Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - CrossRoads Friday: Where do the Patriots Go from Here? - 5/15/2020

Episode Date: May 15, 2020

After nearly a week of crossover, it is time to stand at the crossroads. What lies in store for the New England Patriots when it comes to the 2020 NFL season? Fan-favorite Thomas ‘Murph’ Murphy joins host Mike D’Abate to discuss the Patriots’ 2020 offseason moves thus far, and whether the ‘Hoodie’ still has one more trick left up his cut-off sleeve? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patriots fans, you are now locked in to the Locked On Patriots Podcast. I'm going to show you how to make a beautiful and beautiful flower. I'm going to use a small flower pot. I'm going to use a small pot Hello to all of you Foxborough faithful. Welcome to Crossroads Friday here on the Lockdown Patriots Podcast. 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 is brought to you by Bilt Bar. Bilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to BiltBar.com and use promo code LOCKEDON and you'll get $10 off your first order. Patriots fans, today is Friday, May 15th, 2020. My name is Mike DeBate, your host of the Locked On Patriots podcast, which of course is a proud part of the Locked On Patriots podcast, which of course is a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And folks, because it's your team every day, that means your questions, your comments, and your feedback, always welcomed

and greatly appreciated. And feel free to share that feedback anytime by reaching out to me and following me on Twitter at MDABATEFPC. And while you're out there roaming around through that Twitterverse, please be sure to follow the Locked On Patriots account as well at L-O underscore Patriots. Patriots fans, you heard correctly. I introduced today's episode as Crossroads Friday. Now that's not to be confused with Crossover Week, which just concluded here on the Locked On Podcast Network. For the past four days, we've had the opportunity to take an in-depth look at our competition

in the AFC West. And I certainly learned a lot, and I'm sure you all did too, about those four teams, starting with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, to the Denver Broncos, the Las Vegas Raiders, and yesterday we wrapped it all up here with a look at the LA Chargers. But those are just four of the 16 destinations on the Patriots 2020 NFL schedule. And folks, it's always been my experience that the best way to get to know where you're going is to take stock in where you are. And that's why I'm calling today Crossroads Friday.

It's not a reference to a Ralph Macchio movie, or one of my favorite classic rock songs by the power trio Cream, tip of the cap there to Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Eric Clapton, or even a reference to the community outreach program bearing the same name that does amazing work in the East Coast and all throughout the country. No, this Crossroads Friday edition refers to your New England Patriots. Since the last time the Patriots took the field of battle, which incidentally was at Gillette Stadium on January 5th,

playoff game against the Tennessee Titans. We all know how it ended, folks. We don't have to relive it. But the current Patriots roster looks drastically different than that roster looked, and they have used both the 2020 NFL Draft and free agency to drastically reshape that roster as we look forward to watching the next incarnation of your New England Patriots. So it's really not a stretch of the imagination to say that the Patriots are right now at a crossroads.

Their 2020 roster, along with the rosters of all of the other 31 teams, have yet to be set. Not every one of their new additions will make the final cut. Some players that might end up in Foxborough before the season is through may not even be on anyone's radar yet. But because the past two weeks here on the Locked On Podcast Network have been about us taking a look at some of the other teams and the primary competition the Pats will face, today is the perfect opportunity to look inward, evaluate where the Patriots are

right now. Have they filled some of the voids on their roster? Do they still have some holes left to fill? What should we think about the Patriots draft additions and the ones they've made via free agency? And last but certainly not least, folks, does Bill Belichick, the hoodie himself, have one more trick up his cutoff sleeve for all of us as we approach the 2020 season? Well, folks, today I will give you my thoughts, but on a Friday here, I figured two for the price of one was a pretty good deal. So you won't just

get my wisdom and counsel, you'll get some green wisdom and counsel. That's right, folks. By popular request, the big green man takes his seat. Thomas Murphy will join me today here on Locked On Patriots, and we will discuss the Patriots standing at the crossroads at this point during the offseason. We'll talk a little about the past, mostly about the present, and we'll even prognosticate on the future. So settle in, folks, an action-packed episode as we put the Patriots roster under the microscope as Murph and I take stock of the Patriots roster so far and do a little off-season regroup

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Patriots fans, the phrase back by popular demand has never been more appropriate than it is today. And that's because the king has returned. That's right, everyone. Your favorite and mine, my benefactor in this business, the legend Thomas Murphy is back here on the Locked On Patriots podcast. Thank you for joining me and for coming to me in friendship today. Welcome back, Don Murph.

Oh, buddy, thank you so much for having me. And that demand is it's not just me, is it? I assure you, you have been missed on these airwaves and not just by myself either. A lot of the fans here on Locked

On Patriots, we've been clamoring for some green wisdom and counsel, and throughout the last couple of weeks we've been doing a lot of great crossovers with some of my great colleagues here on Locked On Patriots, but at the end of the day, we needed some of that wisdom and counsel, and I'm so glad that

you're back here. Great way to end the week here on Locked On Patriots. And we got a lot to talk about, but a lot of stuff going around in the world of Foxborough. So without further ado, let's dive right into it. And the last time that we spoke on these airwaves, Marif, and I couldn't believe this as I was doing my research, we were still in the middle of the NFL draft.

This may be the longest drought that you've ever had from locked on Patriots. And the draft has come and gone. But the questions still remain as to whether or not this team, especially the roster, has done enough to be able to maintain contention. Now, as for the draft, we were both pretty vocal that the Patriots would address both offensive line and quarterback in this draft, at least in some form. And I guess you could say they addressed both if you count the undrafted free agent quarterbacks, but let's stay on the old line for just a moment. They did bring in

some offensive linemen in this draft. Justin Heron, who's a tackle slash guard out of Wake Forest, Dustin Woodward, the center from Memphis, and particularly Michael Onwenu from Michigan, who I believe has a legitimate shot to make this roster. But if I'm being real here, Murph, having a bit of concern that the team's depth on the offensive line could be an issue, especially when you consider that Joe Tooney is still a possible trade candidate. And as much as I love David Andrews,

we have to remember the blood clots in the lungs are so tough to predict. And even though it looks like he has a clean bill of health, and I really hope things stay that way, that could be a position of need if he develops any type of health problems this year. Now, I'm pretty confident in Jared Stidham's ability to lead this team. I've been vocal about that. I love his poise. I love his arm. And I love his accuracy. He can make the throws, but he needs time to make this team. I've been vocal about that. I love his poise. I love his arm and I love his accuracy. He can make the throws, but he needs time to make those throws. And Tom Brady has been arguably the best quarterback in NFL history at shedding the ball just at the right time, as quickly as possible. And he's mostly made the right decisions throughout his career.

If there's a concern that I have about Jarrett, this is it. The problems that he had in college and even observing him last year in practice and preseason is that he can struggle when he's under duress from not getting the O-line protection that he needs to make his reads and to make his completions. I have a little mixed feelings on this right now. And to be honest, I am not sure whether or not the Patriots have the depth pieces on the offensive line required to provide Jarrett with that type of security. Am I close to the base on this one, my friend? What are your thoughts on the Pats offensive line and what it means for Stidham's progression this year? that I feel terrible that while I spent so much time pumping up Ruiz in pre-draft height this year and who was going to go in the first round,

that I completely overlooked the guy on the other side to his right. And that was, oh, no, we, blah, blah, blah. God, second cup of coffee. We're taping this on my second cup of coffee, people. But Michael is a good pick. I think he has a chance to make it. Heron is, you know, a project. I would feel a lot better about the guys that they drafted at the bottom of this draft

if one Dante Skarnecchia was still around. So I'm not sure how much help is going to be there. These guys are project guys. The Michigan kid, the guard, could come in here and do something and make some noise, be a good rotational guy this year. I thought that they were going to go offensive line much earlier in the draft, but they chose to fill holes on the other side and they did it really well. But no, to answer your question, this goes more to, I think, last year's draft and the names that

we didn't hear all season long, like Yandy Caduce, that are going to step in here and do some things this year. They had a redshirt year for whatever reason, for needing to be coached up or being hurt or whatever stamp you want to put on it, just not ready for prime time. And some of these guys, especially at the offensive line, are not ready for prime time when you're outside of the first or second round. And I think that's what we're going to see with a lot of the draft picks at the end of this year's draft. But no, I don't feel as badly as you do. When I go back and I look at the Froholt pick of last year, of the Kajus pick, you know, those are guys that are going to step in and are going to play

significant roles. I do not think Joe Tooney is going to get traded this year. I think they put the tag on him. And if he signs an extension, great. I think we all want that to happen. I think Joe Tooney wants that to happen. But if not, he is the best option to help keep our man, Jared Stidham, upright and give him some time to be able to do those things that you were just talking about. Agreed. And I think that in a lot of ways, I'm glad you talked me off the ledge a little bit because, you know, I have a tendency to get a little emotional. I'm Italian. It happens, my friend. The Tobin's there. Absolutely. I try to stay away from the Tobin, especially right now. Nobody knows what's going to happen.

But in any case, I think in a lot of ways, I think in a lot of ways, the Patriots offensive line right now is a little bit of a fluid option. I'm glad you mentioned Yanni Kajusti and Yelda Frohold, which is another name that a lot of people don't remember, was a pretty big-time pick for the Patriots last year. And look, Kajusti has the presence and has the ability to be a real sleeper pick in the 2019 draft. He does. A lot of people were really, really surprised, and that pick got a lot of praise last year when the Patriots made it.

Albeit, he didn't see time on the field last year, but this is a pick and this is a guy that could really provide a lot of depth on that offensive line. Frohold is another guy that I think is an interesting and intriguing option. He really has the anchor to be able to stand toe-to-toe with anyone. I watched this a little bit in the preseason, and this kid, square, one-on-one, can pretty much match strength with most of the people he'll be lined up on the other side of when it comes to the defensive line my question on uh frohold is his reaction time we saw him get torched more on more than one

occasion last year in the postseason because his reaction time was a little bit off and he wasn't meeting guys at the line of scrimmage the way he should. That's something I think he'll need to work on in camp this year, but he could be another addition as well. And you mentioned on way new, and I think in a lot of ways, I think on way new really does bring that youth to this offensive line and great size to this offensive line, a tremendous wingspan. I've said over and over again here on Locked On Patriots, I can't imagine a situation where he's going to be easily beat

by a defensive pass rusher simply because of the massive size and the wingspan that he has. What he may lack in athleticism, he's going to be able to get his hands on some of these guys and really shut them down. He's a 300-pound condor. Absolutely. Very good analogy. I love that.

I really, really like that. Makes me think of the Robert Redford film. Three good analogies a week. I'm glad I got some of them in here. Absolutely. It makes me think of the Robert Redford film. You get three good analogies a week. I'm glad I got some of them in here. Absolutely. It makes me think of the Robert Redford film, Three Days of the Condor. It's good stuff. We're all looking forward to it. Well, in any case, the Patriots did address the other side of the ball in the draft as well, and these were some of my favorite picks for the Patriots draft this year,

especially the potential of some prototypical Patriots like Kyle Duggar, Josh Uche, and even Amfredi Jennings, who I think would be a sleeper in this draft hall. I've been pretty vocal about my admiration for these picks, but Murph, you have a brilliant, dare I say, Belichickian defensive mind. So I trust your judgment. With these picks, my friend, do you believe that the

Patriots have done enough to offset the loss of athletic defenders like Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Daron Harmon? And have they done enough to keep this defense in the upper echelon in the NFL? I do. I really do. I love these picks. They, you know, Bill, Bill, of course, zagged while I was zigging, getting ready for this draft. And, you know, when he zagged, he really struck home. Well, I know lots of people are still scratching their heads over Duggar. But honestly, folks, he wasn't going to be there the next time the Patriots picked. He probably wasn't. Great point there.

Ten picks after they took him. All right. So please stop talking about trading down again or this or that. There were people out there in deep amored of Kyle Duggar. And when I went back and I talked to guys like Mark Schofield and some other folks that were at the senior bowl and saw him all week, I was convinced that this is the case, that he would not be there later in the second round. Maybe even before 50, he would have gone. So I don't have a problem with that. Uche is a new prototype. Okay, let's put it that way. He doesn't necessarily fit in size-wise with a lot of the things that the Patriots have done, but this is the wave of the future.

Anthony Jennings, I am really, really looking forward to seeing what he's going to be able to do in a Bill Belichick-style defense. We know the similarities between Alabama and the Patriots and what they like to do. It's, you know, it's fringy. It's like a, you know, it's like when you look at a Monet painting and, you know, it's or I meant to say Serac. When you're up close, when you're far away, you can see the picture when you're up close, you don't really, you know, get what's happening.

And, um, but, but as you, as you back up and you look at the way that Bill is going to use him, it's going to be fantastic. Yes. I do think that these, these people are going to be able to come in and you're going to be asking yourself, a lot of folks, you're going to be asking yourself a lot of folks you're going to be asking yourself like you did last year um that you know why are we not seeing more of kyle duggar last year we we were saying that a lot about um about chase winovich this year you're going to be saying it about kyle duggar why why are we not seeing more of him why are we not seeing more of him? Why are we not seeing more of Anthony Jennings? Because these guys are here now for depth pieces. You have to look at this as not strictly for this year, but what's going to happen

next year. Take a look at who's coming up and is going to need to be replaced next year and maybe even the year after with some of these picks. But on the defensive side, I do see guys that are going to be able to come in here and not be game changers, not be the playmakers that everybody in sports talk radio talks about. They don't have any playmakers. That's not what this is all about, folks. Bill's not out here trying to fill up your highlight reels. He's trying to get back to the Super Bowl, and you need depth at these positions to do it.

Duggar is a depth piece right now. Boucher is a depth piece right now. Jennings is a depth piece right now. The guys that you're going to need to see step up for this team this year are the two tight ends that he had on the other side of the ball asiasi and uh and dalton keen i'm also really looking forward to seeing what they can do because those are guys that are going to have to come in here and make a contribution right away and in a big way these top three three picks that Bill used in the first two rounds,

in the second and third round, I should say, are guys that are going to be put in a right place to succeed and have Patriots Nation saying, why not more? Well, because they're not ready for more yet. Exactly. That is such a great point and something that I don't think is reiterated enough, especially when it comes to Duggar. Now, you mentioned something that really kind of tingled my spidey sense, and I wanted to get into that's really kind of beat the Kyle Duggar drum before anyone that I remember seeing was Evan Lazar of CLNS Media. Evan and I have talked several times offline about Duggar, and one of the things that they absolutely loved about this kid was his ability to make plays. You want to talk about bringing in a guy that's not a playmaker. He may not be making a ton of plays this year on the field, folks, but this is a guy that intercepted 10 passes, returned six punts for touchdowns at Lenore

Rhine. He can definitely do it. There's no question about that. So the Patriots are not necessarily worried about who had a first round draft grade on him, who had a second round grade on him. They identified a player. They realized that he probably wasn't going to be there in subsequent rounds, and they made that pick. We heard a lot heading into this draft from executives that were putting information out there saying all of these mock drafts that we're seeing this year out there, a lot of them are wrong. To me, in that respect, I think of Kyle Duggar when I hear that. I think a lot of other teams had Duggar rated a lot higher than maybe some of the draft pundits, and I think the Patriots

had their finger on the pulse, realized that, and that's why they went with Duggar early on. Some of the other picks, I know people are talking about them reaching when it comes to the tight ends. The more I look at Asiasi and Keene, I really see what the Patriots saw in each of them. Asiasi, I think, has the opportunity to really be a dynamic route runner in this offense. That's something they haven't had at the tight end position in quite a while. Rob, in his best days, was a pretty good route runner, but we haven't seen Rob in his best days in the last couple of years, folks. I know a lot of people love to look at Rob Gronkowski with rose-colored glasses, but he has not been peak Rob Gronkowski as of late.

You've got a guy like Dalton Keene, who can come in and play H-back and fullback, and how important is that going to be this year with the retirement of James Devlin? Got my jokes. Yeah, absolutely. You bring in those guys, and all of a sudden those picks make sense.

I agree with you on Jennings. i agree with you on jennings i agree with you on ushe i love what they can both bring to the table ushe i think changed the complexity a little bit of what the patriots like to do i like that they're getting younger maybe a little bit more athletic at that position and i think jennings has the ability to be a sleeper again i think he's a stout run defender and the one thing that i love about anthony jennings is he plays his assignments as assigned you know bill belichick loves that he does his job that's basically what he does he does his job and he does it well so which is which is something that we are going to touch on in a minute probably when we're talking about people that left um but yeah he he is somebody that that does the

job that you ask him to do and um that's not, you know, always the case with, you know, the outside linebackers that we have had in the past two or three years that are looking to cash in again or for the first time on their way out the door and feel that, you know, I have to show that I'm this playmaker and that, you know, you need to pay me. Absolutely. Without question. And Murph, it feels like a homecoming of sorts today. The wisdom and counsel that you provide definitely as advertised and exceeding my expectations

today, my friend, as you always do. But we're just scratching the surface of our discussion today. You're welcome. The Patriots haven't just been making adjustments via the draft my friend they've been very Patriot like in bringing in free agents that may not make the headlines but could bring significant value to Foxborough and they've also lost a couple of pieces as well so in just a moment Murph and I will look at the Patriots offseason moves so far and we will gaze into that Belichickian crystal ball and determine if the hoodie has one more trick up his cutoff sleeve when the Locked On Patriots

podcast continues. Folks, Murph is back home after a hiatus that was far too lengthy. And Murph, we've dished on the draft, but the Patriots haven't just used the draft on the upgrade to their roster. They brought in some free agents that can be big contributors, even if they're not those sexy household names that everybody covets. I think they filled some voids, and I really like a few of these signings, to be honest with you. But you're my guest, and as the great Don Corleone would once say, accept this justice as a gift on my daughter's wedding day. All kidding aside, my friend, when you look at the Patriots free agent moves, who catches your eye and which moves do you believe will provide the best payoff?

Who catches my eye? Dan Vitale, really, Danny Vitale stands out, especially with the exit that we had. He's somebody that's going to come in here and finally get used in a way that he should have been used the entire time while he was in Green Bay, working as a fullback, but you have a quarterback there that is more impressed with his own stats than he is to using a run game or a pass-catching fullback. I can't wait to see what Danny does in here. I like Brandon Copeland. I thought that was a sneaky good pick to come in here. Grabbing him from the Jets was a pretty good meal. But Demary Bird, the receiver that they got from the Cardinals, keep an eye on this.

This is, I believe, going to be more than just a depth move here. I agree. Demary Bird, to me, I think has – I mean, you want to talk about speed? This kid is blazing and he can really has the potential to be a burner in this. Brandon Cook's kind of speed. It really is. Yeah, it really is. That's a good comparison. I mean, in terms of the speed that you're expecting to see out of this kid, I really, really liked this signing. Again,

that's one of the ones that quote unquote, I loved when I talked about the Patriots off season moves, you mentioned Brandon Copeland. Again, I love it. Typical 3-4 outside linebacker. Fits very well into this defensive scheme. I think the knowledge that he has in the AFC East really gives this kid an upshot in terms of being able to make the roster. So I really like this addition as well.

Also doing some great things in the community right off the bat, you know, with all the money that he's raised and the meals that he's raised for the COVID-19 pandemic. Really endearing himself to the area right off the bat. And it just shows you the type of quality and character that these guys have. So definitely I think he's a great addition to this football team. Bo Allen, I think, is a lot of people that not – is a player, excuse me, that not a lot of people have given a lot of credence to. And I think he may come in here and play a significant role. Look, he is that typical, exactly. He's that typical 4-3 defensive tackle.

And it may be a little bit more of a square peg in a round hole type thing. But I think he can be an adequate replacement for Danny Shelton. He's going to need to lean very heavily on guys like Lawrence Guy and Adam Butler on either side of him to maintain the continuity of that interior offensive line, defensive line. But I think Bo Allen is someone that can shoulder the load, and I look for him to be an adequate replacement and maintain some continuity on that line this year. And, of course, Dan Vitale, I'm glad you mentioned him. We talked about Mark Schofield earlier.

Mark absolutely loves this guy. He really turned me on to what Dan Vitale can bring to the table, and I think he'll be an adequate replacement for James Devlin in the fullback position. Devlin was beloved up here because of the way he played the game. I'm not saying that Dan's going to come right in and fill his shoes, but I think he'll allow them to be able to continue to utilize that fullback position and be able to utilize it well.

Lastly, Bud, the Patriots, like 31 other teams right now, they're still waiting in the wings for a lot of information when it comes to the status for this 2020 season. But assuming most of the current plans are intact and we start the season relatively on time, there is still time for Bill and the Patriots to pull off some additional roster upgrades. As you see it right now,

is this pretty much what we can expect this year? Or, I mean, given a few, give or take a few minor tweaks here and there. Or does the hoodie still have one more up his sleeve when we're looking at the 2020 roster? I'm not sure that he does. I'm not sure that he is not happy with the way things are set up right now. I think that's why he attacked the draft the way he did.

There's a ton of cap space for the Patriots opening up next year for them to be able to do these things so I really don't I know folks that that there will be some space cleared up with some contract renegotiations with some certain with certain players but I really don't think you're going to see another move this year where a big name free agent, if there's any left out there at this point in time, or a trade is going to be pulled off because he simply doesn't have the room right now to do it. They like to go into the season routinely with $5 to $7 million worth of cap space to work with during the year.

So something could happen through there, but they'd have to make the space right now to do it. I really don't see, as you would say, another ace up Bill's sleeve before any of that happens unless there is a serious move to clear up some cap space and he's able to do something between now and when camp opens up. Yeah, I would probably agree with you.

I don't think there is anything. I don't think there are any big moves on the horizon for Patriots fans. And I caution a lot of our listeners here to take this season in stride and take it with a little bit of temperance. Now, is that to say that, oh, well, going to uh you know play out the string or they're just going to be mediocre or inadequate no no one's suggesting that at all nope but i think in a lot of ways i think when it comes to personnel i think this is a year that i hate to use this term because it has such a negative connotation from another boston counterpart team that we've heard a lot about and that's the red socksx, in the bridge year.

This is going to be a bridge year. I think in a lot of ways that may be a—no, we're not talking Tobin Bridge this year, folks. We're not talking like Purge at the end. No, we're talking a bridge to some type of renewed success in New England. I still think this team's going to turn more heads than a lot of people are thinking it's going to this year. I think there is a lot of talent on this team, and I think they're being a little bit underestimated throughout the country,

but you know what? We'll see if we're right on that, but ultimately, I agree with you. I don't think there's a big move here to be made. I think you'll see some extensions. You may see some savvy veterans come in here that might be able to make an impact. But ultimately, I think what you're seeing is what you're going to get. And we'll see what that

brings on the football field this year, Murph, because it's never a dull moment in Foxborough, and we don't expect 2020 to be any different. My friend, you lend your wisdom and counsel like no other. That's why your family here on Locked On Patriots. It has been my honor to share the microphone with you today. So happy to have you back. It feels like the planets are once again aligned and everything is right with the world. Folks, you should already be following this man. If you're

not, I don't know what to tell you, but for any of our new listeners, follow him on Twitter at TeamRF207. The columns, the monster keys, including the draft edition, pregame, evaluations. This guy does it all, and he does it with class and accuracy. Point, click, learn. Every single time you see something put out by Murph, I guarantee you, you will not be

disappointed. And of course, always proudly found on DieHardBostonSportsFans.com, and never miss an episode of One Patriot's Place with Murph and our great mutual friend, Steve Balistrieri. Buddy, thanks again. Honored and humbled by your presence as always. No, thank you. And I want to thank all the listeners out there who keep coming back and tuning in whenever I'm on. I know there are bigger names out there that you would probably rather hear. I've got to give a special shout-out this week to Claire in the U.K.

Claire is a super fan who was very excited that I was going to be on the show today. Claire is one of our biggest fans. We love her. Claire is fantastic. I just love her. She's just fantastic. Her knowledge of football after not growing up with it over there in the U.K. I just love her, man. She's just fantastic. You know, the accent, her, her, her knowledge of football after not,

not growing up with it over there in the UK is, is, is a joy. And, uh, and so I wanted to give that shout out. I hope it doesn't get cut out, but I wanted to make her listen until, you know, It absolutely won't. And she does listen right to the end. Uh, she's a contributor here on lockeded on Patriots, submitted several questions, even submitted a great mock draft that she wasn't so confident was all that great. And I really, I think, held a lot of her concern. I think she did a fairly good job.

That's right. I forgot about that. She was on a mock draft Monday, wasn't she? Absolutely. She was on a mock draft Monday. And we look forward to her contributions and we're always honored and humbled by her support. So Claire, a girl,

thank you very much. We appreciate it. And I hope Murph lived up to your expectations. I know he lived up to mine. I'm sure he did for you as well, buddy. What can I say until the next time here on locked on Patriots, which is going to be a lot sooner folks than it was this time around,

you know, blessings as always stay safe and stay well. which is going to be a lot sooner, folks, than it was this time around. Blessings, as always. Stay safe and stay well. And thank you for always gracing our airwaves with your wisdom and counsel. Yeah, I feel like Archie Bunker. I sat down in my chair, and it didn't feel right. Somebody messed up the cushion in my chair.

Oh, we've got to get the imprint back. We've got to get it just right. We'll work tirelessly to get it back to where it needs to be. But the embroidery is still there, and it's never going to go away, my friend. Thank you. No matter how much Schofield tries to rip that off there, it's just not happening. It's my chair. Well, Schofield's got the total poster up. So, I mean, he's always, always good.

This is always, that always makes this his home. But the chair has got your name on it, my friend, and it always will. What can I say? Thanks so much, Murph. Have a great weekend. No, thank you for having me. We look forward to doing it again soon, buddy. No, anytime, bud.

And so, Patriots fans, we put a bow on the week that was here on the Locked On Patriots podcast. Another great crossover week in the books, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get a chance to talk to some of my great colleagues like Chris Clark of Locked On Chiefs, Cody Rourke of Locked On Broncos, your boy Q of Locked On Raiders, and Dave DeGrogemeyer of Locked On Chargers. As I said to open the show, I had a chance to learn a tremendous amount about all four teams, including the Chargers, who I've not covered in a couple of years. And my colleagues here on the Locked On Network are some of the most informative

and some of the very best at what they do in the business. It's my honor to be a part of this team, and we all look forward to doing more crossover shows like that for all of you throughout the offseason and into the regular season, as we hope for an on-time start, or at least as close as we can to it, of the 2020 NFL season. Last but certainly not least, what better way to close out the week here on Locked On Patriots than to talk to my good friend Thomas Murphy.

Murph brings genuine analysis, content, and wisdom and counsel like no one else can. He is a great friend of mine, but like my colleagues here at Locked On, he is truly one of the best in the business, and sharing the microphone with him is always an honor. And if you're wondering about next week, folks, I will be here each and every day to continue to bring you the latest news, notes, and analysis from Foxborough. And some great guests will be joining me here on the pod, so be sure not to miss an episode. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Spotify.

And don't forget, you can always listen to Locked On Patriots right on your very own smart device. And it's so easy to do so. Simply ask it to play the latest episode of Locked On Patriots. And if you've enjoyed today's podcast, now tell your smart device to play the latest episode of Locked On Patriots. And if you've enjoyed today's podcast, now tell your smart device to play the latest episode of Locked On NFL. Once again, I am Mike DeBate. I hope that you all had a happy, healthy, and enjoyable week. I thank you so much for listening today,

and of course, for staying locked in to Locked On Patriots. Stay safe, stay well, and have a great weekend, everyone.