Accidents are starting to pile up, however the Patriots are 10-2 on the season and using a nine-game profitable streak.
With a Monday night time matchup with the Giants on the horizon, let’s open up the mailbag to reply your Patriots questions.
@jorge_utd: Doug with the accidents piling up, which gamers at present in free company, not too long ago launched, or on different groups’ observe squads do you assume could be real looking matches for the Patriots proper now? Any names that match their largest roster holes? #MailDoug
The Patriots did add two veteran offensive linemen on Tuesday, signing offensive deal with Thayer Munford Jr. to their 53-man roster off the Browns’ observe squad and guard Invoice Murray to their observe squad.
The Patriots briefly had Munford on their observe squad originally of the season earlier than he was signed away by the Browns. He has beginning expertise at left and proper deal with and labored underneath Josh McDaniels with the Raiders. It looks as if a pleasant transfer to convey him again after Will Campbell suffered a knee harm in Sunday’s win over the Bengals. I wouldn’t anticipate Munford to essentially begin over Vederian Lowe or Marcus Bryant, however he supplies extra depth and has precious begins underneath his belt. On the very least, he’s higher depth than Caedan Wallace, who moved to protect this summer season, or Sebastian Gutierrez, who’s on the observe squad.
Murray doesn’t have as a lot expertise, however he has a historical past with the Patriots and can present depth at guard with Jared Wilson battling an ankle harm. The crew additionally has heart Brenden Jaimes and guard/deal with Andrew Rupcich on their observe squad. Wallace may very well be counted on to be lively for the primary time all season Monday night time as a backup behind Ben Brown and Mike Onwenu.
@gcabreu87: Is it simply my impression, or is Gonzo not having an awesome season? When you agree, what could be the primary motive? Defensive system? Lack of effort? And if you happen to disagree, why am I getting this impression?
I feel a few of it’s utilization. The Patriots have been in man protection on 42.7% of snaps in 2024, per Sumer Sports activities. They’ve been in man protection on simply 28.7% of snaps this season. So, it provides Gonzalez fewer alternatives to make performs in tight coverages.
He additionally missed the primary three video games of the season with a hamstring harm and may need been a bit of bit rusty getting back from it after barely training throughout coaching camp.
Final season, Gonzalez earned a 76.0 total PFF grade in 978 snaps, permitting 46 catches on 84 targets for 499 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions and 7 go breakups for a 70.5 passer score in opposition to. He additionally made 12 defensive stops.
This season, Gonzalez has already made 13 defensive stops in 511 snaps, performing higher as a run defender and tackler. He’s earned a 63.7 total PFF grade, permitting 26 catches on 54 targets for 276 yards with one landing, no interceptions and 5 go breakups for a 69.7 passer score in opposition to.
So, the numbers actually aren’t that totally different. He had three penalties final 12 months and has three penalties this season.
The interceptions are down, and he’s permitting extra yards per snap, however he’s nonetheless be a really precious defender for the Patriots. We may be having a special dialog if he didn’t allow a touchdown to Mitch Tinsley on Sunday in opposition to the Bengals. He had been doing a pleasant job shutting down Tee Higgins.
@DrakeMVPMaye: Can V Lowe play at the next finish degree with higher teaching from Marrone and scheme assist from JMD? What modifications do they make to the offense to assist this?
I feel Lowe may be higher for the reason that Patriots now have higher teaching and higher gamers round him. Josh McDaniels is somebody who’s all the time acquired one of the best out of his offensive linemen with the Patriots, and Doug Marrone, Jason Houghtaling and Robert Kugler have performed a pleasant job as positional coaches this season.
Lowe struggled mightily in 2023 when he was requested to play proper deal with with Adrian Klemm as his offensive line coach and Invoice O’Brien as his offensive coordinator. He was higher in 2024 as a left deal with, his extra pure place, underneath offensive line coach Scott Peters and OC Alex Van Pelt.
I’m actually curious to see how a lot better teaching and total expertise will help him, if he’s referred to as on to fill in for Campbell. Mike Vrabel left the door open for the crew to stay Bryant at left deal with.
@L68413lawr___: Do you assume the crew is able to commerce their 1st spherical decide for a star within the offseason (AJ Brown, Crosby, and so forth) or do we want the younger value managed expertise extra?
I’d say sure, relying on how far the Patriots get this season. If the Patriots can commerce a first-round decide within the excessive 20s and even 30s for an impression participant like A.J. Brown or Maxx Crosby, and in the event that they imagine they might push them over the sting into true Tremendous Bowl rivalry, then they must think about it.
First-round picks are precious. But when the Patriots make a deep playoff run, then lesser expertise can be accessible once they’re selecting.
@ManiacalMayeFan: How far do you assume we realistically make it?
The NFL appears large open proper now. I don’t know if there’s a cap to how far they will make it this season.
In the end, I nonetheless assume it’s unfair to foretell them to make or win a Tremendous Bowl. This can be a crew that wasn’t even alleged to be assured to win 9 video games, they usually’re sitting at 10-2. They’ve already exceeded expectations, and nobody thought they might compete for a Tremendous Bowl one 12 months into Vrabel’s tenure.
Now, in the event that they beat the Payments and Ravens, then the dialog shifts. However for now, I feel they will win a playoff sport. Something greater than that’s gravy.
@CMO_gg: Bradbury – this our long run heart? Man has been an awesome signing.
I nonetheless assume Wilson might be the Patriots’ long-term heart, however I’d pencil in Bradbury because the Patriots’ beginning heart subsequent 12 months. They signed him to a two-year, $9.5 million contract within the offseason, and he has exceeded expectations.
There’s no motive to maneuver on from Bradbury after this season. They need to let him play out his contract.
@thatghosthouse: What’s in your Thanksgiving plate Doug?
The plan is to have two varieties of turkey (roasted and smoked), mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, inexperienced bean casserole and candy potato casserole. We’ve had macaroni and cheese and cornbread stuffing prior to now, as nicely. And I’ll have a slice of all of the desserts. I feel the plan is to have pumpkin pie, Oreo cheesecake pie and possibly one or two extra.
