mid week observations and random thoughts

[BobDigital]

To be more on the nose though... less than 1.5 days from the preseason game. Here are guys i'll be watching. And i don't plan to list many I know can stay with starters.

Offense - Devito, Morton, Raridon Atkin, Chism, Larison, Miller, Brown, Butler, Lomu Crownover, Hudson.

Want to see both QBs a lot. I don't think DeVito should automatically get the back up spot. Morton is making a case and that battle should be honored. I really don't care about WRs aside from Chism. Williams has shown he can do well with these guys.. for him it is about getting on Drake's page. And the other 5 have played enough vs startarts i know who they are. I want to see Larison and Miller is more action. Does Larison look 100% back. How is Miller? As for the 4 back ups i named... I want to see them for myself. Particularly Hudson. He was brought in here to be the vet presence... who can for sure do the back up job.. but seems behind others. Has he lost something? As for Brown and Butler. Some bad reports about Brown make me nervous. Do we need help on the interior. Is Butler the man for that 5th IOL or no?

Defense - Swinson, Jacobs, Farmer, Britt, Muma, Obiazor, Punty, Canada, Brown

Swinson is obvious. Jacobs is the surprise of camp so far. Is he another Ponder? Love to see it. Farmer i know can play, but i want to see how much he has improved in year 2. Britt/Muma have experience but how will they look? Obiazor? I am just curious. I have heard nothing. Punty is one of the top guys I will be watching. Very excited to see him Canada is almost certainly not making the team, but be nice to feel more confident in our depth in our 4 or 5th CB goes down. Brown is a vet safety, but i want to see how he looks in our defense.

 

[rkarp1]

just asking...
will the big disappointment be Ponder?
he was a very pleasant surprise last season, mostly playing situational football, and getting after it.
if Landry cannot go to start the season, and Ponder is called on to do more, will he be up to having more responsibility on his plate?
or do we see Jacas playing on early downs, and Ponder then coming in fresh to continue getting after the QB?

 

[patchick]

CB - top 3 will be good if healthy. Charles Wood has really stepped up to be that 4th solid CB depth option. Punty has a chance to over take him by years end though, his talent is clear to see. Canada feels ahead of Dial and Minor right now for a PS or emergency spot.

I think the final CB spot will be super competitive because you didn’t include Kindle Vildor, who has had an excellent camp. This is a group I’m feeling increasingly good about top to bottom.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to make room for both Morton and Crownover, keeping only 3 RBs and cutting Chism for the initial cut.

 

[Triumph]

I disagree, and find that thinking short sighted
Doubs can play X,Y and Z. Most likely, Boutte can as well.
in 1 year, Pop and Hollins will be gone
also, in 1 year, you may realize Williams and Chism can't play
in 2 years, Brown is starting to age out and has an easy out in his deal.
in 2 years, Doubs and Boutte could be WR's 1a and 1b

Boutte would want a contract the same as Doubs and possibly better.

Brown has 1000 yards and 7 TDs in a down year with Hurts throwing the ball. I expect Browns production to noticeably increase with the more accurate Maye as his QB. Furthermore, I envision Brown is going to see more targets than Diggs. There are just so many targets to go around. Maye threw for approximately 500 attempts last season @ a 72% completion rate. So, its not like there is a bunch of room to improve there. Throwing 600 attempts equates to 6 more attempts per game and at a 72% completion rate accounts for 4.25 added receptions per 17 games. Then, factor in the games where NE is leading where they would run the ball to burn clock.

 

[rkarp1]

Boutte would want a contract the same as Doubs and possibly better.

Brown has 1000 yards and 7 TDs in a down year with Hurts throwing the ball. I expect Browns production to noticeably increase with the more accurate Maye as his QB. Furthermore, I envision Brown is going to see more targets than Diggs. There are just so many targets to go around. Maye threw for approximately 500 attempts last season @ a 72% completion rate. So, its not like there is a bunch of room to improve there. Throwing 600 attempts equates to 6 more attempts per game and at a 72% completion rate accounts for 4.25 added receptions per 17 games. Then, factor in the games where NE is leading where they would run the ball to burn clock.

he wont get that here, or anywhere right now.
maybe he will next year. maybe he wont.
he might get hurt and never get it.
would he take $30m now, with the opportunity to go into free agency again in 3 years?

 

[Wozzy]

just asking...
will the big disappointment be Ponder?
he was a very pleasant surprise last season, mostly playing situational football, and getting after it.
if Landry cannot go to start the season, and Ponder is called on to do more, will he be up to having more responsibility on his plate?
or do we see Jacas playing on early downs, and Ponder then coming in fresh to continue getting after the QB?

He had a sack and a batted ball yesterday against the Colts, so probably not.

 

[patfanken]

I dont see Kraft writing Boutte any checks.

Boutte had a good - not great - 2025 season and now expects to be paid. It doesn't work that way. Furthermore, if the Pats cave to Bouttes demands it would send a message to the team to act the same way to get what you want.

Henry just got more money because he didnt act like a fool.

What do You mean they should "act in the same way? Do you mean they should show up to every practice, work your ass off, make play after play (so far) and keep your mouth shut about your contract situation. I damned well hope everyone is getting THAT message.

Christ T, he made that trade request in April and in April it was an appropriate request given the signing of Doubs and AJB "on the way". But in the end, are the Pats a better team with Boutte on it, or are we better off without him and a future 5th round pick???

And, btw, Kraft DOESN'T decide about who he writes checks to, that is the decision of the guys who run his football operations, and you know it. Just like you know that Boutte hasn't "acted like a fool"