The New England Patriots have ended their offseason program and now break until training camp later this month. While players are out of the facility, plenty remains to break down.
So, let’s get into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
What offensive and defensive positional groups is going to be the most fun to watch battle it out in camp? – mathblaster97
The talent and depth at wide receiver and defensive line will make those groups exciting to watch for me. A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs building their
chemistry with Drake Maye while Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chism III battle for their roles — as well as their potential futures in New England.
Then Milton Williams and Christian Barmore start year two together while Cory Durden, Leonard Taylor III, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Jeremiah Pharms, David Blay and Travis Shaw will be competing for depth roles.
Is there any other precedent for a player doing a freelance surgery without the teams knowledge? Did it all come out copacetic for the player, contract and team at the end? – paulnewman
Under the league’s CBA, players have the right to seek second medical opinions and select surgeons outside of the organization at the team’s expense. The team must be aware of any procedure beforehand, however, and then has final authority on when the player is cleared to play.
There have been several examples over the years of players and teams differing on medical opinions.
Most notably in recent years, offensive tackle Trent Williams sought outside medical care after Washington team doctors reportedly labeled a growth on his head harmless. An outside specialist later found it to be a form of tissue cancer that required several surgeries to remove the tumor. The situation ultimately contributed to Williams forcing a trade.
As Williams’ case illustrates, relationships can often become strained during these disputes. The Jets fined and released Kelechi Osemele in 2019 after he authorized an outside surgeon to perform shoulder surgery that team doctors believed he could play through. The Saints and Michael Thomas publicly disagreed over treatment options after Thomas received a second opinion on his ankle injury and opted against immediate surgery.
The situation involving Gabe Jacas and the Patriots is somewhat different. Because Jacas had not yet been drafted when he underwent his cleanup procedure, neither he nor his representatives were obligated to follow CBA procedures and notify NFL teams. As a result, the Patriots did not provide him with the standard participation agreement during the spring, and Jacas remains unsigned as the two sides continue to work through issues related to guarantees and injury protection. At this point, however, any frustration from the Patriots side is likely with the agent due to those factors.
What would you say to Paul Perillo, who said on PU, that the Pats have Jacas’ rights secured without a contract until next year’s draft and not the game 10 marker that was stated before? – PatsHowYouDoIt
To clarify, the Tuesday following Week 10 is the deadline after which a rookie becomes ineligible to play during that season. However, the team still retains that player’s rights until the following NFL Draft, at which point the player would be eligible to re-enter the draft and be selected by another team.
Teams also lose the ability to trade the rights to an unsigned drafted rookie 13 days before the first game of the regular season.
What’s your opinion of flexing Mack Hollins as a TE over WR??? He’s already has shown he’s not afraid to do the Dirty Work and Block, plus he would be a matchup nightmare as a TE vs a LB!!! – Mass Hole
He won’t line up as tight end but much of Hollins’ work was already similar to a tight end — inserting in the line of scrimmage on runs and doing dirty work close to the formation. I’d imagine that won’t change this year.
Will Pats get another EDGE and TE before season? If so, who? I’d like EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux and TE Will Dissly. – dmatthews
With Vrabel alluding to it, another tight end will seemingly be added to the roster this summer in some capacity. Whether that’s a training camp body or a someone higher up the depth chart remains unknown.
Vrabel, meanwhile, said he likes his current edge group. But, I could still see an addition as plenty of questions remain at the top with Harold Landry and Gabe Jacas working back from injuries. Any add would likely come later on in the summer.
Worried that losing Julian Hill is a significant hit to improved TE blocking. How good a blocker us Raridon? Or who might be the best replacement to the role Hill would have played? – footbob
Raridon had some very good moments as a blocker on tape during his final season at Notre Dame, but it wasn’t perfect and remains a work in progress. As the rookie looks to add size and has already shown high-level flashes, it’s fair to assume he can develop into a full-time in-line tight end during his career.
The Patriots will miss Hill because that development may take some time. That is where an outside addition could come into play if C.J. Dippre and/or Tanner Arkin, both known for their blocking ability, cannot seize a role.
Hi, a couple summer time questions. As the Pats will travel a few times out west and to Germany this year, any update on the old, ash trays in the seats team planes? Also, when will we see a video tour of the New Balance training center? Thanks. – sqpondme
No updates on any team plane upgrades, but will look further into that. As for the new facility, a video tour will be coming at some point this summer. There were still things to finish even after the team moved in which has led to the delay. It is a beautiful facility to see, however.
Easy one today, Brian.
How many games do you have the Pats winning this season?
I have ‘em at 12-5. – Pat in Agawam
I’m right there with you at 12. You can read my game-to-game prediction following the schedule release here.
Do you think the Patriots should join pretty much the rest of the league and do an all blacked out jersey helmet combo? – XGhost-PepperX
I’ll pass on a blacked out jersey. I’d prefer the rivalry jerseys over that look.
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.
