Good morning. Here are your Patriots News and NFL Notes on 2-2. The Patriots have been busy, adding coaches and having a large part of the staff at the Senior Bowl.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel spoke with Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar about various topics, including OC Josh McDaniels. He said experience is a significant factor in working with Drake Maye.
“There’s an experience level that’s critical. There’s been some growth from the offense over the years, and [McDaniels] has blended that with some of the new trends, but the foundation will remain the same. I’m excited about adding some of those new trends,” Coach Vrabel said. “Then, his ability as a play-caller [stands out], having gone against him and seen him work and operate. He has a great vision for leading our offense.”
He also had something to say about new DC Terrell Williams, who brings a wealth of knowledge and 27 years of experience as a coach.
“I like to invest in people, and [Williams] is one,” Vrabel said of the Patriots new defensive coordinator. “He’s a great person, a great coach. He’s got a large, wide reach on every player that he’s ever been around, and he’s made an impact. He was very instrumental in our success in Tennessee. The opportunity to be able to get [Williams] here, I felt like that was important.”
Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:
Drake Maye: The Patriots’ QB was a late addition to the Pro Bowl, and he’s been soaking it all up while competing against some of the other QBs in the league. He was interviewed on Sirius XM radio this week, and he said that he and Mike Vrabel were on the phone, and he’s itching to get started.
“[Vrabel] reached out to me, and we got on the phone. He’s been awesome. Obviously, a guy who’s done it, played in the league, and won a Super Bowl,” Maye said. “You have a respect for what he’s done and seen what he’s done. I think the biggest thing is he’s been a head coach and knows what it’s like. So excited to get up to New England and get things going.”
Maye is very excited to work with new OC Josh McDaniels.
“Coach McDaniels, obviously what he’s done and the success he’s had, I’m fortunate to be able to have a guy come in who has done it at a high level and learn from him coaching one of the best ever – the best ever in my opinion — Tom [Brady],” Maye said.
“Playing my position, you have to be in tune in every situation. Those guys are looking at you, the other 10 guys on the field, it’s your job to get things going and get things on the right page. So, I think situational football and just continuing to grow as a leader,” Maye added.
Peyton Manning: Peyton and Eli were at the Pro Bowl, and he had some very nice things to say about Drake Maye. Check this video:
Ben McAdoo: We were pleasantly surprised to see another one of Jerod Mayo’s coaches stick around for another year. McAdoo will return in 2025 according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. He was an offensive assistant last season, but that may change this year under Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels.
Patriots 4th & 2 Podcast: Derek and I discussed the new Patriots coaches who had been hired. Please check us out and give us a listen on YouTube, Apple, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Russ Francis/Chuck Fairbanks: The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn’t is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders’ Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position. This will be discussed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis’ numbers stand up well against Casper’s, yet he isn’t even in the team’s HOF.
Free Agent Fits For the Patriots:
The Patriots have holes all over their roster that need to be filled. We’re all over the Senior Bowl this week, but how the Patriots decide to draft will depend on how well or poorly they do in free agency. New England is no longer a desired destination after back-to-back 4-13 seasons.
However, with a new and solid coaching staff, a stud young quarterback with boatloads of potential, and the most cap space in the NFL, things are not as bad as they were a year ago.
But as I’ve written and said on our podcast several times, the Patriots can’t be competitive this year in terms of money for free agents. They need to overpay to start getting players to come here. It will serve two purposes. One and most importantly, it will give them the players to start filling holes on the roster. And it will also show other FAs that New England is a place where you can get paid.
Both are sorely needed.
Here are some free agents that I’d like to see in New England in March.
WRs Tee Higgins and/or Chris Godwin. Both are huge impact players who would instantly upgrade the offense. Everyone wants Higgins, I want Higgins, but so do 32 teams. I don’t know if the Bengals allow him to reach free agency or find a way to keep him. Every team would love to have him. If you are the Patriots, sell him on playing with Drake Maye, and fill up a duffle bag with cash.
Godwin is a fantastic player who is always open and has very few drops. He averages 5.4 yards after contact, which is excellent. But both he and Higgins have the same issue with injuries which is something to consider.
Another WR is Amari Cooper, but I think the Bills will find a way to keep him in Buffalo.
Ronnie Stanley is a terrific left tackle for the Ravens. He played in all 17 games this year, but he’ll turn 31 in March. But throwing some big money at him for 2-3 years would immediately upgrade the tackle position. Cam Robinson could be another veteran they take a look at.
Josh Sweat, the edge player for the Eagles, is a guy I’ve been intrigued by. I think he’d fit well in New England with Vrabel and Williams. Swear is 27, and had 8 sacks and 15 QB hits for the Eagles.
Byron Murphy, the CB for the Minnesota Vikings, would be a perfect complement to Christian Gonzalez, giving the Patriots a pair of talented shut-down corners. He’s only 27 and would fit well with Vrabel/Williams’ defense. Murphy racked up 81 tackles, six interceptions, a forced fumble, and 14 passes defended en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance with the Vikings in 2024.
Levi Onwuzurike is a penetrating three-technique interior pass-rusher that every team wants. Put him next to Christian Barmore if his health returns, and the team would have a 1-2 punch in the middle that could wreak havoc on opponents.
Of course, they’ll also sign some depth guys that every team needs. I foresee a big roster turnover this spring/summer. If they do well in free agency, they can draft the best player available instead of drafting for need. And there is always the trade scenario. Several good players may be available.
Parting Shots:
A few Senior Bowl standouts to me this week from afar in no particular order that some may find interesting.
Mike Green, Edge, Marshall: This guy seemed like he turned the jets on all week. He led the FBS in sacks with 17, and he can fly off the edge. There is plenty to like there.
Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M: He’s a freak athlete who didn’t have great production, but if this week is any indication, he’s starting to figure out his game. It will be interesting to see where he goes in the draft.
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU: Sounds a little like Jason Taylor? That’s because Mason is his son. Taylor seems “tailor-ready” (I know, bad pun) for the NFL. He runs great routes and has good hands. Best of all, he’s only 20 years old.
Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami: What can you say, great size and speed and runs great routes. This guy is going to be good, very good at the next level.
Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State: This guy’s draft stock definitely rose this week. This week, he did a great job at tackle, guard, and center. When you have a guy who can play any position on the OL, he’s going to have a roster slot and be a valuable player.
There will be a lot more player evaluations coming down shortly. And then after the Super Bowl we have the Under Armour Olympics, aka the NFL Scouting Combine.
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Super Bowl Prediction:
Coming next week
Last week: 1—1
2024 Season 204—68
2023 Season 178—94
2022 Season: 178—92—2
2021 Season: 183—88—1
2020 Season: 169—86—1
2019 Season: 162—93—1
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“You can trust that the people we’re bringing in are great teachers, whether they’ve got great experience or we believe in a vision for them as a coach. Trying to have that balance. The staff continuity is critical, and I think you start there, and then you figure out what they can do to help you and how they can reach the players,” Vrabel said.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel on what he expects out of his coaches.
“It’s an opportunity to come help build something, help build a program back. Obviously, it’s a place that’s had a ton of success. It’s used to winning, and I just wanted to come and be a part of trying to get back to that,” Cowden said. “Coach is going to talk a lot about building a program that we’re proud of, that you want to protect, and that’s what I want to try and help do, and work alongside Eliot and Coach and the rest of the staff, and just do my part.
“I’ve had the great opportunity to work with some good coaches, from John Fox to Ron Rivera to Coach Vrabel. To me, it’s just an exciting opportunity to try to find that way for me to add value to the club,” Cowden added.
“Everything with Coach Vrabel and what he’s going to impart to his staff is about the effort and the finish. It sounds simplistic, but it does make a difference. It’s going to be about investing in the players and developing their skills. But everything as it relates to this team and the embodiment of that is going to be starting with the effort and finish.”
New Patriots VP of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden, on what it means coming to the Patriots and what the team is planning on doing together as a staff.
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“Talent sets the floor; Character sets the ceiling.” Bill Belichick
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
Will you just stop on Chuck Fairbanks and Russ Francis. It”s now gotten beyond tiresome. Fairbanks’ Pats record speaks for itself – relatively short, not bad, but certainly not close to sufficiently distinguished for HOF. Francis was a good tight end in a different era, and I have some sympathy here, but it’s a close call and not one worthy of your drum beating.
Not. Gonna. Do. It. If it displeases you so much, then just skip over that section