Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - New England Patriots: Trade for Jerry Jeudy? Damien Harris to Bills, Dont’a Hightower Retires
Episode Date: March 22, 2023The New England Patriots remain in the hunt for help at wide receiver. While veterans DeAndre Hopkins and Odell Beckham, Jr. remain possibilities, the latest rumors surround Denver Broncos wideout Jer...ry Jeudy. Host Mike D’Abate give his thoughts on a potential trade for Jeudy. He also ‘crosses the streams’ with Joe Marino of Locked On Bills in a Crossover segment to discuss Damien Harris signing with the Buffalo Bills. Lastly, Mike offers his sentiments on the retirement of legendary Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower.Find and follow Locked On Patriots on your favorite podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-patriots-daily-podcast-on-the-new-england/id1140512627Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c5ZxFmwg3WbfxAU3tR5Ve?si=k196wH-yRqifUcQQz8SjIQStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-patriotsAnd follow host Mike D’Abate on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the New England Patriots and talking with fans.On Twitter: @mdabateNFLSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.Ultimate Football GMTo download the game just visit Ultimate-GM.com or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDON (ALL CAPS) in the game store.FanDuelMake Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. 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) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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If the New England Patriots are going to trade for wide receiver Jerry Judy,
you're going to make sure that they get a strong return on investment.
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 thank you once again for making locked on patriots
a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage.
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I'm your host, Mike DeBate.
I cover your New England Patriots
for Patriots Country of Sports Illustrated.
So reach out to me and let me know
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be sure to follow the Locked On Patriots account as well
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That's fans, an action-packed show for you today.
As you might have deduced from our
opening we're going to talk about the latest rumors surrounding a potential Patriots trade
of Jerry Judy of the Denver Broncos. Not a lot of talk about Jerry Judy here on the pod by admission
but there were developments in this story and we are going to tackle those today. Also big news
from Monday night Damian Harris off to Buffalo signing a deal with
the Bills. And in an early crossover Tuesday here on Locked On, I was joined by my good friend Joe
Marino, host of Locked On Bills. And we crossed the streams a little bit to talk about what Damian's
going to bring to Buffalo and what it means for the Patriots. And lastly, Tuesday morning,
saw the end of an era as Dante Hightower officially announcing
his retirement from the NFL after 10 great seasons.
We're going to take the show home today as we reflect on a great career for Dante here
in New England.
So stick around, lots to talk about, and we definitely hope you love what we have in store
for you here today on Locked On Patriots. But we start in Denver.
And Broncos reporter Benjamin Albright of Denver-based KOAFM
expounding on his initial report from the offense last weekend.
And he was reporting that the Broncos wanted at least one first-round pick
or a second-round pick and an established NFL player in return for Jerry Judy.
Depending on Benjamin's reports, we saw that the fact that the Cleveland Browns right now,
I don't want to say the front runner, but they're close to it. They restructured Deshaun Watson's
contract. That allows them to have serious interest here. But the Patriots have looked
into this. They have looked into trading for Jerry Judy. Albright reporting that Denver's price tag has been too steep for New England at this point.
Now, we all know that the Patriots are going to be in on receivers.
They're in on receivers right now.
We've discussed the DeAndre Hopkins rumors here on Locked On Patriots.
The Pats are still rumored to be in the mix there, folks, in what's being called a soft market.
Talks are expected to ramp up there in a couple of days so we should get some closure on deandre hopkins
some are saying the patriots may still be in on odell beckham jr don't have to give up anything
but money at that point but odell services are not going to come cheap patriots are definitely
going to have to pony up on their offer contractually. But
when it comes to someone like Jerry Judy, the youth and the ability, dynamic player,
it doesn't surprise you that the New England Patriots would be in on him. And it also doesn't
hurt that he's Mac Jones's former teammate from Alabama. So there's a lot of familiarity and
there's definitely prowess there in his time in
Denver come to a very good career don't question about it 157 catches 2295 yards receiving a 14.6
yards per reception average nine touchdowns but the Broncos don't want to seem to reach the
inevitable point that they want to pay Jerry Judy big money. And that's
why he's been involved in trade rumors dating back to the 2022 trade deadline. So from their
perspective, they're basically going to wait for their price and they're going to wait for it and
they're going to get it. But the trade for Russell Wilson means their cupboard right now is bare.
They need to recoup some of what they lost in draft capital.
They have six picks total in 2023, but none in the first, none in the second.
So when you look at the cupboard being bare now,
Patriots and other teams can kind of maybe squeeze a little bit in terms of Denver
and say, okay, well, you know what?
You want a first rounder?
You want a second rounder? Let's talk, let's work out a happy medium here. And
the Patriots right now could have this deal done, or at least according to Ben's report,
if they're willing to part with a second rounder or a first rounder. So why don't the Patriots just
give up the pick and get the deal done? Well, for the same reason it always is.
The Patriots want to get a solid return on investment.
That's what this is all about.
It's not about them being cheap.
It's not because they don't have faith in Mac Jones.
Saw that suggestion earlier today on social media.
I don't buy that for one second, folks.
Again, everyone entitled to their opinion.
Just I don't find a whole lot of merit in it.
But if they want fair value in
return the patriots are being the smart team right now yes they signed juju smith schuster that in
the eyes of some lessens new england's intensity but juju is here to replace jacoby myers even if
you think that the patriots have upgraded with juju to from juuju to Jacoby, conventional logic still says that the Patriots
are going to add another wide receiver. What needs to be measured here is whether or not
pursuing Jerry Judy is going to intensify beyond these talks right now, because what the Patriots
need to do is determine whether or not Jerry Judy is as good or better, really, if you're thinking about it, better than
the return that they can get in either round one at 14 or round two at 46. I don't think Jerry
Judy's proven yet that he's going to be a slam dunk better receiver than what the Patriots could
get at number 14. He's probably better than what they'll be able to get at round two and number 46, but that's
where the Patriots right now are having their difficulties in determining whether or not to
stay in this race for him. Whether it's DeHop or whether it's Jerry Dewey, folks, or whether it's
another wide out joining the Patriots, they will always opt for solid return on investment. If the
Patriots feel that Cleveland is going to eclipse their asking price,
or if they're not going to recoup the same deal in return, then they're probably out on the Jerry
Judy sweepstakes. And Ben's report, honestly, folks, if I'm being truthful in terms of my take
on this, I think it takes them out of the mix here. That being said, it's still possible. And
if he does end up in England, I i will take my maya copa pill at
that point but right now i just don't see this progressing beyond the talks that already have
happened but whether or not these guys end up in new england their offense is going to be on without
the services of damian harris who trades foxborough for western new y York after four years with the Pats in an effort to keep
the cross the streams team alive folks Joe Marino will join me here on Locked On Patriots in just a
moment and we're going to transform this into a Locked On Bills Locked On Patriots crossover
as we discuss Damian making the switch to the Pats biggest A East rival. Joe and I talk Damian Harris and the Buffalo Bills
when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues.
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I'm joined now by Mike DeB the host of the lockdown Patriots podcast.
You guys know,
we do two crossover episodes a year,
sometimes three.
And of course,
Mike has plenty of expertise on new bills,
running back,
former Patriot,
Damian Harris.
So Mike,
thanks for giving us some of your time here today and looking forward to
getting your thoughts.
Oh,
absolutely.
Joe,
always an honor and always a privilege for me to join the lockdown bills podcast. And if I can be of any assistance in lending some wisdom and
counsel on Damian Harris, all for it. Well, let's do that. Take us back to 2019 with the Patriots
made Damian Harris the 87th pick in the draft. That's a third rounder. What were those expectations
for him entering the team? And I know that we're looking at this through the lens of Patriots
and running backs.
We know that it's typically a committee.
So how did he fit in and what were kind of the expectations?
Yeah, I think there was a little bit of surprise initially when Damian was chosen with that
type of draft capital.
Look, there's no denying the talent.
His time in Alabama proved that he was going to be a top flight pro or at least someone
that could have an opportunity to compete to be a top
flight pro but I was in the Patriots media room when they drafted him in 2019 and I can tell you
it was a little surprising the Patriots already had on staff at that time Sonny Michelle James
White Rex Burkhead James Devlin was the fullback out of the backfield Jakob Johnson was even on
the team and Brandon Bolden in the running back room. So a lot of people were wondering what are the Patriots doing here bringing in this kid when they already have a stacked room.
But it was undeniable when he hit the practice field and you started to see what he was capable
of. The Patriots clearly had a beat on him. Started off slow in New England as running backs
typically do. Bill Belichick typically red shirts these guys, gives them the opportunity to learn
the offense. And then once they guys gives them the opportunity to learn the
offense um and then once they do they're able to take the ball and run with it literally that's
exactly what damian harris did mike that sounds like a warning about pierre strong next year
is he had his run red shirt year he's ready to take off i'd be interesting to watch him but let's
keep it on damian harris don't let me sidetrack like that you reminded me of some names there
in 2019 that I forgot were all in that room which makes it even more surprising that they
made him the pick there and of course his entire rookie season he's basically a healthy scratch it
makes sense why but then the production really ramps up in 2020 and that is best season in 2021
thousand yards from scrimmage a good amount of receiving production, 15 rushing touchdowns.
What led to that spike, kind of that ascension from healthy scratch as a rookie
to a really solid season in 2021?
Yeah, I think it's as simple as opportunity, Joe.
I think the Patriots finally gave him the opportunity to run with the ball.
Sonny Michel obviously was on the trading block.
That wasn't working out in a situation that the Patriots wanted to continue on with that relationship.
And that really is no disrespect to Sonny at all.
I mean, there was a good, solid running core there with him.
But New England Patriots running backs often have a very short shelf life, and that's exactly what happened.
It was Damien's time to prove that he could get the job done on the field, not only doing it on the ground, rushing for 959 yards and 211 carries,
also caught 19 passes for 139 yards that year as well.
So he enjoyed success on both sides of the coin offensively
and proved that he could be a dual threat when you needed him to be.
Unquestionably, he was the top running back in the Patriots' room in that season.
Well, you mentioned unquestionably the top running back in the Patriots' room in that season. Well, you mentioned unquestionably the top running back in the Patriots' room in 2021,
but not last year.
2022 is all about this guy, Ramondre Stevenson.
Looks like a real stud for the New England Patriots.
And so kind of curious what your thoughts are there in terms of Stevenson kind of taking
command of that backfield in 2022 after Harris is coming off the season that he had
in 2021. I know there were some injuries along the way, but were you surprised to see such a
sudden shift or is this just the dynamics like you talked about of the running back position
in New England? I think it's a little bit of both to be honest with you. I was a little bit
surprised to see Ramondre take that step this quickly after a rookie season that showed some
promise, but coming in and actually
being able to put that on the field and really put it into play was huge for him and he carried
the ball extremely well 1040 yards five touchdowns averaging five yards per carry catching 69 passes
for 421 yards so this guy was doing it all he was essentially their only option for a while there at the running back
position but again it comes down to availability and opportunity and remandre stevenson had both
in 2022 and that's why you saw a little bit of a statistical dip for damian harris in the final
year of his rookie deal hamstring thigh injuries definitely a question that lessened his productivity
but when he's on the field he still
proved that there is a lot to like between the tackles there's a lot to like in a straight
forward runner and in a pinch a backfield receiver and Damian Harris this guy's still got a lot left
in the tank Mike I um I know the Patriots are pretty choosy with who they pay right and so
I I want to ask you this like why don't you think damian harris was in the
cards we don't know the full deal yet for the bills just a one-year contract i imagine it's not
too expensive but was it about just the patriots and their team building dynamics that they cling
to or is this all right this is romandre stevenson's backfield we have some other young
guys that it's time for them to get the opportunity, and we're comfortable with Harris moving on.
Like, what are your thoughts on why he wasn't retained?
Yeah, I think in a lot of ways it's going to be the question of the underlying question
of the offseason for the New England Patriots.
Obviously, everybody's focusing on all the other moves that the Pats are making.
Looking at the running back room as being stacked.
But when you look at what this team actually still has on the roster,
they've got Ramondre at the top of the list.
This is his backfield.
You're right on that.
But you mentioned Pierre Strong earlier.
Also Kevin Harris.
They also have the dynamic of now adding a veteran like James Robinson into the mix
who has been prolific in his opportunities that he's been given.
Hasn't quite been the same player since the injury that he had a couple of years ago in Jacksonville obviously just not a good fit in uh New York they're looking
maybe to see if he can come in and add a little bit more reception out of the backfield I think
to kind of shore up that team but I think they look at what they have in Ramondre and then the
combination of speed and straightforward toughness that they get in Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris and realize that one of these guys is going to be up pretty soon for, you know, a rookie deal.
I think New England just looks at the dynamic and they believe that Damian probably was able to go and chase a deal that the Patriots weren't willing to give at this point.
I don't think it was dissatisfaction with the player. I just think it was giving him an opportunity to go into shine and get a little bit more than the Patriots were
able to offer this time around. Mike, I probably should have asked this a lot sooner in our
conversation, but like, can you break down the skillset for us? I know we've seen a good amount
of Damian Harris and he's had some good games against the bills. Uh, we're, we're all fully
aware of those. So, um, from your
experience, you've watched more Damian Harris than me for sure. What are his strengths? What
are his weaknesses, uh, from your time watching him with the Patriots? Well, his strength,
obviously I think his best strength is his tenacity. This is a kid that does not quit on a
run and does not quit on a play. He'll give you everything that he has. And there are times where
I've seen Damian apparently stop Cole dead
right at the line of scrimmage or behind it
and still is able to grid out and grind out and get some yardage
because this kid just does not give up.
So if there is a real trait that I think Buffalo Bills fans
are going to love about this kid
is that he will give you everything he's got on every down
if josh allen is looking to hand the ball off to damian harris you can bet that he's going to give
you everything he can to get yardage he's a very good uh you know straightforward runner i think
you'll see him get a lot of carries on early downs i also believe that in a pinch he can be a guy that
can receive out of the backfield and be a third down threat if the
bills are looking for similar production that they got out of devon singletary when it comes to
receiving out of the backfield that's not damian harris's game i mean that's that's something he
can do but it's not his focal point this is a good between the tackles runner that will give you an
opportunity and he can hit holes as well as anyone i've covered during my tenure here in New England.
In terms of weaknesses, Joe, Bill's fans are going to be happy to hear me say this.
Not a whole lot of logistical weakness in Damian Harris' game.
He pretty much does everything pretty well or adequately at the very worst when it comes to what he can do on a football field.
It's just going to be whether the injuries that he's suffered the last couple of years continue to take their toll.
If he's available, he does have the ability to be a solid
number one option in this offense.
Mike, the Bills running back before Damian Harris was part of the mix
was James Cook, Naheem Hines.
Two shiftier backs, a lot of receiving ability, speed,
but what was missing was the downhill presence,
somebody that can win in short yardage,
somebody that can win in pass protection.
In so many ways, it feels like Damian Harris checks that box for Buffalo,
but given your familiarity with Damian Harris,
and of course your familiarity with the Buffalo Bills,
they're in the division, you see them a ton, we talk about them a ton,
your quick general thoughts on projecting him to Buffalo?
Projecting him to Buffalo, I think he definitely has the opportunity to be the feature back in this offense, and that's
saying a lot when you're looking at a passing game that's as prolific as what the Bills bring to the
table. To have a complementary running game only makes them even more lethal, so I think Damian
Harris definitely provides upside. No disrespect to Devin Singletary, who I thought was a good fit here,
but I think you're getting a much better early down runner
and someone that can give you a few yards right off the bat,
taking pressure off Josh Allen,
maybe even allowing him to not have to extend as many plays with his legs.
As dynamic and as great as he is at it,
and I know Bills fans love watching him do it,
the years definitely catch up with you no matter
what josh is still a very young quarterback but you're going to absolutely need to watch that in
future years and you've got a running back now that can take some of the pressure off so that's
where i project with him if the bills decide that they wanted to add another running back maybe for
a little more prowess on third down a veteran wouldn't surprise me and i think it probably
would be a good move for them but this kid definitely can carry the load and if the bills go into 2023 with damian harris
penciled in as their feature i think they're doing something pretty good here this was a very good
signing for the bills i loved covering damian and his energy joe and that's another thing that i
want to bring to uh bills fans he is one of the most energetic and one of the most positive guys in that locker room.
Patriots fans loved him.
His teammates loved him here.
You can definitely bet he's going to bring that infectious attitude with him to Buffalo
and to Western New York.
Well, sounds like a good fit for, in so many ways, exactly what the Bills needed in their
backfield.
But Mike, I want to say this.
Don't get it twisted.
We hold our breath every time Josh Allen takes a hit hit and we say get up josh all right so so we're we're
keenly aware of uh of how that goes as well here on the bill side of things mike i appreciate you
giving us some of your time and sharing your expertise on your time covering damian harris
always my friend my honor my pleasure locked on, today's episode is brought to you by our good friends over at Built.
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Patriots fans, thank you once again for spending time here on Locked On, Patriots,
making us a part of your daily New England Patriots coverage, and also for your patronage to the Locked On Patriots, making us a part of your daily New England Patriots
coverage and also for your patronage to the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every
day and folks for 10 seasons.
Veteran linebacker Dante Hightower was a mainstay here for the New England Patriots, selected
by his teammates as a four-time team captain, long cementing his place among New England's defensive greats.
And in fact, when Bill Belichick was asked about Dante Hightower last season during a
press conference that I had the privilege of sitting in on, Bill Belichick definitely
made it clear that it was not going to be easy to fill the cleats of Dante Hightower,
saying, quote, it's a stretch to compare almost anybody to hightower
you're talking about one of the best linebackers that's ever played here even though dante spent
the 2022 season away from the football field he made his retirement official on tuesday having
penned a heartfelt farewell story in the players tribune to formally announce his decision and i'm
quoting directly from the piece that Dante wrote on
Tuesday morning quote today I am officially retiring from the NFL I know these announcements
always feel bittersweet but I can't think of a better story than the one I wrote in New England
a decade three Super Bowls two Pro Bowls and the birth of my son all playing for one franchise
how many guys can have a story like that?
Well, not many.
I can tell you from covering the New England Patriots for the past few years,
Dante is truly one of the great guys you will ever meet.
Truly the same guy that you meet in the locker room, on the field,
and away from the field.
And just one of the more stand-up, hard-working players
that New England is definitely going to miss.
They missed him in 2022.
They'll continue to miss him, but it's nice knowing that he rides off into the sunset
forever a Patriot.
And look, he was an essential part of the Patriots defense ever since he was drafted
in 2012.
First round selection, 25 overall, University of Alabama, a lot of pedigree coming in on
Dante, but he lived up to it.
And then some wasn't only a great
linebacker here in New England but he was also a director of the action on the field one of the
smartest players ever coached by Bill Belichick and he alongside Devin McCourty who is another
guy that Bill Belichick has consistently said is one of the smartest guys he ever coached he was
one of the most respected leaders in the Patriots
locker room. When there was a problem, when there was an issue, Conte was always there to lend his
wisdom and counsel and to really keep things in line. During his tenure in New England, he definitely
was not deprived of accolades. He earned a second team All-Pro selection in 2016, two Pro Bowl nods in 2016 and 2019,
and selections on both the New England Patriots All-2010s team
and also on the franchise's All-Dynasty team.
But for all of his numerous on-field accomplishments in the regular season,
and there are a good number, let's face it,
Dante's legend really was cultivated by what he did in the postseason.
He was a playoff god, and there is no way to sugarcoat that or lessen it.
Really an integral role on every single one of the Patriots' three Super Bowl teams during the 2010s.
Arguably his famous moment coming on the late second half,
strip sack of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan uh really I think sparking that improbable
34 to 28 comeback in Super Bowl 51 but make no mistake about it something I don't think Dante
gets enough credit for because of the magnitude of that moment his tackle of Marshawn Lynch at the
one yard line in Super Bowl 49 makes Malcolm Butler's interception possible. He just had a gift for coming through in big moments,
and there will never be another like Dante Hightower.
I'm going to miss watching him play on the field
because it was always electric every time 54 lined up opposite
any kind of an offense.
He was always ready to defend it.
And, you know, he walks away with his head held high
because even though he took a
one-year hiatus in 2020 because of a COVID-19 opt-out, he returned as a team leader, a solid
presence in the middle of New England's defense in 2021. He appeared in 16 of 18 games, saw the
field for 59.8% of the Patriots' defensive snaps. Despite some struggles throughout the season,
wasn't a perfect final season in New England for Dante but he did show that he was still capable of being an
effective player finished the season with 64 tackles one and a half sacks and primarily playing
on early downs defending against the run that's where he was really at his best he could defend
the pass as well don't let anyone tell you any different. In total,
Dante Hightower will ride off into the sunset now, having played in a combined 134 regular season and
playoff games, 650 combined tackles, 30 sacks, six fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. But
to me, the thing that I'll always remember about Dante Hightower is the indelible mark he leaves not only on the professional franchise, the only professional franchise that he's
ever played or will ever play for, but the spot that will certainly be waiting for him
in the Patriots Hall of Fame in due time.
A tip of the cap to Dante Hightower for a great career.
You have definitely earned all of the accolades you received, Dante.
You've earned the right to enjoy your time in retirement,
and it's been an honor and a privilege
covering you here at Locked On Patriots
as a member of Sports Illustrated
and as a member of the Patriots media contingent.
So New England will definitely miss Dante Hightower.
They didn't have him in 2022,
but there was always that specter that he might show up
and provide a little lift to the Patriots defense.
But now we know he is officially retired and the Patriots core moves on.
And we will continue to move on here on Locked On Patriots because there is plenty to talk
about still on the field for your New England Patriots folks.
So please be sure to continue to download, subscribe to follow Locked On Patriots wherever you listen to audio podcasts as well as on YouTube.
And if you've made us your first listen today, please make your second listen.
Our good friends over at Locked On NFL Scouting with the Draft Dudes.
You saw Joe Marino a little bit earlier today on this podcast.
Well, you can catch him an awful lot alongside another good friend of the program, Locked host kyle krebs these two guys are at the top of their game they're at
the best of the business and they're going to guide you through what it's like to scout every
position from the player's perspective coach's perspective a scout's perspective they nail it
each and every time so be sure to download subscribe to to, and follow Locked On NFL Scouting with the Draft
Dudes wherever you get your podcasts.
And we'll be back here tomorrow on Locked On Patriots, folks.
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Once again, I am your host, Mike DeBate.
I thank you for all of the time that you spend with Locked On Patriots each and every day
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Continue to stay safe, stay well, be the change you wish to see in the world.
Have a great day, everyone, and we'll see you tomorrow right here on Locked On Patriots.