Training Camp

So May 27th, day one of OTAs is in the bag, and whilst it is literally day one of not very much, it’s still the beginning of something!

Nine voluntary organised team activities will be undertaken over the next three weeks, with the 3 day mandatory veteran minicamp being held from the 15th to 17th of June. Whilst attendance to OTAs isn’t mandatory, three of the nine will be open to the media, so we shall be able to get a spot of insight!

Until June 2nd arrives, we are destined to be plagued by the “will they, won’t they” narrative of AJ Brown, and coming a close second in the romance listings, is the “will Boutte stay”? Such intense love stories for the start of training!

Other story lines this season may include:

“Lomu to the left, or just the right?”

“Running back three.. whoever will it be?!”

“How many linebackers do you see…”

And of course Clare’s favourite: “How rare will the Raridon catch be?”

Nothing like day one of voluntary OTAs to get the creative juices flowing.

But seriously, as fans we are just itching to know how the team is going to pan out after a close (ish) call with the Super Bowl, but it really is still early days. 

We are looking towards that Maye to Doubs connection, how the defense is after it took a bit of decimating and re-filling, and just who will line up on the o-line?! Just to mention a few. 

Speaking of offensive line (again? I know, I know..) with Caleb Lomu being the Patriots first round draft pick it’s perfectly reasonable that he be a subject of some chatter, especially with the possibility of him maybe even red shirting for his first season. With the (early days, but logical) projected configuration of the offensive line being LT Will Campbell, LG Alijah Vera-Tucker, C Jared Wilson, RG Mike Onwenu, and RT Morgan Moses, and with Vera-Tucker’s limited snaps as he returns from injury and Andrew Rupcich taking up the LG spot for a few plays, it’s anticipated the Pats offensive line might be switching up positions like a sleeping kitty cat on a hot summer evening. 

As expected some players weren’t at voluntary practice, but Mike Vrabel stressed there had been communication with all players who were not at the facility. Those players were: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Gabe Jacas, Harold Landry III, and Kyle Dixon.

Oh and whilst on the topic of Mr-Coach-Vrabel-Sir himself, when asked how coach looked on the field, I can confirm, from a very viable source, Mr Jerry Thornton of Barstool royalty advised me:

Vrabel was at his most Vrabellish. Loud. Demonstrative. Hands on. Working with the roster bubble guys. 

I don’t know about you lovely lot but that definitely settled a few of my opening of OTA nerves!

Go Pats!

This article is penned in memory of John Szimanouskas aka Cat Man Dude. John’s wife Jan confirmed on social media that John passed away on May 25th. Patriots Nation has lost one of the very best, and we are all a little poorer now. This one is for you John. Blessed be. 

It was tricky navigating the end of the Belichick era and the start of what was in hindsight, a simply too early promotion for not even DC Jerod Mayo. And whilst there are still going to be issues, Vrabel returning to New England and being our leader feels fifty shades of right to me. 

The confidence that fans seem to have for the Coach isn’t just due to the eight years he played in New England as one of the most versatile linebackers in the franchise history. It’s not even due to the eight regular season passes, two in the playoffs that were all receptions and resulted in touchdowns. Nor is that due to the fact that he played tight end… okay that one is kinda just for me really. It’s the dynamic mind set, experience, AND the history that Mike Vrabel brings to the table. 

Vrabel has 14 years of coaching experience, 11 of those in the NFL, most predominantly at Tennessee. During the six seasons with the Titans he led them to two divisional titles, and three play off appearances. Not to mention he was named the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year in 2021for leading the Titans to a 12-5 record. 

I found a quote in a recent article from Conor Roche of Boston Globe Media and it painted an extensive picture of Mike Vrabel. Andrew Berry, General Manager for the Cleveland Browns said how Vrabel had really made his presence felt during the season he was with the Browns in his generally undefined role. 

“Mike’s awesome. He has this infectious energy. He’s a ball coach. He loves being on the grass. He loves being with the players. He loves developing young coaches.” Barry told reporters at the combine in February this year. 

“He can coach any position on the field, and has more knowledge in his pinky finger than probably most people would in 20 years of football. New England’s very, very fortunate to hire him. I think he’ll do a great job.”

And this is definitely something I witnessed even myself when I was blessed to attend a few of the Patriots practice sessions. Vrabel gets in there, it’s only the pre season and Vrabel is 2-0 on practice fights and pile ups!

But in all seriousness, I appreciate some fans aren’t quite convinced. You need to see to believe and I respect that. I just think as a fan it’s hard to deny the difference that there is in New England now. 

Of course, it’s not all sunshine, rainbows and fist fights. There are performance issues with some players, a few of the same old offensive line niggles for now. Not to mention the New England age old issue of the wide receiver room.

Something that Vrabel was able to bring with him that unfortunately Jerod Mayo just didn’t have at his disposal is other experienced coaching staff. Not to mention the behind the scenes right hand man, John “Stretch” Streicher. 

So whilst I appreciate reservations about player performance, meld-ability of some of the position groups, I really truly can not help being beyond confident in this team, in this organisation, in this Coach. 

And I get you could be reading this and telling me “yeah but Clazz, the proof is in the playing of games” and I wouldn’t disagree. And I wouldn’t tell you to think anything different, I’m just here to give out a bit of information and entertainment and hopefully keep that positivity level up a little!

Go Pats!

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! 

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!