Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Puttin’ on the Clazz: New England Patriots Predictions; Jones Trade Rumors — 5/26/2021

Episode Date: May 26, 2021

The New England Patriots continue to make headlines, for a myriad of reasons. Joining host Mike D’Abate is Clare ‘ClazzyClare’ Cooper of Pats Propaganda and Full Press Coverage. The duo discuss the latest trade rumors surrounding Julio Jones, the effect his addition would have on the tight end position, Clare’s predictions for the Patriots in 2021, and Mike addresses the latest “reports” on ‘Spygate’ (insert eye roll emoji).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 “LOCKED15,” and you’ll get 15% 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.Rock AutoAmazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful. You are now locked in to the Lockdown Patriots podcast. It is Wednesday, May 26th, 2021, and it's time for a visit from the Countess of Clas herself, right 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.

And after you've listened to today's episode of Locked On Patriots, check out my colleagues, NFL analyst Brian Peacock and former NFL scout Matt Williamson, as they host Locked On's Peacock and Williamson every Monday through Friday. Brian and Matt give you the national perspective all around the NFL, covering all the latest news and insight on every game, every team, and every move around the NFL. Get your picks, previews, and much more every weekday with the Peacock and Williamson Podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And Patriots fans, happy hump day. Thank you for joining me on this midweek episode of the pod. My name is Mike DeBate, your host of the Locked On Patriots podcast,

which of course is a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And because it's your team every day, that means your questions, comments, and feedback are always welcomed and very much encouraged. So share that feedback, send it to the internet by reaching out to me and following me on Twitter at M-D-A-B-A-T-E-F-P-C. And while you're out there doing some Wednesday wandering through the Twitterverse, please

be sure to follow the Lockdown Patriots account as well at L-O underscore Patriots. Patriots fans, we've reached the midway point of your work week. And as always, there's a lot to talk about here in Foxborough. The Julio Jones rumors continue to churn. Several Patriots players are in Foxborough undergoing OTA. Prognosticating wins and losses. There's a lot to keep us busy in the discussion department when it comes to your New England Patriots.

And here today on the pod to discuss all of that is a very special guest and great friend of the program here at Locked On Patriots, the Countess of Klaas herself, Claire Klaasie-Claire Cooper joins us today. And we will ask the Countess herself her opinion on the Julio Jones rumors and what it may mean for the Patriots offense. That's right, folks. We're going to talk about Claire's favorite subject, tight endage. What might the acquisition of Julio Jones mean for the Patriots' intention to utilize the two tight end set?

After all, they did get the two best tight ends on the open market this offseason in Jonu Smith and Hunter Henry. Will it actually cause problems on the field, or might it actually enhance the play of both tight ends? We'll also get Claire's predictions on what she sees for the Patriots in the upcoming 2021 season. Wins and losses, overall success, and keep a special sharp ear to the conclusion of my discussion with Claire as she will drop her bold prediction for the Patriots in 2021. Folks, an action-packed agenda, always great times when the Countess of Clads herself joins me here on the microphone, and in just a moment, we'll lend her news notes and analysis on the Patriots.

And you know when Claire is here, it's always a lot of fun. But before the Countess joins me here in the Lockdown Patriot Studios, yeah, you can tell by the change in tone of my voice where I'm going with this. By now, most of us have seen the quote-unquote investigative report, or let's be honest, hit piece, from the so-called worldwide leader. About 14 years after the original story broke, and folks, I use the term story very loosely, the dynamic duo in Bristol, Connecticut is at it again, dredging up the infamous Spygate story, which they seem to love so much.

This time, invoking the name of the late Senator Arlen Specter from Pennsylvania, who, according to this report, I guess report is the proper word to use hereer from Pennsylvania, who, according to this report, I guess report is the proper word to use here, I'll be fair, that Senator Specter was approached by a future United States president with an offer. Specter would get increased campaign contributions, but in turn was asked to drop his fight against the NFL and the New England Patriots. Well, according to this report, the U.S. president in question was none other than Donald J. Trump, who was acting on behalf, according to this story, folks, of Patriots team owner Robert Kraft. And the sources of this story were none other than Spector's eldest son, Shaheen Spector, and also Spector's attorney, Charles Robbins.

Bottom line, this all came from Spector trying to kickstart a congressional investigation into the league and the Patriots as a result of him being a little upset that his favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles, had just gotten beaten by the Patriots in the Super Bowl a few years before. Spector claimed that he was furious with the NFL because it destroyed the evidence, which Spector felt contained proof of the Patriots cheating, as well as efforts of some nefarious cover-up between both the league and the New England Patriots. Of course, and credit to my man Bernd Buchmasser of Pat's Pulpit for pointing this out earlier today, those same tapes, which Senator Specter found so nefarious,

were indeed shown during a press conference in New York, provided no evidence of any kind, but yet still Specter was not happy, openly thought about using taxpayer money to kickstart that congressional investigation. Spector would later move on from his vendetta, stating that the Judiciary Committee was too busy with other matters. But this latest ESPN report, again 14 years after Spygate broke, ESPN's Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta are reporting that the real reason that Spector dropped his investigation is because, in the words of this story, former President Trump, who then was not the president, offered to help, how shall we say, enhance Spector's

political contributions at the behest of Robert Kraft. In essence, with Spector having since passed away, as well as strict denials from the Trump camp, as well as Robert Kraft and the Patriots, we're essentially left with a finger-pointing matchup back and forth. Patriots fans, I wish I could say this is where the story ends, but you and I both know how this cycle works. It's just beginning, and it will continue to circulate throughout national media as well as local media because it's the Patriots. Spygate is still a salacious story, and at the end of the day, it gets clicks, it gets

attention. Whether it's warranted or not is truly up for you to decide. Here today on Locked On Patriots, Claire Cooper and I will not be indulging in half-baked hit pieces. As with anything, I'll continue to keep a sharp eye on any developments and the fallout from this story, and we'll continue to keep you updated here on Locked On Patriots. But as for today, I encourage you,

before reacting to anything you see on social media, go back and take a look at the history of Spygate, what it truly was, what it meant, and how benign this story really was in the grand scheme of things. Just because it makes headlines and it makes the haters of this franchise giggle with delight doesn't make it any more true or any more salacious than it ever was. Of course, at the end of the day, when it comes to this report, I say consider the source. I leave it to you to determine whether that source deserves any further consideration. And with that, Pats fans, let's turn back on the positivity meter. The Countess of Class, Claire L. Cooper herself, will join me here

on the hot seat in just a moment to talk Julio Jones, the Patriots prognosis in 2021, and if Claire's here, you know we're going to be talking a little tight endage. All of this, plus Claire's bold prediction for 2021 when this Wednesday episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. Locked On listeners, get all the latest news, odds, and info for all of your sporting needs, including Major League Baseball, the NBA, NHL, all of your UFC MMA action, and of course the NFL, with the only place that has you covered and the only place we trust. BetOnline. BetOnline is the fastest and easiest way to bet on all of your sports action. Before the start of your next favorite sporting event, head over to

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BetOnline, your online sportsbook experts. Patriots fans, if you are a fan of Locked on Patriots, and if you are, I sincerely thank you for being one. But it's probably a safe assessment that you're also a fan of my guest today. I know I am. Her wit and wisdom are a staple here on the pod, and hers is a voice and an accent and a giggle that you know very well. From West Midlands in the UK, she is a Patriots writer for Pat's Propaganda,

the third voice of One Patriots Place, and a special contributor and columnist for Full Press Coverage Patriots, where she also hosts her very own Patriots podcast, A Claire Perspective. And folks, let me tell you, this is a must-listen for any Patriots fan. I'm a subscriber.

I highly recommend it. It's my honor to welcome the Countess of Clas herself, Claire Clasie Claire Cooper, back to Locked On Patriots. Claire, thank you so much for joining me today from across the pond, and welcome back to Locked On. No, that's great. Thank you so much for having

me, Mike. It's great to kind of tag on at the end of a week of first Murph, then Steve, now me. I love it. It's so rounded it really is you know I've gone I'm running the full gamut I told Steve yesterday that I'm running the full gamut here on the one Patriots place hosts we start with Murph we come with Steve and then Claire it all up with the cloutis of class herself classy Claire Cooper so you know it's great it really is I love it I always enjoy having you on the pod and I always enjoy your wit and wisdom and your insight, which is desperately needed today

in Patriots Nation. We need some good things to talk about, Claire. We need some positivity because there's a lot circulating out there and a lot of it is just, in my opinion, utter hogwash. Of course, we're talking about the Spygate Resurrection, which is a conversation for another day because I want to keep this one positive. And bottom line, I know we love to have some fun at your expense regarding you being an expert on tight endage.

It's your specialty. Deep breaths, Claire. You know, I know. We're going to talk some tight ends today. Um, but folks, I tell you sincerely, Claire has really emerged as one of the most talented, well-rounded writers on all things, New England Patriots from defense to offense, to special teams, to coaching. Claire is good folks. She's good at being able to blend all of these and just check out any of her great work and you'll see what i mean um again countess please don't worry we will be discussing some tight endage today but we'd be hard pressed not to start with the news of the day or at least the good news of the day

in new england patriots nation and that is the patriots possibly in the driver's seat to acquire falcons whiteout julio jones claire this continues to be a hot topic of discussion across Patriots fandom. There are a lot of reports that are circulating that Jones's two preferred destinations are the Tennessee Titans and our New England Patriots. Now, I've gone on record several times, and for that record, I still feel this way, that the Patriots might not be as likely of a destination as a Tennessee or even a Baltimore. Keep in mind, folks, Julio does not have a no trade clause. So the Falcons can deal him wherever they feel they're getting the best return.

Now, will they try to work something out with him, mutually beneficial for both sides? I believe so, especially after all of, you know, he's done for the organization. I don't think there's acrimony there. I think the two sides will try to be amenable to each other, but ultimately it's really the Falcons call on what they want to do here. I would love to see Julio Jones here in New England, but I think the compensation might be a sticking point. And I've been criticized for that viewpoint. I understand it. But Claire, yours is an opinion that I truly trust here. What's your take on the Julio Jones trade rumors? And how likely do you believe it is that he finds his way to Foxborough? Wow, mine is an opinion that you trust. Just going

out on a limb there, Mike, on that one. I trust the countess implicitly so kind of you so kind of you well the likelihood i mean how can we call this really to be fair i mean it's so many ifs and buts and candy and nuts really with you know if we're going to get him if the patriots are going to get him that kind of thing i'm sure i'm going to echo what everyone else is saying at the moment from a Patriots perspective adding a top wide receiver is of course of benefit to the Patriots the thing that sort of concerns me is at what cost firstly what would they need to give up to get him we would of course like to think that the next draft the Patriots won't be picking highly because they won't you know we'll be up there in the playoffs that kind of thing but there'll be no doubt that there will be gaps in the team that once again need to be addressed hopefully nothing

like this year um but you know only time will tell but the most likely is going to be like cornerback so even if Gilmore isn't used as capital this year, his time at the Patriots probably isn't going to be lengthy. Now, Julio has had nine seasons. No, sorry, I'm still talking about Gilmour. He's had nine seasons in the NFL and he's 30. Obviously, that's not all, but the Patriots are on a rebuild, if you like, and plugging in plenty of youth for the future. So there's winds of change at Gillette,

and not only because of the new quarterback. But don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to offload Stefan. it's just pretty obvious that the Patriots don't have that much of a future with him but I'm not in the camp of trading him to get Julio I'm all for getting Julio really um I just don't want them to make a gap in the secondary to get him I don't feel they should make gaps to get another wide receiver I know a heck of a lot of fans will be happy if we get Julio part of me as a fan would like the Patriots to sign him just to make them happy but there's also this concern that the wide receivers the Patriots have brought in what if any of them are hidden gems shall we say and they have potential and the introduction of Julio could hinder that for them and ultimately hinder the whole future for the

team but again that's another ifs and buts and candy and nuts really there's a lot of upside to plugging in an elite caliber wide receiver PFF had him as the top one wide receiver for 2020 there's just these few niggles of downsides in what the Patriots as I said would have to sacrifice to get him that really is my only concern with him coming to New England I mean of course what's the point of having a quality quality on the field if the ball isn't getting to him this is also something that sort of needs to do so we need to look at if we have a 2020 type year with like cam newton or whoever it's not going to matter if you've got julio jones hunter henry ryan iso or me out there

on the field to get the ball in all fairness i mean the patriots went aggressive in free agency so why not carry on why not get the not get the top wide receiver out there? I think overall there's more positives than there is negatives to getting him in. They can afford it. They have draft capital, even though I prefer them not to use it, as I've said. But they can afford it and they can afford his contract, courtesy of Pat's cap the other day on one Patriots place. There isn't anything major to

say that we shouldn't have him into the Patriots is he going to be there this is just like let me just shake my magic eight ball and tell you because that's how much of a chance we've got of really guessing this at the moment would you have guessed that the Patriots would have signed not one but two tight ends in free agency yes yes we all knew that they were going to sign one we're all pretty sure but when it hit that they signed under henry i mean it was like yeah everybody was like wow this is crazy so the signing julio is probably a little bit like well are they really going to be that crazy oh my gosh are they really so it's yeah as said, just take the magic eight ball and see what you come up with. Cause that's the

best that you're going to get at this moment in time. Anyway, Claire's magic eight ball folks. That is the predictive tool that we're using on lockdown Patriots to find out if Julio Jones is headed here to new England. Now I have a lot of confidence in that magic eight ball of yours. I'd say right up there with my Belichickian crystal ball that I have sitting beside me. We're going to look into that crystal ball in a little bit as well, folks, but getting back to what you said on Julio, I'm glad that you mentioned the rumors circulating around Stefan Gilmore because Murph and I talked about that a little bit on Monday and whether or not you mortgage what you have in the secondary to upgrade your wide receiver position. Are you really upgrading your team as a whole to get rid of an all pro cornerback like Stefan Gilmore to bring in an all pro wide receiver like Julio Jones? How much strengthening does the wide receiver core do to enhance you on offense? And does it outweigh what taking away Stefan Gilmore on defense would do to the defensive

landscape. But Bill Belichick is a defensive coach. He's a defensive-minded coach first, and he always has been. He will continue to be. He is a complete football coach. I'm not saying he's just a defensive mind and he leaves the offense to everyone else. Bill Belichick is intricately involved in every aspect of the Patriots business. But at the same time, he realizes the value of Stefan Gilmore. You have to be a very sure that JC Jackson is going to be in the fold here in New England for a number of years and that he can carry the load of being a number one corner. You also have to be sure that the depth pieces that they have at corner right now are going to be able to step up and play at a high or elite level. If the Patriots want to contend, you bring in Julio Jones, you're at a high or elite level if the Patriots want to contend.

You bring in Julio Jones, you're sending a signal to the rest of the league, we're going for it. We're going to contend this year. We want the division. We want the conference. That automatically puts you in the discussion of the elite teams in the AFC right now. I know that's what the fan base wants. Believe me, it's what I want. It's what you want. Anybody that's connected with the New England Patriots wants to see them win. But you have to weigh all of the pros, all of the cons, and come together and make an informed decision. And I think that ultimately might be the holdup here.

And that's all I'm saying about Julio's possible destination being New England. It's not that they can't do it. It's not that they don't have the ability to do it. It It's not that they can't do it. It's not that they don't have the ability to do it. It's even not that they shouldn't do it. It's just what benefit, at what cost, are you paying to bring Julio here to New England? Is it to lessen the defense? Is it to hurt the secondary?

If that's the case, then you really have to weigh the pros and cons and find out, are you weakening one side of the ball just to strengthen the other? It becomes a 50-50 wash at best. And if that's the case, Bill Belichick's not going to do anything unless he believes it's in the team's best interest in the short term and in the long term. So one of the things that's also not talked about, I think, enough, Claire, and I think you're the perfect person to ask this question, is if the Patriots do acquire Julio Jones, it's going to change their offense. All of a sudden, Julio becomes that solid alpha receiver, that X receiver, the guy that can basically make catches for you all over the field,

that deep threat that the Patriots haven't had in quite some time. And really, I think he can be the most prolific receiver in that role since the Patriots had Randy Moss. That's how good Julio Jones is. I don't think people realize that enough, just how prolific of a receiver he really is. But the Patriots have also spent a lot of money and a few roster spots upgrading at a position you know very well, the tight end position. And conventional wisdom is going to state that with more tight ends on the field, you're going to use less receivers. That's just the way it works. There's only so many slots to be filled. Claire, when you take a look at this and you look at what the Patriots might look like, might look like with Julio Jones in the fold, how do you think it will affect the tight end position? Will more targets for Julio

Jones be less of an emphasis on the Patriots' desire to use the two tight end set? And is that the right approach here? Well, of course, there will be less use of the tight ends if they get that wide receiver, but there's plenty of positives as well as negatives an offense that holds johnny smith hunter henry and julio jones i mean holy smokes all love to ryan is overside that's a serious upgrade on the patriots offense putting a pin in the hole you know it doesn't matter who we have on offense if you know if the ball isn't gotten to them you know putting aside that sort of quarterback thing just for now having a receiver like Julio as well as a two tight end set he's going to throw defense he's a bit of a curveball he's going to draw attention and that opens up the tight ends down the middle I mean Hunter is an old school a kind of an old school tight end

a blocker a bit of in the dirt guy that kind of thing I mean but he's he's good in the red in the end zone sorry um it has potential to bemuse and confuse and that's something that we want I mean yes as a tight-ended girl less action for them oh it's disappointing of course but it's all about the team and more about the elite players good players great players whatever you want to categorize each as it just gives more opportunity touching on a point that i did you know i could have made actually earlier having a number one inverted commas wide receiver can even reduce the pressure on the rest of the pack i mean at the moment we're looking at smith and henry and are like look guys this is it you've got to save our offense edelman's gone the wide receiver room has depth but it is more quantity over quality now with all respect to

all the wide receivers and Aguilar and Bourne I mean neither of them are rookies both are on their five plus seasons I think it was seven for Aguilar but neither are that number one wide receiver as much as bringing Julio in would mean less ball time for Hunter and Smith I don't really think it would be too much to their detriment I think it just increases building a winning team also the other thing to look at is he's coming off a hamstring injury I believe or he has he has a history from a hamstring injury you know he's in the 30 plus bracket the usage the patriots may make of him might not be what it would have been a few years ago don't get me wrong i'm not knocking him down i'm not saying he's old and tired i'm i'm not i'm just he is older and he

has had injuries so they're going to want to mix it up and get the best out of the players as possible but there's no point in burning them out. I mean, neither of the tight ends are without injury history. So this all just pushes my opinion back to signing Julio still would be a good idea. You know, he is still older. He still has that injury. You know, are they really going to get many years out of him? He isn't going to be the wide receiver of the future. But in all fairness, these two aren't necessarily going to be

the tight ends for the full future. I know they're on three, four-year contracts, but they're also, especially Henry's getting older and he's got, you know, sorry, injury history. So you've got to sort of, you said looking at plugging the now and as much as it could reduce that tight endage work i think it could mix it up as well and they can use it in different ways and i just think overall it would just be more positive than it would be negative that's a very level-headed approach to this coming from this tight end of

yourself. See, this is what I love about Claire folks, because she gives it to you exactly the way you need to hear it. And it's not necessarily something that feeds into her own personal preference of the position, but what's best for the team. And that's why I consistently say that her work is so all encompassing when it comes to NFL analysis, especially when it comes to the Patriots. Spot on, in my opinion. There having someone like Julio in that could really enhance the production of the tight ends. No question about it. You use fewer receivers. You, when you have two tight ends on the field,

it's just the way it is. Patriots spending money to bring in Nelson Aguilar, Kendrick Bourne, both of those wide receivers can give you some sort of productivity and they will give you a great deal. I believe a productivity this year. It doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to lessen what Sean Smith or Hunter Henry can do in a lot of ways.

It can only enhance. I know the Patriots in years past have preferred to utilize receivers like Julian Edelman, James White, you know, out of the backfield the backfield, going back to the early days of Gronk and Hernandez, guys like Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen, Kevin Falk. Those guys were catching the ball out of the backfield, and the Patriots really made much more of a focal point on Gronk and on Aaron than they did some of their other receiving talent. But what adding someone like Julio Jones does to the

dynamic of a wide receiver room, it allows Jones to work in the middle of the field, stretch the offense. It allows him to be able to do that with him on the outside. If the Patriots do decide that they want to hand the reins over to Mac Jones at some point, not necessarily this year, but next year, and make no mistake about it, folks, if they do bring in Julio Jones, meaning the Patriots, this is not just a one-year rental. Julio is owed a guaranteed $2 million minimum on his deal for 2022. So the Patriots are going to be looking at him this year and next year. What better way to get a rookie acclimated as to having a Hall of Fame receiver operate as a safety blanket, that's going to work wonders for Mac's confidence, his completion percentage.

That's really going to help him along. And you hear the rumors and you hear the thoughts about Julio Jones wanting to play with Cam Newton. What better way to get Cam back in the fold than to have him be able to have that threat that he didn't have, that receiving threat, that proven receiving threat that he didn't have for most of 2020. So in a logistical standpoint, when you look at what this does on the field, this to me is a great argument for it. Even with the two tight end set, I still think a receiver like Julio Jones can only enhance what this offense can do rather than lessen it or cause any type of problems for the

two tight end set. I know they may not be able to run it as much, but when you have a prolific talent like Julio Jones, you pick your poison at that point and it makes it so tough for defenses to defend. Again, my hold up on thinking this deal could come through is the compensation the Patriots would have to give up. It's definitely definitely not the personnel Julio can fit well into this offense and I think it'd be I think he can be great yeah I completely agree that that's that's my only sticking point is my only negative is what will they give up for him to have him that's that that's the worry of how much of the future could they possibly compromise for those two possibly very great years don't get me wrong but it is just that's that's that slight concern of how much is

compromised in the draft going forward that in a couple of years you know we're back to the patriots need this and they need this and they need this and they need this sort of thing that that's the only concern really absolutely and well said and again the countess once provides the information we need folks that's why we have her on here it's not just the giggle it's not all about the giggle we have because she does provide a great amount of information and i really and i sincerely sincerely mean that and i think you made some great points uh when it comes to julio jones and when it comes to the impact on the tight end position and the Patriots offense on the field you do have the knowledge Claire and you prove that every time you take to the pen or like you do today to take

to the microphone but we're going to leave the hypotheticals behind and we're going to get excited about the future because the Patriots did miss the playoffs in 2020. And with the moves that they made this offseason, I don't know about you, but it doesn't appear to me that they're planning on missing them again. I think they're going all in on this season. And in that vein, what does Claire see in store for your favorite football team in Foxborough? Find out when the Lockdown Patriots podcast continues. Lockdown listeners, we've all heard the phrase often imitated but never duplicated. Find out when the Locked On Patriots podcast continues. The best, healthy, low-calorie, and delicious treats to satisfy all of your snacking needs are the ones who provided the best in the first place.

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go to builtbar.com and use the promo code lockedCKED15 to get 15% off your next order. That's promo code LOCKED15 for 15% off your next order at BiltBar.com. Patriots fans, Claire Klazzy Claire Cooper, the Countess of Klaz herself, joins me today on the pod. And Claire, we talk some tight endage of Patriots past, present, future, how the impact of maybe adding a prolific wide receiver like Julio Jones might impact that offense, especially the tight end position. But now it's time to look into our Belichickian crystal ball, or in your case, that Magic 8 ball,

and talk about the future. Claire, the Patriots have made several upgrades at several key positions. We talked about height endage, but they've upgraded at a lot of different positions, whether it be at a linebacker, the interior of the defensive line, wide receiver, they've added a lot to a lot of depth pieces that they needed to, uh, to address this off season. And a lot of fans and media alike are predicting a bounce-back year for the Patriots, especially after a disappointing 7-9 finish last year, missing the playoffs. Nobody in Patriots fandom wants to see that happen. And nobody in that Patriots front office wants to see it happen again either.

Claire, you, like all of us here in Patriots fandom, you're excited about the season. You're optimistic. We talk a lot offline regarding this, but you're also realistic. And based on that realistic approach, what are your predictions for the Patriots season, whether it be wins or losses or just overall success? I don't know how realistic I can be, to be honest with you, Mike, because I am really getting really excited for September I cannot wait to see these guys in these jerseys on those fields I mean 2020 was difficult we

we saw football and it was it was awesome but the chances of like 2021 opening up being you know a little bit more inverted commas normal I am absolutely psyched and we have signed some big guys and you know me and big guys I like my big guy signings not just tight ends defense guys I like my big guys on the field so excitement yeah excitement unabandoned excitement so I don't know how realistic I can be now I might have to be just that little bit too hyperactive on this one I'm realistically I always kind of bring myself down that you know try and bring myself down a peg but I don't know if I can predict realistically this year because just the way that the the team could develop the team could

grow it all depends on you know who's at who's at centre who's throwing the ball kind of thing it all depends on if they utilise Cam if Cam's you know if Cam's got's at center who's throwing the ball kind of thing it all depends on if they utilize cam if cam's you know if cam's got the arm if he's got the mechanics if he's got the the the psychology down you know there's so many sort of tick boxes to say why he didn't have it last year sort of thing or you know he's matt jones up to standard up to scratch you know can he manage it so i'm i'm as you know i'm more of a glass half full kind of girl heck i'm a glass full this year to be honest with you with all these signings it's great i'm going for something along the lines of i'm thinking it's gonna be we're gonna have a

good year you know never mind brady this is it 2021 is gonna be the year of the patriots and we're gonna be something like 12 and 5 13 and 4 let's get this on let's get these big guys on the fields and let's crush everybody that's it no more Brady get the big guys I like it I can see it on a t-shirt and you know what bottom line I really do think uh that you're on to something here because there is a lot of um hype there is a lot of hype. There is a lot of expectation and there's a lot of excitement for the Patriots season this year. Look, no one enjoys missing the playoffs. Patriots fans are among the least qualified to talk about missing the playoffs

and the angst of missing the playoffs as any fandom in any sport. I mean, the Patriots fans have been very spoiled. We'll admit it. I mean, most of us will admit it, that we have been very fortunate, very spoiled for the last two decades to have a team that is consistently in a championship hunt, not just in a playoff hunt, but a championship hunt. And anything less than that has been considered a failure. And even last year, without Tom Brady, first year without him, a lot of people were, I think kind of tapering their realistic expectations, but at the same time, they were hoping for a better finish than seven and nine.

And I think it left a bitter taste in the mouth of a lot of people, a lot of fans in Patriots nation, but most of all, it left a bitter taste in the mouth of those players in the locker room that were here last year. And definitely the front office, most of all the coaches room, uh, Bill belichick and covering him the last few years up here i can tell you there is nothing he hates more than losing and that's why i think you saw

an uncharacteristically aggressive approach to bill belichick this year look bottom line there's no question about it the patriots are still looking up at teams like the kansas city chiefs maybe like the buffalo bills in the division those two teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, maybe like the Buffalo Bills in the division. Those two teams are the conference champion. We've cursed in the Bills this year. No, no, no, no, no. Oh, she's challenging this. I like it.

No, no, no, no. The countess is displeased. What to do? What are we going to do here? All right. All right. All right. Enlighten me.

Regale me with your tale. How is this team? This is pretty good. This is off the guard folks uh how are the patriots better than the the buffalo bills this year because i don't necessarily disagree with you but i want to hear your thoughts on this realistically i have i have no real i have no real comment for that realistically however my hot take for this year was and it was on i think i mentioned it when we were, when I was on One Patriots Place.

I think it was on Monday. My random crazy hot take for 2021 was going to be that we were going to crush the Bills. That was it. They're a very good team. They have built a very good team. But, however, they had one year and that is all that they are allowed. So that's it.

They've had their year. That's fine. You put up your silly billboard and everything yeah well you're gonna yeah have fun with that because that's it you you had one year and that's all you're getting we we didn't have brady for a year okay we had to sort of like sort ourselves out lick our wounds get ourselves pulled back together but that's it the bills aren't having us this year that's my hot 2021 take is the patriots are crushing the bills this year however good they are i don't care they are crushing them see we get the level-headed reasonable prediction for 2021 i mentioned the buffalo bills and the fire has been lit folks we had some fun on that one i i know you i knew you had a hope up your sleeve.

Something you wanted to see the Pats do this season. A player you wanted to see do well. Or a win that you wanted to see them get. That's what I'm looking for. The Claire Bold prediction for 2021. That they are going to crush the Buffalo Bills. I noticed you didn't say they were going to overtake them for the division or anything like that. You just said they were going to crush them.

So that's interesting. We're writing that one down here on the lockdown Patriots annals in the archives. And we'll come back to that. But look, I think they can definitely challenge the Buffalo Bills. I'm not willing to go out on that same limb and say they're going to crush them. It's really drafty out here. They've they've got a great amount of talent on both sides of the ball they've added some key pieces uh draft wise uh they've retained some key pieces i happen to think that the

retaining of uh matt milano and that defense is something that is going to pay a lot of dividends for them this year for everyone that loves to say oh milano can't cover or anything like that go back and watch the tape it's not so much what Milano himself can do on the field. It's how his presence allows the more talented guys around him to be able to play their positions. Sometimes the moves, the best moves that you can make in an off season are keeping guys around that anchor and stabilize everything and facilitate so many other players to do their job and do it. Well, Patriots have done it up here. They did it this offseason and bringing back people like James White, bringing back people like Lawrence Guy, you know, bringing in someone like a Teddy Karras who had been gone for a year, retaining David Andrews might end up

being one of the best moves the Patriots made all offseason because it continues continuity. It continues that ability for players that are good leaders in the locker room to do their job and do it well. And I see a lot of what New England did up here for a number of years in Buffalo. So I still remain pretty high on the Buffalo Bills. Obviously, the Chiefs are the conference champions until someone knocks them off, like the Ric Flair quote, to be the man, you gotta beat the man. Well, New England Patriots are not the man anymore. They have to go up and they have to get the chiefs, but I think they're going to be right in the thick of things as well. And I like your prediction about crushing the bills. My guys over at the rock pile report, I know they listen to this all the time. It's a Buffalo bills podcast. One of my favorites in the

business. They'll be listening. They're going to hear that and they're going to take it out on me. They're not going to, I'm only kidding. They're not going to take it out on you. I always protect the Countess. But in any case, no, I think it's going to be a fun season. And I'm looking forward to great rivalries, a return to prominence for the Patriots. And you heard it here first, folks. Classy Claire crushes the Bills. That's going to be my headline when it finally happens. And we'll see.

To be fair, as long as we crush the fins then i'm fine because you know me and the fins just don't we just don't gel just well opening weekend yeah opening weekend i think you got a shot there uh for some reason when the patriots go down to miami and late you know in the late year it's just i don't know it's something about the humidity or the heat that uh just you know, kind of gets to them, but who knows, maybe those demons have been exercised and maybe they will be able to get through Miami. Miami is another formidable team. Any team that's coached by Brian Flores is one that I'll never take lightly. And they've added some great pieces, you know, for a number of years up here in new England. Now I do think

cam will end up being the starter for the remainder of the season, but it's going to be fun to see two Bama guys go at each other twice a year and Matt Jones in and Tua Tagovailoa. I'm really looking forward to that. And of course, the Belichick-Flores chess match.

It's going to be great with the Bills into the mix. Love, you know, to see those three teams doing well. The Jets, well, they're the Jets. But in any case... To be honest,

there's a lot of teams I'm looking forward to. There's a lot of teams I'm looking forward to. There's a lot of teams I'm looking forward to just watching this year, just generally from a football fan perspective, because of the signings that people have made and stuff like that. Obviously, there's that little bit of me that wants to watch the Houston game and just see how Ryan Izzo's doing, that kind of thing. Yeah, I'm just excited for football this year.

I mean, I think I'm always excited for football. I mean, you know me, I'm just so excitable, but yeah, it's come on there. Just,

just give me, just give me football. It's just, I love it too much. Just, just bring it all on. Let's see. Let's just crush it.

That's what I want to do. We're just going to crush it this year. Absolutely. Crush it, crush the bills. That's the takeaway today from Classic Claire's appearance here on Locked On. No, I'm only kidding. I have a lot of fun at her expense, but I truly mean it when I say that hers is an opinion I do value very much so because she puts the time, the effort, and the insight in to provide such great coverage. Claire,

it is my honor to always share the microphone with you. Before I let you go today, please let all of our listeners know what they can expect in the coming days and weeks from the great voice, the great pen of Claire, Clazzy Claire Cooper, and just anything else that you'd like to share with our audience before we wrap up today. Thank you so much, Mike. As usual, it's been a blast.

I love coming on Lockdown. It's so much fun when we get to talk and you often let me talk tight ends which obviously my favorite subject if any of you guys out there are listening I you can read my work at Pat's Propaganda I write as Mike said for um full press coverage so at fullpresscoverage.com um you can hear me on one patriot's place with steve balistrari and thomas murphy and today as we're recording this my own podcast eclair perspective brought to you by fullprescoveridge.com came out this morning so you can hear me on that as well if you just can't get enough of my craziness then you know you can find me in and around absolutely and you know beyond belief i can definitely highly recommend uh the listen of

a claire perspective it really has become one of my favorite patriots podcasts claire does an amazing job uh being on the host's end of this as you can hear in me several times is not always easy uh but she makes it look easy and she makes it sound easy. And to me, that's a testament to her greatness. She's had some amazing guests, whether it be Karen Grigian, whether it be the great John Rook, Matt Morrell a couple of weeks ago, her most recent guest, Nick Fitzy Stevens, who provides a tremendous listen. These have been such great listens for me. So I highly recommend that anytime she puts pen to paper for propaganda

or for full press coverage definitely folks please be sure to check that out my honor to call you a friend my honor to call you a colleague most of all my honor to share the microphone with you here on Locked On Patriots thank you for coming on Claire and we look forward to talking ball with you again here right on the airwaves of Locked On Patriots

very soon thank you so much, Mike. Thanks, everyone, for listening. Go Pats! And just like that, Patriots fans, we are now more than halfway through your work week. And even though the Locked On Patriots podcast has you covered for all the latest news, notes, and analysis from your favorite team in Foxborough, get all the sports news you need in under 20 minutes with the Locked On Today podcast.

Host Peter Bukowski updates you on the latest news in every major sport with the help of our local experts. Follow the Locked On Today podcast on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. And as for your favorite team in Foxborough, be sure that you do not miss a single second of the action. So subscribe to, download, and follow the Locked On Patriots podcast on platforms such as Spotify, the Odyssey app, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Just make sure that you are staying locked in to Locked On Patriots. Once again, my name is Mike DeBate. I thank my friend, the Countess of Klaz herself herself, Claire, Clasie Claire Cooper, for her time, her insight, and her appearance on today's pod. But most of all, I thank you so much for listening

and for continuing to make Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Until tomorrow, Foxborough faithful, stay safe, stay well, continue to be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone.