A surprisingly enjoyable Patriots season was clouded Tuesday by authorized expenses in opposition to one of many staff’s finest gamers.
Patriots followers have questions on Stefon Diggs’ standing and rather more. Let’s reply them on this week’s mailbag.
@BManHereSports: Clearly it’s all about Diggs now.
The ultimate week of the season will likely be all about Diggs with the Patriots extensive receiver facing criminal charges of strangulation or suffocation, and assault and battery.
The Patriots launched a press release, saying Diggs “categorically denies the allegations.” Diggs’ agent advised the Herald, in a press release, that Diggs “unequivocally denies the allegation.” The NFL stated, in a press release, “We’re conscious of the matter and have been in touch with the membership. We’ve no additional remark presently.”
An arraignment is about for Jan. 23, two days earlier than the AFC Championship Sport.
The NFL has put gamers on the commissioner’s exempt record in related conditions, nonetheless. That occurred with Patriots security Jabrill Peppers final season 4 days after being arrested and pleading not responsible on assault, strangulation and drug expenses. Peppers was faraway from the commissioner’s exempt record after seven video games, as a result of the baseline suspension for a violation of the private conduct coverage involving the actions for which he was accused is six video games.
There’s one sport left within the common season. The Patriots will play at the least one playoff sport and as much as 4 video games within the postseason.
Clearly, there are larger issues at play right here, but when Diggs is positioned on the commissioner’s exempt record, it hurts the Patriots’ offense in a serious manner. The Patriots are already with out extensive receiver Mack Hollins till the AFC Championship Sport. If Diggs additionally misses time on account of his authorized matter, it leaves the Patriots with extensive receivers Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism on the 53-man roster, and Jeremiah Webb, John Jiles and Brandon Smith on the apply squad.
Boutte, Douglas, Williams and Chism would want to step up in a serious manner, however offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would probably combine in numerous personnel packages, as nicely, to get tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper together with working backs Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson on the sphere as a lot as doable. The Patriots would additionally probably lean closely into the run sport with a jumbo tight finish, whether or not that’s Vederian Lowe or Thayer Munford Jr., and fullback Jack Westover within the offense, as nicely.
@mkrodik: Probabilities the entrance workplace desires the opposite diggs too?
Diggs’ brother, cornerback Trevon Diggs, was launched by the Cowboys on Tuesday.
The Patriots may use some cornerback assist, however Trevon Diggs can be due $472,000 this season, if claimed.
Maybe the Patriots would nonetheless do it, however with Stefon Diggs’ present authorized scenario, it at the least feels much less probably. That amount of cash can also be so much for one sport, so it wouldn’t be stunning to see Trevon Diggs clear waivers after which maybe signal with a staff.
He did wrestle this season with the Cowboys, however he’s a two-time Professional Bowl choice, and he had 11 interceptions again in 2021.
@TheJigStillUp: What gamers are we coming back from harm? How does the Chargers selecting to lose this subsequent sport have an effect on seeding?
First off, each left sort out Will Campbell and defensive sort out Milton Williams are eligible to be activated off injured reserve. The Patriots launched two gamers — heart Brenden Jaimes and cornerback Miles Battle — from the 53-man roster Monday, so it appears inevitable that each gamers will likely be again this week.
Boutte (concussion), outdoors linebacker Harold Landry (knee), linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), defensive sort out Khyiris Tonga (foot) and left guard Jared Wilson (concussion) additionally missed Sunday’s win over the Jets.
If Boutte and Wilson are cleared, then they might return this week in opposition to the Dolphins. The Patriots will want all the receiver assist they will get.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Patriots determined to be overly cautious with Landry, Spillane and Tonga, nonetheless, to get them wholesome for the playoffs.
@TB12BBGoat: What place could be a concern for the patriots going into the playoff?
It wasn’t a priority all season, however with Diggs’ present standing, extensive receiver is up there. Boutte, Douglas, Williams and Chism have all had stable moments this season, however Diggs and Hollins have been Drake Maye’s most reliable extensive receivers.
@FamousViolist: Does Henderson have an actual likelihood to win OROY?
He’d must have a fairly monster remaining sport of the season. He’s at the moment third in offensive rookie of the 12 months betting odds at +1000, in line with DraftKings Sportsbook, behind Panthers extensive receiver Tetairoa McMillan and Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.
Henderson would probably have to go for over 100 yards within the Patriots’ regular-season finale to realize sufficient steam for the postseason honor.
@maajlr: Is Vrabel a favourite for COTY?
Vrabel, at -140, is at the moment the coach of the 12 months favourite. It’s a loaded group with the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan, Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald, the Jaguars’ Liam Coen, the Bears’ Ben Johnson and the Broncos’ Sean Payton all deserving.
However Vrabel is the favourite for a purpose. The Patriots had been in horrible form till Vrabel confirmed up and pulled them out of the gutter.
@TheChowdaCrowd: If Maye wins MVP and Vrabel wins COY; how drastically does this staff change within the offseason so far as paying suck tax, to guys probably taking reductions to play right here.
I’m not fairly certain if gamers will likely be prepared to take a reduction to play with the Patriots, however Maye is nice sufficient that guys across the league will most likely need to play with him as a result of he’s now a confirmed winner who can elevate their video games.
@DavidNorrish: What are the percentages that LV takes one other swing of the Josh McDaniels bat? Now with Brady there may he be lured for absurd cash?
That may be an inconceivable promote for Raiders followers after McDaniels didn’t even make it two seasons in his first tenure there as head coach. It could even be an inconceivable promote for McDaniels.
If McDaniels will get one other head teaching alternative, it may take years.
