Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - After the Draft has Gone: New England Patriots Remaining Roster Questions — 5/10/2021

Episode Date: May 10, 2021

The New England Patriots have had an eventful offseason. From an aggressive approach to free agency, to potentially drafting their quarterback of the future, the Pats have filled a number of offseason needs. However, there are still questions to be answered, from a roster-building perspective. Joining host Mike D’Abate is fan-favorite Thomas ‘Murph’ Murphy. The duo discuss the wide receiver corps, the linebacker position and the depth and experience on the current roster.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you.NugenixText now, and they’ll include a bottle of Nugenix Thermo, their most powerful fat incinerator ever with key ingredients to help you get back in shape, absolutely free! Text DRAFT to 2-3-1-2-3-1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you Foxborough faithful. You are now locked in to the Locked On Patriots podcast. It is Monday, May 10th, 2021. And get excited, folks, because it is once again hashtag Locked On Murph Monday right here on your daily home for news notes and analysis infused with the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions, the

New England Patriots. Today's episode of Locked on Patriots is brought to you by Bilt Bar. Go to BiltBar.com and use promo code LOCKED15 to get 15% off your next order. And greetings and salutations, Patriots Nation. Thank you for once again kicking off your work week with Locked on Patriots. My name is Mike DeBate, your host of the Locked On Patriots podcast, which of course is a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day.

And Pats fans, because it's your team every day, that means your questions, comments, and feedback are always welcomed, very much appreciated. So share that feedback, send it to the internet by reaching out to me and following me on Twitter at M-D-A-B-A-T-E-F-P-C. And while you're out there doing some Monday muddling through that Twitterverse, please be sure to follow the Lockdown Patriots account as well at L-O underscore Patriots. Patriots fans, with each passing day, we get one day closer to the start of the 2021 NFL

season. Your New England Patriots attack the 2021 free agent market with an aggression we haven't seen in years here in Foxborough. Pretty good draft haul as well. But even as the Patriots continue to address their roster, adding pieces here and there, there are still plenty of question marks around this team. And I'm not trying to stir the pot here, I don't mean to be the bearer of bad tidings, but there are still some positions on this roster that have some questions surrounding their depth, and the Patriots are certainly not done addressing these positions just yet, as they'll continue to tinker with the roster through the coming days and weeks,

through OTAs and minicamp, even through training camp, and right through the beginning part of the NFL season. But what are some of the biggest questions when it comes to the Patriots' roster building in 2021? Well, if we're being honest, that's a monster-sized question, folks. Good thing for us. Our guest today has some monster-sized wisdom and counsel that he's just aching to share with all of you. That's right, it's hashtag LockedOnMurphMonday, which means that my good friend,

the Green Master of Disaster, the Green King of Sting, the Count of Murphy, Fisto himself, the legendary Thomas Murphy, joins me here for his weekly appearance on the pod. And we'll be discussing those positions on the Patriots roster that Murph and I feel might still need a little work. Whether it be at the wide receiver position, the interior of the defensive line, maybe the depth along the defensive backfield,

Murph and I will leave no stone unturned. And you know my good buddy is always opinionated and candid, but he's usually spot on in his analysis. And folks, quite honestly, when Murph talks, I listen. So sit tight and settle in, Pats Nation. Mondays are always special when Murph drops by the pod, and in just one moment, my good friend will join me here on the hot seat to discuss the biggest questions in Pats Nation when it comes to roster building. But speaking of that roster, Patriots added to that roster on Monday afternoon. According to agent Kenny Zuckerman of Priority Sports and later confirmed by ESPN's Mike Reese, linebacker Harvey Longhi is re-signing with the New England Patriots. And I say re-signing because Longhi came to New England originally as an undrafted rookie

free agent in 2017. Longhi had a great training camp. I remember watching this kid coming up, thinking very highly of him and what he could do in a New England Patriots uniform. Unfortunately, after suiting up for only one game with the Pats in 2017 against the New Orleans Saints, he and his wife Cassidy were in a serious car accident in Foxborough, Massachusetts, one that left Harvey suffering from injuries to his head, neck, and back. His wife Cassidy actually broke both hips and multiple ribs. They did fully recover, but Longhi had to spend the entire year on the non-football injury-related list in 2017, and in 2018 he was cut loose by the team. He ended up signing with the New York Jets, and for the past

couple of seasons he's been a solid contributor with the Jets. Longhi has totaled 76 tackles, two passes defended, and one fumble recovery, played in 30 games with New York, started nine for the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets, played 45% of the snaps on defense to go with 55% of the snaps on special teams. That's right, folks. A linebacker that can play special teams, Bill loves it. And there's a reason for it. This kid is very adept at being able to do both. Even though terms of the contract were not disclosed,

again, ESPN's Mike Reese reporting that the deal is for one year, and from those that I've had a chance to talk to that are close to the team, they remained very high on Harvey Longhi. From the time that he first came through Foxborough as an undrafted free agent in 2017, right up until now through his time with the Jets. Really hard to say at this point whether or not a roster spot is going to be guaranteed for Longhi. He faces some stiff competition at the position, but I can tell you that this guy knows the system. He's a dual threat both on defense and on special teams, and he caught the eye of Bill Belichick

and the Patriots defensive brass on more than one occasion. I'm glad to see Harvey Longhi back in the fold, and he's definitely a player I'll have my sharp eye on as the Patriots go through their progressions of OTA, minicamp, and then of course training camp in July. So welcome back to New England, Harvey Longy, but does that solve all the Patriots' questions? No disrespect to Harvey, but Count of Murphy, Fisto himself, as Thomas Murphy and I talk about the latest burning questions when it comes to Patriots roster building in 2021, when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. But first, Patriots fans, listen up. Nugenix, the number one selling free testosterone booster at GNC,

is offering a complimentary bottle to all football fans in America. To get your complimentary bottle of Nugenix Total T, text the word DRAFT to 231-231. This unique man-boosting formula is powered by Testofen, which helps boost free testosterone and total testosterone levels and increase energy and lean muscle mass. Plus, text now and they'll include a bottle of Nugenics Thermo, their most powerful fat incinerator ever, with key ingredients to help you get back in shape absolutely free. Again, text DRAFT to 231231. That's DRAFT, D-R-A-F-T, to 231231. Message and data rates may apply.

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and sign up today for your 50% welcome bonus on your first deposit when you use the promo code LOCKEDON. Don't sit on the sidelines anymore. This is your chance to get into the game. Head over to BetOnline.ag today, sign up, and receive your 50% welcome bonus on your first deposit when you use the promo code LOCKEDON. BetOnline, your online sportsbook experts. Patriots fans, the image of the 2021 NFL Draft is shrinking in our rearview mirror. And throughout the past week here on the pod,

we've taken a deep dive into the Patriots 2021 Draft class. We're going to continue to take an even deeper dive this week, folks. So, fair or not, we're going to continue to get to know the new guys here on Locked On Patriots. But now that the first and biggest wave of free agency has passed, and with the draft in the books, what are the biggest question marks still surrounding this roster? Well, to be honest, this is a pretty monster question to begin the week.

And to adequately tackle this subject, we need some monster green wisdom and counsel. That's right, folks. He is here. He is ready to roll. Your favorite and mine, my benefactor in this business, the only guest on this pod with his very own branded hashtag, the Count of Murphy Fisto himself, the legendary Thomas Murphy is back for his weekly appearance here on Locked On Patriots. Thank you for coming to me in friendship and for joining me today.

Don Murph. Oh, man, my pleasure. Is it June yet? Oh, my God. We've got to get into it. I need to hear pads freaking being smacked together. Baseball is getting me through. You guys all know me out there. Baseball is my number one love.

I'm just itching, Michael. I'm just itching. Thank you for having me back every Monday to do this and to scratch that itch just a little bit. Absolutely, a little bit. We try to get you to do that just a little bit here on Locked on Patriots. But, yeah, we're getting there. June is coming around quickly, and, of course, the mini camps

and things of that nature the schedule being released this week so a lot of interesting stuff when it comes to football and yeah baseball is definitely keeping us all occupied for the time being you know socks doing really well up here i know you got team butchie plugging along so we all love it and uh it's great to be a sports fan in new england it just really really is um and bottom line, bud, we make Mondays fun here on Locked On Patriots. It's hashtag Locked On Murph Monday. Again, you're the only guest with his very own branded hashtag.

That will always be the case, bud. Never, ever worry about that. Murph, the Pats roster is taking shape, and we're starting to move toward the start of the 2021 season. A lot of the voids on the Patriots' depth charts have been addressed. Needs a quarterback, tight end, offensive line, defensive line.

They've all been identified, and they've all been targeted as the Patriots have made moves this offseason to fill out those positions. But as always, there are still questions. And if we're being fair, I think there are going to be questions on this roster even after the season begins. But they say defense wins championships. We're going to start on the offensive side of the ball today. Let's give the defense their just due and close that out with the defense today.

But starting on offense, Murph, heading into this offseason, I thought the biggest questions on offense for New England were quarterback, tight end, and wide receiver. I think most would agree that two out of the three have been addressed pretty clearly. Of course, I'm talking about quarterback and I'm talking about tight end. But with Julian Edelman's retirement, some have questioned whether the Patriots have done enough to adequately address the wide receiver void Patriots signed Nelson Aguilar Kendrick Bourne drafted Trey Nixon uh Nikhil Harry Jacoby Myers you know and who made that man a Gunnar Ryszewski still remain on this roster to fill out the depth chart for the most part gotta throw in the meme bud gotta throw in the meme I'm looking forward to the season just so that way I can put more Spaceballs memes on my Twitter feed it's what I live for but Mur, I'm higher on the Patriots' potential wide receiver core in 2021 than most because I think the tight ends and the running backs are poised to pick up the slack.

But this still is a concern. My question to you is, is this a major concern heading into the Patriots' 2021 season? You know, major is a large word for a word that's so small. It should be much bigger. I don't want to call it a major concern, but it is a concern. And it's a concern when we're talking about a sport that is as violent as this one and an offense that is run the way that this one is.

And what I'm most concerned about is not the names that are on the depth chart now, but the guys that may need to be the next man up. That's what's bothering me at this point in time. But what folks have to understand is that, like the U.S. Constitution, the Patriots depth chart is a living, breathing thing that never is truly held in a vacuum. Bill is not done building this roster yet. We have to see what's about to happen in other camps. Are there any OTAs still out there that could fit in here? Who's going to get cut in a way

that would be advantageous for Bill to bring in? And there's always the trade market. Yeah, without any question, there are always the trade market. There are always players that are either having 50-year options declined. Our good friend Bernd Buchmasser and Pat's Pulpit earlier today

had a great piece on players that are having their 50-year options decline that might be dangled on the trade market. Players that are cut loose, training camp casualties. All of these things can possibly be ways that the Patriots may look to bolster their wide receiver core. You know, you can make the argument that maybe they didn't adequately address it in the draft. I think Trey Nixon has a chance to be a pretty decent receiver in this system. But a lot of people might say that they should have gone in a different direction, or at least they should have gotten someone alongside Trey Nixon that could give a little rookie depth. But ultimately, I agree with you. It is a concern.

I don't think it's a major one the reason why i'm a little higher on this core than most is because i think that the receiving backs that they have on this roster guys like say what you will sony michelle is capable of being a dual threat back when he needs to be i think he he has more skill in that area than he's shown over the course of the last few years obviously james white is one of the best in the business he continues to be and the tight end sets that business he continues to be and the tight end sets that they're going to be able to run this year now with hunter henry john smith takes a lot of pressure off guys like dalton keen uh and devon asiasi to be able to perform so one of those guys can step up well absolutely that 12 man personnel is going to be amazing

today that i am absolutely giddy at the thoughts of the play action schemes that Josh McDaniels is going to dial up this year with those two guys in the lineup but ultimately it could be a concern Aguilar has had his health issues throughout the year but he had a pretty solid 2020 season uh Bourne I think is very good in the slot I think he's a great addition and I'm looking forward to seeing what the new guys can bring to the table. So we'll continue to see what the wide receiver core looks like, but I agree with you. I don't think Bill's done here yet, folks.

And for anyone that's worried, I think they're going to be just fine. Why don't the side, but because I know we didn't even touch on the keel, Harry, who I know a lot of people are hoping is jettisoned very quickly here from New England. I still think he's going to be on the roster this year. I agree. I'm the same way. I think there is talent there. I've been called a Nikhil Harry apologist, and a lot of the fan

base has a lot of vitriol thrown at his way. But I think this year can be a year where he shines a little bit, folks. So have a little faith in Nikhil Harry. But let's put the wide outs aside for just a moment. The Patriots have addressed some needs at quarterback tight end offensive line even running back uh the depth charts are pretty well stocked in those areas but that doesn't mean that they're set in stone murph and your infinite wisdom buddy when you look at the remainder of the of the offense which of these positions or players do you consider to be the Patriots' biggest question mark? Well, I don't want to specifically point out any players, but I do want to bring up the fact that there's not a lot of speed on the offensive side of the ball here, be it in the backfield or outside the hash marks.

We're talking about guys that really do not – nobody's going to invite them to the track meet next weekend. That's for damn sure. They're not going to finish ninth out of a bunch of speedsters. These guys in a field of 10 running the 100-yard dash, they might finish 11, 12, and 15. And that gives me a little bit of pause. But as you said before, that's not what this offense is going to be built around. And I just say Phil Perry wrote a really nice piece about this over the weekend. and the Patriots are at their core of playmakers, not the quickest bunch in the group,

but I pointed out that time of possession is much more important than a 40 time. Yeah, absolutely. And the way the Patriots are set, I agree with you. It's much more of a plotting methodical offense that the Patriots are building in terms of guys being in the position they need to be in getting open, making plays in the field, but being in the right spot at the right time is really, I think where New England has spent a lot of their capital and a lot of their energy and a lot of their scouting, whether it be guys that they've brought in in the draft or players that they've brought in through free agency.

It makes a lot of sense that Mac Jones may end up being the leader of this team, whether it's this year or beyond, because that's the way he plays the game. So he's got the players around him that will be able to utilize his strengths. But I agree with you. I think in a lot of ways speed is a concern it's been a concern for a Patriots team for quite a while are they going to rely on the running backs to take pressure off are they going to utilize the runners in speed sets or trying to allow them to be able to run along the ground make plays extend drives get third downs on the ground, have third down receiving options like James White available,

and then testing defenses if they decide that they can lull them into a false sense of security and having a guy like Nelson Aguilar go deep and maybe make some big plays down the field. So these can all be questions that can be answered. Murph, we all know, as Michael Coleon said, there are things being negotiated that'll solve all your problems and answer all your questions. That's all I can tell you about my business. And that's exactly what Bill Belichick is going to do. I think Belichick would love to

address each and every press conference he gives by saying that and walking off the podium. That would be brilliant. Oh, I would love it. Please let me, please let me in the room for that one. Oh God. I really do. One other point that I, that I want to make is, is the fact that some of the guys that may be left off this roster, we talked about depth earlier and that's the depth that the, at the fullback position, we all know that the fullback position, especially in this offense

and the way that it's progressing, is going to be really, really important. And I'm hoping that Bill keeps both Jakob Johnson and welcomes Danny Vitale into the fold after opting out last year. And we're not just going with one and running out a linebacker out there at the end of the season. Absolutely. I would love to see it. Especially an offense that's predicated on using the fullback in so many different ways that the Patriots are. Our good friend, the Countess of Plaza herself, Ms. Claire Cooper, I want to give her credit for the theory about Dalton Keene maybe kind of rounding into a future fullback role. And I think that's a

possibility if you keep Dalton on the roster as a fourth tight end that gives you the option to be able to roster guys like Jakob like well with the roster exemption of course that else he has yeah exactly but keeping someone like Danny Vitale on the roster is a smart move I was really looking forward to seeing what Danny could do in this offense last year. I found out he was an opt-out, much like the rest of the fan base. A little disappointed, but I would love to see what he can do. So I hope Bill uses one of those roster spots, keeps Danny Vitale in the fold, at least for 2021, because I think it could be interesting. We love our fullback, Smurf.

We always did. We always have. We do. That's always something that we love to see. See, this is why... It's like a lineman back there. I had an opportunity to do it in high school a couple of times. It's like, Murph, go line up

at full. Hey, Elka, okay. Love it. It's a great success. Now you're talking about it. See, this is the wisdom and counsel we need here on Mondays on Locked On Patriots. It helps kick off the week in style. It helps get us off to a great start. It's a high school center wisdom and counsel.

Absolutely. The high school center wisdom and counsel because you are a wise and considerate young man. But, you know, even though there are questions regarding New England's offense, we've talked about some of them here today, but there are still plenty of aspects of the Patriots defense as we approach the 2021 season that require a little clarification. Here are my good friend's thoughts on the Pats defense when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. Locked On listeners, we've all heard the phrase often imitated but never duplicated.

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and get this, seven times fewer carbs, seven times fewer grams of sugar, and more protein. So don't delay, do it today. Prepare your taste buds for wow, and make Built Bar your go-to protein bar right now. Go to BuiltBar.com and use the promo code LOCKED15 to get 15% off your next order. That's promo code LOCKED15 for 15% off your next order at BiltBar.com. Pats fans, Thomas Murphy joins me on the pod today. It's hashtag LockedOnMurphyMonday. And, buddy, the Patriots have had some defensive question marks over the course of the last couple of years, primarily last year. I think two of the biggest ones were setting the edge and stopping the run. And the Patriots approached this offseason by investing a lot, both on money and in personnel, in trying to upgrade these two areas so far. Matt Judon, Henry Anderson, Devon Godchow brought in his free agents,

re-signing Dietrich Wise, re-signing Lawrence Guy, drafting Christian Barmore, drafting Ronnie Perkins. That isn't even all their moves that they've made. I'm just listing a couple. And whatever the outcome of whatever these players become, you can't say the Patriots haven't made the effort to upgrade. They clearly knew this was a problem, and't made the effort to upgrade they clearly knew this was a problem and they put the effort in to bring guys in that could help but to quote the great

vincent laguardia gambini bud it's been argued by me the defense that the biggest offseason move made by the patriots is arguably one they didn't make uh It's a move made by the player himself. And that's the expected opt-in return of linebacker Dante Hightower. Murph, we sing Dante's praises here on Locked On Patriots an awful lot. I'm a huge fan of Dante. I always have been, always will be. I know you are as well. And with all due respect to Juwan Bentley, who I like as a player, the others that tried to fill this role,

Hightower just changes the complexion of this defense. He's the play caller back there. He's the director. And at times, Patriots players looked a bit out of position that year. When Dante Hightower is in the lineup, that's not the case. That being said, Dante is coming off of a year away from the game. There are still some rumblings that his return may not even be concrete. So Murph, when you look at the potential return of Dante Hightower, how big is

the impact he can have on this defense? And do you see this as a potential question mark heading into 2021? No, we'll start at the end first. No, I don't think it's a potential question, Mark. I think this is definitely one of the most solid groups that the Patriots have. It gives back this front seven its quarterback. It allows them to do so many more things. And you said that it's being talked about that his return is not set in concrete. Well, that's only because he hasn't stepped his feet into that concrete. I'm sure once he walks into the building that it's going to change everything. You know, bringing in Judon, who was, in my opinion, the best 3-4 outside linebacker that

was available this year, is just a home run. You know, the acquisition was completely, you know, bolstered up by bringing back Kyle Vannoy after he was jettisoned from Miami stupidly, I think, after signing a four-year contract. And McMillan should provide really good depth at stopping the run, which we all know was really, really difficult for this team last year. I can't put this group down in any way, shape, I can't, I, I can't put this, this, uh, this group down in any way, shape or form. I love what Bill is going to be able to do. And if you think that, um, that opposing, uh, quarterbacks were seeing boogeymen before

wait until this year. Yeah, I agree with you. Uh, especially on shoot on, I think maybe, think maybe I can go out on a limb here. My favorite free agent signing that the Patriots made, and this is coming from someone that absolutely clamored each and every day to get Hunter Henry in a Patriots uniform. I was extremely happy to see that. But when you look top to bottom at what these signings are going to do,

Judon is someone I think that just really fits the mold here so well. Kevin Ostreicher, my good friend and colleague here at the Locked On Podcast Network, hosts the Locked On Ravens podcast, had him as a guest here on Locked On shortly after Judon had agreed to terms with the Patriots. And he had nothing but great things to say about what he can do on the field and how he fits the Patriots' mold. But I agree with you. Having him alongside someone like a Dante Hightower only

elevates his game it elevates Dante's game it allows someone like Juwan Bentley and I know there's a lot of depth here I've heard some people say that Juwan's position on the roster may be in jeopardy I yeah I can understand the argument I really hope that's not the case because I do see a lot of potential and maybe a little bit of Dante in a player like Juwan Bentley. But at the same time, I also look at Juwan and say I think he needs a little more seasoning and having Dante alongside him this year would be a huge help. But just having him in the lineup and dictating where these guys need to be, it's so important. It really, really is.

Folks, having Dante back allows Bill to use these other players, these situational guys, in the right moment, in the right place. Having somebody like Dante Hightower in the middle, making sure everybody is doing their job and knows what they have to do, is going to shine a new light on guys like Bentley, who were asked to do maybe a bit too much last year with those opt-outs. This year, those guys are going to be able to step back and take a breath and realize this is my job, this is what I need to do,

this is what I have to be here for. We are going to see a vastly improved defense this season. And I'm going to give 60% of that credit to just the presence of Donta Hightower coming back. Yeah, I will absolutely as well. And I think that's a pretty good percentage. And I agree with you wholeheartedly. So I agree. I think this is going to be an interesting development for the Pats.

I think it's going to be a very positive development for them, and I think it really is going to change the complexity of that defense, which does have a lot of new faces on that unit, whether it be the front seven or even in the defensive backfield, which we'll get to in a second. Because when we look through the positional depth charts, Bud, the Patriots are pretty deep on paper on the interior of the defensive line, pretty well set at linebacker, set at the edge, pretty solid in the defensive backfield as well,

both at corner and at safety, even after the retirement of someone like Patrick Chung. But there are questions there are always questions bud let's face it uh stefan gilmore jc jackson a lot of questions about whether either of them are going to be placed on the trading block between now and the deadline uh how much will the patriots miss jason mccourty who recently defected to the uh miami dolphins uh the Miami Dolphins, and the younger linebackers. I know. Cut that out. Stop. So gross.

I know. I know. I know. Taking the talents of South Beach. It's a tough, it's a bitter pill to swallow. Yeah, sooner or later, you're going to run out of freaking guys to pilfer Flo

and have to do this on your own. But, you know, killing me, Smalls. They're killing me. Oh, man. I know. I know. I know. And we say that with every bit of reverence to Brian Flores.

Oh yeah. We love in this business. Uh, but, uh, you know, it's just, it's tough. Stop, stop blowing holes in my ship. That's exactly what I feel like yelling at him, you know, but, uh, now that we've, uh, you know, talk tie tower. Now that we've talked to some of the linebackers and edge rushers rounding into form, Murph, what is the biggest remaining question mark heading into the 2021 season on defense for the Patriots?

Stability and longevity at the back end. We did just lose Jason McCourty. Patrick Chung has retired. They lost Terrence Brooks to Houston. They're another pilfering right there. But my, my issue with this group is to whether or not Stefan Gilmore gets signed and how things play out with JC Jackson, because quite honestly, but I am not thrilled with this group as,

as depth as, as much as I have been in the past. I love Phillips. Devin McCourty is still there. Duggar. Jalen Mills was a fantastic. But when you look at the cornerback position, we are, you know, once again in that what is going to happen in 2022 mode. I know you all want to live in the moment, but that's not what I do. That's not what we do.

I am always the glass half full, half empty kind of guy. And Mike's the glass half full kind of guy. That's probably why we love each other so much and we you know but it's it's there are questions there are questions that you know i i just i don't want to see d virgin out there in a starting role because somebody got knocked down that's that's where i'm at right now it's at it's at these spots that i am still a bit iffy while while the the top guys the guys at the top of the pyramid are there and happy, I want to see both of these guys signed to an extension. I don't think J.C. Jackson is going to happen. I've got every finger and every toe crossed, hoping that Mr. Gilmore is given a new three-year deal

that is going to put a smile on his face. Yeah, and I think a lot of Patriots fans would agree with you. I know I definitely agree with you. I love the fact that Stephon is still on this roster, that he made it through the draft without being dealt. And I think it's a good sign for the future of the way this team is going to shake out. And I do agree with you in regard to J.C. Jackson as well. And I'm hopeful. I'm hopeful.

With the way they attack the draft and free agency, I'm hopeful that that's the goal. I would have liked to have seen it before the free agency period ended and before the draft. But like you said, we said earlier, this is a living, breathing thing. And the season hasn't started yet. Bill has plenty of cap space left which he makes sure he goes into every single year to make moves moves can still be made yes moves can still

be made and the question uh on everybody's mind is are those moves going to include more undrafted rookie free agents uh right now with the exception of quinn norton they haven't really signed too many so why are those spots remaining opened? Are the Patriots looking to clear roster space? What are they doing? But for them to only dip their toe into one undrafted rookie free agent this year is a bit odd, and there's got to be a reason for it. Bill never does anything without a plan, folks. The reason, in my belief, is the fact that bill wants to deal this year specifically um with

as many veterans as he can he does not want to have to teach terminology to a bunch of of kids that are you know walk in at the first day of class and yesterday they were in um home economics and now you know this period hey welcome to trigonometry it's true it really is you know start teaching calculus when everybody is still trying to master algebra one uh it's a difficult circumstance and uh that is a very good point one that i don't think is made enough people talk about this offense to you know the the the uh encyclopedia biltanica and it they don't understand that there's two volumes of that. And the one on defense, there are two volumes for every letter of the alphabet. Yeah, absolutely.

And look at the early days of the Patriots dynasty in terms of how Bill built this, especially this defense, bringing in guys like Brian Cox, Roman Pfeiffer. You know, you look at the backfield, Terrell Buckley and Otis Smith and all those guys that were coming in, playing roles, major roles, you know, helping out the established veterans. These guys were just savvy players that knew the Bill Belichick system and knew how to succeed here. And I think you're seeing a lot of that and building that veteran presence will only help to assimilate rookies in further years. So I think you're on to something, bud. This is why your family here at Locked On Patriots, the wisdom of the council. Once in a while, I hit the nail on the head.

You hit it more often than not, buddy, because you lend the wisdom and counsel like no other. Folks, you should already be following this man on Twitter. But for any of our new listeners, follow my good friend, the Count of Murphy Fisto, at TeamMurph207. You always learn more about the game of football by following this man. And, of course, never miss any of Murph's Monster Keys columns. They are always point, click, learn, enrichment material. Proudly found on DieHardBostonSportsFans.com. And, of course, never miss an episode of One Patriot's Place with my good friend Murph,

our guest tomorrow here on the pod, our good friend Steve Balistrieri, and of course, how could we forget the Countess of Clas herself, Miss Claire Clasie Claire Cooper. Bud, what can I say? Thank you. Honored and humbled as always by your presence. Always my pleasure, bud. Great show. Just sitting down here every Monday with you, sipping a cup of coffee with a little bit of Irish add to it is always a good thing. And I appreciate you asking me back time and again.

Oh, of course. I told you Mondays belong to Murph. The hashtag LockedOnMurphMonday is set in stone. The chair is embroidered. The only thing that's, I think, more indelible to the LockedOnPatriot studios than your presence here on Monday is the total poster left behind by my good friend Mark Schofield, which never comes down, folks.

But Murph has definitely made his imprint on this show, this podcast, and I could not be more grateful to you, my friend. Thank you for always accepting the invite every time I put it out on Mondays. And we look forward to talking ball with you right here again next Monday on Locked On Patriots. In the meantime, stay safe and well, buddy.

And we look forward to having you back here next week. Yeah, the U.S. military couldn't keep me away. Keep going, bud. Absolutely, the U.S. military couldn't keep me away. Keep going, bud. Absolutely, my friend. And so, Patriots fans, one day of your work week down, but plenty more to go here on Locked on Patriots. And while we here at the Locked on Patriots podcast have you covered with all the latest news notes and analysis you need regarding your favorite team in Foxborough,

get all the sports news you need in under 20 minutes with the Locked On Today podcast. Host Peter Bukowski updates you on the latest news in every major sport with the help of our local experts. Follow the Locked On Today podcast on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. And as for Locked On Patriots, make sure that you do not miss a single second of the action by following the Locked On Patriots podcast on platforms such as the Odyssey app, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Just make sure that you are staying locked in to Locked On Patriots.

Once again, my name is Mike DeBate. I thank my good friend Thomas Murphy for his time, his insight, and his appearance on today's pod. But most of all, I thank you so much for listening and for continuing to make Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Until tomorrow, Foxborough

faithful, stay safe, stay well, be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone.