Patriots Training Camp 2022

thehitcat

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But then we'd be worrying that the defense is no good. I'm not saying that the offense isn't looking shitty, but where is the line between "the offense really sucks" and "this defense looks outstanding"?
I guess my worry is that they're suggesting that the D is getting free runs at Mac and blowing up running plays before they start. Now perhaps that's because they are playing awesome but most of the time it suggests a breakdown on the O-Line if bad things are repeatedly happening in the Offensive backfield.
 

tims4wins

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I really don't think how they look in the Preseason game will matter considering how little the starters and immediate backups will likely play. Joint practices will tell us a whole lot, even if the team they'll be sharing the field with isn't anything to write home about.
Mostly agreed, although with the reduction to 3 preseason games, I could see Mac getting more snaps / drives than we are accustomed to seeing. 2020 was Covid so there were no games. Last year Cam was on the team all through preseason. This year it's Mac's team and while Zappe and Hoyer will get snaps, I could see Mac getting like 50% of the snaps across the 3 games. You'd have to go back to like 2002 for something equivalent in terms of the QB situation. I obviously have zero recollection of that preseason, but I wouldn't be surprised if Brady got a bunch of snaps that year when it was his first year as "the guy".
 

rodderick

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But then we'd be worrying that the defense is no good. I'm not saying that the offense isn't looking shitty, but where is the line between "the offense really sucks" and "this defense looks outstanding"?
I'd be far more at ease with the offense dominating because I trust Bill, Steve and Mayo to put something competent together on the other side of the ball and it'd give me more assurance Mac is developing at the rate this team needs him to in order to get to the next level. With the coaching uncertainty on offense I'm less bullish on their ability to turn things around.

Also, I'm pretty certain that the tone of coverage would be overwhelmingly positive if the offense looked great and reactions would be a lot more of the "wow, I can't wait to see them in action!" variety instead of "boy, this defense must really suck".
 
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joe dokes

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Mostly agreed, although with the reduction to 3 preseason games, I could see Mac getting more snaps / drives than we are accustomed to seeing. 2020 was Covid so there were no games. Last year Cam was on the team all through preseason. This year it's Mac's team and while Zappe and Hoyer will get snaps, I could see Mac getting like 50% of the snaps across the 3 games.
The actual playing time the starters get could be indicative of what the coaches think.
 

PedrosRedGlove

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But then we'd be worrying that the defense is no good. I'm not saying that the offense isn't looking shitty, but where is the line between "the offense really sucks" and "this defense looks outstanding"?
I was trying to look at it from this angle at first but it's the nature of the reports coming out of camp. You can tell when a team is losing a good battle vs just not executing their job.

David Andrews felt the need to call an offense only huddle after practice yesterday. The offense just doesn't seem competitive right now, and this is coming from all reporters, not just the clickbait ones. We're hearing about miscommunications, Mac holding the ball indecisively, and serious issues with the OLine. Coupled with the fact that, well, we sort of know the defense isn't some juggernaut. Many of us were expecting the defense to be the lesser of the two units on paper this year, and so far we're seeing quite the opposite.

I'm not in the panic crowd, but also can't ignore what's going on. As t4w said, it's concerning, but also very early, and we'll have a lot more useful data once preseason and joint practices start.
 

Jungleland

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I'd be far more at ease with the offense dominating because I trust Bill, Steve and Mayo to put something competent together on the other side of the ball and it'd give me more assurance Mac is developing at the rate this team needs him to in order to get to the next level. With the coaching uncertainty on offense I'm less bullish on their ability to turn things around.
I agree with your concern for the most part, but this one part above I’m split on. It’s totally possible Strange is a Harry level bust, but we know the other 4 guys can play. The offensive line (and running backs if we’re factoring them in on these struggles) should be the best unit on the team. There’s almost no excuse for them sucking other than health or coaching - if there’s a part of the team I have high confidence in playing at a playoff level this season, it’d be the offensive line.

They’re healthy right now, so maybe it’s the coaching that’s the problem and you’re right that the inexperience there can’t scheme them out of this funk. I’m just maybe a little more optimistic than I would be if we were hearing the defense sucks ass, as I think it’s more likely the personnel there has unfixable problems than anywhere on the offense.
 

Bigdogx

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I really don't think how they look in the Preseason game will matter considering how little the starters and immediate backups will likely play. Joint practices will tell us a whole lot, even if the team they'll be sharing the field with isn't anything to write home about.
It will tell us a lot about the coaching staff though, i think there are so many moving parts this season that cluster f#@k won't even begin to describe how bad the offense will be this season. I think i am lowering my win total to 3-4 games from 4-6, sorry i just don't see it being the defense being dominate here, new offense implemented by non offensive coaches with a roster full of jags!

I mean expectations should not be high for this season imo, especially considering how stacked the AFC is.
 

rodderick

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I agree with your concern for the most part, but this one part above I’m split on. It’s totally possible Strange is a Harry level bust, but we know the other 4 guys can play. The offensive line (and running backs if we’re factoring them in on these struggles) should be the best unit on the team. There’s almost no excuse for them sucking other than health or coaching - if there’s a part of the team I have high confidence in playing at a playoff level this season, it’d be the offensive line.

They’re healthy right now, so maybe it’s the coaching that’s the problem and you’re right that the inexperience there can’t scheme them out of this funk. I’m just maybe a little more optimistic than I would be if we were hearing the defense sucks ass, as I think it’s more likely the personnel there has unfixable problems than anywhere on the offense.
I just feel in today's NFL you can cobble together a defense and win without it being anything special as long as you have a really good offense, while the inverse isn't exactly true anymore, or at least not in the case of your defense being anything other than historic. Also, do we know the other four guys in the OL can play? I know Andrews can play, but Trent Brown had one really good season with Brady (who made Nate Solder and Donovan Smith look like high level starters at tackle) and then was an often injured, inconsistent player (even last year). I have no confidence in Wynn and Onwenu had a bad 2021. There's also the chance they aren't really a great fit for the wide zone scheme they're running more of.
 

joe dokes

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I was trying to look at it from this angle at first but it's the nature of the reports coming out of camp. You can tell when a team is losing a good battle vs just not executing their job.

David Andrews felt the need to call an offense only huddle after practice yesterday. The offense just doesn't seem competitive right now, and this is coming from all reporters, not just the clickbait ones. We're hearing about miscommunications, Mac holding the ball indecisively, and serious issues with the OLine. Coupled with the fact that, well, we sort of know the defense isn't some juggernaut. Many of us were expecting the defense to be the lesser of the two units on paper this year, and so far we're seeing quite the opposite.

I'm not in the panic crowd, but also can't ignore what's going on. As t4w said, it's concerning, but also very early, and we'll have a lot more useful data once preseason and joint practices start.
That's all very fair. I suppose I'm just having a difficult time imagining the offense going from competent to abject failure so quickly.
 

BigJimEd

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Yeah, I am not as sold on Onwenu as some. His performance might be key as I think depth might be a concern. Strange seems to be having some normal rookie struggles. Brown has had his share of struggles as well but I expect he'll be fine. On the bright side, Wynn has reportedly looked good.

Of course, they are learning a new system so some struggles are to be expected. If they are still struggling a couple weeks from now, then it will be time for concern.
 

MuppetAsteriskTalk

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I can't remember exactly which season it was, but a few years back everything coming out of camp was about how great they looked on offense and defense. Everybody was pumped up for the season, and as it turned out they were not very good at all in the early going. I think eventually, as they usually do, they greatly improved as the year wore on, but they were not good early. So that's a long way of saying that I'm completely dismissing all of these reports.
 

snowmanny

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Although the last three years haven’t followed the “greatly improve as the year wore on” path that we used to see.
Edit well I guess last year they got better then not.
 

tims4wins

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I can't remember exactly which season it was, but a few years back everything coming out of camp was about how great they looked on offense and defense. Everybody was pumped up for the season, and as it turned out they were not very good at all in the early going. I think eventually, as they usually do, they greatly improved as the year wore on, but they were not good early. So that's a long way of saying that I'm completely dismissing all of these reports.
I think you are thinking of 2017 when everyone thought they were going undefeated, then the Chiefs pantsed them in week 1 and they gave up a combined like 130 points the first four weeks. Eventually they got better, until SB52.
 

Shelterdog

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If the reports are to be believed Thornton and the two rookie Joneses are looking like decent picks. (That the Pats have once again drafted gotten decent corners in later rounds/UDFA after having blown a lot of second round picks on the position is just the weirdest fluke of this super bowl run).
 

nattysez

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Every beat writer on Twitter is reporting that today went much better for the offense. Notably, Barmore and Andrews got into a fight and Barmore got sent to the locker room.
 

Reverend

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I’m hoping that it’s just installing new stuff and camp crap and looking forward to four preseason losses and everything being fine, but, FWIW, I keep seeing the suggestion that the offense getting schooled means the defense is good. Thing is, that’s not necessarily true at all. It might be the case. But there’s not really a lot of reason to think that.
 

Cellar-Door

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One thing I wonder about, lot of talk that Thornton has been having a strong Camp, wonder at what point with all the injuries elsewhere the Patriots start considering whether to move Agholor or Meyers. Both in the last year of their deal, and if Thornton is fighting for playing time and maybe pushing one of the 4 other WR locks down to 5th, you have to think one of those guys might get moved.
 

cornwalls@6

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Given the way they’ve often been still been fine tuning in September, I’m not sure I’m worrying until early October. And sure as fuck not on August 9, just because the beat guys have found their theme for early camp.
 

Captaincoop

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I wouldn't consider moving any of the WRs. So far things have looked good, but there are plenty of questions in that room and they need improvement from the receivers if the team is taking a step forward this year.
 

Cellar-Door

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I wouldn't consider moving any of the WRs. So far things have looked good, but there are plenty of questions in that room and they need improvement from the receivers if the team is taking a step forward this year.
I think it depends how they feel about Thornton, because while they need better WR production, they also aren't really going to be able to play even 4 WRs and 2 TEs that much, nevermind 5 WRs, so someone is going to have not much of a role (even with normal injuries) that makes moving a WR who only has this year left to shore up weaknesses elsewhere more attractive.
 

8slim

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That's all very fair. I suppose I'm just having a difficult time imagining the offense going from competent to abject failure so quickly.
I really think people are going to have a renewed appreciation for McDaniels this season. I doubt the O will be an “abject failure” but I’d much prefer Josh having a second year with Mac and the 2021 free agent crew than what we have on the sidelines this season.
 

Jungleland

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I wouldn't consider moving any of the WRs. So far things have looked good, but there are plenty of questions in that room and they need improvement from the receivers if the team is taking a step forward this year.
I agreed a couple weeks ago, but the more camp reports that come out, I'm softening my stance here. Taking a look at the current roster, they've got:

Parker
Bourne
Meyers
Agholor
Thornton
Montgomery
Nixon
Wilkerson
Hammond
Humphrey

Top 3 are locks, Agholor is close, Thornton seems to be pretty clearly not getting IR(ed shirt)ed. Reports on Montgomery have been almost uniformly positive. Granted I'm speaking from a significant hoping Ernie's last pick works out storybook bias, but it sounds like Tre Nixon is trending toward NFL ready and costs borderline nothing (4/3.6). Bottom 3 are probably nonfactors if the rest stay healthy, where Wilkerson probably is what he is - the NFL version of a taxi squad guy, and the other two having had quiet camps so far.

The initial 53 last year had 5 + Slater, and I think the combo of White's PUP status and the presumed lack of a fullback might give them some flexibility to carry 6 receivers inclusive of Ty Montgomery given his positional flexibility. But I wonder if the long view (where it's almost certain that at least one of Meyers or Agholor is elsewhere in 2023) makes trading one of them now and keeping Nixon plausible. It's only been 3 years since they lost Berrios to waivers and he turned into a pretty solid NFL player for a rival.

Tl, dr: while experience dictates it's likely that Agholor > Thornton and Meyers > Nixon in 2022, the cap savings this year and potential for Nixon to be a usable piece in 2023 and 24 make me think it's very possible one of the incumbents gets traded. And if you believe Thornton could be better this year and that Nixon is NFL ready at all, it's almost a no brainer Agholor should be gone. Doesn't hurt that 4 of the arguable 5 most WR needy teams have the room...
 
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j-man

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what NE is trying to do is the SF/Rams ver on this off which is great on paper but for it to work
u need
1 more athlhic OL esp inside
2 jones is best in shotgun i do not know if he can boot 5-7 times a game but the rams qb did it last year and he has less foot speed
3 your wr must be able to block well
4 i love the 1-cut abailsy on this off and if u can run it sits up the playaction very well but it can pull your hair out
 

GB5

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As for WR’s a few of the writers have hinted that Bourne has had a disappointing camp.
 

rodderick

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I wouldn't consider moving any of the WRs. So far things have looked good, but there are plenty of questions in that room and they need improvement from the receivers if the team is taking a step forward this year.
Yeah, I don't know why people are in a hurry to cut/trade receivers when the strength of this team on offense lies precisely in the fact that they have a bunch of competent pass catchers without any one of them being special individually. So now we want to thin out the options and remain without the top tier talent? Injuries happen and guys like Agholor have experience in a variety of roles, keep that core intact and let's see how it plays out. Meyers especially is a player I wouldn't even think of moving, for two years now he's been the go to guy when you gotta have a play. I know he doesn't fit the stereotypical "Patriots slot receiver" mold physically, but he's had the production and shown to be dependable. Odds are we're going to need contributions from all of those players in order to move the ball effectively, I can easily see this offense developing into one in which every week a different guy comes through depending on matchups and gameplan. They need them all at this point.
 

wasabisam

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Yeah, I don't know why people are in a hurry to cut/trade receivers when the strength of this team on offense lies precisely in the fact that they have a bunch of competent pass catchers without any one of them being special individually. So now we want to thin out the options and remain without the top tier talent? Injuries happen and guys like Agholor have experience in a variety of roles, keep that core intact and let's see how it plays out. Meyers especially is a player I wouldn't even think of moving, for two years now he's been the go to guy when you gotta have a play. I know he doesn't fit the stereotypical "Patriots slot receiver" mold physically, but he's had the production and shown to be dependable. Odds are we're going to need contributions from all of those players in order to move the ball effectively, I can easily see this offense developing into one in which every week a different guy comes through depending on matchups and gameplan. They need them all at this point.
How many receivers would you break camp with? I agree with @Jungleland’s post above that it’s a maximum of 6 if you include Montgomery. That presumably leaves out Nixon, who won’t reach the practice squad.

So, while your statement seems correct in theory, it’s not useful advice for a team with a limited number of spots.
 

wasabisam

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I guess that’s ultimately the question. My sense is that he’s having a strong camp and might find the end of a roster somewhere — similar to when we lost Berrios in 2019.
 

Super Nomario

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Yeah, I don't know why people are in a hurry to cut/trade receivers when the strength of this team on offense lies precisely in the fact that they have a bunch of competent pass catchers without any one of them being special individually. So now we want to thin out the options and remain without the top tier talent? Injuries happen and guys like Agholor have experience in a variety of roles, keep that core intact and let's see how it plays out. Meyers especially is a player I wouldn't even think of moving, for two years now he's been the go to guy when you gotta have a play. I know he doesn't fit the stereotypical "Patriots slot receiver" mold physically, but he's had the production and shown to be dependable. Odds are we're going to need contributions from all of those players in order to move the ball effectively, I can easily see this offense developing into one in which every week a different guy comes through depending on matchups and gameplan. They need them all at this point.
Depth has value, but cap space also has value. Nelson Agholor has the fifth-highest cap hit of any WR in the NFL this year. You can maybe live with that if he's one of your top three WRs, but if he's behind (as seems likely) Parker, Meyers, and Bourne, in an offense that figures to play a fair amount of 2 WR sets, that seems like way too much to pay for that kind of depth. They shave off $9-$10 MM if they can trade him (only $4-5 in a straight cut), assuming they can find someone willing to take on that deal.

The other reality is you only have 53 roster spots. Thornton isn't getting cut, so if he's WR5 it's basically a redshirt year. But they've also got Zappe and Strong, rookie 4th rounders, who figure to be healthy scratches most of the time. Can you carry three offensive rookies as healthy inactives for 17 weeks? Promoting Thornton to WR4, where he'd fill Harry's 20-25% of the snaps, seems like an easy solution, providing you can trade Agholor.
 

BaseballJones

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There’s no doubt they can trade Agholor but it just might not get them much of a return.

But…

Agholor
Or
A sixth round pick + $9m cap space + giving Thornton a real chance to play

Interesting question.
 

BaseballJones

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Well....good news from a health standpoint, but....seems like they still need a LOT of work. Maybe BB is holding them back knowing they'd get slaughtered? Who knows. Might be more than just concern about injuries.
 

Dogman

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Well....good news from a health standpoint, but....seems like they still need a LOT of work. Maybe BB is holding them back knowing they'd get slaughtered? Who knows. Might be more than just concern about injuries.
Why? I can't recall when BB played starters during the first preseason game in any year. Yeah, only 3 preseason games this year but I don't think that changes any calculus on how BB operates towards the first cutdown. I think it really is that simple.
 

DJnVa

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Well....good news from a health standpoint, but....seems like they still need a LOT of work. Maybe BB is holding them back knowing they'd get slaughtered? Who knows. Might be more than just concern about injuries.
A lot of joint practices coming up, they likely get more from that.
 

DJnVa

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Why? I can't recall when BB played starters during the first preseason game in any year. Yeah, only 3 preseason games this year but I don't think that changes any calculus on how BB operates towards the first cutdown. I think it really is that simple.
They played starters last year. Harris, Smith, Meyers, Judon, Hightower, Bentley, Van Noy, Mills, Phillips, Duggar, etc. all started and played against the WFT last year.
 

rodderick

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Depth has value, but cap space also has value. Nelson Agholor has the fifth-highest cap hit of any WR in the NFL this year. You can maybe live with that if he's one of your top three WRs, but if he's behind (as seems likely) Parker, Meyers, and Bourne, in an offense that figures to play a fair amount of 2 WR sets, that seems like way too much to pay for that kind of depth. They shave off $9-$10 MM if they can trade him (only $4-5 in a straight cut), assuming they can find someone willing to take on that deal.

The other reality is you only have 53 roster spots. Thornton isn't getting cut, so if he's WR5 it's basically a redshirt year. But they've also got Zappe and Strong, rookie 4th rounders, who figure to be healthy scratches most of the time. Can you carry three offensive rookies as healthy inactives for 17 weeks? Promoting Thornton to WR4, where he'd fill Harry's 20-25% of the snaps, seems like an easy solution, providing you can trade Agholor.
The Agholor contract was bad the day it was signed, but the Patriots have 100+ million in cap space for the next offseason, is rolling over and extra 4/5 (or possibly 9) that much of a difference? If their top 3 receivers are Parker/Meyers/Bourne, that's probably the slowest top 3 receiving corps in football and in my view those players have similar skillsets in a lot of ways. I'd much rather give Thornton some situational snaps and not have to count on him for this year (unless he shows he's deserving of more playing time). Agholor has looked good in training camp by all accounts, the contract sucks, but at this point I'd rather keep him.
 

Gash Prex

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Well....good news from a health standpoint, but....seems like they still need a LOT of work. Maybe BB is holding them back knowing they'd get slaughtered? Who knows. Might be more than just concern about injuries.
Basically the entire first team defense and first offense team is not playing the first presason game. BB has multiple joint practices scheduled in the coming weeks. I don't think its any comment on the offense or defense.

View: https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1557731186486550529
 

Ale Xander

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Forcing season ticket holders to pay for this is highway robbery.
Not to mention is the parking
And the delay lot is a worse alternative on a weeknight
 

Jungleland

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Disappointed there won't be much in the way of meaningful snaps until next week, but excited to see the rookie RBs, Tyquan, the fringe WRs, and a bunch of guys in the middle of that defense.
 

Super Nomario

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The Agholor contract was bad the day it was signed, but the Patriots have 100+ million in cap space for the next offseason, is rolling over and extra 4/5 (or possibly 9) that much of a difference? If their top 3 receivers are Parker/Meyers/Bourne, that's probably the slowest top 3 receiving corps in football and in my view those players have similar skillsets in a lot of ways. I'd much rather give Thornton some situational snaps and not have to count on him for this year (unless he shows he's deserving of more playing time). Agholor has looked good in training camp by all accounts, the contract sucks, but at this point I'd rather keep him.
Parker was a 4.45 guy at the Combine, I don't think he's slow. As for the money, we traded a starting OL to save less than trading Agholor would save. 2022 cap space is borderline an issue currently, and the ability to roll over cap space means we have more to play with. OTC has us with $47 MM for the offseason, not 100+, FWIW.
 

SMU_Sox

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We did hear from guys like Kyle Crabs that he has slowed down but take that with a grain of salt. It’s more likely than not that at least a couple of teams will be desperate for WR help. If I had to guess I’d think the Packers might be willing to take on his contract sometime before the season starts especially if they have an injury to their pitiful receivers room. If he stays on he’s at least adequate Parker insurance. I have some hope he can be a ~600-700 yard X in year 2 with Mac if he plays full time. That’s an optimistic projection but he’s had those years before. Last year they had quite a few missed opportunities.
 

radsoxfan

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Parker was a 4.45 guy at the Combine, I don't think he's slow. As for the money, we traded a starting OL to save less than trading Agholor would save. 2022 cap space is borderline an issue currently, and the ability to roll over cap space means we have more to play with. OTC has us with $47 MM for the offseason, not 100+, FWIW.
As a total aside, how much speed do you think these guys lose as they approach age 30 vs combine numbers?

I’m sure it’s variable (and somewhat dependent on interval injuries) but do you think Parker would break 4.5? I’d guess closer to 4.6 probably.

Obviously recent game film and game speed is the more the more important thing anyway. But just saying if we’re lining up the WR speed, combine numbers may not mean much 8 years later.
 

Saints Rest

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The Agholor contract was bad the day it was signed, but the Patriots have 100+ million in cap space for the next offseason, is rolling over and extra 4/5 (or possibly 9) that much of a difference? If their top 3 receivers are Parker/Meyers/Bourne, that's probably the slowest top 3 receiving corps in football and in my view those players have similar skillsets in a lot of ways. I'd much rather give Thornton some situational snaps and not have to count on him for this year (unless he shows he's deserving of more playing time). Agholor has looked good in training camp by all accounts, the contract sucks, but at this point I'd rather keep him.
As I've written elsewhere, the Pats need cap room, not to col over into 2023, but to get thru this year. You can't look at today's cap space in a vacuum. You have to factor in the move from top-51 to full squad, plus bonuses plus in-season acquisitions.
 

Ralphwiggum

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Forcing season ticket holders to pay for this is highway robbery.
Not to mention is the parking
And the delay lot is a worse alternative on a weeknight
There's a thread here somewhere on how the waiting list is ridiculous and how long it takes to move up on it at all. Seems as if the season ticket holders (current and wanna be) don't care.