practice squad but was elevated to the active roster for two games. After being released by Kansas City following training camp in 2024, Prince spent the year on the Miami Dolphins practice squad. He played with the Memphis Showboats of the UFL this past spring.​

https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2024/11/shane-watts/

Shane Watts put on a stellar performance for Fort Hays State this season, rushing for over 1300 yards as well as having over 400 receiving yards. Watts offers a unique skill set as a player who switched from safety to RB before the 2023 season. He has been a key asset to the offense as an all-around RB. After putting up a whopping 250 yards rushing against Emporia State this season, he was named Co-Offensive Athlete of the week. Watts takes pride in his commitment to the weight room. He boasts a 405 pound max bench as well as a 345 pound power clean. Scouts love his overall make up and what he brings to the table as a prospect.​

 

[mgteich]

If the offense can hold its own this week, book double-digit wins.

also, I suspect that it might snow.

 

[mgteich]

The search for Lan Larison's replacement continues.

Watts was in for a visit yesterday
Prince was held out of both practices during his 48-hour stay.







Watts is physically quite different from Prince.

Patriots Sign Rookie RB Shane Watts and Release RB Deneric Prince

The Patriots announced today the signing of rookie RB Shane Watts. In addition, the Patriots released first-year RB Deneric Prince, who was signed by New England on August 10, 2025.

www.patriots.com

Watts, 23, played four years at Fort Hays State and was an All-America Second Team selection in 2024 by three separate organizations, including the D2CCA, Associated Press (AP), and Don Hansen Football Committee. The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder, finished the year with 1,303 rushing yards and 449 receiving yards for 1,752 all-purpose yards. He scored 17 touchdowns, including 13 rushing and four receiving. Watts spent the first two seasons at Fort Hayes State as a defensive back before switching to running back.​

​

Prince, 25, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 out of Tulsa. The 6-foot, 211-pounder, spent the majority of his rookie season on the practice squad but was elevated to the active roster for two games. After being released by Kansas City following training camp in 2024, Prince spent the year on the Miami Dolphins practice squad. He played with the Memphis Showboats of the UFL this past spring.​

https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2024/11/shane-watts/

Shane Watts put on a stellar performance for Fort Hays State this season, rushing for over 1300 yards as well as having over 400 receiving yards. Watts offers a unique skill set as a player who switched from safety to RB before the 2023 season. He has been a key asset to the offense as an all-around RB. After putting up a whopping 250 yards rushing against Emporia State this season, he was named Co-Offensive Athlete of the week. Watts takes pride in his commitment to the weight room. He boasts a 405 pound max bench as well as a 345 pound power clean. Scouts love his overall make up and what he brings to the table as a prospect.​

For some of us, Larison was the #4 RB on the 53. We could use a roster spot for a FB but that is a different issue.

I don't think that anyone is competing for the #4 RB roster spot. We do need players to take RB reps until the cutdown. We also need competition for the Practice Squad. I would keep two there. There is plenty of room on a 16-man squad.

 

[jmt57]

For some of us, Larison was the #4 RB on the 53. We could use a roster spot for a FB but that is a different issue.

I don't think that anyone is competing for the #4 RB roster spot. We do need players to take RB reps until the cutdown. We also need competition for the Practice Squad. I would keep two there. There is plenty of room on a 16-man squad.

Personally I felt either Larsison or Lampe - or both - would make the roster - but that's just this armchair gm/fan's opinion.

Among the rest of the running backs - Shane Watts, JaMycal Hasty, Terrell Jennings - while I agree none are anything to be excited about at this point (camp fodder), I also believe the team would be best served with more than three RB/FBs on the roster. My guess is that the Patriots will pick up a RB or FB that gets cut by another team. Roster cutdown date is just two weeks away, August 26.

I don't think there are any worthwhile (injury-free and not over-the-hill) free agent RBs out there right now either. A RB#4 is typically counted on to play special teams, and that doesn't seem like a good match for Gus Edwards, Ezekiel Elliott, Cordarelle Patterson, Jamaal Williams, D'Onta Foreman, etc. at their ages.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

The search for Lan Larison's replacement continues.

Watts was in for a visit yesterday
Prince was held out of both practices during his 48-hour stay.







Watts is physically quite different from Prince.

Patriots Sign Rookie RB Shane Watts and Release RB Deneric Prince

The Patriots announced today the signing of rookie RB Shane Watts. In addition, the Patriots released first-year RB Deneric Prince, who was signed by New England on August 10, 2025.

www.patriots.com

Watts, 23, played four years at Fort Hays State and was an All-America Second Team selection in 2024 by three separate organizations, including the D2CCA, Associated Press (AP), and Don Hansen Football Committee. The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder, finished the year with 1,303 rushing yards and 449 receiving yards for 1,752 all-purpose yards. He scored 17 touchdowns, including 13 rushing and four receiving. Watts spent the first two seasons at Fort Hayes State as a defensive back before switching to running back.​

​

Prince, 25, originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 out of Tulsa. The 6-foot, 211-pounder, spent the majority of his rookie season on the practice squad but was elevated to the active roster for two games. After being released by Kansas City following training camp in 2024, Prince spent the year on the Miami Dolphins practice squad. He played with the Memphis Showboats of the UFL this past spring.​

https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2024/11/shane-watts/

Shane Watts put on a stellar performance for Fort Hays State this season, rushing for over 1300 yards as well as having over 400 receiving yards. Watts offers a unique skill set as a player who switched from safety to RB before the 2023 season. He has been a key asset to the offense as an all-around RB. After putting up a whopping 250 yards rushing against Emporia State this season, he was named Co-Offensive Athlete of the week. Watts takes pride in his commitment to the weight room. He boasts a 405 pound max bench as well as a 345 pound power clean. Scouts love his overall make up and what he brings to the table as a prospect.​

I know as a bubble player, beggars can’t be choosers. But man, if I were Prince that experience would leave a bad taste in my mouth. Signing a contract and being cut before even getting to practice? Unless he showed an attitude / motivation problem or an injury, that’s rough.

 

[n1997y]

I know as a bubble player, beggars can’t be choosers. But man, if I were Prince that experience would leave a bad taste in my mouth. Signing a contract and being cut before even getting to practice? Unless he showed an attitude / motivation problem or an injury, that’s rough.

ts. Team is perfectly entitled to bring him in, give him a medical, evaluate him physically and mentally, and decide that’s all they want to invest in what they see in front of them. Did make me wonder about his physical condition.

 

[sb1]

I assume this is the dress rehearsal game like what week 3 used to be in a 4 game preseason. So I'm hoping to see good things on both sides of the ball.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

ts. Team is perfectly entitled to bring him in, give him a medical, evaluate him physically and mentally, and decide that’s all they want to invest in what they see in front of them. Did make me wonder about his physical condition.

My point is they actually signed him to a contract. The evaluation should have been done ahead of time before they offered him a contract.