Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - New England Patriots: Learning from Eagles' Super Bowl Win? Must-Sign Internal Free Agents

Episode Date: February 13, 2025

Can the New England Patriots learn from the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl triumph? With the NFL landscape ever-evolving, the Patriots face crucial decisions in free agency and coaching. This episode dives into the lessons from the Eagles' victory, emphasizing the importance of dominating the trenches. Key figures like Jonathan Jones and Christian Gonzalez are spotlighted as the team considers re-signing strategies and player development. The discussion also covers the intriguing additions to the coaching staff, including Todd Downing and Justin Hamilton, and their potential impact on the Patriots' future. Join host Mike D’Abate and guest Thomas ‘Murph’ Murphy as they explore these pivotal topics. Discover how the Patriots can reshape their strategy and gain a competitive edge. #nfl #newenglandpatriots Find and follow Locked On Patriots on your favorite podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c5ZxFm... Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-... And follow host Mike D’Abate on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest ne ws about the New England Patriots and talking with fans — @mdabateNFL Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Terms and conditions apply. PrizePicksDownload the app and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFL FanDuelRight now, new FanDuel customers can get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Bonus Bets if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins!Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. 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)

What does it take to be number one? Maybe the New England Patriots should ask the Philadelphia Eagles. Stick around, you're about to be locked in to the Locked On Patriots podcast. 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, and thank you once again for making Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. I am your host, Mike DeBate.

I cover your New England Patriots for Patriots country, so reach out to me and let me know what's on your mind on X at MDAVATENFL. You can also show some social media love to Locked On Patriots on our X account at LO underscore Patriots. And folks, you can also find me where the skies are blue over on Blue Sky at MDAVATENFL.VSKY.SOCIAL. And today here on the pod, we are delving into the Lockdown Patriots midweek mailbag. Again, some amazing questions from all of you everydayers out there. The three that we've selected, three of the most poignant questions for the New England Patriots heading into the 2025 season.

Of course, the NFL has crowned a new champion. The Philadelphia Eagles are the new king of the hill. How can the New England Patriots follow in their footsteps? We're going to discuss that point today, and we're also going to talk Patriots free agency, which is just a little over a month away. Everyone is getting excited about potential external free agents, new faces wearing Patriot blue in 2025. But there are players on this team that the Patriots should be giving serious consideration to re-signing. And last, but certainly not least, we're going to delve into Mike Vrabel's coaching staff one more time.

A lot of excitement, a lot of hype surrounding Josh McDaniels and Terrell Williams, but it's not all about the coordinators. Which coach on this staff intrigues you the most? Well, we're going to answer that question today. And again, I keep saying we, because if it's the midweek and the mailbag is here, you know, there is only one man that could help me drag that heavy mailbag in to help all of you out there receive the wisdom, the counsel, the wit, the grit that you deserve. And there's only one man that can do it. My good friend, the legend himself, Thomas Murphy. Thank you for coming to me in friendship today, Dunn Murph, especially

on Midweek Mailbag Day. Yeah, man, I love mailbag. We're doing a Monday, midweek, Friday show. When we get to answer your questions, it's really important to us, and we appreciate you guys sending in so many great

ones. It makes no difference how long we have to sift through them. We could take the first four or the last four. Everything in between is just as good. We just took the ones this week that the most people asked. Absolutely. And Murph, bottom line, our listeners continue to be dialed in to the Pulse of NFL universe universe but most of all they really have

the finger on the pulse of Patriots Nation and these by far were the three most popular questions that we received in the mailbag without further ado buddy let's dive right in because we are just two days removed from the Philadelphia Eagles reclaiming their spot at the top of the NFL Hill they are Super Bowl 59 champions after a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Right now, all eyes are on the Philadelphia Eagles. They're about to enjoy the spoils on Friday with a parade in Philadelphia. And if you all know Philadelphians, folks, there will be a lot of spoils enjoyed on that day.

But once the Laurels have stopped, all all of a sudden 31 envying eyes of all of the remaining fan bases out there are going to turn toward philadelphia they are going to be the envy of every team out there in the nfl universe including the kansas city chiefs whom they just defeated the new england patriots factor into that mur. It's been a little bit since the Patriots have even contended for a spot in trying to hoist Lombardi Trophy silver. So in that regard, every team is going to be looking at what the Philadelphia Eagles have done here and trying to replicate that. Winning with solid fundamentals, a great game plan, and top-level talent on the field

sounds so simple, but theiladelphia eagles have done that better than anybody they've worked the draft extremely well yeah one of the best drafting teams in the last decade folks that philadelphia eagles team has done a phenomenal job replenishing their talent through the draft and they've hit on free agency and of course the trade wire is something that they've really done an amazing job working. So when you look at all of these factors now and you put them all together, it's no wonder why the Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl champions. For the New England Patriots, that climb begins and it's going to be a long one. It's going to be a tough road back to respectability, but you can always take a lesson from the

previous year's champion. And that's going to be our first question here on the mailbag today, folks. And by far, this was the most popular question. I really liked the way that at random we chose. And our random winner of question of the day for the first question of the day comes from Ryan in Westport, Massachusetts. And Murph, Ryan wants to know what's the greatest lesson that the Patriots can learn from the Philadelphia Eagles floor is yours, my friend.

You know, Mike went over a lot and how they were hitting on on free agency and in the draft over the years. And, and you know, the past couple of years with trades as well. But the thing that everybody is going to take away from this last Super Bowl and the last season that the Eagles had, and remember, week three, everybody was saying that, you know, this is a team that Bill Belichick should come in and take over. So maybe it's patience, okay?

Learn a little patience. But no, it's the line of scrimmage. Both sides of the line. Something that Mike and I have been preaching here for the past four years, at least, that you build from the inside out. And what the Eagles showed the world on Sunday was the fact that if you own the line of scrimmage,

you own the world. I'm so glad that you mentioned that because championships are often won in the trenches. This championship, folks, was overwhelmingly won in the trenches. When you look at the Eagles' defensive line and that front four and what they did to the best quarterback in the league at this point,

they flummoxed Patrick Mahomes to the point where he looked confused he looked disoriented and it allowed them to be able to play their game that is not easy to do no it allowed the eagles to drop guys back into coverage they didn't blitz they didn't blitz all right um it it enabled the uh the eagles to to drop enough guys into coverage to completely flummox uh patty mahomes and you can come down to milton williams jordan davis jalen carter and nolan smith jr as for the reasons for it and this is the lesson that the patriots are going to have to take away and on the other side jalen hurts had all the time in the world to do what he wanted and when things broke down he had lanes to run through so you know that that goes directly to one dial dallas goddard would shout out there for claire because dallas did a fantastic job jordan malasia landon dickerson cam jurgens you know it was you know all all along like

even down in mckhi Becton. All right. Who would have thought that poor Mekhi Becton would be celebrating the way he was on Sunday? And of course, Lane Johnson. We got to get Lane in there. He had some fun. Yeah, he did have some fun. For all the fun that we love to throw back at Lane Johnson, no one is questioning this guy's ability on the field.

And he is truly one of the best. That's again, I think Murph hits the nail right on the head. That's why this Eagles team is celebrating. You win with tough players up front. And look, I think it was a little bit of a gamble, if you want to be very honest, to go with that sizable offensive line, knowing that guys may be a little bit slower or more prone to injury. But when you get these guys properly conditioned, and they were properly conditioned,

and properly suited to the position they're playing, that's so important, Murph. You preach that each and every time you take the microphone here on Locked On Patriots. A lineman knows his craft and needs to be put in the proper position to do his job. Those five linemen for the Philadelphia Eagles were properly placed. You mentioned Mekhi Becton. Him coming into the guard position, perfect placement for a guy like that. His experience, his size in the middle of that line absolutely made a difference. Poor Joe Tooney.

You know, you're never going to get me to say a bad word about Joe, but he's not a left tackle. Never. He's not a left tackle. He's just not. I keep telling you people, I told you all last year, stop trying to switch people around. It's not, you know, stop trying to put square pegs into round holes.

And Joe did well during the playoffs right up until he ran into, you know, the Philadelphia Eagles. Yeah, exactly. And, again, I mean, you're talking one of the best defensive lines in the league, one of the best offensive lines in the league. So I completely agree with you, Murph. If you're going to take away a message from this Philadelphia Eagles team, build the trenches in New England.

Now, New England's got some solid building blocks that they can build upon, especially on the defensive side of the ball. You want to keep Devin Godchow in house. I think that's a smart move. Maybe some would say, try to move on, but I think Devin has been a consistent lineman and you want to keep some consistency there,

especially for this year, Christian Barmore. We are all sending our best wishes to him for a full recovery for what he's going through. If he's able to recover fully and get back on the field, he's an ideal building block upon which you can build this defensive line. So Patriots have some guys that they can build around. I haven't even mentioned Keon White yet.

That's an option right there where they can really put some muscle behind a pass rush for the New England Patriots. On the offensive line, not as many building blocks there, but you do have Cole Strange. You do have Michael Wenu, who, in opinion had a subpar year this year, but is still a top level lineman when it comes to his competition and his position. So I think you're going to see an improvement in him this year. Leighton Robinson, Caden Wallace, we still don't know the extent to which they can provide that type of production that you need on the line but i think that's what this year is going to be for i think that's what training camp is going to be

for for both of these guys we've got to see what the patriots saw in them last year to warrant that type of draft capital so there are building blocks there folks yeah there is the offensive uh line is really going to need to be uh retooled there's a lot of guys that were brought in here and thrust into starting positions that they weren't ready for. And I think this year in free agency, the Patriots should take a

definite long, hard look at some veterans to bring in, because there just wasn't that veteran presence on that offensive line, especially as injuries started to decimate, you know, everybody that was around. Let's hope David Andrews comes back nice and healthy this year. Cole Strange, you know, gets an entire camp underneath his underneath his belt, and he's going to be able to make a significant contribution

as a depth piece this season. Absolutely. Very well said. And bottom line, folks, if you can start to rebuild that line with solid veterans that can help some of these young players round into shape, good things can happen. So I agree with you, Murph. I'm right on.

I think that is the biggest lesson to take away from the Philadelphia Eagles at this point. I'm going to add to it a little bit, though, in the interest of diversifying our response to Ryan, because I think it's a great question, and I think it's a question that a lot of Patriots fans have on their mind, and it does kind of piggyback off of what you just said about winning the battles in the trenches and building the lines to make sure that the structure of this team is fundamentally sound. I think they need to do the structure of this team is fundamentally sound. I think they need to do the same thing in the coaches' room.

I think what they need to do is make sure that the coaches that are coaching this team are putting fundamentals first. I think so often, especially Patriots fans right now that are so hungry for anything new, anything exciting that they haven't seen in the last couple of years, that you get caught up in this innovative coaching style, differences, things that we haven't seen before, exotic looks on defense, complex breakdowns on offense that are going to provide that innovative type of high-tempo, upscale offense that we really are clamoring for here in New England. It's all well and good. It has to be a part of your game plan. But if your fundamentals aren't sound right out of the gate,

it's not going to matter. You can't take a team like the New England Patriots right now, put innovative game plans behind them, and expect them to succeed. We saw Alex Van Pelt do it at the tail end of last year, and it was met with disaster in this certain circumstance with the New England Patriots. You need to make sure that those pieces are in place and i'll tell you what actually kind of stimulated this idea in my head is watching vic fangio over the weekend

you hit this point earlier this was a very basic game plan yep fangio did not call a single blitz all day he relied on that front four and their talent and their size and their aggression to be able to flummox patrick mahomes now guaranteed folks like murph just said he had the personnel to be able to do it but at the same time you need to start where you are right and if i'm the new england patriots coaching staff i'm looking at the talent you have in-house i'm looking at the rookies that you're going to be bringing in from the draft and the undrafteds that are going to sign with this team and the new members, the free agent members that are coming in to round out this roster. You look at the talent level and you coach to that. You start with fundamentals with everyone, whether they're a top level player at their position

or whether they're just learning the nuances of pro football. Everyone needs to be on the same page when it comes to fundamentals if you do that you allow these lines you allow these skilled position players to grow with each other to understand one another and to understand the nuances of the game if everybody is performing their tasks at a high level that only makes the final product come out even better so in my opinion don't get hung up so much on innovative coaching styles right don't get hung up so much on innovative coaching styles. Don't get hung up so much on exotic looks or innovative offenses or Josh McDaniel's play calling right out of the gate. If he starts calling some stuff you've seen before, don't roll your eyes, throw

your hands at the screen and say, he'll never learn his lesson. He's not going to change. No, no, he is folks. he will evolve when he has the personnel to do it right now it's about getting every member of that 53 man roster on the same page when it comes to fundamentals that is what the philadelphia eagles did that's why they're world champions today that's that's that's exactly right man execution and um and uh and proper personnel right that's what they did okay and it was a beautiful thing to watch bottom line ryan excellent question great question to kick us off a very poignant question when it comes to us being only days hours removed from the conclusion of super

bowl 59 but folks we are not done yet because the new england patriots now begin the process of building their roster for 2025. I know a lot of us are so excited about potential external free agents or trade targets coming in to help bolster this roster. However, Patriots do have internal free agents that they need to bring back as well. Which one on that list would you consider a must sign? Murph and I are going to answer that question in just a moment when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues, a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team, every day.

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Make every moment more with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Patriots fans, thank you once again for joining us here today on Locked On Patriots, making us a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. It's midweek mailbag day and joining me here today to help break down all of the great questions you have on your mind in Patriots

Nation is my good friend, the legend himself, Thomas Murphy. Murph, in the previous segment, we discussed the New England Patriots. Lessons to be learned from the new Super Bowl champion, Philadelphia Eagles. We talked about fundamentals. We talked about building from the trenches. We talked about essentially building from the ground up and making sure that your foundation is sound before you start to put all the decorations in the new house.

And that's a question on the minds of a lot of members of patriots nation including our good friend antonio from west hartford connecticut murray sort of down in your neck of the woods relatively close down there but antonio wants to know which of the patriots internal free agents do you consider a must sign yeah yeah murph i got a couple of names on the list that I've got my sharp eye on but have at it which of these internal free agents are you looking to bring back if you're GM of the New England agent now um I'm gonna get a lot of flack for this a lot of people want to usher this guy out the door uh and move on I do not uh and it's on the defensive side of the ball um I want Jonathan Jones back. All right?

I really do. You hear from 2 to 6 every day, from 10 to 2 every day, time to move on, cut the cord, let him go somewhere else. No. I want to see Jonathan Jones in this defensive back's room, in this cornerback's room for the rest of his career. I want him to start and finish his career as a New England Patriot. Why? Not because I'm sentimental, folks.

I'm not. I'm not sentimental. This man is a consummate professional. He's been here for nine years. The continuity back there, even if you bring in another high draft pick or a free agent from the top of the mountain, Jonathan Jones can still move inside and be a fantastic slot cornerback in this league. I think he's been asked to do too much in the past couple of seasons. And just the veteran presence that he has in here, the cachet that he has when he comes into the locker room means something to me, and I think that Jones should be brought back.

I can't argue with that point at all, and I agree with you. Look, I know a lot of people are eager to see the New England Patriots secondary get younger or a little bit more size on the other side of Christian Gonzalez. And I think that is needed. But if you can bring back someone with the savvy and the experience of Jonathan Jones, you do that every single time and you don't hesitate, Mark. You mentioned all of the intangibles that he brings to the table. I think the biggest intangible he brings to the table is versatility.

This is a guy that can play all over the defensive backfield. He can play perimeter corner. He can play the slot. As a matter of fact, I still think he's one of the better slot corners in the league. If you pencil him into that position, he can even give you some reps at safety. This is a guy that has been there. He's been to the top of the mountain. He's celebrated with the Patriots, and he's been there at the lowest times.

When you're trying to forge a new identity you need guys like that that have been there in both eras players that take on that wise old man mantra and i'm not calling jonathan a wise old man at this point but at the same time he does have that wisdom beyond his years right i think it's going to be invaluable to younger players coming in here. Even to someone like Christian Gonzalez, who consistently sings the praises of Jonathan Jones and how fortunate he feels to have him as a teammate. Yeah. If you're calling for his ouster, I think you might be rooting on this decision with your gut, then with your head, take a level-headed approach and you'll see this guy's willing to come back on a reasonable deal. I really can't see how you pass on it if you're the New England Patriots.

Exactly. I'm not saying go out and throw $12 million at him. He's going to be a fantastic depth piece here. He's a guy that you need. And $7, $8.5 million on a three-year deal would finish out his career here and set him up nicely for a red jacket murph has got jonathan jones as his must sign um i've got my eye on the offensive side of the ball and i'm gonna make claire very happy here yep i knew you were gonna do it back one austin hooper and not just for the quint jokes murph because you know i love to say hoopa drives

the boat chief you know i love that I love having Hoopa on this roster. But all kidding aside, I really love having Austin on this roster. And not just because of the statistical prowess that he brings to the table. You look at his stat sheet from 2024, 45 catches, 476 yards, three touchdowns. That's not going to impress the pro bowl voters no but what it does is it proves to you that this guy was one of the most consistent offensive performers when your offense simply had nothing to give last right it was a real mess at times uh including at times before drake may took the reins of this offense and brought it back to some level of respectability. Austin was a guy that consistently got open, made catches.

I thought he was much more impressive when it came to utilizing the field. But the chemistry he continues to build, not just with Drake May, but with Hunter Henry, is important. And for a team that I think is going to utilize the tight end position, maybe as well as anyone, I think Austin is the perfect bridge guy to bring jaheem bell up to speed allow josh mcdaniels to work with him allow thomas brown to work with him that gives them the opportunity to then pair him with a veteran like hunter henry i think you're looking at someone like austin this year being the perfect bridge guy so i'm not saying a multi-year deal folks but if austin is willing to hang around here on a one, two year contract.

Yeah. I think he's a guy you have to have in this locker room. I love the consistency he brings to the table. So I'm going to say Austin Hooper from a logistical standpoint, if you will, I'd like you to indulge me for just a moment because I've got a certain favorite that I'd like to bring back here to locked on Patriots and anyone who listened to Locked On in the past knows the name I'm about to tell you. And it hurts because I'm 50-50 on this in terms of my thought process and whether or not he actually will be back in a Patriots uniform next year. And that's Dietrich Wise Jr.

Dietrich right now. A wise decision. Thank you very much. You have chosen wisely at least I did not choose poorly the grail cannot pass beyond the great seal okay we're going to end this

right now folks I promise you Dietrich has been a team captain he's been a guy that has been a central figure in the pass rush once again someone who has been there and done that with the patriots whether it comes to the highest of highs or the lowest of lows yeah but the intangibles that he brings to the field in terms of leadership and especially in that locker room i think are

things that the patriots are going to have a difficult time replicating with other guys on this roster i understand the need to get younger i understand the need to get younger. I understand the need to get more athletic at this level. But when you're trying to build a team from the ground up, you need players that are going to be willing to be those building blocks, the stepping stones on which the younger players are then going to build a solid future here in New England. For those of you unfamiliar with the reason why I do have an affinity for Dietrich, when I first started on the Patriots beat here, Dietrich was the first guy that I interviewed one-on-one. He was a rookie at the time, fresh out of Arkansas. I was a rookie on the Patriots beat. I was coming over from covering the Chargers,

and this is a team I grew up idolizing. So you want to make sure that you're making the right impression, striking all the right notes. You're not being a homer, but you're being objective. We were just kind of two rookies hoping to get this right. I remember him telling me, this is my first interview, so I hope I do a good job. And I said, well, this is my first interview on the beat, so I hope I do a good job. And because of that, I developed a very strong connection to Dietrich. And I really have watched him emerge from a young player, a wide-eyed player that wanted to do the best he could for his coach, for his team, for his defense, and emerge to a level where he is now a multi-year team captain

and someone that so many players in that locker room have a deep-rooted respect for. So in that regard, yes, I'd love to bring back Dietrich. But I understand if the trend that you saw last year with him being phased out of the patriots pass rush could continue of course mike vrabel could come in and decide that this is a guy he needs to have he wants to have ultimately it's going to be vrabel's decision uh if they do move on from him i totally see the logistical reasons why but from a sentimental point view, this one's going to hurt a little bit if Dietrich continues his career elsewhere.

That's just my two cents on the matter. No, no, no, no. I'll take your two cents before I take anybody else's nickel in this business. He's a little done, Murph. I appreciate that. That really means more to me than you can possibly imagine. And, Antonio, a tip of the cap. Great question.

I think a very timely question. I think a very timely question. I think a very apt question to bring us into free agency. But once again, Murph, we are not done yet because we have one more question to round out our midweek mailbag this week. And it involves Mike Vrabel's coaching staff. Yes, it's been set now for a couple of weeks. Yes, the Patriots are moving on to personnel on the field, but as we said previously when we talked about lessons to be learned from the Philadelphia Eagles, coaching is going to be so paramount in bringing this group, this 53-man roster of the New England Patriots that'll be set

at the end of August, early September, back to respectability. The coaches will play an integral role in that regard. Josh McDaniels, Terrell Williams, they're going to be the right-hand men for Mike Grable, but which other members of this coaching staff should you keep your sharp eye on heading into the season? Murph and I have an idea, and we're going to share it with you in just a moment when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast

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After you play your first $5 lineup, that's the code locked on NFL to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup. That's the code LOCKEDONNFL, L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N-N-F-L, for $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup. Prize picks run your game. Pats fans, thank you once again for joining us here today on locked on Patriots. It's midweek mailbag, but legendary Thomas Murphy has joined me not only to help drag in that heavy mailbag,

but to lend the wisdom, the counsel, the wit and the grit that only he can Murph in the previous segments, we've talked about lessons that the Patriots can learn from the Philadelphia Eagles as they try to get back to respectability. We've shared a couple of names of internal free agents. We'd love to see the Patriots can learn from the Philadelphia Eagles as they try to get back to respectability. We've shared a couple of names of internal free agents we'd love to see the Patriots retain, but one of the questions on Patriots fans' minds continues to be, has Mike Vrabel surrounded himself with enough talent in the coaching box in order to make a significant difference on the field from what we saw last year. I'm cautious to say yes right off the bat because we don't know until this team takes the field,

until we start to see them in game settings to determine whether or not these coaches were the right hires. I think we're both pretty comfortable saying that Josh McDaniels was one of the best hires that he made in the offseason. The offense is going to be in great shape and in great hands with Josh McDaniels, folks. Terrell Williams, I know there's some knocks against him, but the aggression that he brings to a style of defense that the Patriots haven't played in a while at least gives you optimism that this can work. Those two are the top of the heap when it comes to Mike Vrabel's coaching staff, but there are a lot of subtle layers on this staff

and guys that are poised to be able to make a difference. Maybe names that we haven't heard all that much of all that much about in previous years, but I think could be poised to make an impact on this staff this year. And that brings us quite nicely to the final question

in the midweek mailbag this week. Karen in asbury park new jersey wow down in jersey down in jersey are you going to jersey murph maybe maybe nice work try the veals of best in the city well karen in asbury park new jersey wants to know, besides Josh McDaniels and Terrell Williams, which new member of the Patriots coaching staff do you find most intriguing? This is an interesting one, Murph, so I'm going to give you the ball on this one first. When you look at Mike's coaching staff from start to finish, what name jumps out at you and why? Why? The name other than the two that you've already mentioned that I find the most intriguing and the most important, quite frankly, coming into this season is Todd Downing.

Todd is going to be the Patriots wide receivers coach this year, and he's got his work cut out for him. We've had a lot of issues on this side of the ball with this position over the past two years. Guys who can't line up right. Guys who can't stay onside. Guys who completely get flummoxed and are just in the wrong spot at the wrong time. This goes to a lot of the issues that the Patriots passing game has had over the last two seasons. And is Downing going to be the man to fix the ship?

To right the ship? Very good point. And I know a lot of Patriots fans are intrigued by Downing's hire. Is being a proverbial fish out of water going to be a detriment to him as he's trying to coach these wide receivers? We've talked about this. No previous experience or line item on that resume but tons of experience all over the offensive side of the ball so how's that going to translate or i think that's a great choice four years uh at uh with the tennessee titans his last two seasons were the as the offensive coordinator he's uh coached in min. He coached the Rams from 2006 to

2008. We're going way back. It's not recent. The Lions, the Bills in 2014. The Raiders, 15 to 17. He's had a long history going all the way back to Eden Prairie High School in Minnesota. And it's going to be interesting to see if this was the right hire. If Mike screwed up here, it's going to be evident early. Yeah.

For lack of a better term, Murph, if there is a positional group on this Patriots team that's going to be watched closer or have more eyes on it than the wide receivers group yeah I think it's it's an unenviable task yeah I mean I went out the uh outside of the comfort zone and I was going to uh talk a little bit about Dougie Marone and him coming in and taking over at uh the offensive line but no this is this is the spot that I am most interested to see when camps open up. Yeah, absolutely. And I think you make a great point. And yes, Doug Marone is going to be very intriguing because the Patriots offensive line was a shambles in 2024.

It's got nowhere to go but up. But there's pedigree when you look at Doug Marone. He's coached offensive lines before. He's played on the offensive line. You know he knows his stuff. Now, is it going to translate into his players on the field? That's going to be up to Doug Marone. It's going to be up to whether or not he can reach his players to give them the wisdom and the counsel that they need to get better. I believe he can do it, but ultimately that's

going to be the deciding factor. With Todd Downing, there is a level of uncertainty that I think makes him very intriguing. So Murph, I can't argue with that. I think that's an excellent choice. And I do think that Patriots fans are going to be keeping a very sharp eye on Todd Downing. If they weren't before, they certainly are now, thanks to your wit and grit. And I appreciate that, my friend. I'm going to flip the script and I'm going to say on the defensive side of the ball, because I happen to agree with you. I think Downing is the most intriguing, but if I'm going to flip the script and I'm going to say on the defensive side of the ball, because I happen to agree with you. I think Downing is the most intriguing, but if I'm choosing a 1A or maybe even a second fiddle here in terms of coaches that I think are going to be intriguing to watch this year, I'm going with Justin Hamilton.

Yep. Justin has experience working with defensive backs. So there's not a pedigree problem there, folks. He worked as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Colts in 2024. He worked with Mike Drable in Tennessee as a quality control coach. I think that's right now intriguing in its own right. But at the same time, when you look at Justin Hamilton and the group that he's going to be coaching, it includes your defensive star, Christian Gonzalez. It's likely going to include a new younger perimeter corner that needs to be nurtured into this system.

You're probably looking at guys like Marcus Jones, maybe a Jonathan Jones comes back, like you said in the previous segment. This is a talented group that's going to need a talented coach to be able to lead them forward. And I think he's got the biggest shoes to fill because I think the loss of mike pellegrino is going to be felt on this team look when you look at mike pellegrino and the job that he did murph new england's defense ranked second sixth second 18th 10th and sixth around the nfl and no pass rush for each year and that's with a lack of a pass rush thank you very much he's had guys under lack of a pass rush. Thank you very much. He's had guys under his tutelage,

such as Stefan Gilmore, JC Jackson, and now Christian Gonzalez. He's kept that group, not only relevant, but also to one of the top levels on the Patriots defense each and every year, no matter whether the defense was thriving or struggling.

So to me, the loss of Pellegrino is a significant one. I'm really intrigued by whether or not Justin Hamilton can come in and carry the load. I think he's got the innovative type style that's going to endear him to the players that he's coaching. But at the same time, without an awful lot of experience behind him, it's going to be interesting to see if he can handle this group. The Bills made a really smart decision decision mike's already got a job yeah all right he's going to be in buffalo i was i was disappointed by by his not not retention this is a great pick michael

um this is fantastic uh um grab out there dude's got some big shoes fill. Patriots have a lot of work cut out for them, but hopefully they've got the right pieces in place to begin that climb back to respectability. There you go. Great question, Karen. Thank you so much for bringing us home today on the Locked On Patriots Mailbag. But what can I say, my friend? I appreciate

you being here to help with a robust Locked On Patriots Midweek Mailbag this week, bud. Not only that, but also lending the insight, the intellect that only you can provide here on Locked On Patriots. I'm always honored to share the microphone with you. Before I let you go, please let everyone know where they can reach out to you. Follow you on Twitter, especially.

Keep a special sharp ear and eye out for that, folks. And of course, what you got marinating in Murph's kitchen for the rest of the week yeah you can follow me on zitter at uh teamer of 207 s all right that's a new account um we had some issues over the weekend and i started a new account so please come on back stop by if you're a new guy you know just wave say hello you can follow me over where the the skies are blue at blue sky at team earth 207 no s you know we left that s off and um but other than that i i'm i'm deep into film guys i'm getting ready for this mock draft uh season i'm getting ready for uh you know for my keys to uh the patriots draft and how the i feel they should attack it and uh and so that's, man. I'm just 24-7, man.

I am watching film. And I'm telling you right now, folks, Banks is the pick. You want to make me happy? Banks is the pick. I've said it before and I'll say it again. You listen to Murph, you go to the top. You don't listen to Murph, you're never heard from again. This is a key offseason and a key draft for the New England Patriots.

Let's see what they're going to be able to do when draft time rolls around. But bottom line, please follow Murph and his new account at TMurph207S. That's right, folks. Add the S on the end of the 7. You'll be glad you did. You'll be more informed. You'll be well entertained. One of the best Twitter followers out there anywhere that you can find.

I highly recommend doing so if you haven't done so already. And also, a major tip of the best Twitter followers out there anywhere that you can find. I highly recommend doing so if you haven't done so already. And also, a major tip of the cap and our heartfelt appreciation to all of you everydayers, all of you occasional listeners, and all of you first-timers today for making Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage.

The offseason may be here, but we have only just begun, so you ain't seen nothing yet. Stay locked in to Locked on Patriots. In the meantime, on behalf of my good friend Thomas Murphy, I'm Mike DeBate, reminding all of you to stay safe, to stay well, to be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone, and we'll see you back here again tomorrow on Locked on Patriots.