Looking at the Patriots 2026 - Iron Sharpens Iron

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I'm hearing reports that Tanner Arkin is considered ahead of Raidon at the TE position from spring practices.
 
sg14 said:
I'm hearing reports that Tanner Arkin is considered ahead of Raidon at the TE position from spring practices.
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Maybe as far as blocking……
Not that that’s not important, but it was projected Raidon would need to year to become a well rounded TE.
 
chevss454 said:
Up-tempo would help the offense immensely by keeping defenses on their heels.
Doesn't even have to be no huddle but that's the end goal.
This makes sense with Maye in his 2nd year with McD's O.


View: https://x.com/ezlazar/status/2081011708617720255
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Biggest thing is, they wouldn't be able to substitute, and it would be harder for them to disguise their defenses and easier to tire them out. That said, there has to be a certain amount of familiarity between players in order to make that work properly.
 
HSanders said:
Biggest thing is, they wouldn't be able to substitute, and it would be harder for them to disguise their defenses and easier to tire them out. That said, there has to be a certain amount of familiarity between players in order to make that work properly.
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Plus, 8-10 more plays/game would also help the D.
 
chevss454 said:
Up-tempo would help the offense immensely by keeping defenses on their heels.
Doesn't even have to be no huddle but that's the end goal.
This makes sense with Maye in his 2nd year with McD's O.


View: https://x.com/ezlazar/status/2081011708617720255
Click to expand...

That's going to be on Maye, and if he can process things fast enough, a big step in his development.

Patriots really have a unique roster on offense, they can be very multiple with the same personnel with how well their WRs block, and with Gilliam in the pass game. Some real Rex Burkhead-type potential with Gilliam, I'm excited to see how McDaniels uses him.
 
Watching Henderson last year…… he needs a hole. Hopefully his vision improves, but watching his tape, he needs a hole. But hopefully that improves.
But Gilliam has the chance to completely unlock Henderson. He may be the most underrated FA signing of the entire NFl.
If I still gambled…. And I don’t, but if I did I’d bet James cook has massive regression this year and Henderson shows massive improvement just based on Gilliam.
And Josh knows how to use a good fullback.
 
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rivshark86 said:
Watching Henderson last year…… he needs a hole. Hopefully his vision improves, but watching his tape, he needs a hole. But hopefully that improves.
But Gilliam has the chance to completely unlock Henderson. He may be the most underrated FA signing of the entire NFl.
If I still gambled…. And I don’t, but if I did I’d bet James cook has massive regression this year and Henderson shows massive improvement just based on Gilliam.
And Josh knows how to use a good fullback.
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You're right, he struggled for the first half of the season. He was trying to hit the hole too quickly not waiting for his blockers, but then he showed off his speed with some big runs, including 5 that were over 50 yards last year.
 
TommyD420 said:
That's going to be on Maye, and if he can process things fast enough, a big step in his development.

Patriots really have a unique roster on offense, they can be very multiple with the same personnel with how well their WRs block, and with Gilliam in the pass game. Some real Rex Burkhead-type potential with Gilliam, I'm excited to see how McDaniels uses him.
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That has always been my favorite part about our good years, and I don't know why more teams don't work on this. Having shifty little running backs who can also go out and catch passes, and WRs who can run multiple types of routes from any WR position, and TEs who can both block and catch, etc.,. We've been so lucky with talent to develop guys like that, especially the guys who always got lost in the shuffle and overlooked while the opposing D focused on the big-name targets (like Troy Brown and Kevin Faulk and Wes Welker and Danny Amendola and so on).
 
From Mike Reiss today


5. Jacas' approach: Second-round pick Gabe Jacas, the outside linebacker from Illinois, agreed to terms with the Patriots on Saturday after a lengthy impasse that led to him missing the entire spring. Though Jacas could be on the field as early as Sunday, assuming he passes a physical after undergoing a knee procedure in the spring that a source described as more of a routine cleanout, Vrabel hinted that the team will be taking it slow.

"I think we, admittedly, will be somewhat cautious, just because it's a unique situation," Vrabel said.

6. Raridon's role: One of the trickle-down effects of veteran tight end Julian Hill landing on season-ending injured reserve (knee) and CJ Dippre opening training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list (brace on left wrist) is that third-round pick Eli Raridon (Notre Dame) was thrust further up the depth chart. Raridon took reps after veteran starter Hunter Henry on Saturday and had a catch on a deep corner route.

Henry, entering his 11th NFL season, said of Raridon: "It's obviously a brief thing in the spring, but he continued to get better every single week that we were out there. That's what you're going to have when you're young in this league; we're throwing so much at you. I'm excited to see that growth through training camp because there's going to be a lot more reps and you're stacking days and days. The ceiling is high for him."

7. Ponder thought: From the "what a difference a year makes" department, outside linebacker Elijah Ponder worked with the top defense in Saturday's practice, then was one of six players to visit the interview area. At this time last year, Ponder was a long shot to make the team as an undrafted free agent out of Cal Poly.

Part of Ponder's rise is tied to starter Harold Landry III opening camp on the active/PUP list (knee), but after carving out a niche as a rookie on special teams (53% of the snaps) and defense (24% of the snaps, 4 sacks), he's primed for a possible larger role in 2026.

Ponder (6-3, 261) said increased attention on better nutrition, such as consuming fewer fried foods, has him feeling good entering camp.
 
I just noticed looking at the pic of Jacas signing his contract…… he’s left handed.
 
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