PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Clare Cooper

Shout out and THANK YOU to Pats Nation!

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As we roll through the pre season, and I am building my momentum of content producing back up I wanted to take a minute to say thanks, to you. 

As some know, I was extremely fortunate to attend Patriots training camp this year including joint practice, and whilst I was beyond lucky to see such a thing, something else I was truly blessed with was the opportunity to catch up with some of the amazing Pats nation peeps. 

So this here is a shout out to those I didn’t get to see. The near misses, such as the epic Marima of Pats Pulpit, and the super lovely LKB57 (aka LBattgirl57) mixed up in the bleachers that I just didn’t spot, apologies! To the awesome Tim from Dunkin’ who not only did me a super solid favour, and I did manage a slightly distant wave, I totally owe a selfie to next time I’m Foxborough side!

The legends that I did see. From being hollered at (twice!) by the infamous Patriots Unfiltered webradio show caller Patty from Agawam, and meeting the number one, the first and best Christian, ChriswithaTIAN, Christian Simonelli. To catching up with the super talented Pat Lane of Pats Nation Network. Then there was the utterly amazing hospitality I received at the hands of what were almost strangers to begin with, but now feel part of some amazing Pats fan family, Andy and Gisele Ellis, much love to those two!

A quick mention to the sweet and very lovely Audrey (who I hope reads this as I have no other details of her!) who came over just to say hi and that she enjoyed my work. I was absolutely honoured and humbled that someone took a moment of their time to approach me out at Patriots practice to say they were a fan, words genuinely can’t explain the feeling. Thank you Audrey. 

So, Pats Nation, we may disagree and not even view the same perspective. We like different players and have different opinions. But we are always there for each other. As fans of this great team we have seen some severe ups and definitely downs lately. We roll through this thing called life dealing with our personal sh*t along the way, but we go through this as fans. Together and with passion. With fervour, with affection, with feelings and simply, together. Pats Nation forever baby! 

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Day one of Patriots training camp – the pupdate!

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The pet adoption event was definitely the talk of the town with little furry friends galore,  but the biggest news on day one of camp was the guy with the runaway pup not on the PUP list. Stefon Diggs. 

Diggs made an entrance with a cute little buddy, who then proceeded to elude him for a few moments as the furry guy tasted freedom, but sure hands soon prevailed and Diggs “got his guy”. 

If you’re a Pats fan that takes in at least some social media hype during the off season, you’ll have seen recently that Diggs seems to be ready to prove himself, working hard to return to practice with a full participation on day one following his torn ACL injury back in October 2024. 

Hopping back to the PUP list, the none-furry-two-legged kind that is, and we were informed residents of said list are currently TE Austin Hooper, OT Vederian Lowe and WR Mack Hollins with wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk a none participant at the first day of practice. 

Not the best news if you’re a tight end enthusiast. So am I going to spend training camp praying to the sports deities that perhaps CJ Dupree is a stud… maybe. I shall at least be keeping my eye on him, Jack Westover and Gee Scott Jr. As well as Jahiem Bell as he enters his second year with the team. Whilst obviously hoping Hooper gets back to full health and on the field quick smart!

With only two team periods in the 90 minute session, not in pads, it does feel really early to assess… well… much. 

Sure, there were yaps of the o-line looking a little shaky at times and of course the defense is even more difficult to evaluate without the pads, and so I murmur “early days” under my breath whilst I sip my coffee and listen to some of the more negative of the media have a grumble (or maybe even a growl? Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!)

Definitely some positive news came in defensive additions, with the note that Carlton Davis, who had been on NFI, was already suited up and participating in day one, and that Defensive Co-ordinator Terrell Williams was in the building and with the team. Positive from a football standpoint of course, but even more so for Terrell and his family. Football may be our passion but health always comes first, and as a fan I’m relieved that he’s back, if for that reason alone. 

With Coach Vrabel out there running around and getting physical it is easy to believe him when he says there’s new energy in the building. It really does feel like a new dawn and a new day to this Patriots fan, and I hope for you lovely lot too. Go Pats!

offensive line o’mine

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So, it’s another Patriots off season where the offensive line may not be filling you with the most confidence. Wait… what year is it…?

I jest, but in all seriousness whilst there are some repeated offensive line worries, it’s looking mostly better than last year. I bet Drake Maye is more relieved than you and I too…

There were some mega signings in free agency, and whilst I fully appreciate Morgan Moses needs to prove if he is in fact aging well, like a good bottle of the brown stuff (whiskey I mean), you can’t deny the off-field presence and locker room type impact we have already seen, and its not even July. 

Speaking of off-field presence… I’m going to fight and die to protect [Maye] with everything I’ve got. 

If Will Campbell’s draft day declaration didn’t give you goose bumps, a lump in your throat, or even tears, then I fear you may be a robot, and I’m sorry I’m the one who has to break it to you.

Now, before any one of you shouts arm length and I have to scowl at you like the fierce little kitty that I am, I appreciate Campbell has to prove he’s NFL calibre. But darn it, he played dayyyyymn well in college as a left tackle and, full disclosure, I’m still superbly happy with the first round draft pick. 

And that sums up the 2025 offensive line really, unknown. It’s an unknown entity. Technically better on paper than 2024, with two new tackles, a new center and a lot of weight, on the right side, the only known is returning right guard Michael Onwenu. Even Cole Strange is an unknown after his prolonged injury absence. 

The recent addition to the line is the signing of tackle Yasir Durant. Or should I say re-signing? Durant was traded to New England in 2021 from Kansas City but his real career impact was in the UFL. He started every game of the 2024 season at left tackle for the DC Defenders. Not only did the Defenders win the Championship, but Durant was the best left tackle in the UFL. Durant has played right tackle, guard, and as a tackle eligible tight end in the NFL, smush that with his UFL left tackle career and the Pats have possibly got themselves a swing tackle, or one of the best left tackle back ups available. 

The signing of Durant could have been prompted by the recent retirement of Wes Schweitzer, or perhaps he was always on the NEP radar. Either way the Patriots lost some of the offensive line veteran presence June 10th when they announced they had moved Schweitzer to the reserve/retired list. At 31 Wes is a veteran of nine NFL seasons with 62 starts, but his final year in New Jersey with the Jets was limited due to injury, and so he leaves New England before he really began unfortunately. 

It goes without saying that the retirement of the one and only David Andrews is the biggest loss to New England’s offensive line, and the wound is still fresh so I shall dab my tears and move this along.

With just a few weeks before training camp begins there is plenty of uncertainty on this o-line o’mine, but hey, this is what being a fan is all about, right?!? 

And so, I leave you with this you lovely lot. Everyone is entitled to fan their own way, I’m a big ambassador of this. No judgement. You can be super down, you can be uber positive about the additions, or what’s missing on the line, but at the end of the day we are all Patriots baby and football season is almost back! 

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Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 64 – off season chit chat!

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Join Chudders and Clazzy Clare as they discuss the off season so far, the recent loss from the o-line and the congested wide receiver room!

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

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Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 63 – off season entertainment

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Join Chudders and Clazzy Clare as they talk about OTAs, what they are thinking when it comes to this up coming seasons opponents, the uni’s that should be and much more!

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

The great (?), retired jersey number debate

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With Devin McCourty taking to social media and giving a bit of a boost to the discussion of jersey numbers, and with all rookies officially having their numbers assigned now, it really opened the opportunity to look into the opinions of the fans in regards to player numbers and those that are retired. 

So, with the new running back TreVeyon Henderson giving some “speed” to number 32…

I took to the socials to see what fans think…

Whilst the whole of the NFL have 163 players jersey numbers retired, the Chicago Bears and New York Giants top the list with the most at 14. The Patriots have 8. 

Moreover, there has been a recent news topic of how the University of Colorado has retired numbers 2 and 12 just as QB Shedeur Sanders and the blue chip talent of Travis Hunter were drafted. 

This throws the narrative wide open, considering the amount of available numbers (without any being retired) and the size of football rosters. 

The retired numbers for the Patriots are: 

20 Gino Cappelletti

40 Mike Haynes

57 Steve Nelson

73 John Hannah

78 Bruce Armstrong

79 Jim Lee Hunt

89 Rob Dee

And of course… 

12 Tom Brady

So, as I mentioned above, I took to the socials to establish the fan perspective, and I must admit I was surprised that the outcome was as close as it was. A whopping 45% voted that the retired numbers should stay as they are.

There were multiple comments along similar lines, of which I agree, that the Patriots Hall of Fame is there to honour the great players, so retiring jersey numbers should be for the truly exceptional. 

Now, this isn’t meant to throw shade on those guys with retired numbers. Not one bit. It’s just that maybe it would be fun to see the favoured numbers such as 89 on the back of a new star. Grow the greatness of the number. 

See it not as taking away from the talents of the likes of Rob Dee or number 40 Mike Haynes (who were rather before my time), but more the fun of the potential to increase the legacy. 

Just an opinion though. 

It’s easy to see why fans would want to hold on to the greatness that those numbers held. Nostalgia is a strong mistress. And whilst I appreciate I appear to be saying that’s wrong, I’m not. I’m just saying my view point is different as is 55% of the fan base that voted. 

So whilst the great Julian Edelman is inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, his number is reported to be assigned to Joshua Dobbs this season. Now Jules is one of my favourite all-time players, but I’m happy to see 11 still out there ready for its new dynasty. 

It wouldn’t surprise you lovely lot to know that 87 is my “needs to be retired number” as I believe Gronk is the GOAT of TEs and a pivotal part of a certain quarterback’s epic success, but I respect the fact not all agree. 

However. There’s always the exception. The lightning in a bottle, and I think the one thing 99.9% of Pats fans agree on (a number I totally fudged) it’s that Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Junior’s number 12 shouldn’t be placed on the back of anyone else… ever.

Pats Procrastination Youtube show – Episode 62 – Patriots rookie mini camp and more!

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Join Chudders and Clazzy Clare as they discuss the first few looks at the Patriots rookies, discuss who they have their eye on, what the structure of the roster could begin to look like and wish a speedy recovery to DC Terrell Williams. 

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

Don’t forget to kit yourself out for the upcoming summer with the exclusive designs at the Pats Prop Shop! Nab yourself the iconic 28 – 3 tee or how about you like those tight ends and you can not lie…?

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