Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Midweek Reason - Patriots Move Forward to Houston - 11/18/2020

Episode Date: November 18, 2020

The New England Patriots are turning their attention to the Houston Texans and their matchup on Sunday at NRG Stadium. However, the midway point of the week is the perfect time to use a bit of reason to apply the lessons learned in their victory over the Ravens. Joining host Mike D’Abate is Steve Balestrieri of PatsFans.com, as the pair discuss the Patriots tight end position, a much-improved interior of the defensive line and why the Texans are more formidable than their 2-7 record would indicate.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! EchelonRight now, you can try any Echelon Fitness equipment at home for 30 days. Go to EchelonFit.com/NFLBuilt BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order.MyBookieINVEST IN YOUR INTUITION. USE PROMO CODE LOCKEDON AND DOUBLE YOUR FIRST DEPOSIT. NEW PLAYERS GET UP TO $1,000 IN FREE PLAY - DESIGNED TO ADD MORE EXCITEMENT TO THE SPORTS YOU LOVE AND THE GAMES YOU BET. YOUR WINNING SEASON BEGINS TODAY...ONLY AT MYBOOKIE!BuiltGoVisit BuiltGO.com and use promo code “LOCKED,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order.Door DashRight now, our listeners can get $5 off and zero delivery fees on their first order of $15 or more, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code LOCKEDON.SimpliSafeGet 30% off SimpliSafe plus a free security camera today by visiting SimpliSafe.com/lockedonnfl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you Foxborough faithful. You are now locked in to the Lockdown Patriots podcast. And today we listen to the midweek voice of reason here on your daily home for news notes and analysis infused with the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. Today's episode of Lockdown Patriots is brought to you by Pepsi, made for football

watching. Folks, this football season will be different, and Pepsi is here to get you ready for game day, no matter how you watch this season. Pepsi is the refreshment you need to power through game day and become a member of the League of Football Watchers. These passionate fans are the real generational talent that Pepsi fuels. Because Pepsi isn't made for those who play the game, it's made for those who watch it. Pepsi, made for football watching.

Happy Hump Day, Patriots Nation. Thank you for joining me here today on the pod, where we will absorb some midweek reason, wisdom, and counsel from one of our closest friends of the program. As for me, my name is Mike DeBate, your host of the Locked On Patriots Podcast, which of course is a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And, folks, because it's your team every day, that means your questions, comments, feedback are always welcomed

and very much appreciated. 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 doing some midweek meddling through the Twitterverse, please be sure to follow the Lockdown Patriots account as well at L-O underscore Patriots. Pats Nation, I hope you all are having a good week. Today is Wednesday, November 18th, 2020. One week from today is Thanksgiving Eve.

And normally I'd be saying time's flying right by, but 2020 has been an odd year. It's gone by quickly at times, and then there were other times where this year has felt like a decade. But the one thing I can say about this year, in total confidence and sincerity, is that the time that you've invested and been willing to spend with me here on Locked On Patriots throughout the year is something for which I'm so grateful. I've said it time and time again here on the Airwaves, it's my honor to host this podcast on a great network like Locked On, and covering this team, especially this year, continues to get more and more rewarding.

It's true, the wins aren't coming as easy. We're sweating it out a lot more on game day than we have in the past, but wins like the ones the Patriots were able to get on Sunday night are that much more rewarding. And with the Patriots now having won two in a row, they want to make it three, but standing in their way this weekend will be the Houston Texans. 1 p.m. Eastern at NRG Stadium, the Bill Belichick coach Patriots travel to Houston to take on the Romeo Cornell coach Texans. And while the focus pretty much from here on in throughout the week will be on those Houston Texans, we're not quite ready to let go of the Ravens just yet.

I thought today on the pod we needed to take just one more level-headed, reasonable look at the Ravens game and then turn our attention squarely toward Houston. And when you need a level-headed, reasonable voice, we go to our resident voice of reason, my good friend Steve Valistrari of Patsfans.com. And Steve has become a weekly fixture here on the pod and for good reason. Much like our other good friend, the Green Kingdom Sting himself, the marvelous Count of Murphy Fisto, Thomas Murphy. And fear not, folks, with the new year approaching, I'm working on a whole new list of nicknames for Murph.

Wait till you get a load of some of these. Great stuff. But all kidding aside, Steve is certainly earning his way to his own hashtag as well. The insight and honesty he shows each and every week is something that I'm so proud to display here on Locked On Patriots, and it's my honor to share the microphone with him once a week here on the pod. Today, Steve and I will be delving into some of the unsung heroes of Sunday night. We'll be talking a little bit about the tight end position.

That's right. You hear that, Claire? You might want to turn this one up because we'll be saying a lot of kind things about Ryan Izzo. We'll also be talking about the status of the rookie tight ends and whether or not newcomer Jordan Thomas can provide the spark the Patriots need at the position. We'll also be delving into the interior of the defensive line and how some of the adjustments the Patriots made in personnel made all the difference in stopping a very potent Ravens rushing attack. And last but certainly not least, we'll be talking about how the Patriots might apply some of those lessons learned, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

A lot of people, myself included, have been getting on Josh McDaniels for maybe not calling a great game lately. Some of the play calling's been suspect. But Josh's game plan on Sunday night was as solid as they come. Can the Patriots parlay that new play calling prowess How's that for alliteration, folks? into long-term and sustained success when it comes to the Patriots offense and of course that begins with how the Pats will prep for Houston this weekend I'll be asking Steve what he believes makes the Texans a much more formidable opponent than their two and seven

record would have you believe folks an action-packed agenda today on the pod so sit tight settle in and prepare to absorb the reasonable wisdom and counsel of Steve Balistrieri of Patsfans.com when he joins the hot seat in just a few moments. But first, the Patriots return to the practice field on Wednesday, and Patriots Nation was abuzz as Bill Belichick addressed the media early on Wednesday morning, stating that he believed Julian Edelman would be participating in workouts this week. Now, that led to a lot of speculation that Jules might end up being on the practice field on Wednesday. Unfortunately, folks, he was not visible at practice on Wednesday, but it is still believed that he will be participating in workouts. And right now,

the prognosis is better than not that Julian may end up seeing the field at some point this season, which is great news for the New England Patriots and even better news for Jules himself. That being said, two players who have previously been placed on IR were visible on the field today. Rookie offensive lineman Justin Heron and rookie tight end and practice squatter Jake Burt were all visible on the field. In fact, the entirety of the Patriots' 53-man roster was visible on the field, and that's good news for the Patriots, who will need continued good health if they're going to

make a playoff push. And once again, as the week progresses here on Locked on Patriots, we'll continue to bring you the very latest on the Patriots' list of walking wounded as Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Texans fast approaches. So with that being said, now it's time to transition from Ravens to Texans. And in just a moment, Steve Balistrieri will tell us how the Patriots can move forward from a great performance on Sunday night and turn that into possible success in the home stretch of the season. All this and more when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues.

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Patriots Nation, we are starting to turn our attention towards the Houston Texans in a 1 p.m. matchup on Sunday. But to help me break it further all down is my Patriots bison, an amazing columnist for patsfans.com. And I say it every week, folks, but he is one of the best guys in this or any business. Steve Balistrieri joins me today. Welcome back to the Locked On Patriots podcast, my friend. Oh, thanks for, you know, rearranging your schedule to fit mine this week.

So I appreciate that. Oh, no problem. We always, always try to be flexible here at Locked On Patriots, and especially for someone who occupies a weekly chair here on the pod. And I could not think of anyone more deserving of it. But I thank you for always adjusting your schedule, for taking the time to talk to us here on Locked on Patriots each and every week. And Steve, just when we thought we might not see another Patriots victory in 2020,

that's a put together back to back victories in two straight weeks. How about that? Patriots. I know. I'm starting to believe in this team. Yeah. The one against the jets wasn't that much of a shocker. I mean,

we kind of figured they should win that game, but I don't think a lot of people saw them beating the Baltimore Ravens. I know I didn't, I didn't think they'd be able to slow down that offense. And they did a really, really solid job of limiting that running game of the Ravens. And it opened up all kinds of possibilities for them. I thought it was a great win. I thought it was a great win as well.

And I did not predict that they would beat the Ravens on Sunday night either. Anyone that listened to my pregame prediction show on Friday knows that I picked against the Patriots. I almost nailed the final score, believe it or not. 24-17 was my prediction. Of course, I had the Ravens taking it. It ended up being a 23-17 victory for the Pats. And at that point, I know Patriots Nation and the both of us will take it. Big, big win for the Pats. And, you know, 4-5 is definitely better than three and six.

So Sunday's game against the Texans is going to be a good one. I think better than the record of either team indicates. And we'll get to Houston in just a little bit. But before we hop on to Houston, so to speak, buddy, I thought we'd maybe take a deeper dive into last Sunday's win over the Ravens. And one of the things that I was most worried about on Sunday night was the Patriots' ability to stop the rushing attack of the Ravens. But the Patriots pleasantly surprised me. They found a group of athletes that finally gave New England's defense some speed in the middle. And that basically helped them shut down the Baltimore running attack.

I thought having guys on the inside like Carl Davis, who I think has been better each week, even Therese Hall as a linebacker who still has some deficiencies, not quite the player that Juwan Bentley has been, but he's playing very fast and he's giving them a lot of speed in that area. And then, of course, freeze up guys like Chase Winovich, even Kyle Duggar to come in and to compensate and and to compensate and help to be able to control that running that running attack by baltimore in your estimation steve the interior of the the uh the defensive line how big of a role did they play in being

able to help shut down the ravens rushing attack and is that something we could see more of in subsequent weeks from the bats? Oh, I think it played a huge role. I mean, you know, one of the things that we've been talking about all year was they didn't have that big body in the middle. And I thought Carl Davis held up, you know, granted it was a very small snapshots of what we're looking at, but you know, I was talking with Doug Kyad yesterday, and he was saying that, you know, when Carl Davis was on the field, you know, the Patriots are only allowed, I think it was 1.7 yards per rush.

So, again, very, very small sample size. But that was one of the things they've been missing all season long was that big body in the middle. And he's a big guy. And I think you can't overstate that at all. And the fact that Lawrence Guy was back I thought was huge for the Patriots. I thought their interior line held up a lot better than we envisioned going into this game and the fact

that yeah i'm sorry go ahead oh no i was going to say without question no please go ahead i was just going to nod and agree with you yeah and uh you know it freed up guys like uh winovich and uh you know chase winovich and john simon and they were kind of playing instead of the you know, Chase Winovich and John Simon, and they were kind of playing instead of the, you know, traditional like 4-3 defensive end roll. They were kind of being off-the-ball linebackers, and it helped them to set the edge. I thought both of them were outstanding on Sunday night. I thought Winovich, I mean, he played all but one defensive snap,

and that was something you and I have been talking about for a couple of weeks on the show. You know, they're going to get him more involved. And I thought he was a royal pain in the butt for the Ravens on Sunday night. He was making plays all over the field. He was chasing down guys. He had 10 quarterback pressures. I thought it was a great game by their front seven.

Yeah, without question, I believe it was a great game for the front seven as well. And you mentioned Winovich having him out there for the majority of snaps. I also enjoyed watching both he and Uche be able to form that pass rush tandem that I think can be a formidable part of the Patriots' defense for many years to come. Only 21 snaps, but at the same time having those guys together really showed what this team can be and I'm glad that you mentioned somebody like Carl Davis who is a very pleasant surprise for this team this year Isaiah Mack also is someone that they brought in to maybe be able to plug that gap as well and he was not active for

Sunday's game. Who knows? Maybe we see him get a little bit of a look this week. But ultimately, I think the interior of the defensive line held up very well. And stopping a rushing attack that is as potent as the Baltimore Ravens is definitely a windfall for the New England Patriots on Sunday. You know what, Steve? Let's make our friend Claire very happy here. We're going to switch gears a little bit.

We're going to talk a little bit about the tight end position and Ryan is, oh, arguably at his best game of the year on Sunday night. And you wrote in your most recent column, his blocking in the running game was excellent. He was sealing off lanes, pushing defenders back. And Ryan then turned in his best play of the night when faking a run, he slipped past the defenders wide open. Cam Newton hits him for a 20-yard gain. That set up a touchdown.

Izzo continues to look better and better each week. But I don't think it's a stretch of the imagination to say that the Pats are still deficient at this position. But, lo and behold, you have a guy like Jordan Thomas, a sixth-round draft pick out of Mississippi State, drafted by the Houston Texans, mind you, where he played under former Texans coach and now ex-Pats offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, of course. He comes to New England with a knowledge of a similar offense. Steven, your estimation, do you think Thomas could be the answer that the Patriots have been looking for at tight end? Or is he really more of a role player and the Patriots will continue to have a downplayed emphasis on the tight end position? Well, I think that's a tough question. It's a good one, too, because we haven't seen what Thomas can do in this offense. Right. Getting back to your initial observation about Izzo,

I thought clearly he has best game of the year, especially in the running game. I thought his blocking was the best it's been all year, and that's a tough defense, you know, against the Ravens. So, again, you can't overstate it, the fact that they were able to carve out the amount of running space they did against a team that knew they were coming in, going to run the football. So, yeah, getting back to Izzo, I thought he had a very strong game.

And, you know, he was questionable himself with injuries. He's been banged up for a couple of weeks. So you have to tip your hat a little bit to him. I'm still not convinced like our friend Claire that he's the answer. He's not. He's a solid depth guy.

Going with Thomas, it's going to be interesting to see how much he can absorb in a really short amount of time. Granted, like you said, he did play in a similar type of offense, so maybe a lot of the calls and, you know, the route trees will be the same. I'm not sure how that will work out. But I'm really hoping they can get something out of these rookies.

I don't want to write the season off on those guys just yet. I think the reason they drafted them, where and when they did, was the fact that they have confidence in these guys. So we'll see what happens with that. But, you know, when it comes to tight ends, I think it's going to stay kind of on the back burner for the team this year. I think you're right on that as well. And sorry, Claire.

I know we were kind of being a little negative when it comes to Izzo. I am of the school where I think Ryan has basically done the best he can this year in the role that he's been asked to play. He's not a tight end one. He's been asked to do that. And in a lot of ways, it's a mismatch a lot of times but i think he's done the best he can with the skill set he brings to the table and look i think he's been a solid blocker he's made some questionable you know fumbles or questionable difficulties i guess is the best way to put it when it comes to receptions but he's been open a

few times and when he has been especially like on sunday night uh he was able to slip through and make a pretty big play i'm glad you mentioned the rookies because so often in patriots nation buddy we hear oh well the patriots aren't utilizing this guy oh there's a first round bust oh there's a bust there's no there's a draft bust that's it bill can't draft yeah nice job bill using two you know high draft picks on tight ends that you're not going to use. Wink, wink. And of course, terrestrial radio, especially in the afternoons, is a big reason why that narrative sticks around here. But we've seen players redshirt at their freshman year, so to speak, and come out to be pretty big.

Just take a look at what Damian Harris is doing this year, folks. You'll understand. I still think there's prowess. to be pretty big. Just take a look at what Damian Harris is doing this year, folks. You'll understand. I still think there's prowess. I still think there's potential, both in Asiasi and in Dalton Keene, who I think will eventually be molded into that hybrid H-back, fullback type role. And I think Asiasi can be a good receiving tight end in this offense and a pretty good blocker as well. So glad you mentioned the rookies because there is still something to watch their folks all is not lost when it comes to those guys this time next year I think a lot of people are going to be singing a different tune on both of those players and I think you also make a good

point on Thomas we don't have a whole lot on him so it's hard to label him as the answer that the Patriots have been looking for I am intrigued to see how he fits into this offense, especially with the knowledge of the way Bill O'Brien ran it. Josh McDaniels is, you know, is, I think, adapted some of what Bill called when he was here simply because Bill took over the offense for Josh as well when he was here in New England. So some synergies looking to see how he fits in, but things could get interesting with the tight end position. At the end of the day, I agree with you. I don't think there's going to be much more emphasis placed on it.

It might be more of a lost year, but there still can be something coming from the tight end position. So have some faith, Claire. They'll be okay. They're just not going to be the focal point the way they had been in the past. Buddy, again, you know what? Bottom line, whether they utilize the tight ends, the running backs, however, four and five is better than three and six.

I think we can both agree on that, no matter how you slice it. But now the Patriots have to build on that success, Steve, and that means a continued evolution with the Houston Texans next up on the schedule. Folks, we will have more with our resident voice of reason, Steve Balistrieri, and that potential Patriots evolution next up on the schedule. Folks, we will have more with our resident voice of reason, Steve Balistrieri, and that potential Patriots evolution when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. Patriots fans, you've all heard the phrase, often imitated, but never duplicated. I mean,

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the season. I think that starts with Cam's performance, who is looking more cool, more comfortable in this offense. You noted this in your column once again. He's recognizing the pre-snap reads much more easily. He's identifying the blitzes coming much more quickly, much more efficiently, and he's seeing the field better. He's utilizing the field better. That, in turn, has led to the running game looking like a real force, and not enough good things, in my opinion, can be said

about the play of Damian Harris lately. He's not just running with toughness. He's not just running with versatility. He's finding lanes. He's utilizing those lanes to his advantage, and he's not just running with versatility he's finding lanes he's utilizing those lanes to his advantage and he's getting more yardage than i think even you or i who are very high on this kid from the moment they drafted him last year has provided even even he's gone even beyond our wildest dreams or our hopes and expectations and for what it's worth steve i know a lot of people like to malign him but i thought josh mcdanDaniels called a pretty good game on Sunday. And I think all of those things coming together has led to this offense giving people hope and making people optimistic for what they could be down the line. For a team that has struggled in offense on times, though, this year, pretty mightily this season,

do you believe that the Patriots have found a happy medium. And can they build on this? Oh, absolutely. I thought, you know, it's funny because even at the end of the game, because in my keys last week, I said they had to start throwing more on first down. And in the fourth quarter of the game, I got on Josh a little bit because the Ravens started figuring it out and they started slowing them down. I thought they should have thrown a little more.

But you can't take away what a game plan, and the way McDaniels called that game on Sunday. I mean, you're facing one of the top 10 rush defenses in the NFL. They know you're going to run the football. They're doing everything in their power to stop you, and you still run the ball down their throat for 173 yards. And the fact that the passing game, and you mentioned it earlier with Cam Newton, he recognized the blitzes.

That's been the big, big issue this year for the Patriots. Offense is when teams blitz Cam. He's not able to recognize it in time he's not able to find the open guy against the blitz on uh sunday night and the ravens can get after the quarterback he was 9 of 12 for over 100 yards and a touchdown against extra pass rushers i think that's outstanding that's tom brady type numbers so i'm all in on that i believe that mc. That's Tom Brady-type numbers. So I'm all in on that. I believe that McDaniels called a great game. I think this offense has shown they can improve.

And I'm really looking forward to see them build on this. I think they can build on this. I'm looking forward to seeing them getting more people involved. I know Isaiah Ford, you know, in, you know, his first game, he only had a couple of practices last week. They can maybe get him involved. Harry last week, they just used as a blocker. So, you know, there's that. And hey, Julian Edelman is going to try to practice today. Absolutely. And that is definitely a great piece of news i opened uh the pod today by describing to our listeners that julian edelman is hitting the practice fields patriots looking to evaluate him

don't forget he is eligible to come off ir and i'm not saying that he's going to right away folks but this is a kid that is very very tough and you know he's chomping at the bit to be out there on the field um and that's can only lead to good things for the Pats, especially seeing him and Jacoby Myers on the field at the same time and knowing how high of a level Jacoby's been playing at is something that I think a lot of people are looking forward to. And I think Cam Newton, for one, is definitely looking forward to that. But I think you hit the nail on the head when it comes to Cam. He has been looking much more comfortable.

And bottom line, that simple game plan of just keeping the offense ahead of the chains, avoiding the turnovers, I think has made all the difference. It's the perfect amount of weight being put on Cam's shoulders. They're not asking him to carry every play, be the absolute end-all, be-all of every play. He's playing more like a cog in the machine, and I think it's perfect strategy by McDaniels and Belichick, but I also think that Cam deserves a lot of credit for adjusting his game to playing as such and doing the little things it takes to win.

And ultimately, Steve, sometimes those little things can lead to the biggest results. Last but certainly not least, my friend, all of this building, all of this building, all of this era of good feelings that the Patriots have built up in the win over the Ravens is only going to last as long as the Patriots' next performance, and that is traveling to Houston to take on the Houston Texans. And at 2-7, Houston's record isn't exactly striking fair in the heart of Patriots Nation,

but there's a good deal of talent on this team. I heard Bill Belichick say on his conference call this morning, I don't care what their record are, this may be the most explosive team we've played all year in terms of potential. That's a pretty big statement considering they've played the Ravens, they've played the Chiefs, they've played the Seahawks. Teams with very explosive weapons on offense. But there is a good amount of talent on both sides of the ball here when it comes to Houston. And despite their record of two and seven, they've hung around and they've challenged in nearly every game that they've played. So as you start to look ahead to Houston, my friend, what is it about this team that has you concerned,

especially when considering how they match up with the Patriots? Well, Deshaun Watson is one of those guys that can make plays with his feet, and we saw it, you know, the last time the Patriots were in Houston. You know, he was making plays with his feet, and I think Will Fuller is the guy on that offense now that Nuke is gone that scares me. Because I think when Will Fuller is healthy, he makes everyone around him, you know, even more dangerous. And they have good receivers.

They have, you know, obviously Fuller. And then you have Brandon Cooks and you have Randall Cobb. So they have some weapons there. And, of course, Watson with his feet can make things happen. I think that's the most intimidating factor with them. And Watson's kept them in those games. It's their defense that's let them down this year. And if you're looking for something to build upon,

the Texans are one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. So I think you're going to see a really heavy dose of Damian Harris and Rex Burkhead this week. Absolutely. And of course, with the catching the ball out of the backfield, that's something that I'm looking for a little bit more this week as well. I think Rex has been excellent in that role, but I'm looking to see James White utilized a little bit more in that role and maybe this is the week we finally see the James White coming out party and I thought a lot of people you know had touched upon this previous about James being such a factor in this offense we haven't seen quite as much of it and I think there may be other you know extenuating reasons for that as well but I think that James is also one of those guys that can contribute and be a strong part we saw on Sunday turning something into nothing you know with with the play that looked like it was going

to be a loss James was able to break three and got you know even additional yards than what the Patriots probably would have even gotten beforehand I think we need to see a little more of that, and I hope we do on Sunday. Steve, what can I say? Always spot-on analysis. You always bring a level head. We call you the voice of reason for a reason, folks, and that's because he is. He just calms us all down, gives us that information, that insight that we need, sometimes information even that we don't want to hear,

especially our good friend Claire when it comes to the tight end position, but he's always honest and always accurate in his assessment. Buddy, what can we look forward to from the great pen of Steve Balistrieri coming in the next few days? And what else do you have coming up on the horizon when it comes to your great work?

Yeah, thanks again for having me, Mike. It's always a pleasure. I'm doing my deep dive right now on the Texans. I'm looking at some of the tapes on their games and getting together my keys to the game. I think it's going to be pretty simple this week so far. I mean, I haven't seen anything that changed my mind yet. I think you're going to see a really, really heavy dose of the running game

because, you know, I'm just going back to really quick that game that they just played against the Cleveland Browns. They knew the Browns were going to try to run the ball at the end of the game, and the Browns took the ball right down the field. I think you're going to see a lot of that with the Patriots this week because they want to limit the amount of time that guys like Watson, Fuller, and, you know, Brandon Cooks are on the field this week.

So that's what I'm looking at right now. And then we'll see how it goes. And, you know, we'll be talking real soon. Absolutely. We will be talking soon. And, again, a very good primer heading into crossover Thursday tomorrow here, folks. Take a look at the end of that Browns-Texans game. Browns were able to chew up the remaining time between Kareem Hunt and Nick

Chubb grounded the Texans basically into that loss in my opinion so that's a nice teaser for tomorrow's show and definitely it's also a nice teaser to check out some of the great work that Steve has coming down the pike I always always, always highly recommend it, whether it's his columns on patsfans.com or the numerous great podcasts that this man is a part of Patriots fourth and two, one Patriots place with our good green friend Murph. And of course, two Patriots place with a couple of good friends of the program Murph and our good friend, Claire Cooper, Steve. Thanks, my friend. Stay safe. Stay well.

Enjoy the rest of the week. Enjoy the game on Sunday, and you know we'll be back here next week to break it all down before Turkey Day hits us on Thanksgiving Day next Thursday. Thanks always, my friend. My best to you and yours as always. And just like that, Patriots Nation, we are more than halfway through your work week. And if hump day is now in your rearview mirror, that means tomorrow is crossover Thursday here on the Locked On Podcast Network. And I will be crossing the streams with the Locked On Texans podcast. So to ensure that you do not miss a single second of the action, download the Locked On Patriots podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to us and follow us on platforms such as Stitcher, Spotify,

Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Just make sure that you're staying locked into Locked On Patriots. Once again, my name is Mike DeBate. I thank my good friend Steve Balistrieri for his time, his insight, and his appearance on today's pod. But most of all, I thank you so much for listening and for continuing to make Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Until tomorrow, stay safe, stay well, continue to be the change you wish to see in the world.

Have a great day, everyone.