Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - New England Patriots Training Camp Mailbag: Can Drake Maye Win the Starting QB Job? O-Line Help?

Episode Date: August 20, 2024

As the New England Patriots prepare for their third and final preseason game of 2024, questions are abound about the identity of their starting quarterback in Week 1 of the regular season. Is there a ...true quarterback competition between rookie Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett? Host Mike D’Abate welcomes Thomas ‘Murph’ Murphy as the duo discuss Maye’s progress, the probability of the Pats adding another offensive lineman via free agency and the hottest seat on the roster bubble in this Mailbag episode. #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 news about the New England Patriots and talking with fans — @mdabateNFL  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. eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotors.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month. GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply. FanDuelNow through September 22nd, ALL FanDuel customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get a THREE WEEK free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Visit FANDUEL.COM/LOCKEDON to get started. 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)

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Starting point is 00:00:00 The New England Patriots starting quarterback job was thought to be Jacoby Brissett's to lose. Is Drake May making a late training camp push for it? 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. Remember, Locked On Patriots is not only a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network,
Starting point is 00:00:43 your team every day, but we are also free and available on all platforms, including YouTube. So smash that subscribe button, download and follow Locked On Patriots wherever you get your podcasts to ensure you're getting the latest episode as soon as it's available. I'm your host, Mike DeBate, and I cover your New England Patriots for Patriots Country of Athlon Sports. So reach out to me. Let me know what's on your mind on X at MDABATENFL.
Starting point is 00:01:10 And while you're out there showing some love to Locked On Patriots social media style, follow our account there as well at LO underscore Patriots. And Pats fans, today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Now, through September 22nd, all FanDuel customers can bet $5 and get a three-week free trial of NFL Sunday ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV. Visit FanDuel.com slash LockedOn to get
Starting point is 00:01:37 started. And Pats fans, you might as well say we're in the home stretch when it comes to Patriots training camp. Only a handful of practices remain until the Pats travel to the nation's capital to take on the Washington Commanders this Sunday, 8 p.m., Commanders Field. And that means only one thing. The NFL regular season is just days away at that point. A lot of eyes on the Patriots practice fields. Injuries, roster bubbles, and of course, quarterback competition.
Starting point is 00:02:07 And that's exactly where we're going to begin today on this Patriots Training Camp Mailbag episode of Lockdown Patriots. And if we're opening up the mailbag, you know there is no one else on earth that could help us not only carry in those heavy mailbags, but also wade through them and provide the wisdom, the counsel, and the truth. We all need him, Patriots Nation. He is my good friend, the legend himself, Thomas Murphy. Thank you for coming to me today in friendship on Mailbag Monday, Don Murph.
Starting point is 00:02:36 Happy to be here, Michael. You know, it wouldn't be a Monday, it wouldn't be a Monday without diving into the mailbag with you. And I'm glad we could get to it, actually on a Monday it's true it actually is the first mailbag Monday true mailbag Monday in quite some time and Murph this mailbag did not disappoint not only do our everydayers deliver poignant questions but they delivered questions that were relevant right to the very minute the Patriots hit the practice field without further ado let's dive right into it. And we're going to get going with, I think, not only the question of the day, maybe the question of the week, perhaps maybe even the question
Starting point is 00:03:11 of training camp for all New England Patriots fans. Comes to us from our good friend, a very valued and very loyal everydayer here on Locked On Patriots, Lauren from Warwick, Rhode Island, wants to know, Murph, does Drake May have a legit shot at starting at week one now Murph we all know before training camp started Gerard Mayo was very clear that he believed Jacoby Brissett was the front runner now all of a sudden there seems to be maybe a crack maybe a fissure in that certainty because Drake had himself a very good performance against the Eagles last week, two strong,
Starting point is 00:03:47 solid practice performances. And the team seems to be rallying around him. Our question here, I guess Lauren's question really most importantly, Murph, is that enough to consider Drake may as perhaps even a front runner now for the Patriots starting position? No,
Starting point is 00:04:04 no, just stop people. Stop. Okay. I know Drake looked, looked really good in practice when, you know, there's no chance of getting hit whatsoever. He looked fantastic in seven on sevens the entire time that, that they were being run. He looked good in the game on, on, you know, in, in the Eagles game. I liked what I saw from him. But, no, do you folks understand how vanilla the defense was that he was facing?
Starting point is 00:04:36 Honestly, it wasn't even vanilla bean. There was no bean in it. It was artificial vanilla. All right? He looked great when he was in the shotgun doing the things that Drake May does, doing the things that Drake May was allowed to do in college. People were talking to, I heard people mentioning what footwork problems. There's no footwork involved when you're sitting in shotgun. All right. When we're talking about footwork problems, we're talking about dropping back from under center.
Starting point is 00:05:08 We all know that Drake May can navigate a pocket. He's done that really well his entire career. But no, pump the brakes. Let this kid sit back and learn. return um let him be able to uh start looking at at actual game film as it's happening or um or on monday morning after a game and be able to pass the test before we put him in there i still do not want to see drake may uh on the field too soon. If he's ready, he's ready. But like Mayo said, if he's ready, he'll play.
Starting point is 00:05:49 He's not going to be ready. He's not. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. This is a kid who has not played a lot of football in his lifetime. He's very talented. He has all the tools. But let's make sure that he knows which tool to reach into the box for before we put him under the hood of a Ferrari or in this case a Volkswagen
Starting point is 00:06:12 I like the analogy I really do I think that's good I'll be slightly more optimistic I will say that Drake does have a shot uh because I do think that there are elements of his game that could end up showing this week. And especially, and I'll get to this in just a moment in my follow-up question, if Jacoby Brissett continues to struggle. That's the other wild card here. But when it comes to the New England Patriots and what their intentions are for Drake May, Gerard Mayo was very clear in his appearance on WEI's The Greg Hill Show on Monday morning and then following up when he spoke with reporters prior to Monday's practice. He said, we have a plan. We don't plan on deviating from that plan.
Starting point is 00:06:53 We have a development schedule, and that's exactly what we're going to follow. He also followed that up and said, look, if he's ready to go, then 100% he has a chance to earn that starting position. I don't think anyone would begrudge Gerard for saying that. But he also touched on a couple of points that you just made very eloquently, my friend. And I'm quoting Gerard verbatim here from his appearance on the Greg Hill show. He said, you have to remember in the preseason games, the defenses, the offenses, it's really basic. There are still going to be things that show up on the field that he hasn't seen before. And that's important to remember. How is he going to on the field that he hasn't seen before. And that's important to remember.
Starting point is 00:07:26 How is he going to react to things that he hasn't seen before? You have to make sure he's ready for that before you throw him out there, especially with a makeshift offensive line. And we're going to get to the O-line in just a moment, folks. Don't worry. Questions abound regarding the Patriots offensive line. But if, in fact, Drake may continues to progress at the level he's progressing at, he may accelerate the time it takes to get him out on the field,
Starting point is 00:07:50 essentially taking the starting job from Jacoby Brissett. I can see that now being earlier than later because I think he's a little further in some of his progressions than we originally thought. But at the same time, is he ready to go week one? I think that's another kettle of fish that the New England Patriots have to decide over the course of the next couple of days. As a follow-up to Lauren's question, my friend, if, in fact, Drake May continues to progress at the level we're seeing him progress at, he has command of the huddle, he's coming in, he's making his progressions, he's doing the job he needs to do,
Starting point is 00:08:24 let's say that continues to improve as we go into this weekend's game against the Commanders. If there is a regression or a stagnation in Jacoby Brissett's performance, could that tip the Patriots' hand here? No, I really don't. I think the plan is in place. You can agree with it or not. And, you know, this is this is really what what this team wanted to avoid, you know, is is this, you know, controversy talk this this quarterback competition talk. I can't see it happening. I can't see them feeding him to the sharks behind what we're going to talk about in just a moment or two, behind this offensive line. I really can't. I really don't think that if Jacoby Brissett gets hurt, I still think there's an outside shot that bailey zappy makes this squad just because of this this reason that the fact that they don't want to just throw him into the deep end of the pool god forbid you go be reset goes down in week two that's a very good point very
Starting point is 00:09:38 very good point a lot of that is going to be solved over the course of the next couple of days it depends on how well bailey continues to buy into that concept and how drake continues to develop but all things being equal right now lauren to answer your question yes does he have a shot i believe he has a shot i think murph would probably agree that he may have a slight shot as well but is it a good shot or a legit shot yeah i think there's a lot to be said on that and i think there's a lot to be made for the argument to be temperant patient and prudent here rather than simply go with the hot hand because it's the hot topic right now throughout patriots media all right put it put it mike is is a guy who's a glass half full individual i'm a guy who's a glass half empty individual but
Starting point is 00:10:24 you know his his the the glass that we're talking about right who is a glass half empty individual, but you know, his, his, the, the, the glass that we're talking about right now is a glass of Anisette. Okay. Anisette. Okay. You know, Johnny Ola liked his Anisette. Johnny Ola liked his Anisette. And, um, and it's not a very big glass for you folks out there that, that don't sip liqueurs like this um and it okay a slight little tiny half glass of anisette type chance that that he's the starter week one there a million different things would have to happen and one of them would probably be you know matt light coming back to the patriots in some way shape i'd like to see Matt suit up. I think he'd be great right now for this team.
Starting point is 00:11:08 I kind of take him. He'd be the starter. Bruce Armstrong, give me a call. Absolutely. I think these guys could start, believe me, right now, right this second. Yep. So, yeah, there's just so many things that would have to come to fruition for this to happen.
Starting point is 00:11:23 And I'm sorry, Annie. I just, Lauren, I just don't see it happening. I i really don't i know a lot of people are clamoring for it i know it's been a very long time since any of you saw good quarterback play here and it's just be patient and wait a little longer yeah i think that's very well said and look regardless of whether drake is the starter week one or not folks, I think what last Thursday did for all of us here in Patriots Nation is give us the hope, like Murph said, of the return of good quarterback play, solid quarterback play. Dare I say, Murph, maybe even Sunday again, great quarterback play
Starting point is 00:11:58 here in New England. This kid's got it. He's got all the intangibles. He does. And he showed it. He showed it on the field. But you've got to give it time to simmer. It's like a good sauce.
Starting point is 00:12:08 It needs time to simmer on the stove. It needs time to come together. Once it comes together, chef's kiss. And that's exactly what we're going to see right there on the field when it comes to Drake Mays. You don't want it to stick. No. You've got to make sure it doesn't stick. And a little bit of sugar.
Starting point is 00:12:25 And that's my trick. And you know what, Murph, you know, what could be that little bit of sugar that Drake may needs in order to bring his sauce is a left tackle, maybe a little offensive line help. And in just a moment, folks, Murph and I are going to go back into the mailbag. We're going to wade through it and we're going to pick out one of the most poignant questions regarding this offensive line that's been asked to date. Murph and I discuss that and more when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast
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Starting point is 00:14:03 eBay Guaranteed Fit. Only available to U.S. customers. Patriots fans, thank you once again for joining us here today on Locked On Patriots. It is Patriots Training Camp Mailbag Monday. And if we're talking Patriots and we're talking mailbags, you know there's only one man on this earth that can help us do both with style, pizzazz, and truth, and that is my good friend Thomas Murphy, the legend himself, the Count of Murphy Pisto, joining me here on Locked on Patriots. And before we continue our discussion and wading into the Monday mailbag, I want to give a tip of the cap to all of you everydayers out there, all of you Locked On loyalists that make Locked On Patriots your first listen each and every day and help to make the show what it is.
Starting point is 00:14:49 We appreciate all of your support. And if you're making Locked On Patriots your first listen every day, I implore you to make your second listen our good friends over at Locked On Fantasy Football. All of our great analysts throughout the Locked On Podcast Network join you each and every day to help you win your fantasy football. All of our great analysts throughout the locked on podcast network, join you each and every day to help you win your fantasy league.
Starting point is 00:15:09 Locked on fantasy football is also a proud part of a locked on podcast network, your team every day. So make sure to subscribe, download and follow locked on fantasy football. Just like you follow subscribe and download locked on Patriots and Pat's fans., we are wading through the mailbag with our good friend Murph. Murph, in the previous segment, we talked a lot about Drake May and his chances of starting week one. And we talked about how his performance on the practice field may help to tip the hand of Gerard Mayo and the Patriots brain trust. One thing that could be a major factor in when Drake
Starting point is 00:15:45 sees the field is the status of the offensive line. Elliot Wolfe, executive director of player personnel, gave a little bit of a state of the Patriots address to all of us in the media on Sunday morning. Unsurprisingly, one of the subjects that came up was the offensive line. Elliot's comments caused a little bit of a stir throughout Patriots social media when he said that they were very excited and very satisfied with the talent and the play that they have along the offensive line. Well, that seemed to raise the ire of some members of Patriots Nation, including one of our all-time favorite everydayers. You knew this was not going to sit well with this gentleman. I didn't expect
Starting point is 00:16:25 it to. It didn't sit well with Murph. It sat even worse with our good friend LJ at show underscore one, who was a little steamed up and tweeted at us, Murph, to voice his displeasure. LJ asked the question that I think is on the minds of a lot of Patriots fans right now. Although Elliot Wolfe said the Pats are excited about their O-line, do you think they will add a veteran before the start of the season? Murph, based on what the line looks like right now, based on what's out there, what do you think of LJ's question? Are the Patriots in the market and should they be for a new offensive lineman here? Yes, they absolutely should be. There's no doubt about it. They need help on this offensive line. The
Starting point is 00:17:07 tackles that they have right now are second and third string tackles. You folks are talking about putting a young prominent, the third round pick in the NFL draft. You people are talking about putting this man out there behind this. This is a mismatch of talent. And yes, I've been saying for weeks that they're searching for the right combination. I don't know. They've been through every combination. All right. They should have cracked the safe by now. All right. The combination is not really there. It is not set. And and I do I think that they're going to have to be quick on the waiver wire.
Starting point is 00:17:49 They have the third third. They're in the third spot there on the waiver wire. But the problem is that, you know, it depends on what everybody else is looking for. There could be cuts in Arizona on the offensive line. Cincinnati did arizona on the offensive line cincinnati did a lot to upgrade their offensive line um this this off-seat off-season so there might be something happening there uh and and you never know maybe maybe somebody you know yeah we signed so-and-so to this contract and he's just not living up to it and And we have the cap space, but let's just move on now. So they're going to do something. They're going to have to do something unless there's nothing to be done,
Starting point is 00:18:37 unless there's no one out there that gets let go that they feel is better than what they have on this roster right now. And quite frankly, I find it hard to believe that anybody that would get let go is not better than what they have on this roster right now at the tackle position. You know, and that that's with with the exception of Mike on way who, you know, finally got a few snaps in at right tackle this week. trying so hard to find somebody to bookend this line, and they just know on Weyu they can just plug him in week one if they have to on the right side. That's a very good point about Michael Wen. Now, when we spoke to Mike in the media on Saturday, he was very vocal about the fact that this is planning for contingency.
Starting point is 00:19:20 Nick Leverett wasn't out there on the practice field. They're missing a few guys. They just want to make sure that everybody is well adept and taking snaps at all positions so they can fill all of them I still expect Mike to be the right guard when all is said and done I think that's where he's been aligning most and probably where he will be however at the same time you also hit the nail on the head when it comes to Caden Wallace everybody after the Eagles game where he took some snaps at left tackle and people were saying put him in he deserves to be there majority of where he's been the last couple of days in practice is at right because I think that's his natural position so do the Patriots
Starting point is 00:19:55 go out and get a bona fide left tackle well as luck would have it we actually heard that a left tackle might soon be available as soon as we're recording this podcast and that is dennis daly most recently of the arizona cardinals drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 nfl draft by the carolina panthers he's played in 54 games started 37 of them most recently obviously he's played with the cardinals but he also has played with the Titans. Murph, is this someone that could possibly come in and be a left tackle? He's graded up and down from pro football focus, had some very good moments, some very bad moments. But is this the type of move that you could see the Patriots making?
Starting point is 00:20:39 Yeah, but it would be a desperation move. You know, I mentioned Arizona, uh, you know, a few minutes ago and, and whatnot, but if they are, they're really, really unhappy with everything that they have here.
Starting point is 00:20:53 Um, yeah, I, I could see bringing him in and, but he would end up possibly being a second stringer. Um, I don't, he's,
Starting point is 00:21:03 he's not, he's, it's, he's not steady enough. He's not consistent enough to, to put over there on the left, left side and, and depend on him. And that's saying a lot here in new England, after what we've had to depend on over the past couple of seasons here on the left-hand side of the line. Yeah. I'm glad you said that. I mean, I know his name is not extremely popular right now throughout much of the fan base, but if this is what they're going to do and they're going to sign Daly,
Starting point is 00:21:31 I would almost rather see them stick with Vardarian Lowe, who's been here for a year and probably has a little more upside in this offense because of his familiarity with some of the guys that he's playing with and his desire to get better and his desire to try to prove his coaches correct in the faith they've shown in him, yeah, I would probably say they're better off sticking with Bedarian
Starting point is 00:21:50 rather than going with Daly, who, in my opinion, has been so up and down throughout his career that, like you said, it just makes it difficult to trust him, especially when you're talking about protecting the blind side. It's a different system, too. Absolutely. They don't run this system in Arizona, and it would be really difficult for them. A name that I would keep on that I keep hearing is on the bubble is Jackson
Starting point is 00:22:13 Carmen out of Cincinnati. This is going to sound negative from the brimming of positivity that you kind of gave me a few minutes ago saying the glass is half full. Beggars can't be choosers in this situation. If the Patriots are serious about wanting to protect their quarterback and especially if they're going to go with a young quarterback sooner rather than later you need bodies to do that and you need established veterans to do that maybe that is the move to make up you know it's patriots you know just sticking in ohio you know, Jack Conklin is coming back from knee surgery and he might be the odd man out there in Cleveland. And we all know that, you know, he is completely adept at being in this Alex Van Pelt system. He knows everything. So I, he could be a, a, a, you know, a, one of those, one of those moves where, where Cleveland would rather trade him for a fifth or a sixth round pick then, um, uh, then releasing him. All right. They, I think they'll save a couple, $3 million by letting them go. But, but that's, you know, if they trade them, the Patriots could definitely take on all
Starting point is 00:23:26 of that money. Absolutely, they could. And Elliot Wolfe still has some friends over in that front office, still thought of very highly, as is Alex Van Pelt. So you know what? That could be. There is a synergy and there is a history of the Patriots and the Browns working out some deals together. Maybe this is the move to make. Folks, we'll see. The proof will be in the pudding on the field with the New England Patriots as they march toward the regular season. But all eyes are going to continue to be on the practice field this week, Murph,
Starting point is 00:23:55 because Patriots have a preseason game coming up, and the offensive line will continue to be a focal point. LJ, to answer your question, I think if the Patriots do add someone, it might be difficult for them to do that before this game coming up, but prior to the start of the season, they might have no choice but to do that. However, if they add someone,
Starting point is 00:24:17 it's only going to push another member of this roster possibly off of that bubble. Who will be pushed off the roster bubble? Which Patriots player right now that's trying to do just that faces the tallest task in popping that roster bubble? Murph and I are going to discuss that point and give our choices when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast wraps up right here on the Locked On Podcast Network, your team, every day.
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Starting point is 00:25:51 It is Patriots Mailbag Monday Training Camp Edition. And of course, joining us as always, every time there's a mailbag, this man comes in and lends the wisdom, counsel, and reason to make it legit. That is my good friend, the legend himself, a counter Murphy Fisto, a legendary Thomas Murphy joining me here today. And Murph, we've talked about quarterbacks. We've talked about the offensive line, two of the hottest topics in New England right now when it comes to this 2024 Patriots team. But you and I both know there's a lot of positional groups on this team. A lot of players trying to make this roster. 90 will become 53 in just a matter of a couple of weeks. And that's not an
Starting point is 00:26:30 easy task. That is an excruciating task, especially for a young head coach, a rookie head coach, and a regime that is still trying to find its own footing here in New England. Murph, there are a lot of players out there that are trying to make this roster, both on offense, defense, and on special teams. When you look at this roster from top to bottom, I know you see things us mere mortals don't see. So I'm going to ask you to pull upon that supernatural Murphy and wisdom in council for just a moment and indulge our good friend, a longtime listener, an everydayer,
Starting point is 00:27:05 and a first-time submitter here on Locked On Patriots, Lee in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He wants to know which player faces the biggest challenge in making the Patriots opening day roster. Don Murph, the floor is yours. All right, this is going to really hurt because he's somebody that I've liked since his time in college. I loved his film.
Starting point is 00:27:26 We were all rooting for him when he came in here, but it's Kayshaun Big Boutte. He might be the guy on the outside looking in. His skill set is just like completely redundant. You know, Osborne has done really well in this camp and, you know, Polk, Baker, Kendrick Bourne, when he gets back, Osborne, they all do what he does and they do it a little bit better. And I just think that he's going to be on the outside looking in and it really hurts because he's, you know, for everything that he's gone through, we were all really rude
Starting point is 00:28:03 for him. That's an interesting point. I actually had Kayshaun on my 53-man roster during yesterday's episode. And so I'm going to differ slightly. And who'd you cut, Mike? Who'd you cut? I cut Taekwon. You did.
Starting point is 00:28:17 And that hurt me to do that. What I did was I looked at injury history. And I looked at ability in terms of being able to run routes, in terms of being able to successfully navigate what this system is going to do under Alex Van Pelt. And I gave Kayshawn the slight nod. Now that's not to say that I believe that Taequann Thornton has performed at a level that warrants him to be cut. I simply had to make a choice and it was a very difficult one. And who knows if it was the right one. I mean, I don't get to make these decisions.
Starting point is 00:28:47 The Patriots do. Thankfully, that is the case. But I do definitely understand where you're coming from on Kayshaun, though, because if they are going to go with a receiver at this point of the three that we've mentioned, I would say Rager has the leg up on the competition. And I did say that yesterday. And it's exactly because of what you said. Special teams as well.
Starting point is 00:29:06 His ability to be a factor in the return game gives him the slight edge there. So I have both of them on mine, my unpublished roster projections. I have both of them on mine as being those, those X factors, that X receiver, that guy, those guys that can stretch the field. And, and I just think that that butte is the the the guy on the outside looking in because there's just more people that do what he does and they can't do he can't do what these two do yeah it is it's and i definitely understand that i can certainly see where you're coming from on that and i'm not saying that you're wrong
Starting point is 00:29:43 because i disagree i'm not saying that you're wrong because I disagree. I'm not saying that that's a bad point that you made. It's simply a matter of preference and it's a way that you're going to put this team together. So I can see Keishon having an uphill battle in terms of cracking this roster bubble. I also think Taekwondo at that point, do the Patriots value his speed more than they value Keishon's route running? I think the argument can be made. Yeah, I think it's going to be interesting. The Patriots have a big time decision to make. And will they make the right one? Well, we'll see.
Starting point is 00:30:10 I went in a different direction on this, and I'm going to go with a special teamer. And because I'm going with a special teamer, I think you can probably figure out where I'm going on this one. Based on what I've seen the last few games, maybe I'm a victim of the moment maybe I'm not I'll definitely take my criticism if I am but I'm going to say that right now as we sit and speak Chad Ryland faces a very uphill battle to make this roster yeah I'm not saying
Starting point is 00:30:37 that Chad doesn't have upside as an NFL kicker I believe he does you look at what he did last year, 16 of 25 field goal attempts, 64%, not necessarily all world, but I do believe that he's better than what he showed in his rookie season. The reason I believe he faces a tall task against Joey Sly is because Sly is hitting his stride at the right time. He's hitting from beyond 51, which is something that unfortunately Chad is not doing right now. And he's also showing an ability to be a solid physical presence on kickoffs. And I think that's where he gets the nod right now because kickers are going to have to be a little more physical or at least a little more aware of what's going on at these kickoff with the new kickoff rules. I think Joey holds the edge right now over Chad based on that. It would be a real difficult cut for New England because of the draft capital they used last year to bring him in. But I think this regime is not afraid to move on from what they feel may
Starting point is 00:31:35 have been a bad pick or at least an ill-advised pick at that point. I think right now Chad is facing a very difficult time in trying to make this roster. No, I agree. I couldn't argue with anything there. He really does. He's done everything that's been asked of him. You mentioned the changing kickoff rules and how big it's going to be for these guys to be able to go stick their shoulder in there and make a stop. And he can do it. He's shown that he can do it. joey is very well put together you can definitely see yeah throwing that weight
Starting point is 00:32:10 and that body around to be able to do that and he's got veteran savvy he's been in the league for a number of years he's kicked in the elements he's kicking difficult situations i hate it i just hate it i can't argue with you there i really can't um i try to be as diplomatic as i can be to simply say it's going to i don't have to you don't you know you can be as honest as you like and uh you know i mean if we're reading between the lines here folks i think you can tell where i align on this as well but look bottom line it's the rule so it's not going anywhere this is what's going to happen at least through this year that's why why I think Joey Sly has the upper hand here on making this roster. Now, I could also see the Patriots potentially moving on from Chad Ryland at roster cutdowns.
Starting point is 00:32:54 If he makes it through waivers, I could see the Patriots retaining him by the practice squad. I don't think that's necessarily a bad investment. Pats have carried a kicker on the practice squad before, and it's done them a service in years past. So it's quite possible that the Patriots choose to go that route. But I think Sly is the guy coming out of training camp. So things can always take all types of twists and turns, folks. That's what the last full week of Patriots training camp practices are going to be for. And a lot is going to be hinged on what we see on Sunday night against the Washington Commanders.
Starting point is 00:33:25 Don't forget an 8 p.m. kickoff time from Commander's Field in the nation's capital. It's going to be a lot of fun, Murph, and we're all going to be glued to that. But before we do so, a tip of the cap to Lee for a great question here. Hope we were able to give you a little bit of headway on which Patriots might crack that roster bubble. Also want to show some love to LJ and Lauren for great questions. But most of all, we wouldn't have a mailbag here on Locked On Patriots
Starting point is 00:33:52 if it wasn't for my good friend the kind of Murphy Fisto himself. Murph and I didn't agree a whole lot this episode. You know what? Variety is the spice of life. We love it. And you know what? We can disagree and still be friends. And that's the great thing about what you see here on Locked On Patriots. And, Bud, what can I say?
Starting point is 00:34:08 You're always there for the handoff. Your wisdom, your counsel, your truth, your reason, second to none when it comes to Locked On Patriots guests. Before I let you go, please let everyone know where they can reach out to you, interact with you, and what you got marinating in Murph's kitchen from now until the end of the week when you come back. You can always check me out on Zitter at TeamMurph207. I got a couple of Sox columns coming up. Anytime my good friend, the kind of Murphy Fisto himself, puts pen to paper when it comes to your Boston Red Sox or your New England Patriots. It's appointment reading and you'll be more entertained and more informed than you will be anywhere else. So why not do that?
Starting point is 00:34:45 Definitely check it out. You can find all of his great work at diehardbostonsportsfans.com. And anytime you want to hear the golden melodious tones of Murph's voice, you can always check them out right here on Locked On Patriots, a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. We remind you to stay safe and to stay well and to be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone, and we'll see you back here again next time
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