Mike Reiss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Patriots perspective: Mike Vrabel did such an efficient job conducting one among his first objectives as Patriots coach {that a} course correction is now required.
Vrabel had stated in January: “I need to impress our soccer workforce. I need to impress this constructing. I need to impress our followers.”
It occurred. Coaching camp crowds peaked at 13,000 sooner or later. Gamers and coaches reported a palpable buzz across the facility. And the Patriots had success in a joint follow with the Washington Commanders (who performed within the NFC Championship Sport final yr), then throttled them within the preseason opener, 48-18.
At that time, the outlook surrounding the Patriots was decidedly constructive.
The promise stays for an improved workforce that performs with relentless “effort and end,” however what has unfolded the previous two weeks has stunted a few of that early momentum. First, the workforce was dominated on protection in a joint follow with the Minnesota Vikings and the Drake Maye-led prime offense fought and clawed to maneuver the ball towards Minnesota backups in a 20-12 win in Week 2 of preseason. Then, the Patriots sat 35 gamers within the preseason finale because the New York Giants' second- and third-stringers crushed Patriots second- and third-stringers 42-10.
After the second preseason sport, whereas answering a query on veterans taking part in deep into video games, Vrabel stepped again from his day-to-day teaching mindset to say, “That is the third week of our first coaching camp as a training workers and as a workforce. That is what I would like all people to comprehend. We have now to get this proper.”
In a single respect, it is a credit score to Vrabel and the way he had immediately uplifted the spirits and outlook of a Patriots franchise that had dipped in Invoice Belichick's closing two seasons and Jerod Mayo's lone yr as coach.
In one other respect, it is a reminder that the Patriots nonetheless have loads of floor to cowl to achieve the higher echelon of the NFL.
One NFL entrance workplace supply who has watched the Patriots this preseason described his view of them this manner: Bettering, taking part in arduous, however skinny in a number of spots past their beginning lineup due to shaky drafts lately which have contributed to a roster that may require a couple of yr to replenish.
That vulnerability was maybe uncovered within the second follow with the Vikings, with Vrabel particularly noting the inconsistency of the protection.
“It was a superb day Wednesday in Minnesota after which we by no means actually caught our footing in [Thursday's] follow, and by no means actually responded,” he stated in a pre-game interview on 98.5 The Sports activities Hub. “On this league, there's going to be some backwards and forwards, and what you must perceive is that you must be keen to take a pair pictures, however then be capable to come again and provides greater than you are taking.”
Vrabel, who embodied that strategy over his 14-year NFL taking part in profession, noticed enchancment when the workforce returned dwelling to follow early final week, however was later disenchanted within the backups after they have been sliced up by the Giants backups within the finale.
Shortly after the preseason schedule concluded, Vrabel was requested what he was most comfortable about with the workforce. He could not go there, as a result of he was nonetheless stung by the loss to the Giants.
“That is a troublesome query proper now. Upset with how we performed, executed,” Vrabel stated. “There's glimpses of soccer the best way we would wish to play it. We're so removed from being the place we must be. I am actually making an attempt to get that message throughout, stringing one good day collectively, and placing one other day collectively. We have got 4 huge days this week that we'll actually should work.”
Vrabel stated the plan is enhance the roster any means they'll, so buckle up for probably a busy week forward.
2. '24 class: When the Patriots finally make their closing roster selections to get to 53 gamers, there is a rising risk that quarterback Drake Maye would be the lone choice remaining from the 2024 draft.
Guard Layden Robinson (fourth spherical) was with the third unit for a lot of the preseason, and guard/sort out Caedan Wallace (third spherical) and receiver Javon Baker (fourth spherical) did not construct decisive momentum in latest weeks whereas hanging on the roster bubble.
In the meantime, receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (second spherical) is predicted to land on injured reserve as a result of shoulder surgical procedure, whereas cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. (sixth spherical) was already on IR after tearing his ACL. Quarterback Joe Milton III (sixth spherical) was traded in April and tight finish Jaheim Bell (seventh spherical) was waived Friday.
That is one motive depth on the roster is not very best. A workforce having its draft class nearly fully worn out after one yr is sort of remarkable.
One silver lining for the Patriots: Vrabel has are available in with a decisive imaginative and prescient for what he is in search of in gamers, and the personnel division which is essentially the identical group from 2024 has delivered higher outcomes this yr.
3. QB3 coming: Vrabel confirmed what appeared apparent — the Patriots shall be including a 3rd quarterback, by way of both the 53-man roster or follow squad, after waiving undrafted rookie free agent Ben Wooldridge on Friday.
Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito carved them up in Thursday's finale, going 17 of 20 for 198 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions, and he might be among the many choices to contemplate with New York seemingly preserving solely Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston on the depth chart.
“Any time you exit on the sphere, regardless of the place you're — particularly being undrafted — you are performing for all 31 different organizations as nicely,” DeVito stated late Thursday night time.
4. Dugger's take: It has been a difficult yr for one-time beginning security Kyle Dugger, who's getting back from offseason ankle surgical procedure and has performed deep into preseason video games, sparking media-based questions if he'll make the workforce.
So it was no shock that his locker was a well-liked visiting spot for reporters after the preseason finale, and he dealt with the eye with class and persistence.
From a 1-on-1 interview with ESPN:
Summing up his yr: “It has been up and down. There's been some inconsistency, so it is form of robust, to be trustworthy with you. It's getting higher … I am simply grateful to with the ability to play ball.”
On his restoration: “I do not suppose the ankle is an element. Just a bit little bit of rising pains, actually. All I can actually do is reap the benefits of the alternatives I am attending to play ball once more.”
Rising pains in new scheme? “It is arduous to say. It is actually arduous to place it on one factor. However I do know the comfortability I felt and I need to get again at that stage. I do know I may be. I do know it's going to come. So that is what I am working to get again to.”
Roster standing: “I perceive it is a enterprise. I've to arrange for the great, the dangerous, and no matter occurs. So, I am simply making an attempt to be current wherever I am at. I am not making an attempt to consider the longer term.”
5. Kicker name: Sixth-round choose Andy Borregales missed a 49-yard subject aim in Thursday's finale and was tapped to deal with all duties (FG from 30, profitable PAT, three kickoffs) as an alternative of splitting time with Parker Romo as he has in different video games. One lingering query is that if Vrabel really views it as a contest for the highest job, as Romo's superior numbers would possibly give him a leg up.
Per charting by Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports activities Hub, Borregales is 46-of-55 on all kicks in practices/video games since coaching camp started and Romo is 39-of-43.
How each have dealt with kickoffs can also be price noting, as kickers are being requested to do extra when placing the ball in play, and that is a extra subjective evaluation from the coaches primarily based on what they're in search of.
Vrabel stated after the preseason finale that the workforce has confidence in each, which might be a tipoff that Borregales will finally get the nod as he was the favourite given his draft standing.
6. Bourne once more? The standing of veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne, who was rolled up Aug.1 throughout an in-stadium scrimmage and hasn't practiced since, shall be one of many extra compelling questions answered as soon as the preliminary 53-man roster is finalized.
Bourne's expertise taking part in totally different spots in coordinator Josh McDaniels' system was at all times beneficial, however his roster spot was probably threatened by a handful of youthful receivers together with 2025 third-round choose Kyle Williams and undrafted free agent Efton Chism III. However with Williams and Chism additionally managing accidents of their very own, and Baker squarely on the bubble himself, it might give Bourne's endurance some added pop.
Vrabel hinted that is likely to be the place it is headed when he stated he knew Bourne was mentally locked in and can be prepared upon his return. Bourne additionally took the journey with the workforce to the preseason finale.
7. Remembering Colin: Government vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf opened his information convention final week by extending condolences to director of analysis Richard Miller, who performs a number one position managing the Patriots' wage cap, on the loss of life of his son Colin at 23 after a battle with the issues of congestive coronary heart failure.
Wolf referred to Miller, who's in his thirtieth season with the franchise, as “an amazing asset” to the personnel division whereas sending ideas to him, spouse Sharon and their son Joshua. Colin's smile and constructive perspective brightened each room he entered and he was a proud graduate of Amego Inc., for kids with Autism. Colin particularly liked his household and the vacations.
8. Cowden on crowd: VP of participant personnel Ryan Cowden is in his first yr with the Patriots, having been with the Panthers (2000-2015), Titans (2016-2022) and Giants (2023-2024), and in assembly with reporters as a part of the workforce fulfilling the NFL media coverage to make the No. 2 personnel govt out there, he famous one space that made an impression on him in coaching camp.
“I believe it is a distinctive house the best way you are in a position to set this up, and the fan engagement, that is been superior to see how many individuals are right here and need to devour the product,” Cowden stated, noting how some days spectators lined the stadium ramps that overlook the fields. “So there's been some actual power there.”
9. Nickname banter: With 28-year-old Carlton Davis III the veteran of the Patriots' cornerback corps in his eighth NFL season, assistant coach Justin Hamilton gave him the nickname “Monk” due to the sage recommendation he relayed to his friends. Davis, nonetheless, did not find it irresistible. So, now he is “Large Bro.”
In the meantime, Vrabel acquired a chuckle in his pregame radio interview relaying how he refers to particular groups coaches Tom Quinn and Jeremy Springer as “Tom & Jerry” — a reference to the cartoon.
10. Do you know? If Borregales wins the kicking job, the Patriots are set to be the one NFL workforce in 2025 with a participant they drafted at kicker, snapper and punter. Borregales was drafted within the sixth spherical (182) this yr, Ashby within the seventh spherical (251), and punter Bryce Baringer was a sixth-round choose (192) in 2023. Over the previous 25 years, this could mark the fourth time that is occurred in New England — becoming a member of 2010 (kicker Stephen Gostkowski, snapper Jake Ingram, punter Zoltan Mesko), 2019 (Gostkowski, snapper Joe Cardona, punter Jake Bailey) and 2023 (kicker Chad Ryland, Cardona, Baringer).
