Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - On to 2021: Patriots Fall to Dolphins 22-12 — 12/21/2020

Episode Date: December 21, 2020

For the first time since 2008, playoff football will not be a part of the routine for the New England Patriots. With their loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the Pats will miss the postseason for the first time in eleven years. Still, the 2020 season continues, and the offseason is the primary focus. Joining host Mike D’Abate is fan-favorite Thomas ‘Murph’ Murphy. The pair discuss the season-ending leg injury to Stephon Gilmore, the continued struggles of Cam Newton and the Pats offense, and start to look ahead to 2021.Support 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 “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order.BetOnline AGThere is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. BuiltGoVisit BuiltGO.com and use promo code “LOCKED,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order.BetterHelpI want you to start living a happier life today. As a listener, you’ll get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp.com/LockedOn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful. You are now locked into the Locked On Patriots podcast. And Patriots Nation, it is official. We are now on to 2021 here on your daily home for news notes and analysis infused with the occasional opinion on your six-time Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. Locked on Patriots is presented today by Pepsi, made for football watching.

Thanks to a lack of natural athleticism or commitment or overbearing sports parents, fewer than 1% of 1% of 1% of people will ever play professional football. But instead of entering the NFL, they've joined another league, the League of Football Watchers. This football season continues to be different, and Pepsi is here to get you ready for game day, no matter how you watch. Pepsi is the refreshment you need to power through any game day. Because Pepsi isn't made for those who play the game,

it's made for those who watch it. Pepsi, made for football, who are watching. Pats fans, thank you so much for joining me here today on this Monday, December 21st, 2020, the first day of winter, four days until Christmas. But the thought of sleigh bells ringing is definitely not making anyone here in New England feel any better about your New England Patriots. For the first time in 12 years, your favorite football team in Foxborough will not be participating in the NFL playoffs. Despite missing some of their key offensive weapons at pass catching, the Miami

Dolphins running backs ran all over your New England Patriots yesterday as the Dolphins officially eliminated the Patriots from postseason contention with a 22-12 victory at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Undrafted rookie Salvan Ahmed and veteran Matt Breda combined for 208 yards on the ground. This from an offense that entered the game as last in the league in yards per carry. Ahmed himself rushing for 122 yards, Breda chipping in with 86. And all in all, the Dolphins rushing for 250 yards as a team that is the most allowed on the ground by New England in seven years. Cam Newton finishing 17 of 27 passing for 209 yards, but for the second consecutive week, the Patriots failed

to find the end zone. Four trips for the Patriots inside the Miami 30, and each and every time they had to settle for a Nick Folkfield goal. Nick was excellent in this game, the only one putting points on the board, making two kicks from 45 yards out, one from 42 and another from 36. Nick has been not only consistent and reliable, but also a big surprise with some of the distance kicks he's made this year. Not a lot of unexpected bright spots for the Patriots this year, but Nick Fulks certainly qualifies. But with the exception of Nick's contributions, and of course a couple of bright spots that

I'll address coming up in today's pod, the Patriots fell in this game for two major reasons. They couldn't stop the run and they couldn't put points on the board. As a football team, your inability to do only one of those things, let alone both like the Patriots could not do yesterday, will spell disaster each and every time. And as a result, folks, your New England Patriots fall to 6-8 on the 2020 season. At this point, the best they can hope for is a.500 finish, and with the red-hot division champion Buffalo Bills coming up next on the schedule,

it's likely they may even finish below.500. If that happens, it'll be the first time that the Patriots finish with a sub-.500 record since 2000. And that just so happens to be the year that the Patriots drafted Tom Brady, who incidentally had a pretty good game yesterday against the Atlanta Falcons, leading a big-time second-half comeback against the Falcons. Where have we seen that before? Anyway, I digress. That was then. This is now.

The Patriots' NFL record 11 consecutive playoff appearances. That is now over. They'll fall one short of matching the Dallas Cowboys' NFL record of 20 consecutive seasons, because like I said, the best finish they can hope for this season is an 8-8, 500 finish. And naturally, a loss like this in New England is a bitter pill to swallow for all of us. Simply put, it's just not normal for the Patriots to miss the playoffs. 11 straight appearances has a tendency to spoil a fan base. And judging from the reactions that I've been seeing from a lot of you out there on the

Twitterverse, I know the easiest thing to do is to fold up shop, assume that this franchise is once again headed for decades of mediocrity, defer to all of the other drunken fanbases that are taking a lot of delight in dancing on the Patriots' grave right now. But I can tell you, having covered this team now for the past few years, and having been a fan of theirs all my life, as long as the Kraft family owns this franchise, and as long as Bill Belichick is their head coach, this team will not tank, they will not disappear, they will continue to compete year after year. That doesn't mean this team is on the cusp of returning to the

dominance that we saw them enjoy over the course of the last 20 years. That won't happen again, here or anywhere in the NFL. What the Patriots have done throughout the past two decades is simply remarkable. 11 straight division titles, 19 straight winning seasons, sprinkling in six Super Bowl titles during that span. That's one of those magical runs that a lot of franchises will try to emulate, but they can never duplicate. But at the same time, neither myself nor anyone that covers the team up here in New England is trying to set the expectation that with one or two little moves here, that the Patriots are ready to return to dominate the AFC East and the AFC as a whole for the next two decades. The Patriots have some significant questions that need to be answered, both on offense

and on defense. And before the Patriots can get to a level where they can retool, they have to rebuild. And today here on Locked On Patriots, we'll start to turn our attention toward that rebuild and some key pieces of the 2020 roster that may or may not be with us here in 2021. And it's Monday, so you know what that means. Starting things off in a big way, with the big names. And who better to help me break it all down than the big man himself, the green master of disaster himself, the great Thomas Murphy,

joins me here today on the pod, and we will discuss the Patriots' performance yesterday in Miami. Why a run defense that just a couple of weeks ago was starting to show promise has looked so futile lately. And also, what yesterday's loss and finally knocking the Patriots out of contention for the playoffs means for the future of a couple of prominent Patriots, quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore, whose injury yesterday in Miami apparently is going to keep him out for the remainder of 2020, according to a report by NFL Network's

Ian Rappaport this morning. Folks, a lot to break down here when it comes to your New England Patriots on this melancholy Monday episode of Locked On Patriots, but hopefully we'll be able to turn some of those frowns upside down by absorbing the green wisdom and counsel of my good buddy Murph. So sit tight and settle in as I welcome Thomas Murphy here to the hot seat in just a moment. But first, Lockdown listeners, this episode is brought to you by 1010. Now you may have read about this in the New York Times or Forbes, and we're excited to tell you about it.

1010 is an exclusive collection of 10 one-of-a-kind engagement rings designed by 10 of the most distinctive designers working today. Using only diamonds responsibly sourced from Botswana, 10 design masters have each produced a uniquely beautiful commitment ring, launching exclusively on January 18th at BlueNile.com. And when they're gone, they're gone. We all know that the diamond engagement ring is iconic. It's a timeless expression of the deepest commitment between two people. And with 1010, it's been beautifully re-envisioned in the hands of 10 modern designers working exclusively with sustainably

sourced diamonds. If you're making 2021 plans or looking for a unique and meaningful way to celebrate Valentine's Day, you're definitely going to want to check this out. Again, this exciting limited edition collection of Diamond Engagement Rings launches on January 18th, and you can preview it exclusively at BlueNile.com. Pats fans, for the first time since 2008, playoff football will not be a part of the routine for your New England Patriots. But the season continues, and the offseason is actually a lot closer than you think.

And to help feed into your monster Mad Monday, I welcome the only guest that could possibly make this Monday a bit more bearable. Regain your mojo with some green wisdom and counsel, folks. That's right, it's that time again your favorite in mind my benefactor in this business the count of murphy fisto himself the legendary thomas murphy is back for his weekly appearance here on locked on patriots thank you for coming to me in friendship today and for joining me don murph always a pleasure to be here under any kind of circumstances whatsoever, Michael. Thank you. Thank you so much for always with a two-kind introduction and bringing me back here

to, how should I say this, vent a little bit on what is 2020. i can't wait for this year to be over yeah i think everybody everybody or mostly everybody can share that sentiment uh just one amazing year and uh who would have thought that the browns would be a serious you know conference contender and the patriots would be on the outside looking in but But that is the year of 2020. And that is where we that's just where we are right now. And if we actually do start with a little bit of breaking news today, earlier this morning, Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network reporting that Stefan Gilmore is likely out for the remainder of the season. And as I said to open the show today, Stefan going down with an injury yesterday, slipped on the turf, awkwardly bent his knee while trying to change directions.

It just did not look good when it happened. Although there are some, we are cautious, folks. We don't have a diagnosis yet. At least the time that we're recording this podcast, we don't. And the initial reports are that it might not be as catastrophic as once thought. So that's great news for Stefan Gilmore, but we will likely not be seeing him for the remainder of 2020. And it does bring up a lot of questions. Without any question, we know that there has been rumors all season long that Stephon might be playing out the string here in New England

and that J.C. Jackson may be ready for that number one corner role in 2021. And J.C. was solid yesterday, one of the few bright spots for the Patriots. And his interception in the end zone was a perfect read on Tua Tungvaluwa, who at the time he made the throw yesterday, I tweeted out that Tua might be trying to do a little too much as a rookie, but that doesn't take anything away from J.C. being in the right spot at the right time. That's a big-time play, and a number one corner makes that play. With Gilmore's status right now and not a lot known about his health,

his status is a trade ship because we've been hearing a lot that he may be dealt in the offseason. And an injury like this, depending on how serious it's going to be, could put that in jeopardy. His tests on Monday today will definitely be worth monitoring for the league, especially for those that might be interested in him and if the Patriots are looking to deal him. He's been a great Patriot during his tenure here, the reigning defensive player of the

year. I, for one would hate to see him go, but the consensus around here, but is that he's not going to get paid by new England on his next contract. So do you believe that with the injury, with the contract stuff that's going on and with the emergence of JC Jackson is an off season trade for Stefan Gilmore inevitable? Um, probable Gilmore inevitable. Probable not inevitable. With all the money that the Pats have,

I certainly would not be upset if they spent money and, and brought Gilmore back. But if you, you know, snowball to my head, you, I w I would probably say, yeah, he will be dealt this offseason, depending on what the tests show today. And seeing what kind of partnership can be breached out there with another team that might have the cap space to bring him in and do something. There are so many variables this year, especially with how the cap is going to look next year. Some people say it's going to take a serious hit.

Some people say it's not going to take much of a hit at all. There's just so many balls up in the air right now that are going to have to be juggled with this situation before it finally, you know, one of the balls hits the ground. Yeah, without question. And look, I mean, anytime you talk about potentially losing the prowess of a player like Stephon Gilmore, who I still think had a solid year, maybe not the level of the 2019 defensive player of the year but to say that he's taken a significant step back or some of the other takes that i've read about stefan that just really are absolutely in my opinion asinine this is still a solid player that can be a solid number one corner for this team or any team the key is do you find someone like you said with the cap space with the willingness to take on that type of salary

negotiate a future deal with him? And also, if you're the Patriots, what are you bringing back in return? This is a valuable commodity. You just want to sell them for pennies on the dollar. You know, exactly. That's a fantastic point, man. I'm not giving up Stephon Gilmore for a sixth-round pick, a fifth-round pick, you know even, even a fourth round pick, you're going to have to get something back. And, and it, you're just never sure. And we are talking about a talent

that if you put him on any, literally any, any defensive backfield, he is the number one corner. I don't, I don't care what the numbers say this year. He's the best that there is. He's one of the best that I've ever seen play the game, and I would like to see him finish his career here because it would be just one more hole that opens up that Bill would have to plug in somebody. And as fantastic as JC is, you just don't know going forward how a player is going to react and what's going to be out there for JC when his contract is up. So get it done and keep him here.

Keep them both. Absolutely. I would love to keep them both. And I think every Patriots fan would as well. Look, we've seen flashes of a solid young cornerback that could come through and be a solid number one in this league. And then all of a sudden circumstances change very quickly. Take a look at Malcolm Butler.

I think that's a prime example of all the potential in the world, all the promise and all the hype in the world. And then all of a sudden maybe that fell a little by the wingside. And then you bring in a guy like Stephon Gilmore and cultivate someone like J.C. Jackson. So you know what you have. You never know what you're going to get. And bottom line, we just wish Stephon the best of health and hope that he recovers very quickly. He's always been one of the most inviting, always one of the most humble Patriots that I've had the chance to cover.

Been in several media scrums and have had the chance to speak with him directly. And just one of the great guys. So I really hope he's going to be okay, regardless of what the future holds for him in New England. But we hope it's still here. And that's not the only question mark on defense, buddy, without any question. If you had told me on Friday that the Patriots would hold Tua Tagovailoa to 20 of 26 passing for 145 yards with an interception and two sacks, I would have told you the Patriots win this game. But the Pats just could not stop

the run yesterday. That's been a persistent problem throughout the season. We saw flashes where it looked like they were tightening up a little bit, but this is an issue. And it took center stage yesterday without any question. The Dolphins carrying the ball 42 times, 250 yards, three rushing touchdowns, I said today to open up. That's the most that the Patriots have offered up in seven seasons. I mean, just really, really bad in terms of how much they've been able to yield on the ground. The Dolphins and the Rams, if you go back to last Thursday, ran for a combined 436 yards. And the defense just is having difficulty setting the edge the

teams are able to defeat their interior blocks the first and second levels are just not getting the stops the way we had hoped and I think this is right up there with quarterback and skill positions I think the Patriots really have some concerns in the front seven they've got some talent I love Lawrence Guy I love Adam Butler but there are concerns in the front seven. They've got some talent. I love Lawrence Guy. I love Adam Butler. But there are concerns in this front seven. And they just, I think, lack the all-around playmakers that can play for this team on every down. How do you see the Patriots addressing this? And I guess the first question would be better. Were you surprised by how the Patriots' run defense looked yesterday against a run offense that isn't that prolific, let's be honest, with the Miami Dolphins.

And how do you see them attacking this in the offseason? In the offseason, I expect them to go after it in free agency. I expect, forget it, folks, it's not happening. Bill is not going to draft a quarterback wherever the Patriots are in the first round unless a miracle from God happens and the right person just falls there. He's going to take a defensive tackle in the first round. I'm telling you right now. He's going to target the best defensive tackle and he's going

to go get them. The Dolphins averaged six yards per carry yesterday, two and a half times their season average. The Patriots could not blow up an offensive line that has, what, four rookies on it? Really? Four rookies? Wow, the gamma is about to come. There is nothing more disgusting than to be unable to stop the run. This team has shown all year long that they can't stop the run. You can go back and blame it on the fact that Bo Allen never showed up.

I don't think he was even under contract. I think it was just a rumor that got out there and built up steam because we never saw the man, not one single day. And what was left here just could not get the job done. These guys could not shed blocks. They could not wrap up runners. They could not set an edge. I think we learned a great deal this week about this defense.

And, yeah, the front seven needs help more than anything. So if you're thinking that the Pats are going to go out there and select a tight end with their first pick, you can forget about it. If you think that they're going to take a quarterback, no. Bill is going to get a defensive tackle that stuffs the run, that is going to be able to take up space, take up room, and allow him to do the things with this defense that he wants to. He is going to go back to the defensive side of the ball, and he's going to let the offensive side work its way out through free agency, maybe a later round draft pick,

and of course, you know, the quarterback position. But we're talking about the defense and their inability here to stop the run. And that is just, it has been god-awful from out the gate, and it has not gotten better. I was really disappointed with Bill in this instance, because usually he figures it out. By Thanksgiving, you know, it's been figured out we've we've had these issues in the past and um it's gotten straightened out it's been sorted this year it wasn't and that's on bill you can you can talk about the offense as much as you want you can talk about cam newton and his incompetence um but it's the incompetence of this rushing defense

that has really upset me, especially with the skill that this team has in the defensive backfield and not being able and not allowing opponents to really throw the ball all over the field all season long, and you still can't stop the run. Yeah, without any question. I think you're right on the money, and you still can't stop the run. Yeah, without any question. I think you're right on the money. And look, bottom line, if you can't stop the run, at the level with which the Patriots are unable to stop the run,

especially the last few games, you're not going to win. No matter what type of offensive output you put out there, no matter how strong your secondary is, if you're not able to set the edge and stop the run, especially on key downs like the Patriots could not do yesterday, like they could not do last Thursday against the Rams, this is the type of output that you're going to see. And I agree with you. I think the Patriots need to look to the defensive side of the ball, especially early in the draft. And I think they

will. And that may upset some of our fan base, my friend, because a lot of people yesterday are clamoring for the next big thing at the quarterback position. And Bud, it may have happened a lot sooner than we all hoped for, but the Patriots are officially looking toward the future and 2021. And in just a moment, folks, Murph and I will talk about that future and what better place to start than the most marquee position in all of sports. We're going to talk Patriots quarterbacks present and potentially in the future when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues.

Locked On listeners, are we ready for some football? College football heads into bowl season, and there are some big matchups this weekend. NFL regular season is finishing up with the playoff picture becoming much clearer. And there's only one place that has you covered and one place we trust. BetOnline.ag. Sign up today for a free account at BetOnline.ag and use that promo code LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Patriots fans, as it stands right now, your New England Patriots will host the 2020 AFC

East Division Champion Buffalo Bills on Monday night, December 28th. But those bills are coming in as a pretty hefty favorite. Are the Patriots being disrespected? And does the hometown team in Foxborough have what it takes to pull off the upset? Well, BetOnline.ag is the perfect place for you to turn that confidence into a financial windfall. Don't sit on the sidelines anymore. Get in on the action. And don't forget to use that promo code LOCKEDON to receive a 50% welcome bonus with your first deposit. Visit our good friends and exclusive partner on social media at BetOnline underscore AG. That's at BetOnline underscore AG to take advantage of the best bonuses in the business. Sign up for a free account and use the promo code LOCKEDON for your sign-up bonus. While you're at it, use the hashtag BETONLINE. BETONLINE, your online sportsbook experts.

Locked On listeners, the wait is almost over. The 2020-2021 NBA season is almost here, and the Locked On NBA podcast will get you ready with a special week of shows beginning December 14th. Get previews of every team, division by division, from all 30 of our Locked On local NBA experts, plus waiver wire editions from Locked On Fantasy Basketball, rookies to watch from Chad Ford, and predictions on each division from rejecting the screen. Subscribe to Locked On NBA wherever you get your podcasts.

Pats fans Thomas Murphy joins me here today on the pod for his hashtag Locked on Murph Monday appearance. And, buddy, we wish it was under better circumstances, especially with the holidays looming at the end of the week and, you know, the era of good feelings. You want that to continue but it's a bitter pill to swallow when the New England Patriots are not going to be postseason bound for the first time in 11 years and I hate to start like this but one of the reasons why is the lack

of production at the quarterback position now I've been an advocate of Cam Newton all season long and he really I think has won the both of us over with his attitude, with his willingness to take on a lot of the responsibility. And he's just been a model citizen when it comes to the New England Patriots. And you want to like the guy. You want to give him all of your energy, get behind it, that it hasn't been the fit and the marriage that I think we all hoped for when Cam came in. And especially when he started off strong against Miami, against Seattle, we saw him look comfortable in this offense. And we were hoping for better output than we got. Cam yesterday finished 17 of 27 for 209 yards.

That's not a terrible stat line. But for the second consecutive week, he failed to get New England into the end zone, and that is a problem. There are flashes out there of Cam making great quarterback plays. One of them yesterday, the throw to James White, where he bought some time in the pocket. The defense was in man coverage. James White got himself open. Cam converted on that on third down. Those the plays that really i think give you some um optimism that there's still some left in the tank when it comes to cam but you look a lot and you look at some of the players that are open um you know jacoby myers was open at times

yesterday uh i think uh even on the fumble i think newton's ball placement made that a little harder when i went back and watched it, I thought that the ball placement could have been a lot better. My initial reaction was, oh, my God, Jacoby, you've got to protect the football. I even tweeted that out, and I got upset when I went back and looked at it. I realized there may not have been as much on Myers as possible, but that being said, you've still got to protect the football. I'm not going to absolve him of that sin, but maybe it could have been placed a little bit better. You know, buddy, I know the argument exists that if Cam had better receivers,

we'd have better results, but sometimes the catchable balls that are thrown out there, like those that are thrown into keel, Harry, uh, Jacoby Myers, technically they're catchable, but it doesn't mean they're accurate. When you look at what Cam Newton has been the last couple of weeks, taking a microcosm of the entire season together as well. What are your thoughts on him? And is there any chance that he could still be the guy to lead this team in 2021? When we were talking about the weapons that,

that Cam has to work with, these are guys that, that have been open, that were open yesterday. Myers made one of the best cornerbacks in this league look pedestrian yesterday. When you're a receiver, and believe me, folks, I am talking with absolutely no uh experience in this uh area whatsoever none zero zip nada uh i i'm just sitting here watching the way you all are i was a round person who played center uh my entire life and it was it but when you are a wide receiver or a tight end or a running,

a pass-catching running back, and you're expecting A, and you don't even get B, we're down to C and sometimes D, it's really difficult to be able to make your quarterback look good. It's really, really difficult. And that's what happened yesterday with Jacoby Myers and Kiel Harry on a couple of occasions. It's not where the ball was supposed to be. Just because it's within reach, and I am a huge proponent of if you can touch it, you can catch it. But it's really not that simple. And no, I do not see Cam as being able to come back here

and lead this team next season. I really don't. Everything that I warned this team about before the season started, when they brought Cam Newton in, has come to fruition, and I wish like hell that I had been wrong. But it just really sucks

always being right. Well, you know, it's a burden, but one that you wear very well. Yeah. Thank you. And humbly, you know, we love exactly and quite humble. I get very humble. Be right. Yes, you do.

That's very, very good. Yes. I guess it's better than giving great helmet, but folks, that's, that's still, that's, that's still okay. You know, I got to throw a space ball team in every now and then. A reference is always, always welcome. But, in any case, it's hard to argue. It really is.

And, look, I know that there is still a lot of fans out there that are behind Cam. And to be honest with you, I'm one of them because I really want to see him succeed. And I would love nothing more than to see him be able to lead this team. But it comes to a certain point where you look at everything that's on the table and it just becomes tough to really foresee a situation where this team is best suited by having Cam under center in 2021 now i know the patriots are going to be under the microscope this year more so than they even were last year if that's uh you know something that could even be believable uh the year in which tom brady vacates and goes to another team this year could be even bigger and whether it's a trade-up on the draft board uh i think that's unlikely i agree with you on that but a veteran acquisition or but whoever the Patriots determined to be their quarterback in 2021, that's going to hinge.

That's really going to be what their rebuild is going to hinge on. The pace of their rebuild is going to be based on whether or not the Patriots can make the correct decision here. Are they going to throw essentially throw good time after bad by bringing in the wrong fit and then have to rebuild and start over again or are they going to do it right away and are they going to are they going to hit on the right the right mark and be able to move forward or at least keep this team relevant uh for the next few years whether that's a veteran a younger quarterback or possibly even a rookie if they choose to go in later rounds um that could be a possibility. And, of course, Bill stoked the fire a little bit this morning when he said about, we'll see when it comes to whether or not Jarrett Stidham might get some action

over the course of the next couple of games. Very quickly, last week you and I both agreed that the Patriots would stick with Cam no matter what, at least through the remainder of the season. But Bill says this morning that we'll see when it comes to Jarrett, even though he did indicate that it was unlikely that a change was going to take place. He did leave the door open. Do you think it's possible we see Stitt the kid at all throughout the course of the next couple of weeks?

For a quarter or so, maybe. But no, I do believe he's going to stick with Cam because I've been saying this for weeks, people. Cam Newton is our best chance to lose. It really is. You know, Stidham has not had time with the number ones. He's not been able to do any of that. And, quite frankly, the way this season started

and the way the offseason went, last offseason went, it would have been really hard for Stidham to come in here and do anything at the beginning of this season. And Cam, I just think Bill cut a deal with him saying that if you come in here and you take this money that we're giving you, you will be the starter and you will have every opportunity to either stick here or find a job somewhere else. And right now Cam Newton's probably calling his agent to find him a job somewhere else because I don't think if he comes back, even at the contract that he is on right now,

the masses will go nuts because you've just seen too much. Honestly, everybody is finally on my page that this is just not happening. By age or breakdown of his body, I'm never one to get down on a quarterback for the breakdown of his body, but I said it before he even came here. He's cooked. That shoulder is dead. He can only throw to one side of the field, for God's sakes. It just makes it so simple for the rest of this league defensively to stop this team, even though the running attack really worked,

worked pretty well yesterday, hats off, Sony, Michelle, Sony, Sony, Sony. And,

but he can't get us into the end zone. He can't, he, he is not a dual threat quarterback. He's a, he's almost not a single threat quarterback. I can't see him coming back. Yeah. And it's unfortunate again, because I think, you know, almost not a single threat quarterback. I can't see him coming back.

Yeah, and it's unfortunate, again, because I think the fan base really rallied around Cam. I know the media has really rallied around him, and he's a likable guy, and he's someone that you want to root for and you want to see succeed. And I still think there's a little left in the tank. Maybe he goes somewhere else and gets the opportunity. Folks, for those of you clinging to that hope, it's not a far-gone conclusion

that he's not coming back. Murph and I are giving our opinion, but I do agree. I think at some point you have to see exactly what Jared Stidham is going to do, and I don't think that's the season. I think putting this kid in to start one of these two games is only a recipe for disaster and could only wreck what he sees. Patriots see a future there. So, yeah, maybe a quarter or two.

But I think Cam starts both these games to finish off the season. And, you know, but it's it's hard to end on a high note after what we've been through the last couple of weeks here in Patriots football. But it's the holidays. And I think we're going to try to do that. So, Jacoby Myers finished with seven receptions, 111 yards, another solid performance. Jacoby is not a number one receiver. I saw some people thinking he could be the number one. He's not, folks. And that's no knock on Jacoby, but that's not what he's designed to do.

I think he could definitely be a big part of the Pats' plans in 2021. Maybe the heir apparent to Julian Edelman. And we'll get to Julian a little bit later in the week, folks, and his status. But Jacoby looks very comfortable in the slot to me. And I thought he was a bright spot yesterday. And, you know, I'm also going to throw a little love for a guy that you just mentioned. And that is Sonny Michel, who I don't know if you heard, Murph. A lot of people are saying, quote-unquote, he blows.

You know, I think that's to buy some blowhards, let's put it that way. But I digress, folks. We're not going to go into that right now. I'm not going to turn this into a whatever session on a lot of what's going on in Pat's media right now. But I think he really showed that he can still be a formidable running back, not just in the league, but on this team. He did very well yesterday, 10 carries, 74 yards.

In your opinion, Bud, can the Pats look to a bright future on offense with guys like Myers, Michelle, of course Damian Harris. He was out yesterday, but I think he's going to be a huge part of what this team does. He's still the number one guy. Dare I say, Nikhil Harry may be sneaking his way in there. Who in that group that I mentioned has you excited for the future in Foxborough? You know, without a doubt, Damian Harris.

What Damian does back there is just phenomenal. I love to watch him run. I will not be the guy who jumps on Sonny Michel. I mentioned it in the last segment that I don't get on people for their body breaking down, and that's what's happened. I said into his second year, or actually when he was drafted, that he might not see a second contract in the NFL. But he's a good runner. He showed it yesterday. He showed what he can do when he's

feeling good. And it's just he's not feeling good at all. I want to say Nikhil Harry is an answer to your question, even though that, you know though you didn't hear his name much yesterday. He had, I think, one catch for 12 yards. And he dropped that third down pass that he could have – yeah, if you can touch it, you can catch it. He probably should have had that one. But, no, when other pieces are put in around him that are going to help to drag some coverage somewhere else and they start using Keel with a quarterback that can actually get him the ball where he's supposed to be, I do.

I still think he's got a bright future. There are so many variables at the wide receiver position. You know, these guys just do not always come in here and anywhere in the NFL and blow it up right away. You can say that other guys might have fit in here better out the gate, but, you know, things happened. You know, Julian was banged up and hurt all season long and last year. He's a guy that usually drags coverages.

We've had no tight ends that need any coverage whatsoever. And I'm not sure that a lot of help is going to come in the draft this year in that way, shape, or form, especially since Bill did blow two draft picks last year on those positions. But no, I still think Myers and Harry have a very good future here, and so does Bird. Yeah, absolutely. I'm glad you mentioned Demir Bird because, really, I think one of the bright spots that

not a lot of people expected to come in and to be able to play well. I thought he's been solid, showed a lot of speed, showed a great deal of prowess when it comes to route running. He can get open. And I think this kid has something special here. And I really hope the Patriots take the opportunity to bring him back and help move the offense forward. I think he'll be a nice, nice complementary piece,

as he has been this year. And next year, hopefully, that can continue. And as well, some of the young core that they have here should start to round into effect. And hopefully, the future is bright in New England, unfortunately. There's hope out there. The immediate future. Absolutely, there is hope, folks.

And it is the season of perpetual hope. And how better can you kick off Christmas week here than welcoming the head of the family? And, you know, Bud, the great Don says, well, man, who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man. Well, you know, we spent time with the family today, and I hope that bringing you on definitely enhanced everyone's holiday spirit. Folks, you should be all ready, but for any of our new listeners, please follow my good friend, the Count of Murphy Fisto himself on Twitter, at TeamMurph207.

Do not miss Murph's Monster Keys, folks. There's still two games left in the season, and you want to turn the keys because every time you look to the keys, you look toward victory, and the Patriots have not been turning the keys lately and look at the results. So don't forget, folks, point, click, learn material. You become a better football fan.

They're always proudly found on DieHardBostonSportsFans.com. And, of course, never miss an episode of One Patriots Place with Murph and our great mutual friend Steve Balistrieri will join us very shortly here on Locked On Patriots to continue to break down the Pats week that was. And, of course, Two Patriots Place with Murph, Steve, and the Countess of Clats herself, Claire L. Cooper. Buddy, what can I say? Thank you so much for always joining me.

It's always an opportunity for me to reflect on this. I'm so grateful for your friendship, your insight, and your appearances here. What better time than the holiday season to tell those who mean the most to you what they mean to you? And you're on the top of that list, my friend. Honored and humbled, as always, by your presence. Just too kind, too kind, man. Merry Christmas to you and yours, and to everybody out there, happy holidays. Absolutely.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas, and we look forward to talking football with you again here next week because, as you know, even though the Patriots are done, there are still no days off. Thank you, folks, and thank you, Murph. Always a pleasure, and I'll talk to you next week, buddy. All right, man. thank you folks and thank you Murph always a pleasure and I'll talk to you next week buddy alright man and so Patriots fans one day down and three to go

here on this holiday week of Locked On Patriots don't forget in observance of the Christmas holiday on Friday December 25th Locked On Patriots will be off the airwaves however we'll be back here in a big way on Monday December 28th to preview the Pats week 16 matchup with the AFC East Division champion Buffalo Bills coming to Foxborough. So to be sure that you do not miss a single second of the action, subscribe to and follow

the Locked On Patriots podcast on platforms such as Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Just make sure that you're staying locked into Locked On Patriots. Once again, my name is Mike DeBate. I thank my good friend Thomas Murphy for his time, his insight, and his appearance on today's pod. But most of all, I thank you so much for listening and for making Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Until tomorrow, Foxborough faithful, stay safe, stay well, continue to be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone.