Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Forgotten: New England Patriots' Kyle Williams Ready to Break Out? | Mailbag

Episode Date: May 12, 2026

New England Patriots eye a major boost with A.J. Brown poised to join a revamped receiving corps. Can Kyle Williams take a leap alongside Brown and Romeo Doubs to transform this offense into a true NF...L threat? Host Nick Cattles breaks down Patriots roster storylines, spotlighting potential jumps from young stars like Williams, the evolving roles for tight ends Eli Raridon and Hunter Henry, and the impact of key free agents still on the market, including veteran guard Kevin Zeitler and linebacker Bobby Wagner. Cattles tackles pressing listener questions about Robert Kraft’s spending, cash spending rules, and the long-term futures of mainstays like Michael Onwenu and promising undrafted free agents. Plus, updates on Mike Vrabel’s presence and team morale set the tone for a high-stakes 2026 season. Will New England’s calculated moves and emerging talent pay off as they chase AFC relevance? Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts... Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/... #patriots #newenglandpatriots Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Square If you’re starting a business, or running one that deserves better tools, Square helps you sell, manage, and grow without slowing down. Right now, you can get up to $200 off Square hardware at https://square.com/go/LockedOnNFL. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Kyle Williams is still an exciting young player and should not be forgotten. This is a locked on Patriots mailbag. You are locked on patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast, part of the Locked on Podcasts Network, your team every day. What's happening? I am your host, Nick Cattles. On today's show, Robert Craft's spending has been talked a lot about over the last few years, but there should not be a ton of worry heading into 2027.
Starting point is 00:00:36 In the second segment, there are names who remain free agents who could still impact this year's roster. But first, the brightest young wide receiver on this team could still make a difference if given the opportunity. Before we get with the questions here, and there are a number of them, I appreciate every single one of you who sent me a question at Nick C. Radio. Before we get to the first question, I want to remind all of you that on Thursday night, we're going live on YouTube to react to the official release of the 22. 26 schedule. Again, on Thursday night, YouTube live after the official schedule is released, we will hit up YouTube and we will talk about this upcoming schedule for the Patriots. All right.
Starting point is 00:01:20 First question is from Foxborough Fever. Am I the only one expecting a good jump and skill level from Kyle Williams? I'm very excited about Kyle Williams. I am very, very excited about the young man. Look, he ran a 4-4-40, 153 in the 10-yard split. So we know he has the speed that will help this offense. He has a great release package at the line of scrimmage. And we saw that right out of the jump.
Starting point is 00:01:47 We saw that in camp. We saw that at the joint practices. We especially saw that when you go back and you look at those preseason games in what Kyle Williams was able to do before he got hurt. Thanks, Joshua Dobbs. Now, of course, it's preseason is what it is. but we also saw this during the regular season against legitimate NFL competition. Kyle Williams has a great release package at the line of scrimmage.
Starting point is 00:02:12 He can create that separation almost immediately. The chemistry was a little off last year between the quarterback and Kyle Williams, right? Drake May, Kyle Williams, not always on the same page. That will happen. Josh McDaniel's offense, first time with this offense for both the quarterback and the receiver. but the skills, the skills are there. Because not only does Kyle Williams get off the line of scrimmage very well, he also tracks the ball unbelievably well.
Starting point is 00:02:42 And we saw that about a handful of times last year. His ability to track the ball when it's in the air, not give it up to the cornerback that the football's out its way, shows the late hands and the ability to come down with some of the catches. he came down with last year. So I know the stats, they don't jump out at you, but you know, if you watched, you know that Kyle Williams,
Starting point is 00:03:08 he had 3, 4, 5 really, really excellent plays last year. And that's a good start. So again, great release off the line of scrimmage, tracks the ball very well. He has more versatility to his game as well. You know, we looked at Kyle Williams last year, and we said outside guy, mostly outside guy.
Starting point is 00:03:27 but Williams has more to his game than that. He can play inside. So I think we'll see some of that versatility this year, especially if slash when A.J. Brown becomes a patriot. Kyle Williams, I would think, will slide in a little bit more to the inside. He'll be used differently than he was last year, which I think will help him. What will also help him is that it will be his second year
Starting point is 00:03:51 with the aforementioned Drake May and Josh McDaniels. Second year in this offense, he should be much more comfortable with the terminology, understanding what his role is going to be, understanding what he needs to do, especially against zone coverage. And Greg Bedard, going back a few months ago, he told me that people in the building, people at the facility, they believe in Kyle Williams. They love him. They think he's going to be good.
Starting point is 00:04:20 Now, of course, the issue for Williams is that AJ Brown is likely going to be a patriot, in a couple of weeks. You went out and you signed Romeo Dobbs. You still have Hunter Henry as somewhat of a Drake May binkie. So you have those three guys that are going to be getting a number of targets. You still have Mack Hollins. You got the running backs that you can use. And plus, speaking of running backs, I think you're going to see more run game from this offense this year. So how much opportunity will Williams truly get? We'll have to wait and see. I don't think he's going to leapfrog either Brown or Dobbs at the position. But I am excited for him.
Starting point is 00:05:02 Captain Mike 24, A.J. Brown, I read constantly about an elite game changing number one. Haven't seen anybody volunteer numbers. What can we expect? Let me start with the fact that I'm not sure who has called A.J. Brown, an elite game changing number one receiver. I know people throw the word around elite, right? They throw elite all over the place. He's elite, he's elite, she's elite, she's elite, that guy's elite, that woman's elite. People love the word elite. There's this fascination with elite. It started to happen, I think, about, I don't know what, 10, 15 years ago, everybody started using the word elite. My definition of elite is if you are a top four or
Starting point is 00:05:50 five wide receiver in the entire game, not just merely a number one guy, but you are somebody who is top four or five at that position. I don't think A.J. Brown is one of the five best receivers in football. I don't think he's that guy anymore. Now, could I see him being just inside the top 10? Yeah, I can see him being just inside or just outside the top 10 at that position in 2026. So that's the first thing. I would not say elite. Now, A.J. Brown, number one slash alpha, yes, but that isn't all about stats. So I know you want me to volunteer numbers, and I will give you some numbers, Mike, but I first want to explain, you know, being an alpha, being a number one guy isn't all about how many catches,
Starting point is 00:06:38 yards, and touchdowns that dude gets. That's kind of a fantasy football rendition of what a true number one is. What is also important, and yet, numbers are important. And yet, numbers are important. And I do think Brown will get numbers. But it's more about the gravity that a number one guy brings to an offense. Do defenses have to double that receiver? Is that receiver dictating the coverage? Does that receiver open up opportunities for the other receivers because there's being so much attention paid to that receiver?
Starting point is 00:07:10 Do teams have to game plan for that guy? So it goes beyond just what did he do? How many catches did he have? It's the gravity of that player when he steps on the field. It's his ability to make big plays when the quarterback needs him to, when the offense needs him to. Stefan Diggs was a number one receiver for most of last year. He made a number of catches, third down, fourth down, big plays. So it's not just strictly numbers.
Starting point is 00:07:39 Now, as far as the numbers, can A.J. Brown quickly transition to the McDaniel's offense. Can he find chemistry with Drake May quickly? I'm optimistic that both those things will happen. It also depends on targets, right? You got Romeo Dobbs and Kyle Williams and Matt Collins and Hunter Henry, the running backs. We know Josh McDaniels loves to spread the football around to a point. But my guess on the numbers, and it's just a guess, I will volunteer these numbers. With Romeo Dobbs, more run game involved, I would say 80 catches, 1,100 yards,
Starting point is 00:08:15 nine or 10 touchdowns, that's my best guess. All right, let's go to Randy DeWitt. Heardt and get compared to Rob Grunkowski. Should we buy in a bit more? Do you think Rairden jumps Hunter Henry in production by the end of the year? I think first we should settle down with any comparisons to Rob Grunkowski. Gronk is the best tight end of all time. I would not compare Gromk to anybody.
Starting point is 00:08:39 I would stay away from that. Gronk was a freak. He was just a freak. Now, people have mentioned that there are some similarities. between Grankowski and Rairden. Not that Rairden is Grunkowski or will be Grunkowski or make that kind of impact. Even Brian Hoyer, who mentioned Grunk with Phil Perry on NBC Sports Boston. If you go back and you actually listen to what Brian Hoyer said,
Starting point is 00:09:06 he was very, very delicate with his words. It was not a one-to-one comparison. Granc is 265 pounds or was 265. Eli Rairden is 245. So he first has to put on, as we've talked about since the draft and even before the draft, he's going to put on 10, 15, 20 pounds. And Gronk's ability to do what he did at 265, crazy. Granc also an excellent blocker.
Starting point is 00:09:36 Rairden is improving. He's improving in that category. I think he can be a good blocker, but he has a lot of room to grow to get to a gronk level when it comes to just, you know, throwing dudes out the club. I am not expecting Eli Raarden to leapfrog Hunter Henry in year one. As I mentioned earlier in this segment, Hunter Henry is a Drake May binky. And that's going to take time.
Starting point is 00:10:01 It takes time to develop some of the chemistry. Sometimes it happens immediately, but most of the time it will take a little bit of time. Eli Raarden, that pick to me is more about 2027. I think he will be sprinkled in during this upcoming season, likely as the third tight end and the occasional downfield explosive play. But I think that Eli Raarden pick, as much as I loved it, it was more about 27 than 26. There's an offensive lineman still available that we should all keep our eyes on.
Starting point is 00:10:35 That and more coming up. This is Lockdown Patriots, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. Now the number one sports podcast network, your team every day. Support for today's episode comes from Square, the system that helps fix one of the biggest headaches in running a business. Starting a business is exciting, but actually running it, that's where things can get complicated fast. Payments, inventory, staff, scheduling, online orders, it's a lot to manage.
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Starting point is 00:12:44 Download that game time app today. There's a former pro bowler from 2023 that remains available that could absolutely help the Pats in 2026, especially given the lack of depth on the interior of the offensive line. Thank you for making us your first. Listen and for being an everydayer. Don't forget to check out the Everydare Club for ad-free episodes and access to a group chat that, you know, with other listeners, it's great of this show. You can tap the link in the show notes to find out more or go to lockdown patriots.
Starting point is 00:13:16 Dot supercast.com. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe, help us out in the YouTube world. Help us beat that algorithm right in the face. And don't forget, we're going live on Thursday night, live on Thursday night, right on YouTube to discuss the official 2026 Patriots schedule. We will see you live on Thursday night. All right. Let's keep rolling with the questions here. Dan Kelly, 66.
Starting point is 00:13:43 Who is the most likely free agent still on the market to join the Patriots as a late signing? I'm going to look at two positions. I'm going to look at Guard and I'm going to look at off ball linebacker. I think a lot of people would agree with me that those are two of the spots, maybe the top two spots, that you just feel are a little bit thin on this roster. And I look at Guard. We've talked about Joel Betonio before, but I think. I want to talk about somebody else.
Starting point is 00:14:10 How about Kevin Zitler? He can play both the left side and the right side. He is physical. He has enough movement still at the age that he's at. He's mid-30s. He still has enough movement to pull in the run game. If you look last year, and I know pro football focus is very polarizing, but if you look at last year's pro football focus overall grade for Zytler,
Starting point is 00:14:34 he was at a 74.5 overall, which was 13. among guards in the entire NFL. Last time I checked, there are 32 teams, two guards each team. That's a 64. And Zeitler was ranked by PFF 13th. Now, why is he not signed? Again, mid-30s, he's likely waiting until camp. Maybe he's waiting during camp.
Starting point is 00:15:00 Maybe he's waiting for an injury. A team not necessarily sold on him starting at his advanced age. So maybe he's got to wait this thing out. a financial situation. Maybe he wants more money than teams are willing to give him. And he says, hey, they might get desperate with an injury. They might get desperate once they get to camp and realize they don't have what they thought they had at guard. You have cuts. A lot of stuff can happen from now until September. So maybe that's why Kevin Zitler has not signed just yet. Of course, you would ask, why would Kevin Zitler join the Patriots? If the Patriots can't, you know,
Starting point is 00:15:36 commit to him starting. And I would say Elijah Verit Tucker, the injury history. Now, of course, if Zytler's going to be, you know, offered a starting gig, it'll be very difficult for the Patriots to overcome that. But if he's not and he's just going to be in the quote unquote mix, then Zytler can look at Veritucker and say the injury history is obvious. He can look at Michael Wenu. Does Michael Wenu try to hold out?
Starting point is 00:16:02 Is there some issues with Michael Wenu's weight as he shows up to camp? is there a possible trade the Patriots are looking at with Michael Wenham? So Kevin Zitler's one name. Another name I would throw out there is Bobby Wagner at linebacker. He's 36 years old, but he still has game. You know, he averaged nine and a half tackles last year per game. He's not great against the pass, so you're not going to have him in coverage on third down, but he can still defend the run.
Starting point is 00:16:30 Now, again, we're talking about late, right? we're talking about very late in this process when we talk about some of these guys. And you likely need an injury for Bobby Wagner to be truly interested because I'm not sure that Wagner is going to want to join a team, again, just to be part of the mix. He's going to want to be one of the primary guys. I think the Patriots can offer that to him with Christian Ellis, the money they're paying Ellis, and of course with Robert Spillane. So all of these guys, you need mitigating circumstances to play a role.
Starting point is 00:17:02 But I would say Bobby Wagner's another one. Other options, Mackay Beckton, after a down year at guard. He also obviously has some tackle capability for you, some versatility from him. And Bobby Okoriki, who we also talked about before or O'Keriki at linebacker. He could also make some sense. Walt Foot. Caleb Lomu excels in past protection. Will Campbell in run blocking.
Starting point is 00:17:27 Maybe we should think of moving Campbell, not Lomu, to right tackle, and let Lomu be left tackle come 20, 20, thoughts. My initial thought, Walt, is, can we please just let Will Campbell prove or disprove that he's a left tackle at the NFL level? Can we just let this young man play? Can we let him play one more year? Tackles do not develop quickly in the league. Now, some of them, the anomalies, yes, the true freaks, like a Joe Alt, of course. But nobody thought Will Campbell was Joe Alt when he came into the league. Nobody thought, any tackle was Joe Alt from from the draft last year. So can we just give Will Campbell a chance to prove himself as a left tackle to prove the team right or wrong? Can we give him that chance before we start trying to do all of the math at tackle in the future? I've said it,
Starting point is 00:18:21 you know, Will Campbell before the MCL, he was average to above average in pass protection. Everybody's going to remember the worst moments because that's how it happens in that position, right? Like everybody's going to remember some of the tough times against Pittsburgh. People are going to remember the tough time against Miles Garrett. But overall, Will Campbell was average to above average in pass protection. It was actually his run blocking Walt. That was not great last year or above average last year. The Patriots, you know, when you look at Campbell versus Lomu, Campbell was the very first tackle taken in that draft.
Starting point is 00:19:00 he was taken fourth overall. Loma was the seventh tackle taken in this draft, 28th overall. So that tells you, and last year's draft was better and deeper than this year's draft. That tells you that from an evaluation standpoint, you know, Will Campbell was the better player heading into the draft. Now, both tackles, you know,
Starting point is 00:19:22 they need to be good in pass protection in 2026, whether it's left tackle or right tackle, so there's not as much of a difference to say, well, he's the better pass protector, so put him on the left side because teams change their alignments. They change their pass rushers. They move those guys around now. It's not like it was back in the day. The Caleb Lomu pick was, you know, when we talked about it, it's best for him to learn and develop for 2026. He's not ready. Offensive tackles take two to three years to figure it out. The best case scenario for the Pats is Campbell at left tackle, Lomu at right, crown over,
Starting point is 00:19:56 Demetrius Crownover or Marcus Bryant as the swing tackle. Let's get to Jay Smooth, 33. Why have the Patriots been so passive in addressing the linebacker room? Interesting question. I don't think they've been passive, Jay Smooth. I think what's happened here was plan A was we're going to draft a young player at that position for depth. And that young player out of the draft is going to be the third guy in the rotation.
Starting point is 00:20:22 You go back to Elliot Wolf's comments talking about the linebacker depth in this past draft and how you could find a lot of guys on day three. And then you traded up for Lomu, and then you traded up for Gabe Accus, and that changed the math. That took you out of the fourth round. And now all of a sudden, I think the Patriots would have been looking guard and linebacker in that fourth round, but instead they had to wait until very late into the fifth. And so now I would think, instead of what you wanted to do, which was draft a young
Starting point is 00:20:52 linebacker to battle KJ Britt for that third spot on the depth chart, now you're in a little bit of a tough spot because the guys that are left on the market, as I mentioned with Bobby Wagner, they likely want to get snaps promised to them. And I don't think the Patriots would do that. Also, the Pats, they could think, you know, if it's not just, oh, the plan A was the draft, they could think that KJ Britt is a good fit, if not better fit than Jack Gibbons was last year. I mean, Jack Gibbons got a two-year deal for $7.5 million. It's not like you got paid a ton.
Starting point is 00:21:24 This could be a conscious decision by the Patriots. and their coaching staff, just thinking we can get more out of KJ Britt than other teams have gotten from him. Let's also see how Namdi Obi-Izo works out, Brit with Chad Muma, how those three guys do in camp. Let's also keep an eye out for who gets cut, because there might be a guy who gets cut that could be of interest for the Patriots. But if you shot Elliot Wolf, Mike Vrable with Truth Serum, I would guess, I would guess they would say that they wish they had a little bit more talent in that spot, a little bit more
Starting point is 00:21:56 depth, talent-wise, but I do think, you know, the draft played a big role. Robert Kraft's spending has been a big topic for some fans and media, but we cannot over-exaggerate its upcoming impact. That's next. This is Lockdown Patriots, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. If you've ever opened your bank account and thought, where did all my money go? You're not alone. Keeping track of subscriptions, spending, and bills can get overwhelming fast.
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Starting point is 00:23:03 Join at RocketMoney.com slash lockdown. We'll give it to you one more time. Write it down if you have to. It's rocketmoney.com slash lockdown. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe, help us out. We always appreciate you. Also, don't forget that we're going to go live on Thursday night. the official schedule release.
Starting point is 00:23:29 Yes, it's happening. We're going to do that Thursday night on YouTube. Also, special shout out to Cookie Rojas, who works for Major League Baseball, and I know he listens to this and other lockdown shows. We appreciate you cookie. Robert Kraft's spending is not a Robert Kraft three-year rule. It's an NFL mandate,
Starting point is 00:23:48 and that mandate should not impact the Pats much over the next 12 months or so. And I just want to, before we get to the next question, thank you for checking out the Lockerner. on podcast network, now the number one sports podcast network. Let's go to Bringo, 0723. How does Kraft's three-year cash rule affect Michael Wenu, Hunter Henry, Matt Collins, Kayshan Booty, Pop Douglas, and Caden Wallace? The three-year cash rule, as I just mentioned a moment ago, it's not a craft rule.
Starting point is 00:24:19 It's how the NFL actually does business. It's all about the CBA. NFL teams, NFL owners, are required to support. spend at least 90% of the cap in cash over designated three-year periods. That's the floor. That is the floor mandate. That's an NFL mandate. And it is negotiated in the CBA.
Starting point is 00:24:43 So the players know teams have to spend at least 90% of the cap in cash over a three-year period. Because if that wasn't the case, owners could really low ball players and you got a problem. Now, 2026 is the final year of the most recent three-year period. 24, 25, 26. Before that, it was 21, 22, 23. If you're wondering, the Patriots currently sit 13th overall in the league in first year cash for 2026. We also have to remember that A.J. Brown would impact the money significantly for this offseason. and it could end up resulting in a move with Michael Wenu,
Starting point is 00:25:30 and then maybe we go back to the Kevin Zitler idea. But the Patriots right now, 13th in the NFL in cash spending in the first year of the deals that it was signed this offseason to this point. Now, the Patriots should have flexibility for next offseason because, again, when you go to 2027's offseason, it is the first year of that next three-year clock for the year. NFL mandate. So it'll be 27, 28, 29, the next designated three-year period where the Patriots would have to spend 90% of the cap in cash. As far as the names that you mentioned, Bringo,
Starting point is 00:26:11 you know, I look at this and it's, you know, Matt Collins, Pop Douglas, Kaden Wallace, those are not big enough contract extensions. If they signed contract extensions, the whole 90% of the thing is not going to impact those guys. Now, Kisham Booty could impact him, but he doesn't make much sense if you bring in AJ Brown. So I just, you know, with Dobbs and Brown, I think Kisham Booty inevitably gets traded at some point if you bring Brown in, when you bring Brown in. Hunter Henry, not breaking the bank as a free agent because of his age, position.
Starting point is 00:26:49 Michael Wenow is the big one that you list. And I think it's unlikely he resigns a long-term extension. Patriots likely looking at a comp pick for him. But that would be the one guy that you might squeeze out because of the whole cash thing. Good question. Z. Kaluza, 99. Thoughts on the undrafted free agent signes. Now, I try not to spend, you know, a ton of time on UDFAs because so few of them actually have a shot at making it.
Starting point is 00:27:21 But there are a few names that we need to keep an eye on. Kyle Dixon, we discussed him earlier in the week, had a pretty impressive rookie minicamp practice for what that is worth. He's 6-2-220, wide receiver, crazy athletic numbers, crazy explosiveness when you look at those numbers. He was guaranteed over a quarter of a million dollars by the Patriots, which usually all but guarantees you a practice squad spot, if not more. Now we go back to Kashan Booty, as I just mentioned,
Starting point is 00:27:52 if he is dealt, when he is dealt, there's going to be a battle for that wide receiver five. Because I think you look at it, and you will have AJ Brown, Romeo Dobbs, Kyle Williams, Mac Hollins, and then you've got that battle for the fifth spot with booty out of town. And that fifth spot would be up for grabs
Starting point is 00:28:11 between Pop Douglas, if he stays, Efton Chisholm, and then you start looking at these UDFA guys. And Kyle Dixon right now, so far, It's so ridiculously early, but so far, he's the guy that has popped the most. Another UDFA, UAB guard John Darius Morgan. He's 6-4-320. He played at South Carolina before UAB, so some SEC experience. He's got good movement for his size.
Starting point is 00:28:39 He's not the strongest guy. He needs to add some play strength. Do you hear that often with the offensive linemen that get drafted nowadays? Khalil Jacobs is another name, 6-1-227 lineback. You want to talk about explosivity, 40-inch vertical, 11-foot, one-inch broad jump. He's a plus athlete. He's twitchy. Sidelined a sideline to sideline.
Starting point is 00:29:00 He played as a spy in his junior year. And he could end up being one of those hybrid defenders because he's 61227. And if not there, then special teams. And two others I would mention, Jacob Rizzy, who's a guard slash tackle. He had a relative athletic score of 9.88. and Miles Montgomery running back, he ran a 4-4-440 and has an 8.91 RAS. All right, let's wrap it up with this question. Randy travels now.
Starting point is 00:29:31 Not in the building, so truly not sure to answer this, right? But here's the question. With the Vrabel Rusini story a few weeks behind us, how has the team's internal attitude and daily energy shifted? Again, not in the building, so truly not sure. But what's been reported, Mike Vrable, Was Mike Vrabel at practice during rookie minicamp? He was as loud as he's pretty much always been, as involved as he's always been.
Starting point is 00:29:56 The veterans who have come out and spoken, they have said that he's the same old Rable, Hunter Henry, Robert Spillane. On Tuesday, Kevin Byard, who knows Rable from their time in Tennessee, said he's the same guy. Romeo Dobbs was talking him up. So he's got support from the veterans who have spoken publicly. Of course, you could ask what else would they say? That's a fair question. the reports are that the second time Vrable had to talk to the team. There were some kind of side eyes given and people going, wait a minute,
Starting point is 00:30:23 I thought we already talked about this. Drake May's latest interview said that he doesn't think Mike Vrable's going to be a distraction. He's fully behind Vrable, which matters when your quarterback is behind the head coach. Most players will follow that quarterback. And I think the longer, Randy, that we are detached from any new information, the more things will settle down. Well, you know, there's not really anything new that's coming out lately. When football starts, then I think it'll be mostly business as usual,
Starting point is 00:30:52 as long as there is nothing new. And then he's going to go back and talk to the players and then you worry about the trust, yada, yada. That wraps up this edition of Lockdown Patriots. Thank you for making us your first listen for being an every dare. Reach out to me on Twitter at Nick C Radio. And don't forget to throw a comment in on the YouTube channel. Hit that like button and subscribe.
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