The quiet portion of the NFL offseason rolls on as veterans remain out of the building for the New England Patriots. Eyes now turn too late July when the entire team returns for training camp.
So let’s get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
What aspects of the McDaniels offense that we’ve seen in his past OC stints here would you prefer to be deemphasized - i.e. playbook tendencies, RPOs, red zone conservatism, fullback focus, etc - and what areas would you like to see improved in his offense given the specific offensive talent we currently have? - Arschloch
One thing I would like McDaniels to deemphasize is his under center rate. During the 2022 season in Las Vegas the Raiders had the second-highest under-center rate in the NFL at 46.8 percent. New England ranked third the year prior. While it will always be a part of the McDaniels’ offense to set up the power run game and play-action pass game, Drake Maye is at his best in the shotgun.
When it comes to what we’d like to see more of, it again comes back to maximizing Maye. McDaniels should do his best to take advantage of the QB’s dual threat ability and get him on the move. We should see a quarterback run game similar to that of Cam Newton’s in 2020 — although with more emphasis on Maye getting outside along the edge where Newton worked between the tackles.
Additionally, McDaniels occasionally showed the possibility of moving the pocket on bootlegs and rollouts while in Vegas. It never was a key part of his scheme with quarterbacks like Mac Jones and Derek Carr, but his new QB in New England is a natural on the move. I would start with some boot-actions off McDaniels’ common toss schemes.
Assuming everyone on D is healthy do you want to take a crack at early down “base” defense? Barmore, Milton, Landry, Keion, Spillane, Gonzo, Davis, Dugger seem like locks. Which combination of 3 other DL/LB/S/CB is likely to see the field most? - Spyponder90
Along the defensive line, White, Barmore, Milton Williams, and Landry appear set to be the top four. K’Lavon Chaisson will also have a role along the edge while Khyris Tonga will serve as the rotational nose tackle.
Linebacker is a bit more of a question mark next to Robert Spillane. Jahlani Tavai was often next to him in the early base defense before he suffered a calf injury. Christian Elliss was next up.
Moving to the secondary, New England relied heavily on nickel looks throughout the spring with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and Marcus Jones as the top three corners. Jabrill Peppers and Jaylin Hawkins were largely the top two safeties, but Kyle Dugger will likely take that spot back from Hawkins when healthy. Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson will also factor into a three safety big nickel package.
But back to answer the main question, our “base” 11 would currently be: White, Landry, Barmore, Williams, Spillane, Tavai/Elliss, Gonzalez, Davis, Jones, Peppers, Dugger.
Why is Cole Strange not considered a starter at Left Guard by many authors here, when pre injury he was playing to a good standard at the position? Is his knee still unproven and so is it injury related?
Why is he, perhaps, still being considered at Center? Even when we have a seasoned and proven vet in Bradbury, though his pass protection was poor last year, and the supposed best Center pick in the draft in Jarod Wilson. - WelshPatriot
Availability is the main concern with me. He’s played in just 13 games over the last two seasons and the torn patellar tendon he suffered late in 2023 is a serious injury. Knee injuries like that also can’t help a smaller guard who already had issues with his anchor in pass protection.
Perhaps a fully healthy offseason — which would be his first since his rookie year — can lead to better results for Strange as he does currently appear to be the top left guard on the roster. He also did not play any center this spring even with Jared Wilson limited, but the versatility helps his cause.
What players can we expect to be healthier in camp than they were in OTAs? - Sportzballer
I’m not overly concerned with many of the injured players entering training camp as they were all on the field working in some capacity during the spring. Players like Mike Onwenu (hand) and Morgan Moses (knee) even seemed to up their level of participation as the program went on, while Stefon Diggs (ACL) looked ahead of schedule in his work.
The one player I will have some concern with, however, is Jahlani Tavai. Those calf injuries can linger and as we saw yet again in the NBA Finals, they can lead to more serious Achilles injuries. Hopefully the time off before camp avoids any setbacks for Tavai.
If you had to rate the Top Five Dawg’s on the Pat’s 2025 roster, who are the guys that will outperform their athletic profile, overachieve on instinct and relentlessness? - WannaBePatsGM
Jabrill Peppers, Will Campbell, Stefon Diggs, and Robert Spillane were my clear cut top four. Plenty of superb athletes among that group, but each seem to have a motor that runs hot and nonstop.
Do you see any of the bubble WRs having any trade value or will all the ones who don’t make the 53 just be cut candidates? - wrw921
Kayshon Boutte would probably have the most value do to his combination of age and performance from last season. Some team (especially one who perhaps losses a receiver due to injury in training camp) could also send a late-round pick for Kendrick Bourne. And if Ja’Lynn Polk is set to be cut, I’m sure several teams would take a flyer on a 2024 second-round pick.
When does the new alternate uniform get unveiled? - luckyfukikentucky
Have not heard anything new regarding the Rival Uniforms. My best guess would have been that the league shares them during the quiet portion of the offseason here, so we shall see. Crossing my fingers for the return of the royal blues.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following@iambrianhines and@PatsPulpit as well.