Good morning. Here are your Patriots news 5-25, and notes for this week. We hope everyone has a happy and healthy Memorial Day weekend. Tomorrow morning, I’ll be heading off to the cemetery for a ceremony honoring our troops who gave their lives for our future and the freedom that we enjoy.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft issued a statement this week on the sudden passing of Colts owner Jim Irsay.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Irsay. Jim was a passionate Colts fan whose love for the game of football was only matched by his love for music. He brought a unique spirit and energy into the room and had an unmistakable presence.
Jim’s boldness defined his legacy, not just as the steward of the Colts, but as someone who never shied away from being unapologetically himself. His contributions to our league and his compassion for his community will leave a lasting mark. On behalf of my family and the entire New England Patriots organization, I extend our deepest condolences to the Irsay family, the Colts organization, and all who knew and loved him.”
– Patriots Chairman & CEO Robert Kraft
Patriots Get Great News On Stefon Diggs Situation:
While Day 3 of the Patriots OTAs was closed to the media, the team got some great news about the continued rehab of Stefon Diggs. We had seen videos of Diggs working out, as he is reportedly well ahead of schedule in the rehab of his torn ACL, which he suffered last season.
He set tongues wagging when pictures from OTAs revealed Diggs participating. What’s also notable is that Diggs was pictured not wearing a knee brace.
His participation has fueled speculation that the 6’0” 191-pound receiver could be ready for New England’s season opener on September 7. Granted, OTA practices are not padded, but we’re not even at Memorial Day in May, so there remains plenty of time for his continued work to get back in football shape.
But getting Diggs on the field with Drake Maye at this early juncture is great news for the Patriots’ offense. It will allow the two to build some chemistry and a comfort level with each other.
With Diggs in the fold, he automatically upgrades the wide receiver room and becomes its best weapon. Diggs also provides a veteran presence to an otherwise young wide receivers’ room.
However, if he is indeed healthy enough to start the season, it could be bad news for some of the many WRs vying for a roster spot. We’ll touch on that in more detail below.
Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:
Efton Chism III: The Patriots UDFA wide receiver is a potential dark horse to make the team, who flashed elite quickness and separation abilities on the field during Day 1 of OTAs.
He caught four out of the five passes thrown his way. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has found success with a Wes Welker or Julian Edelman-type of offense. Chism could be the next gem to work out of the slot in a McDaniels-run offense.
During our podcast this week with Chris Price of the Boston Globe, Chris expressed confidence that Chism will stay with the team.
Kyle Williams: The Patriots’ draft pick is a very intriguing player to watch this season. During the first episode of the “Forged in Foxborough” series, it was interesting hearing Patriots’ scouts say that Williams was the best WR on the field at the Senior Bowl. This segment was recorded prior to the NFL Draft, which explains the Patriots’ interest in him.
In another clip from our Patriots No-Huddle podcast (I know…shameless self-promotion), Chris Price again offers a great tidbit, mentioning how Williams patterns himself after Stefon Diggs and Steve Smith.
Dippre/Chism: The aforementioned Chism and TE C.J. Dippre were paid a record amount for Patriots UDFAs. Dippre was paid a guaranteed $264,000 and Chism $259,000, according to salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, aka @patscap.
Each was guaranteed $234,000 in salary. Dippre received a $30,000 bonus while Chism received $25,000.
The previous high paid by the Patriots was $211,000 to running back Jeff Demps in 2012. There are a couple of reasons given for this payment. One is that the Patriots were far from the only suitors for these two players and had to pay to bring them on.
The other is that, despite the paltry numbers paid (compared to even league minimum), the team thinks highly of the players. Dippre has a great chance to make the team. He might never be a top receiving target, but he’s reliable and a heckuva blocker.
Patriots No Huddle Podcast: Derek, Mike D’Abate, and I discussed the Patriots’ schedule with Chris Price on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify. And please leave us a review. This week, we’ll welcome Mass Live’s Karen Guregian to talk about the team and how everything is going at OTAs.
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 displayed 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.
A Look At The Patriots’ Wide Receiver Room:
The Patriots entered OTAs last week with a wide receiver room chock-full of 12 players. They may keep half that number, and it is already competition time in Foxboro.
Generally speaking, OTAs are more for teaching and learning the installation of the team’s playbook. But with 12 receivers, every rep is essential, as it will be throughout OTAs, mini-camp, training camp, and preseason, which isn’t as far away as you might think. And the competition has already started.
Mike Vrabel made it clear what is expected of every player, whether veteran or rookie. “The young players that are coming onto this roster have to earn a role. The ones that are returning have a clean slate to go and compete, whether that’s a carryover position from last year or a new position,” Vrabel said.
“We’re very early on in the process, but we need that group to compete and have a willingness to go out there and help the quarterback through this spring process.”
The team returns DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and John Jiles from last season. This group was considered one of the worst, if not the worst, skill positions in the NFL. They’ve since added six more players.
Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins were signed in free agency, presumably to play starter-level roles within the offense. Diggs is a difference maker if he returns healthy, and it certainly appears that he is well on his way to that.
He’s the guy who will be a force multiplier; he’ll make the other players better just by being on the field and drawing attention from the defense.
Hollins is an intriguing addition. He said he signed with New England for three reasons. First, he had his best NFL season with the Raiders under Josh McDaniels. In 2022, with the Raiders, Hollins caught 57 passes for 690 yards with five touchdowns. His other two reasons were the Patriots’ tradition as an organization and his desire to play with Mike Vrabel.
And make no mistake, he’s a Vrabel-type of player. He’s an excellent blocker and a very good red zone target. Last year for the Bills, he had 31 catches for 378 yards and five TDs. By all accounts, the Bills players loved this guy. He’s a unique personality, with his no shoes mantra anywhere except on the football field. But Hollins brings his lunchpail to work every day.
At 6’4, 221, he brings it on every play. Of his 31 catches and five scores, he had 25 catches go for first downs. That is very good production. Buffalo had a prolific offense with some great playmakers, but Josh Allen never hesitated to call Hollins’ number. His new teammates are already singing his praises.
“Mack Hollins, he’s very competitive,” Kendrick Bourne said. “He is awesome, man. Just being around him, that energy is just special. I’ve never been around somebody like him. In the weight room, pushing us — everything he said in his press conferences. I watched him; he’s standing on that. I love that.
“It creates competitiveness, and for us to push each other. I kind of learned that about him. Obviously, he has all his antics with the shoes and stuff but being around him now, learning him personally, is dope; it is genuine. I love that character.”
Hollins said at his introductory press conference that it was his style.
“Pushing guys is something I enjoy, because I know not only will it make them better, it will make me better,” Hollins said. “Because if I ever stumble, they are like, ‘You’re talking all that and now here you go.’ So, it’s kind of a two-way street.” That IS a Vrabel guy.
The Patriots then added four rookies to the mix as well. Third-round draft choice Kyle Williams, whom we wrote about above, and the Patriots also signed a trio of undrafted players; Efton Chism, Demeer Blankumsee, and Jeremiah Webb were picked up as UDFAs.
But looking at the roster currently, Diggs, Hollins, and Williams are locks. This leaves DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, John Jiles, Efton Chism, Demeer Blankumsee, and Jeremiah Webb to compete for three, possibly four, roster spots.
That competition is going to be tough, and some hard decisions will have to be made. Of course, during late August and early September, there is traditionally a strain of sickness called the Foxboro Flu that permeates Gillette Stadium. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if some of these guys are part of the flu season.
A couple of players will makie it on to the practice squad, but you have to think that either Douglas or Chism will have to be one of those players for the slot. But stranger things have happened.
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“I think that it already has. I hope that it already has. Life’s a competition. Everything we do every day, we’re trying to improve and we’re trying to do better than the next person. But whether that’s a competitiveness to know what to do, to be able to play more than one position, to go extra reps when somebody’s down and take advantage of opportunities, young guys popping in there.
Third group, they do a nice job, then they get elevated and get some reps with the twos, and you see how they do with those opportunities. So, I think that there’s always a level of competition to what we do. It just may not be as physical as what it would be in training camp.
“Well, there’s certain things you have to change the way that you evaluate. Do they know their assignment? Can they adjust? Do they make the same mistake over and over? Then there’s a level of physical ability that we have to be able to evaluate. So, I would say that there’s still an evaluation even though we don’t have pads on.
Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel when asked when does the competition truly start from a positional standpoint and for guys trying to earn spots, and a follow up question on how much evaluation is going on for the coaching staff right now versus the installation and the teaching that obviously you’re doing this spring?
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“Somebody asked me what success looks like, and I said, ‘Yeah, you can judge it by wins and losses during the season, but success for me in the offseason is going to be that the players believe in what we’re doing, and they believe in the message, they believe in the teaching, and they believe in the connections that we’re making.’” — Mike Vrabel
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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)
Regarding the WR room, Bourne best be in shape and work his butt off, or he’ll be gone. He seems to be a media fav for some reason (gives quotes/info maybe?).Reality is, Bourne got in BB’s doghouse as he self admittedly showed up for camp one year out of shape and overweight. Bourne admitted he had been eating at McD’s etc. He came to camp the next year in shape like a professional and did well. Last year he came back from an ACL and had to be pushed again by the coaches. This after dropping balls and seemingly non-readiness.… Read more »