Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Catchers at the Combine, Amari Cooper and Third-Down Backs for the Patriots — 3/4/22
Episode Date: March 5, 2022As the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine continues, the New England Patriots perform their due diligence in scouting prospects. Joining host Mike D’Abate is Steve Balestrieri of PatsFans.com. The duo discus...s Combine standouts, the team’s plans for third-down running backs, and a potential pursuit of Cowboys WR Amari Cooper, who is expected to be released in the coming days.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.BetOnlineBetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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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 into the Lockdown Patriots podcast.
It is Friday, March 4th, 2022.
It's the weekend, and it's time for Lockdown Patriots
to bring you the latest news, notes, and analysis from Foxborough
infused with the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions,
the New England Patriots.
I'm Mike DeBate, your host of the Locked On Patriots podcast.
I also cover your New England Patriots for Patriot Maven of Sports Illustrated.
And joining me here today on the pod is my good friend, the Patriots' Paisan himself,
the resident voice of reason here on Locked On Patriots, my good buddy Steve Balistrieri.
And Steve and I will talk about the New England Patriots, their contingent at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, and who might have caught the sharp
eye of those in attendance.
We'll also talk a little bit about the running back core.
Patriots have some questions at running back, and they may look to fill those via free agency.
Is the answer in-house, or are there several running backs that the Patriots are considering
signing from external sources?
Steve always brings the voice of reason here on Locked On Patriots,
and this weekend episode will be no different.
Steve will join me here in just a moment on the pod,
but first, a couple of breaking news pieces that the New England Patriots are dealing with right now.
Unfortunately, it looks like J.C. Jackson is looking to test free agent
Waters, or are the Patriots simply just willing to let him walk? According to a report from Ian
Rappaport of the NFL Network, J.C. Jackson looks to be headed to the open market. The Patriots
unlikely to tag J.C. with the franchise tag comes with a hefty price, $17.28 million.
Right now, the New England Patriots look to have J.C. Jackson walk in free agency and then come back to the team and see if they can work out a long-term agreement.
Now, even though Ian's report says that the two sides are willing to still try to work out a long-term deal,
it just doesn't seem likely.
J.C. is going to have no shortage of suitors and really no shortage of lucrative contract offers. If in fact he is indeed ready to walk away from New England, that leaves
the Patriots with a pretty big void. They don't have a lot in-house to be able to sustain his loss.
Jalen Mills, Juwan Williams, Miles Bryant, just some of the names out there that might be looking
to fill that number one corner slot, but the New England Patriots will have to be active not only in free agency, but also via the draft if they
want to replace what J.C. Jackson brings to the table.
And honestly, folks, you're really not going to find anybody like that right now that is
that prolific at being able to find the football.
This one's a little bit of a head scratcher to me, although there is a great deal of money
on the table, and the Patriots may look at it and say it's just
not worth the long-term investment.
Bottom line, next week here on Locked On
Patriots, we'll continue to break down the decision
of J.C. Jackson and the
decision of the New England Patriots, likely
to part ways. I caution you
folks, it hasn't happened yet,
but it's looking likely, so we'll definitely
do our due diligence to dig
as deep as we can,
find out if there's still a chance that JC comes back to New England,
and if not, who might be next man up.
But today here on the pod, it's combine talk.
It's running back talk, and most importantly, it's reasonable talk.
With our resident voice of reason, Steve Balistrieri of Patsfans.com
will join me here in just a moment when this weekend episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues.
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Patriots fans, once again, we are going to be joined here today on a Friday,
not his normal day that he's usually here,
but we are thrilled to have our resident voice of reason in the house.
And boy, do we need his voice of reason today,
especially with a Friday morning news bomb that might involve your New England Patriots.
But that being said, let's give our guest his just due today and welcome him to the YouTube version of Locked On Patriots for the first time.
A phenomenal columnist for platforms such as batsfans.com and the radio voice of not one but two amazing podcasts, Patriots 4th and 2, and, of course, One Patriots Place,
with our good friend Thomas Murphy
and the lady of Locked On here on Wednesdays,
Ms. Claire Classy, Claire Cooper.
My Patriots bison joins me today,
my good friend Steve Balistrieri.
Steve, thank you for joining me here today
on now the YouTube version of Locked On Patriots.
Hey, it's even more fun now.
Now we get to actually look at each other when we're doing these podcasts.
So, you know, it's great being on video with you.
And what better way to spend a Friday to kick off the weekend and talk some football?
Well, it's good for me to be able to look at you.
It's good for our listeners and our viewers as well.
They can avert their eyes from the other side of the screen right now, which, you know, I got to give them credit.
They're hanging in there.
I don't know how they're doing it.
Either they're watching this, you know, without, you know, eating or whatever.
But no, all kidding aside, the great guests that I've had have definitely helped keep them here.
But all kidding aside, Steve, it is great to be with you here.
Thank you for adjusting your schedule, as you always do.
I give you so much credit for that, bud, for being here with me on a Friday.
And we do have an interesting breaking news to talk about before we get going into our discussion on the combine and a little bit on Patriots free agency when it comes to the running backs.
Adam Schefter reported on Friday morning, Steve, that Dallas Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper might
end up being on the open market and naturally if a wide receiver a prolific wide receiver is going
to be on the open market Patriots media Patriots fandom is going to swarm around it Amari right now
is owed 20 million dollars and that becomes guaranteed by the Dallas Cowboys on March 8th if he's not
traded or released or I should say if he's not traded before that date it's very interesting
to me that with that date approaching that the Cowboys would put this out there obviously we've
seen tactics like this before where you put the word out there that we're going to release them
forces the hand of a team that really may be coveting him beyond belief to try to get them into the fold Patriots did something similar with Stefan Gilmore
all right it wasn't 20 million that he was going to be owed but they put the word out there to try
to get a team to bite on him and be able to get something for him uh the trade market would
normally be robust but 20 million is a lot to ask of any team including the Patriots who really have
maybe about 10 million dollars in cap space to play any team, including the Patriots, who really have maybe about
$10 million in cap space to play with, but certainly not the 20 they would need to absorb
for trading for Amari Cooper.
He's a prolific wide receiver.
There's no question about it.
This kid has all the tools.
He's got the talent.
Thousand-yard receiver multiple times throughout his career.
Gets open on the outside.
He can even slip back and play the slot.
Very versatile speed, hands, all the tools that He can even slip back and play the slot. Very versatile speed,
hands, all the tools that you would want in a wide receiver, except for the price tag.
Steve, if the Patriots are going to pursue him, do you see them trying to, I don't see them trying
to make a trade for him. I really don't. But do they try to make a situation where they might try
to pursue him in free agency?
Or do the Patriots look at him and say, yeah, good player, but might be a little bit too
pricey for us, especially since a couple of times that we faced him with Dallas, they've
been doing a pretty good job of being able to shut him down.
Is this worth their time or their effort or their dollars to pursue Amari Cooper in free
agency?
That's a great point you made there.
You know, Bill generally likes to go after guys who play well against New England.
So that might be something to keep an eye on.
But, you know, this year, especially with J.C. Jackson, you know, a free agent,
I mean, if indeed they come to an agreement with him or tag him,
that's going to eat up a lot of the cap space that they don't have
and they'd be forced to have to try to, you know, create some more.
$20 million for Cooper, as much as I like him,
I would love to see him in a Patriots uniform.
I think that would be tough.
I really do.
So I think the trade aspect is probably out the window at this point.
But at the same time, I think the Patriots will do their due diligence
and see if they can work something out with him to maybe a couple-year deal
to a three-year deal where it's back-loaded
and he gets a lot more in year two than
you know 2022 but I think if he hits the open market the market for him is going to be really
really high yeah will be really high I mean you're talking about a market that's already including
guys like Chris Godwin Devante Adams all right I think these guys are out of the Patriots price
range if we're being honest but at the same time wideouts are always at a premium. And I know the fan base is clamoring
for someone like this. They want the guy that's taking the top off the defense. They want the guy
that's going to be able to give them the touchdowns and the wow moments and the video clips that
everybody wows over every Sunday. But bottom line, the Patriots operate in a modus operandi that says
we're going to go for the best possible fit for our team not necessarily for what the fan base
wants or not necessarily uh for what you know talking heads like you and I and our colleagues
in the media seem to think they need Patriots are going to dance to the beat of their own drum and I
think 20 million for a price tag is going to be hefty and i think on the open market
if he's able to hit it uh might price the patriots out of this one so it makes perfect sense from a
skill set standpoint like you said i'd love to see amari cooper here i think he'd be a great receiver
in this system giving him uh you know the opportunity or i should say mac jones the
opportunity to work with him uh would be really something I think to watch.
But I think there are some roadblocks here that may prevent this.
So hopefully I'm wrong.
I don't want to be the voice of doom here, Patriots fans.
It definitely could happen, but I think it's a little more unlikely than not.
So once again, we'll continue to monitor it.
But Steve, thank you for being that reasonable voice that we always need
because you know as well as I, you look all over social media on Friday afternoon and it's yeah Cooper to the Patriots get this done come on Bill you got the
meme of him walking out of the gift file I should say of him walking out of the tunnel at Ford Field
and you know everything seems to be pointing in that direction who knows will the Patriots take
a flyer on it I think they'll do their due diligence like you said but at the same time
uh there are some
roadblocks here as well so folks take a temper and approach when it comes to this there's still some
wide receivers out there that the patriots may target but cooper just may not be one of them
but definitely something to monitor and an interesting um segue into what we're going
to talk about next steve and that is the wide receivers at the nfl combine
combine uh the wide receivers worked out yesterday and some of which uh really i think made a lot of
headway in terms of uh you know players that the patriots might have their eye on chris ole was
definitely one of the stars of the night um you know, really, really running a 40 time that put him up there with some of the elite talent at the position.
I've been fawning over Chris for, you know, the better part of the last two weeks.
He really has been, I think, one of the guys that I've had my close eye on.
Me and Evan Lazar, I think, is probably the only one that's bumped his tires more than I have over the course of the last couple of weeks here.
But Olave is someone that is such a precision route runner he's such a a dedicated route runner that to me he'd look very
nice in the patriots offense at least the patriots offense that we're used to seeing under josh
mcdaniels how that's going to change this year will be interesting to see with josh now out in
las vegas um before we get into a specific because there is one guy I do want to pick your brain on uh what
was your takeaway from uh the combine workout day one I know technically it's day three but it was
really workout day one for the New England uh for not just the New England Patriots prospects but
for all prospects who stood out to you who caught your sharp eye um on Thursday now well you know
there's so many guys that are just blistering fast this year.
I mean, Bo Melton from Rutgers was, you know, I mean, he ran,
I think it was a 4-3-4, and his three-cone time was under seven seconds.
I think it was 6-9-8.
But the thing that stood out to me was so many guys are running so fast,
but their three-cone times were all over seven seconds.
I thought that was kind of – I don't know if it was intriguing or it was kind of surprising a little bit.
I mean, when you look at these guys, I mean, so many of them just burn right now.
It's like, you know, your jaw drops at the speed that's out there.
But we know how the Patriots love their three-cone drill time.
So I was looking at that,
and I think only three guys were under seven seconds in the three-cone time.
One of those was Bo Melton, which I'm not really sold on him as a receiver,
but, boy, for an athlete, he's right up there.
Yeah, absolutely.
And I mean, Melny, it's good that you mentioned him because I think lost in a lot of the hoopla that we saw last night is guys that would be a good fit for the New England Patriots.
Not necessarily, you know, players that that stood out, you know, for for some of their their prolificness or their their prosperity on the field.
That to me is interesting.
And I think there are some good wide-receiving prospects in this draft
and people that the Patriots would take a good look at.
You have to start to wonder as to whether or not some guys move up the draft boards.
And Evan made a good point last night about this not being a quarterback-heavy draft,
although there were some quarterbacks that did stand out in their workouts on thursday but because of that teams are going to be looking
more at positional players whether that means along the lines or along defense or you know
players that right now uh you know could help offenses especially at wide receiver this is a
pretty deep wide receiver class and there are a lot of guys that could be uh fits for the new england patriots one of which uh garnered i think maybe a little amusing uh uh attention the last couple of days
but the more you look at it the more he does look like a patriots prospect is slade bolton a slot
receiver out of um alabama now this kid is not going to be a day one day two maybe a day three
pick he could even slide as an undrafted rookie free agent
but his prolific ability to match up with mac jones in the slot these two have a very close
relationship they were roommates in alabama uh the way he was deployed is very similar to how
the patriots look to utilize guys like welker and edelman in the past as a matter of fact even you
know mentioned that that billy o'brien used to tell him the way they used to deploy Wes Welker when he was the offensive coordinator here in New England.
And I think in a lot of ways, people are seeing some similarities between the two sides.
If, in fact, the New England Patriots do decide to take a look at Bolden, if he's available, and if they decide to use late round draft capital on him or if they decide to sign
him as an undrafted rookie free agent is this a kid that could have an impact on this offense or
are maybe we hyping this up a little bit too much because of the comparisons to Welker and Edelman
and thinking we found our answer in the slot with a guy that really right now is not too high on a
lot of draft boards yeah Yeah, never say never.
And, you know, for a guy who worked in that Alabama system,
as we all know, that's a pretty prolific passing offense.
I would never say never in regards to that, especially, again, you know,
you talk about Julian Edelman, Wes Walker,
guys who weren't highly thought of either.
And you can't measure a guy's heart at the combine.
And, you know, I think if they were to use like a late round,
like a seventh round pick, or even, as you said,
an undrafted free agent, I'd be all for that.
Because I think that would be all the motivation he would need to come back,
work with Mac Jones.
In fact, I would love to see them grab two Alabama guys,
him being the late brown guy and a guy like Brian Meche,
who I think would be fantastic in this offense,
even if we don't see him in 2022 very much, if at all,
because of his ACL injury, you know, during the championship game. But I mean,
I would love to see Bolden in a Patriots uniform because I think he would, you know,
he would fit in what they like to do. Yeah, he would. He absolutely would fit in what they like
to do. And, you know, everybody's making a big deal out of the fact that, oh, this guy is not
very highly touted or, oh, he's probably going to go undrafted, or this is not the answer that they need.
I hear that an awful lot when his name comes up, meaning Slade Boland.
And they don't need anybody like that.
They need the prototypical guy that's going to take the top off the defense.
I understand. I know the fan base wants it.
And to be honest with you, there is an adequate argument to get Mac Jones a top-level talent
that he can work with and grow
with at the wide receiver position you saw the relationship between burrow and chase and
cincinnati i'm not saying the patriots are going to be able to duplicate that but someone who has
familiarity with how this kid plays and what he likes to do and a precise route runner that can
hit the target when mac puts the ball on a dime is something that i think is um i don't want to say
desperately needed here in new england but it is something that I think is, I don't want to say desperately needed here
in New England, but it is something that I think the Patriots should be pursuing this offseason.
But at the same time, someone like a Bolden that can come in and be a target for Max,
someone he has familiarity with, you may make the argument that he could succeed here in New
England more so than he could really anywhere else in the league right now. So I'm really looking at this as a possibility. I'm looking at this as something where
the Patriots may have found an option in later rounds. And keep an eye on Slade Bolden, folks,
because it just has Patriots written all over it. Not saying it's going to happen, but I'm just
saying I think that there's a decent shot at this happening, maybe even more so than not.
Steve, it's always a lot of fun to talk prospects and talk combine.
And we're going to continue that next week when Steve and I get into some of the defensive standouts that have yet to work out, at least according to the time we're recording this podcast in the combine for next week.
But free agency is also right around the corner.
That's actually closer than the nfl draft
and as we inch closer to that deadline patriots have some question marks one of which we've talked
about here before on lockdown patriots the need for a third down running back to take some of the
pressure off of damian harris and ramondre stevenson who does steve feel might be a good fit
in this system is it someone on roster or is it someone that the Patriots may pursue externally?
We'll discuss that topic and more when this Friday episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast
continues.
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Patriots fans, the great Steve Balistrieri, my Patriots paisan, joins me here on the pod today.
And Steve, in the previous segment, we talked a little bit about the Patriots' potential pursuit of Amari Cooper.
We also talked about some of the Combine standouts and whether or not a guy like Slade Bolton could be a diamond in the rough for the New England Patriots. But as I said to bring us back from break, the New England Patriots have
several holes that they may look to fill via free agency, and the Pats do have some question marks
at a lot of different positions. Linebacker, cornerback, wide receiver, but running back is
one that most fans seem to think the Patriots have well covered. Well, Steve, you and I know that that's not necessarily the case.
The New England Patriots do have two very good running backs at the top of the heap
when it comes to Damian Harris and it comes to Ramondre Stevenson.
But there's a lot of question marks as to who's going to fill that third down back role.
And that's so vital in the New England Patriots offensive system.
Even though Josh McDaniel's taking his talents to Las Vegas, you have to think that's still going to be a big part of what they do.
James White, Brandon Bolden, both unrestricted free agents. I think the Patriots would love to
have at least one, if not both of these guys back, but it's not a guarantee. And if in fact
they choose not to pursue either one or either one of these guys chooses to continue their career
elsewhere that leaves the hole for the New England Patriots at uh at third down back when you look at
the landscape and I know I said free agency but I don't want to limit you to just there either
is there anybody right now that you have your eye on on the landscape that could be a potential fit
in New England in that role if in fact James and brandon bolden decide that they're not going to be playing their
football in foxborough in 2021. yeah you know in a perfect world james white would be completely
healthy and back because he knows the offense and you know they would, you know, pick up seamlessly right where they left off because he is, you know, we've seen him do it in this offense for years.
He's probably their best option if he's healthy.
But that hip injury he suffered, that's a potential career ender.
So we'll have to see, you know, how he looks with that.
And in the case that he's not
you know the player he was prior the guy i really like and i'm i'm not saying that they're going to
be able to get him or even if he's going to become available because i think they may try to resign
him where he's at daryl williams from the chiefs he's only. You know, he's one of those third-down kind of backs.
He had 558 yards rushing with six touchdowns,
47 catches for 452 yards and two more touchdowns.
I think he would probably be the best fit
because when you look at some of the other guys,
maybe J.D. McKissick out of Washington, but when you're look at some of the other guys, maybe J.D. McKissick out of Washington.
But, you know, when you're looking at some of the other guys
that can catch the ball out of the backfield,
they're more of three down, tying the backs.
Like probably the best example is Leonard Fournette, which I love Fournette,
but I don't see the Patriots going after him.
Cordell Patterson, James Conner, you know, those guys are out there,
but I just don't see New England going after them.
But I like Williams, maybe McKissick, who was injured last year,
so that might help with, you know, the money situation
of how much they'd have to pay.
But, yeah, I think those guys would be a
great fit for the Patriots offense and then you're looking at that third down back to come in he can
both of those guys are able to run the football but they're also very very good at catching it
coming out of the backfield yeah without question I love the fact that you brought up Williams and
look the fact that he has experience in the Kansasansas city system a prolific offense that knows how to move the ball
in all ways not just on the ground but mostly through the air and their their proficiency and
being able to do that and fit in with that type of a system he could be an interesting uh target
uh i hear the name matt brada uh often a lot of a lot of people have sent me dms some good
mutual friends of mine not going to put anybody on the spot here i'm not going to call anybody out
but a couple of people that cover teams that matt has played for uh said that don't be a bit
surprised if new england may have them or have him under their radar uh or really kind of behind
the scenes right now because not only of the fact that he is a good dual threat back he knows how
you know to catch the ball out of the backfield can give you a run every now and then but also
his knowledge of the afc east having played in both miami and also played in buffalo so that's
a name to keep an eye on i personally don't believe the patriots will do that i think if
they're going to make a move at this position to me i think it makes more sense for them to look
at some of the options in the draft that they have available, not necessarily players that are right now
under the gun when it comes to free agency, but this is a position to watch. And for lack of a
better term, their best options might be on this roster at the end of the day, Steve. And you
mentioned that, getting a guy like James White back and being able to do what he does, the knowledge of the system, if he is in fact able
to play at a, you know, I don't want to say a high level because suffering a hip subluxation is not
something that players are normally coming back from at a hundred percent, but if he's still able
to play the way he's capable of playing, I think that there's something to be said there. And I
think James would be willing to probably come back on a one-year deal,
very similar to what he did last year.
He had a good offer, according to what we've heard from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
or at least there was some headway being made in that regard.
But ultimately, I think the Patriots right now would make sense for him.
And, of course, Brandon Bolden being the wild card.
And, you know, we're going to talk about that for just a second to uh uh give uh murph a little something to get angry
about when he comes in uh to join the studios next week here on monday but um brandon is an
interesting uh you know uh it's an interesting situation right now steve because you know you're
not not sure what he's going to be able to command on the open market.
Brandon is coming off of one of his more successful, more prolific,
statistically sound seasons in quite some time.
Did the fact that he had such a good year in 2021 hurt his chances of coming back here in 2022
because he might be priced out?
Or is this a guy that just loves the system so much that as long as things are competitive,
he'll choose to come back to New England I think you know he if if somebody came
and wowed him with a number I think he would probably leave but I think he loves it here I
think he likes playing for Belichick um and the fact that you know know, he knows this system inside and out. He's invaluable for special teams.
And, you know, he's like Mr. Fix-It, Swiss Army Knife. They need him to run the ball a couple of
times. He can do that. He can catch it out of the backfield. He's a very good blocker.
So I think the chances of him coming back are really, really good. You know, never say, again,
never say never because
somebody could come in and throw a bunch of money at him to do the same things he does in New
England. But I really see him coming back. Yeah, I think so. I think he's got a shot to do it. And
I would love to see Brandon back in a Patriots uniform, not just because of what he does on the
field in terms of being able to be that reliable
third down back. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. Mac Jones utilized him very well in
that position, but his value on special teams is so important. And this is a team that struggled
last year on special teams, Steven. That surprised all of us. The New England Patriots found themselves
out of position to make tackles, really not doing their due diligence when it came to both,
you know, the punt game and the run game and returns and stuff of that nature.
Brandon is going to be such a big part or a Brandon-like player is such a big part of trying
to bring that unit, which is normally meticulously coached and meticulously, you know, put together
back to prominence. And I think that's something with Joe Judge back in the fold. I know they're saying he's going to be more of an offensive, you know,
minded coach, but you have to think he's still going to have his hand
in special teams.
That's where he's at his best.
And I think Cam Atchard is going to be able to pull from his expertise
in that regard and really kind of bring this unit back to prominence.
So, Murph, if you're listening, I know you're watching out there.
We definitely agree that Brandon would be good to uh to be brought back let's just hope that no one on the open
market gives him a figure uh that makes him an offer he can't refuse how do you like that Steve
we're gonna bring there you go what a segue into exactly bringing that right into uh you know really
uh you know the uh the 50th anniversary of the Godfather this year but it's just it's unbelievable
it's like uh it really is it's a big anniversary for me and Steve uh you know who the 50th anniversary of The Godfather this year, but it's just, it's unbelievable.
It's like, it really is.
It's a big anniversary for me and Steve,
you know, who love this movie.
And of course, Murph does as well.
But what can I say?
I appreciate the wisdom, the counsel that you provide each and every week here on Locked On Patriots,
whether we're visual on YouTube
or whether we're across all of the different audio platforms
in which you download this podcast.
You always love when Steve drops by.
I always do because he brings the wisdom and counsel and the reason the way only he can.
And, Bud, what can I say?
I appreciate you more than anything.
Before I let you go, Bud, please let everyone know where they can find you, where they can
interact with you on social media, and what type of content we can look forward to from
the great men and the great voice of Steve Balistrieri. Well, thank you once again. It's always a pleasure being on here with
you. You can find me on Twitter at SteveB7SFG. I'm also on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn at
Steve Balistrieri. I write for Patsfans.com. I'll be looking at some of the stuff coming out of the combine this week,
some of the overreactions that we're used to seeing when guys really shine on there.
But, hey, you know, that's what this is about.
It's about looking at possibilities, and, you know, we'll be looking at that.
And then with free agency right around the corner, you know,
we'll keep an eye peeled for that and see how the Patriots do it.
But this is my favorite time of the year because it's just so many
possibilities and it makes for a great conversation with great football
people like yourself.
Oh, well, thank you.
That means a world to me.
That means a lot to me, bud.
And as long as you want to keep coming back here to Lockdown Patriots, we're thrilled to have you. At least I know I am all the time.
Until next week, bud, please continue. Stay safe, stay well. I always appreciate your insight.
And folks, thank you once again for making Lockdown Patriots your first listen every day.
Make sure to smash that YouTube subscribe button, download, subscribe to, and follow the Locked On Patriots podcast on platforms such as Spotify,
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Make sure that you are staying locked
into Locked On Patriots.
On behalf of my good friend,
our guest today, Steve Balistrieri,
I'm Mike DeBate.
Continue to stay safe, stay well,
be the change you wish to see in the world.
Have a great weekend, everyone.