Transcript
Speaker: All right, guys. Welcome back. We are here September 1st, 9-1. It's the Savage Boston Podcast. We're here with special guest, Sophie Weller from Patriots Wire. How are you today, Sophie?
Speaker: I am so good. Thank you guys so much for having me. This is so fun. It is. Yes, it is super fun. So we're streaming on and So we realized we're like, where are all our comments go? Because we usually have some comments in Twitter or whatever, like a but a bunch of them. But apparently they're having issues getting...
Speaker: Twitter comments to StreamYard for whatever reason. So if you want to leave a comment, you can go to YouTube, Savage Boston on YouTube. And then, of course, you can leave a comment there. So or you cannot say anything. But anyway, yeah, happy to have Sophie here. um Of course, ah I guess we'll bring it to just like the big news first, which obviously the Christian Gonzalez contract, which everyone is talking about, still talking about.
Speaker: And i just want to get across. I tweeted something last week that I had just just intel from someone who knows Christian pretty well. and just from And I'm absolutely not a reporter. This is not reporting. This is literally from someone I talked to who just said point blank to me that Christian literally wanted to be there. He just bought a house here. He wants to be there. He wants everything to get done. But he specifically feels upset that he feels like they're dicking him around with his contract.
Speaker: So Sophie, why don't you, why don't you go first and you tell me kind of your feelings on the situation? Yeah. i mean I mean, certainly I would understand why he's not happy with the way that it's been approached, you know, as much as,
Speaker: I think Kraft's heart was in the right place with those public comments on being like, we want him here. We want to pay him. I think it just came off the wrong way to him where, you know, he had been so specific about wanting to keep it out of the media and not wanting to do it there. And then all of a sudden, you know, it's, it's front and center, it's Kraft making comments about it. So I just think that that kind of started the sour taste in a way of this all.
Speaker: Um, I, listened I mean, based on what his trainer was saying on 98.5 the other day, that was a really great interview. And I suggest if you have not listened to that and you're following this contract stuff, I would go back and listen to that. Because to me, that was pretty telling. it kind of just sounds like both sides want a deal done. He he said that the reports that they're not willing to give him, um what was it, Devon Witherspoon money? Like, that's not even true yeah or something. Yeah.
Speaker: which I, that made a lot of sense to me. I never, I didn't quite understand that report. Cause I'm like, I think that there both sides in my opinion would be on, on the side of making him the highest paid contract, you know, that, that are a quarterback. Sorry.
Speaker: That makes sense to me. Now I haven't specifically heard anything. So this is just, I want to preface this by saying this is my opinion, yeah but my opinion is, the potential holdup is the guaranteed money.
Speaker: My guess is that, i mean, Devon got a huge, huge portion of that contract and guaranteed money. And I'm guessing Christian also wants a huge portion of his. Now, the only issue with that is that I i do think Christian deserves this massive contract. Like there's no denying that, but Christian's injury history does come up.
Speaker: If you're going to consider that work, like, you know, he has not had, you know, a complete season and he has dealt with injuries almost, you know, every time. So I'm sure that's a bit of a fear for the Patriots. And in some ways you can't blame them on that one of being like, we guarantee them all this money. And then God forbid some, you know, a bad injury happens. Like they're, they, they're on the hook for this massive deal. And then they can't get, you know, into a, they're stuck with paying this massive contract and can't get better talent, but they're out there star players. So,
Speaker: That's just my opinion on maybe where the holdup is ah because to me it seems like both sides want to make him the highest paid cornerback. They know he's worth it. It just seems like there's clearly something in the deal that isn't the logistics aren't matching up and that would be the most realistic to me.
Speaker: Gotcha. Brad, how do you feel about I mean, more confirmation of what I've been feeling. This is predominantly on the Patriots side of things. Yeah, it was good grab getting the trainer for Gonzalez out there. and And he was asked point blank about the contract being offered the highest in his position.
Speaker: And he was basically kind of laughed it and said it was a bit misleading. And i think that affirmed what we talked about before with the Patriots. They are going to layer it in with incentives. It was around the guarantees. So not surprising whatsoever.
Speaker: ah I think think it's also a little weird. You got the Schefter report coming out and he's talking about, well, Rabel values the defensive line, the defensive edge more so, and that maybe he's not valuing the ah cornerback position, defensive back position as much, which to me screamed like Patriots PR trying to spin it and give Schefter something to just kind of lean on. I, I i just didn't understand the take because it's It's pretty obvious everywhere. Everywhere they value the defensive end, that's most valuable position on the defense, period. ah But the cornerback's not too far behind. It's just, why is that coming out now? The timing of it was just odd.
Speaker: So I think it's more examples where you have the Patriots looking like the team, where they're trying to just win the deal, quote-unquote, even though they're going to eventually come to terms.
Speaker: The problem is is we're just over a week away from this kickoff to the start of the season. They've got to travel to Seattle next week. They're probably leaving out on Monday night. So you have to get this deal done soon or Gonzalez might not travel with the team. like Is he going to go with them? What's going to happen? like Is he going to not show up? and I think based on how he was last week and the comments he had when he went public and was interviewed at practice,
Speaker: It was pretty evident he's aggravated. And then you got his trainer going out there who's obviously not communicating unless Gonzalez gave him the nod to say, yeah, I'm cool with you communicating. so I don't think he would have gone on if – that's my opinion. I don't think he would have gone on if Gonzalez didn't give him the nod of being like, no, it's okay to go. and he's there He's like, like all almost like for him. Like, Hey, I mean, I like being here. You know what i mean? Like he has sat back this entire time, this entire time.
Speaker: And they've had other people and I get it. Like some of them you have to like variable has to get asked about it. Like, what are you going to do about that? Craft doesn't always have to be public, but he made himself public early on at the start of camp. Wasn't a great move.
Speaker: And I don't think Elliot Wolf kind of handled it well from his side, but this is, this is Gonzalez throwing a little bit of frustration back at the Pats. And to me, again, it just goes down to like them trying to quote unquote win the deal, even though they're just going to make it happen anyways. Like it's just going to happen.
Speaker: Well, it's true for, so I mean, Sophie was, ah Sophie was down there today, obviously, and he participated today, right? Oh gosh. He's been, I genuinely think the reason he was out those days was injury related. You know, that portion of training camp that he wasn't practicing. Now, maybe if there was a deal in place, like would he have wanted to take part in those joint practices a little bit more?
Speaker: Potentially, you know, I'm not going to say that it was, you know, entirely that, but yeah, you're not going to risk something even bigger when you are, when you do have this negotiation ongoing. But I think one of the things his trainer said in that 98 five was like, he was point blank also asked like, will he play week one if there's no contract? And he's like, yeah, I mean, Gonzalez is still under con, you know, he's still on this deal. He's still prepared to play. And I think the way his team has been talking about him, I think I actually, you can say what you want. I have a lot of respect for the way Christian Gonzalez has recharged.
Speaker: um handled this this summer. i think that there are, i can think of situations even just in the few years I've been covering the team um in person, but even past that of just players that didn't have nearly the skill Christian has that sat, you know, held in, held out all that.
Speaker: And he's not doing that. He wants to play ball. He wants to be out there for, with his team. um And I think that shows that he genuinely is a ball player. Like he wants to play football. Um, but he also just wants to get, to be respected and, you know, kind of what he said is um, i think the words, like he kind of said, we're like my teammates know and have voiced how they, you know, feel I deserve was kind of like what he alluded to and sound, you know, they, they've all spoken so highly of him this summer. So I just think
Speaker: Clearly, there i agree with you, Brett, that I think it's the incentives, it's the guarantees. It's like there there's the the logistics of the contract is where the holdup is, not necessarily like the exact amount. My guess is the amount is going to about $35,000. I think we're all under that impression. It's well after that.
Speaker: Yeah, I think there's a genuine risk. There's a lot of risk here. I think there's a genuine risk to not signing him. Okay, because again, if you're going let him go to the next season, and first of all, if he plays next year, it's like 4 million bucks or something. forget what the number. It's something that is like not right close to worthy of what he should be playing, right? So um what he should be making. But I think there's a risk here, which is If you don't get the deal done this week, like we're hoping it breaks right now. You know what i mean? Like if the deal doesn't get done like this week, the deal might not get done for the entirety of the season. And then you're going to sit there after the year and he's going to be mad again and his price goes up.
Speaker: So then instead of 35, he wants a 38. Okay. And then, you know, blah, blah, blah. wants more guarantees, more this, and then we're considering trading him. So right now,
Speaker: is the perfect time and opportunity to offer him a contract and sign the player, which is what they, they should be giving him not just the high a high AV, which is what we think they're doing already, which pretty virtually confirmed. He's going to be the highest AV player, but they have to give him money in the first couple of years, which is, i think reported by like Andrew Callahan reported this, you know, in the first couple of years, like he had, doesn't have the money he wants. That's the, the guarantees. That's the big sticking point. Right. So, Again, back to it. I think the Patriots as an organization are running big risks by, by not signing the player now and getting this done. And they should have massive incentive to get this done right now.
Speaker: hundred percent. That's my, i mean I, I think like we're all on the same opinion here that it just needs to happen. And it's, um
Speaker: you know, I think it's just both sides have to kind of like, there's going to have to be some give and take from both sides. yeah um This is also kind of an unprecedented situation for the crafts in terms of they've never truly done this with a player of this caliber. You know, like they're, if you're going, if you're looking at the bill days, like when was bill going to pay a player like this? Like they would never have paid Milton. What if bill was still the head coach, like Milton would be a Carolina Panther right now, if that were the case. So this is also like new to them in terms of just ironing out those details. So,
Speaker: I think both sides are going to have to, you know, compromise on certain things um where, you know, but I, the other thing too, with next year has a few weight, Patrick Sertan also is up for a contract extension. So once again, then you're on, you're on the pulling match up with the similar situation with Devon where you're like, okay, so someone has to bite first.
Speaker: Who's it going to be? Yeah, it's incentivizing. They need to get the deal done now. But did you guys – so you saw the captain announcement today, and I think was like a really good group of captains. Like those are all really good guys, like really good leaders. i like the group. Now, I'll throw to Brett first, but do you make anything of it – I know they were saying this stuff on the radio, and you know I have my opinion, but do you make anything of it that Christian Gonzalez did not get voted as captain?
Speaker: A little bit, yeah. I mean, that he's trying to be that leader, both vocally and just through his actions. So I think... Yeah, I think there's a little bit of a slight there. And I'll think a little bit of ah a block hesitation from that side of it.
Speaker: And just to kind of circle back on the premise around, well, Belichick wouldn't have signed this guy, Belichick wouldn't have signed guy. There's also the approach, whereas like Belichick was essentially the shield for Kraft.
Speaker: They could just turn and point to Belichick and say, Belichick is pulling all the strings. When in reality, When reality craft was the one writing the checkbook k craft was one that told Belichick what your budget was. Yeah. I think Bill was telling him this is feasible. This is not. And Bill had a mentality that he could pretty much coach anyone up and get the right mix of guys. And no one guy was more valuable than the team, et cetera.
Speaker: But at the same breath, Kraft was very complacent with the fact that he could just put Belichick out there to be the one that takes the heat. And I think at this point, you're starting to see a little bit of that, like the Schefter report, putting Brable out there.
Speaker: I think that's a little bit of putting the coach out in front is to be the shield. And so we'll see. i i think from a captain perspective, there's no way Kraft is getting involved in that. That is... Rabel doing what Rabel does.
Speaker: But I also think it's like, is that a hesitation as if we don't know if the guy's going to be there? What is he going to contribute? Where's his approach going to be at Because he's clearly frustrated. And yeah, he's going about his business, but he's also frustrated. And I think Rabel as a former player will understand the fact that like, maybe he's not in the best headspace to say, we're going to make him a captain. He's here long term. He's going to set the you know, approach and the attitude that we want on defense.
Speaker: So he's, he's going to hesitate on putting him on there. So I do think there's a little bit of that. Yes. I actually do not. I think it's the other way. And it's um a comment in the chat, I think is where I'm going to start my topic of from paper waves, where it says it's up to his teammates to vote for him. I think that is the biggest thing that is beyond true. The team vote, the the players are the ones who vote for the captains. Now, When it comes to Christian Gonzalez, he shows up and shows out on the field. And yes, he he's ah probably a lot more vocal with his team, but they all say he's a quieter guy. He's not the most vocal. And I do think eventually Christian Gonzalez will be a captain. But I think that when you look at, you know, when you're kind of deciding between him, Marcus, and Kevin Bayard, to me, you pick the right two to be a captain.
Speaker: um Gonzalez is... is great But, you know, he's young. he's These are two vets in the league. I mean, I remember we heard from almost every defensive back this summer that we talked to. We asked them about Kevin Byard because it kind of came out early in camp that Kevin Byard had pulled the entire defensive back room together.
Speaker: and said takeaways, that is our goal. And basically had this like kumbaya, like moment of just like, this is gonna happen. That's something like a good captain does. That's a leader right there.
Speaker: he marcus Marcus Jones, there's no question there. My favorite one that they finally did is Morgan Moses because I remember his introductory press conference last year. I looked at someone. I said, he's going to be a captain. i mean, the way he talked in that press conference, I was like, I feel like I could run through a wall right now. Like, let's go. And I'm like, and I hate running. So that would not have worked out. um But, you know, like things like that. i I just I don't see it as being a slight on Christian Gonzalez in this situation. I genuinely think it's.
Speaker: you know, it was a team voted thing. And it was when you compare just his, his vocal, you know, nature to Kevin, to Marcus Jones, those are the two guys that will stand up in a room and will just take command completely. Whereas Christian Gonzalez, yes, maybe he does make these messages to the team, but he's more of an on the field, you know, lead through example player.
Speaker: and sometimes in captains, you also need that vocal aspect. Yeah. I mean, you don't need, i mean, truly you don't need Christian Gonzalez to be Morgan Moses. You like it, like vocally or something like you don't need them to be the same guy. Like you don't need a team actually dynamic wise for any organization or team. Everyone can't be the guy who just is like yelling rah rah all the time or who's like, I'm the alpha I'm the leader. you need people who actually listen and are more like quiet workers. People like it's, ah it's an organization. So I think there's no problem. Like, and and maybe eventually, maybe next year, Gonzo gets voted captain and leads by example, so to speak. Right.
Speaker: um But, but again, not everyone can be that vocal rah-rah person. So just like, like he is super comparable to Stefan Gilmore. in my opinion, just like super like personality, right. Just quiet, silent assassin.
Speaker: And like stuff on Gilmore was incredible. Like Gilmore DPOI, you know, like in 2019 he was incredible. So again, not everyone has to be rah, rah, but like, and do I think it's a big deal? Like, um,
Speaker: I know Pat's pro said something in the comments about he thinks it's the, he's the, it's some huge deal that he wasn't voted captain or a big deal. I don't, I don't believe that. I don't think, I do think it's like a non-story and obviously they're going on the radio making a big thing today. That's what happens, right? That's what the radio is for.
Speaker: like that's what they're good at their jobs when it comes to those stories. They, yeah, they find the story, they find the angle then people listen to them and get angry. i mean, that's what they do. Right. But again, for me,
Speaker: I think I'm happy with how Christian's acted. I think he's improved. I mean, Sophie, you can talk to this too. How much better is a Christian in front of the microphone or with you guys? Isn't he improved his presence? Oh gosh. Yeah. I mean, but he's also from the moment he got to new England. So um his, he was in um Bill's final draft class, right? That was 2023.
Speaker: or is it twenty twenty three right twenty twenty three So that was Bill's final year. yeah So that was my first season on the beat. So I have covered Christian Gonzalez, every single year so far that he has been in New England. We joined like him, me, myself, DeMario. I joke with DeMario Douglas all the time. I was like, we've been through it with the, you know, coaching changes. Like we were the bad luck charm, but now we're turning around. No, I'm kidding. I was the bad luck charmer. I would never, not them. Um,
Speaker: But two first years were pretty bad. that youre Yeah. Well, that's what I'm saying. Like we, I would be like, Oh my God, like we, we made it. Yeah. survived and Literally. I was like, I thought they were going to kick me off the beat. I thought i like they were going to like, okay, so when did things go bad?
Speaker: Sophie came on the beat. Once Sophie joined, downhill. It's on her. All those bad drafts. It was just Sophie with sitting in the back room. Right. But no, I mean, Christian has gotten better with talking to the media, but he he's a quieter guy when he talks to us. And there's nothing wrong with that. it's There are just some people that, you know, there's some that get in front of the microphone with us and just have a field day and have so much fun and all of that. But there are others who just it's not their thing. They're not, you know, and I get that.
Speaker: I get that. um You don't have to be. you want to keep your head down and play football. And that's OK, too. So, no, I think that he's been beyond respectful of the media. And he's, you know, he could have also gone and said something like, I'm not talking during my contract in negotiations and all that. And he's talked to us plenty this summer. So I think that's also very telling.
Speaker: um He can decline to comment on that all he wants. Like it's it's his right. And I think he made the statements he needed to make and sent the message he needed to, you know, to do publicly. But no, I think that I completely agree. I think it's a it isn't a story and it's one that's just being made to it. Like if if we weren't in the Christian Gonzalez contract negotiations, this wouldn't be a story. It's because People are thinking that it's the Patriots sending another message to Christian Gonzalez being like, sign the deal or you know whatever it may be. That's not the case. it's This was a player decided thing, and they went with the two defensive backs who –
Speaker: from day one we've been hearing about as the leaders of that room. Yeah. By the way, I want to add to like, so funny is I feel like different info from different sides. Like it was the same week it was like last week where I was here. And again, like my, my barrier for sharing information is so low, like this low. Sophie's barrier and like reporters barriers is so high, you know what I mean? Like for them to say something, have to have like double check. Like for me, i'm like, oh wait, what did i hear? Like, all right, let's shoot this out. So, um but again, like I was hearing last week from a couple of people around the team-ish, like fringe around the team. It's like, they're like, yeah, it's pretty close.
Speaker: It's looking good. i was like, all right. It's looking good. Great. I hope he signs suit. And then Schefter comes on and it's like, they're miles away. And I was like, what? So was so odd. You're hearing it's close from guys that you talk to. Like couple guys I talked to have like direct connections with guys on the team. And I was like, okay, well, this is this weird. So it's it's it's odd to like hear totally conflicting information. And like, why is that happening? Again, like for us, like we're we're just being like used by so someone to get information out. But that's that's what it is. It's the camp sending different messages. It's different people. You know, it's it's almost like...
Speaker: people you use the media in terms of, you know, like, yeah example, like Mike Rabel after the game, the first preseason game when Andy missed those ones and he kind of went off on Andy Borgals and the next game, Andy bounced back, week in practice bounced back, all that. Like, they use us to send messages and as they should, like, you know, that's what we're here for. They know when it comes to getting information, how are we're all tweeting away during those press conferences. So. Yep.
Speaker: It's, I think that when it comes to the different, you know, stories being reported on in, from multiple different people, everyone has different sources and it's the different people trying to get certain messages or put pressure on this person, put pressure on that person and things of that nature. So that's just where I think that comes into play that, you know, everyone has, um when, when a message is going out, there's typically, unless it's, you know, a Quick thing, that's that.
Speaker: Yeah, we're just getting leaked out. We're getting abused. We're getting manipulated. That's what we're here for. story of my life i went to four years of college to get manipulated it's so yeah i do i i again again want to touch on this just even publicly as we're talking because uh i was down at uh the patriots practice talking to some of sophie and a couple other people in the media tent who are excellent very nice people and you don't realize or the fans i don't think the fans realize how difficult it is for you like you guys have string strict rules that they set in place for you on things you can say, or certain periods you might be able to video or certain questions. So I don't know, did you want to comment on any of that stuff? Like how difficult is it sometimes, like how limited you're allowed to share?
Speaker: Listen, I think part of it is that, you know, We all know football. We all know that. But there's no denying, like, the amount that we consume football knowledge and things like that. I think there's just sometimes, you know, there's certain things on a team for teams that they don't want the other team learning about that they're going up against, whether it's formations, things like that, and you can't blame them. That's going to happen, and that's very valid that they don't want that leaked to, you know, like, you have, you know, you're running some plays where,
Speaker: like, for example, like, I don't even know, like someone's catching a touchdown. You don't want that out. That's not normally catching one, whatever. Um, I have not seen that. That is an example, just of a totally random. Like first thing that popped in my head have not seen that, but like, you know, there's certain things that they, that we can report on and we want to get that information out to you guys. And we do our absolute best to make sure that we get information to guys as best as possible. um But this is also a business and this is also a team that doesn't want their dirty laundry aired before Sunday comes around and they have to play a team because as much as you guys are consuming all that information, is every single person.
Speaker: staff team members Seattle right now. Yeah, they're going look for a leg up. And so I think that's just where you had have to kind of balance it. So I do understand that there are certain things and listen, there's, there's a lot of us and they do a great job accommodating us. So all I can, all I have to say is very good things.
Speaker: Yeah. Thanks. No, I felt like it's helpful for people to actually hear just because I don't, a lot of people don't actually know. Like how much if they say this or why don't they do this? Why don't they tweet during the practice? Blah, blah, blah. And it's like, you know, they have rules in place. Like they have to follow the rules to be credentialed. Like, again, like we're not on, in Twitter land and, or Instagram, wherever you, you may be like, we don't have the same rules in place. Like we don't, we have much more flexibility, you know, so you can tweet whatever you want, an opinion, the thing, something you see, a picture. They don't have the same, same luxury. So yeah. All right, let's let's shift to now we're going on Gonzo for like 26 minutes. um let's Just a lot of Gonzo chat. um
Speaker: Brett, I'll open it with you. any Any surprises on people making the team? Anything surprising, weird? Well, I would say, like, cut-wise, I mean, I thought Swinson was a bit of a surprise when that came up.
Speaker: I mean, another draft pick. like Gone by the wayside. i mean, could have been outside linebacker come off the edge, like some kind of a depth piece. We'll see. yeah ah Ben Brown, I mean, clearly something more there than initially anticipated. Signed him back today.
Speaker: Signed him back today. Oh, they did? Yeah, they signed him back. Yeah, he's back today. Then I totally missed that mark. But when that happened, i was like, well, geez, I thought we were having issues on our depth position for the offensive line. So, yeah, um nothing really like outside of that was really all that surprising for where we went with the 53-man roster. Yeah.
Speaker: you know I think there's still some opportunities to grow, it and we'll see. i I'm more curious to see what happens with those draft picks. Again, losing a guy likewiset like Swinson, we need these guys to produce. And we're definitely going young in a lot of areas and trying to get them ah to come out and play. so i don't i don't think anything was like super, super surprising to me on who got capped, who got cut.
Speaker: I think it was pretty status quo. Yeah, I gotcha. yes So if anyone stand out to you? Mine was biggest one was Ben Brown before they signed him back. I just it it was weird to me that he was the literally your top backup center guard. Like you had him rotating it, you know, on the days that Elijah Vera Tucker wasn't out there because they you know were doing that rest days for him.
Speaker: get Guess who was right in at left at a left hand ah guard? Ben Brown. So it was just Jared, you know, Jared did the whole summer, but like, if it wasn't Jared, it was Ben Brown. So that was just a little weird. Like I was curious kind of what happened with that. Maybe it was just someone that they saw they needed to release momentarily to get someone. And then, you know, they didn't, they, they didn't think there was a fear of it, of waivers, things of that nature.
Speaker: i don't know, but that really was the only one to me that was the biggest shock. Um, I, Quintavious Hutchins over Swinson was one I actually had after that Philly game. i've I thought Hutchins really improved this summer from like when he first came in to where he is now. um he was He was one I had been keeping a close eye on in camp, and I was really impressed. I mean, and it was also clear that Rabel took a liking to him pretty early on. like They were doing one-on-one work. you know the All the talk was Rabel and Gabe Ackes when he came back doing the one-on-one work, but like before Gabe, it was Hutchins. So...
Speaker: You know, he put time in and Hutchins kept his head down, worked. And there's also the special teams of it all with him. He is very talented on special teams, can contribute a lot there. And I think he will.
Speaker: i think that's actually where his biggest role is going to be is on special teams. But he was just one that I had throughout the summer, had beat Swinson. You know, it was just a quiet, quieter summer for him.
Speaker: um And I thought that he was able to kind of cement himself with that. um I spoke with him today actually in the locker room. Um, I just literally right before I hopped on was why like I was, I hopped on like two minutes before we started was I was getting, um, my story up on Quintavious Hutchins, but I spoke with him one-on-one in the locker room today and like what, talk him about what it means to make the team. And you like the smile on his face as he was talking, like, he's just so happy. He loves it here too. Don't forget. He's a BC kid.
Speaker: Yeah. He's, you know, he's only a few miles down the road and he got, you know, he got to stay. There's also the, the Bill O'Brien, Mike Rabel connection there. So I'm sure that played a factor, but, um,
Speaker: I just think that's someone who's going to keep his head down and work. And the special teams to me is what stands out the most of you. You can get someone who can do both You know, if you need him to fill in an edge, he's young and he still has a lot of growing to do at the edge position. Yes. But on special teams where, you know, you are dealing with some big injuries or you lost some guys, he could fill in and he can step up in that position.
Speaker: I mean, it's awesome that he made it. I thought, I thought Swinson last year looked like just on Swinson, he was super out of shape. I mean, I i don't know. I know he admitted that he was like two 70 last year and like two 55 this off season. I thought Swinson looked pretty good in a couple of those first preseason games, but ultimately, i mean, and I'll, I'll work this into a way to talk about Gabe Ackes, who I've been like a little critical of, um you know,
Speaker: Just to, again, congrats to to Q. Hutchins, good for him. That's awesome. Hope he's a nice guy. I don't know. But hope he, you know, good luck to him. i hope he gets to contribute. I think when we look to Ackes, who's someone that we wanted to, I think, stand out a little bit more. Yes. And be a little better this preseason. Like, I'm not, I think the word, the concern word is too, maybe like too strong. Like, I'm not concerned because he missed all the ah all the spring, right? But,
Speaker: Man, I watched every snap that he did this preseason, like every snap on tape, all 22 after I was like staring at Ackis for every snap. And I'm like watching him like, what is he doing? Like frequently, like all the time, like he bites on if there's a fake. he's gonna bite him like he's like he's gonna find that fucking thing and he's gonna get like that's like not to go off yeah i'm saying this the other day he's like looking the piece peeking peeking the backfield he's like what's good you know he's so to me like with akis i know people like want akis to and i'll share here we go the chat up here no akis slander um you know listen I wish I'll put this. Listen, I want to root for Akis every day. want Akis to be incredible.
Speaker: This is the difference. Like, it's not like an agenda. Like, i want Akis to be good. I want that clear. He just wasn't good. He has no idea what he's looking at beyond raw. And so I was just really surprised how raw he was um and disappointed. And then all of a sudden you go to practice and people are, you know, some of you guys might be tweeting out, wow, Akis, incredible practice, three pressures and a sack. I'm like, we watch him in the game. So where's the difference there, Sophie, between practice Akis and game Akis? Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, I think a game's a very different situation. You know, he's still learning the speed of the NFL. I think that's probably the biggest thing is in, don't forget in practice, the speed is down a little bit more, you know, they're, they're able to stop the play.
Speaker: know, Vrabel can go in and fix things. There's no, that doesn't happen in the game. The game is just constant. So yeah my guess is, is just not ready for that. That speed quite yet of the NFL. um With Gabe Ackes, I do think that he has a lot of potential, but I think he's young. i think missing the spring was was pretty bad and is goingnna you know is what's showing probably in those game tapes right now is just how he missed that. um But like I said, I think he has potential.
Speaker: the The thing that worries me with him is that just when you look at the edge position, you need a vet under Elijah Ponder and Draymond Jones. The fact that you have two rookies,
Speaker: in your edge room and that, and to fill in, if God forbid, one of those guys go down, that's scary to me. um yeah those Um, as I said, with, with, gay you know, Q, I think is ready to step in if needed, but I don't think, you know, he's ready for that responsibility of having to step in for Elijah Ponder, Draymond Jones, say, and then gave back us, I think kind of just is showing, you know, is,
Speaker: Yes, he's the second round pick. You want this guy to perform, but he missed all that time in the spring. And I just, that you that can't be your top depth option right now. So in terms of if I'm looking at this entire roster, like I literally have a printed sheet and I update it every time a move is made on my computer um of the entire roster right now. If I'm looking at that, the weakest room, in my opinion, is that edge room simply because they need one more person. They need that extra depth piece. I think what they have is good, but if you you just need someone to slot in between Ponder and Gabe.
Speaker: Yeah. Yeah. I want it's, you know, is Pond, I mean, this rapid, rapid fire question is Ponder shown that much to be a starter. Yeah. Ponder had a, like Ponder was really good last year. think that. He looks good enough to you. Like he should be, he should be starter. That's, that hasn't been a worry for me to be honest is Ponder in the game. Okay.
Speaker: I think that he's looked good. I, you know, I think that maybe it was because there were other fears this summer, but I think that if there was a fear that he wouldn't be ready, it would have been we would have been talking about it a lot more. And I don't, and I think that was a very much a non-story this summer. You weren't really hearing his name too, too much. And I don't think that's, necessarily a bad thing um because also the other thing you have to consider with the edge and when we say gay back has got a sack got in the backfield is that's all very subjective to what we're seeing because there's no scrambling or there's no practice like if someone gets in the backfield like the quarterbacks typically still throw the ball and like it we chart though we will make note of who got in the backfield but we also know the completion of it all So that's also very, you have to kind of consider that is that we were doing our best, but it's not a game situation. It's not, you know, if a sack happens, unless it's a very obvious sack, typically to the play, they let the play continue and play out.
Speaker: um So when you're not hearing as much from the edge group and practices, that's also because they're prop they're not going as, as hard because they're not going to tackle. They're not going for the sack.
Speaker: They're not going to, you know, you're not going to dream on Jones and Elijah Ponder. Aren't going to touch your quarterback. You don't want them getting anywhere near Drake and they're going to make sure of that. So they're not be lining it for him. Like they wouldn't a game. And then you're not seeing them in a game because Rabel had all the starters sit. So when you don't hear his name, I don't see that as a bad thing in the preseason right now.
Speaker: Gotcha. Brad, how do you feel about the edge role? I don't know why we haven't signed a bet yet. I just don't know. We have the Caps face. We've been talking about it for a while.
Speaker: i don't know why we haven't done it. I mean, Landry going on the pup, right? we like I don't know if that guy's going to see the field again. What's what's going to happen with that? Yeah, we wanted Yakis to step up and be a guy. He hasn't shown that. He's clearly behind. So you're reliant on Ponder and Jones to be the guys to come in there.
Speaker: I mean, you got – it's a position by committee. You got to get fresh legs. You got to be able to rotate guys in to be able to make something happen. I just don't see how they're going to dial up the pressure. If anything, I think it's going to be all containment.
Speaker: And I talked about it last week. They're probably going have to move around Durden Farmer, putting like Milton Williams on the edge. of farm Or Farmer played a little bit on the edge last year. Like they're going to rotate some of the interior guys to basically just contain.
Speaker: which can work in some instances, but there's some quarterbacks you got to get after the quarterback, right? you need the speed. You need the speed. Your linemen don't have that same speed an edge defender does.
Speaker: Yeah, so I just... extremely concerning so like i said can you bring in a guy like a boza and sign him in and be like hey i need 15 snaps a game like yeah whatever cap is not it clap is not an issue with the roster right now like we have we plenty of cash plenty of cash to go around for these players so i just don't understand why you wouldn't want to bring in a guy for like a one-year contract to just see what you get and see what happens. Or just be another guy that could help help coach a guy like Yakis, right? You get a guy in there that could be like, hey, let me show you the ropes, show you what you need to do and how you need to attack it. like No offense to Ponder or Jones, like
Speaker: professionals, but they're not elite guys. They've never been elite guys in their career. And we're asking them to be bell cows for us because we have nothing behind them. So it's just, it's mind boggling to me that we haven't signed anyone. Cause this is essentially the week it would happen. It would have happened like after the 53 man clears or right before, like you get the guys that are going to go out and sign.
Speaker: um just, I'm shocked that we didn't do anything to address it. And It's extremely concerning. It's the biggest concern that you have in the entire entire roster. It's the defensive end. What are we going to do about the defensive end? What's going to happen? I mean, imagine if one of those guys goes down for an injury.
Speaker: Like, what are you doing then? and i about to step up yeah i think ah I think Joey Bosa is going retire. I think that's the guess with Bosa. They're saying he'll probably to retire.
Speaker: um i would I would sign Calvin. I know he's older and he's been here a while ago. I would sign vinois and just take a complete flyer on him and see if he has anything left in the tank. That'd be great.
Speaker: um And then the hope of someone goes down, Ackis would just like step in and and hopefully be okay. But yeah, but yeah, it is the, it is the weak link on the team, but you know, it's, I don't know, man. i think, I think we talked about you finding, you nitpick the the negatives. That's because that's, that's what we're doing right now. Right. We're, we're finding the negatives a little bit. We're nitpicking the weakness on the roster, but it's true. Like we haven't talked about it because this this is how you analyze the team. Right. But we haven't talked about how good certain parts of the team will be and how, how much better I think there'll be in certain aspects. And,
Speaker: I think ah like especially we touched on joint practices like between May throwing to to A.J. Brown and Romeo Dobbs. You know, is the league generally, do you think they're underestimating the Patriots offense? I think Kyle said it best today. did he use? Nasty was the word I think he used. Yeah, he said they're nasty. I mean, this is, again, the first year I've covered this team where the wide receiver room, the only thing we're talking about them having too many guys. Like that's crazy to me considering where I've been the last three years covering this team. It's amazing. And no, I absolutely, this is an incredible wide receiver room to me. I mean, I can go down the list. You know, you have AJ, you know what he can do. You've seen it on the field and having Drake throwing to him, you know, and he's just as excited to have that deep ball passer throwing to him.
Speaker: um is just that much better. Romeo Dobbs, I mean, wow, what ah what a summer for Romeo Dobbs. He started out so slow and I think had people worried. if They're kind of like, you know, you're bringing this guy and that was, ah you know, decently, not a huge huge, you know, not your A.J. Brown of it all, but like that was a big signing and then has a slow spring. All of a sudden sudden, he's mossing guys in the end zone. You're like,
Speaker: the hell did you come from? So, you know, you have that. Demario Douglas, I've said this since, the I mean I said it last year you love you love pop I'm a pop I think pop this year is really gonna step and I I see him especially not that digs was like bad for his role but I think that last season they just were trying him everywhere i think if you can narrow in pop's role to like that slot position I really think he's gonna succeed and he's gonna excel there um Matt Collins is that hybrid wide receiver tight end um
Speaker: that you can use as a big body guy that, you know you saw it last year where you put him in on third down situations and you throw the ball up high and you know he's going to come down with it.
Speaker: um And then, yeah, Kyle. Oh, my God, Kyle. All I can say with Kyle Williams this is his damn release. I mean, what i that's the tape I could watch all day. Efton Chisholm and Kyle are also your top – returners too.
Speaker: um You know, that's what you're looking at for special teams. So I just think it's a really stacked room and um I'm just so excited. And I think that, you know, you can throw Chisholm out there for certain roles and not, you know, just cut. The other thing too, is that, you know, that whatever, the like Devon Weatherspoon comes Seattle is going to be on AJ Brown the entire game.
Speaker: There's no question about that. Okay, that leaves Romeo open. That leaves DeMario Douglas open. You can throw – that leaves Hunter – like there are guys you can throw in there, and that leaves them all open. Not to say that they won't target A.J. They should, but that's a stacked room that if Drake throws it to anyone.
Speaker: do do you feel like it's starting to click for Kyle Williams this year? Do you feel like year two, it's starting to click this offseason? He's getting a little bit more in rhythm quicker. He's understanding the offense, his position.
Speaker: Yeah, I want to see more consistency. I think that's the biggest thing is that, you know, he he has these plays where you're just – your jaw drops or this, you know, and you're just like, oh my God, like how did he do that? But I don't think – you know you're not seeing it to the frequency that you need, you know, to be this like reliable everyday receiver. i think he has the potential. i just – I think that's what needs to happen is that consistency to come in. And I think that's maybe where, you know, some of the talk this summer, you know,
Speaker: was with Kyle was that we, we weren't seeing it every single day. We'd see a play towards the end of the summer. Yes. He was, I mean, him and he, he'd be catching bombs from Tommy DeVito almost every practice, but earlier on you weren't seeing that every day.
Speaker: And so you're kind of wondering like, can he sustain it? Cause, and so I think, I think it will be a year to jump, but I just, I want to see it more in games. I don't think the preseason showed enough of that consistency.
Speaker: Yeah. Yeah, I think ah well with Kyle, the problem last year, we kind of – I don't want to – obviously, we don't want to write him off like because he's really talented and he's really fast, blah, blah, blah, has his release package, all that stuff, right? But the problem was every time Drake would throw him the ball, it was like not in the vicinity of the player or catchable. and you're like, what's going on here? Like they couldn't figure out a way to make it happen. So hopefully, you know again, to me this year, if he has – five, 600 receiving yards, Kyle Williams, right? That's a great season. like think Awesome. You know, like that's a step up. Maybe you're a wide receiver three at some point in the future. Right. Like, like that's, that's how I would like, so pop Douglas talked about this briefly, I think on our megapod or whatever we had is pop getting that second con that next contract.
Speaker: You know, like, is he, is this basically a trial year? Like pops got a pop and then, uh, you know, let's see if he earns himself another deal. And then what kind of deal does that look like? Does he go to another organization and say, and they're like, Hey man, we want to give you real money where the Patriots are like, we want to give you 8 million bucks a year. You know what i mean? So I don't know. How do you, so how do you feel about this? Pop Douglas going to earn another contract? Like how how do you think that's going to go?
Speaker: I think if he has a season, they're going to want to keep him. Like if he has a good season, if he's kind of that reliable guy in the slot, they're going to want to keep him. But as you said, it's almost like a double-edged sword of like, if pop has a really good season, you're too good. or even if you like, don't be too good there's teams out there that are going to over overpay potentially. If you have that standout season, And that's a fear is that you could lose into that because the Patriots just can't afford to take that kind of contract on, given that they're going to have, they have AJ's contract. They have Milton's contract. Hopefully we'll have the Gonzalez deal straightened out and you're paying Drake next year.
Speaker: And that deal, i don't see much happening like with this, like back and forth that deal. i think they're going to fuck around with Drake's contract. No, it's going to be, here's your money. Take it and run. Please take our money. Please take. Yeah. That's the one that's like, please take our money. Um,
Speaker: So I just, you know, in that sense, it's kind of like if you're too good, you're, you do risk losing him. But I think also part of it is there are guys who take more team friendly deals to, because they want to be um, on the team they want. That's the team they want to be on. They're not willing to take that overpay or you know, um,
Speaker: they're willing to take a cut in a, in a sense, because that's the team they want to be on. And I could also very much see that happening with pop. That is a guy who one loves playing with Drake, loves the Josh McDaniel system. He, he, he thinks he, you know, that's his, he fits right in there. um Loves the room, loves variable.
Speaker: That's it's like all the things that you want to see from a receiver that, you know, if that season happens where it, a you know, the, the jets, that's always my example of like a team that's willing to overpay probably of, you know, comes in and they're like, here's everything we have basically, you know, please take our money and come play for us. He could be like, no, thanks. I'm going to stay here if they're willing to offer me this kind of deal.
Speaker: Cause that's enough for me. And I still, and I'm, I get to compete for titles and for playoffs rather than just taking the money and my season being over the first weekend. It's January. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker: I think we might be moving towards the, moving towards the age where I've said this before, where hopefully players begin to again, take those lesser deals to come here because you're a destination. Right. And and I believe again, it was like Tom Curran, used to say the suck tax always just to talk about the suck tax for a couple years. And man, that is just the shittiest place to be as an organization. I mean, we're, we couldn't sign, uh, was it Calvin Ridley or Ridley? Yeah. I mean, there were there were more receivers than that. that
Speaker: They were willing to pay over 30 a year. Brandon Ayuk at 30. Thank God. Calvin Ridley literally said he's like, yeah, my girlfriend doesn't like it up there. He doesn't, you know, where he's like. forgot about that. That was crazy. Like your girlfriend? Like you won't take 28 million because your girlfriend? Godwin. yet that Okay, that was the other one I was thinking. god went on come this Godwin.
Speaker: Although he went he went back to Tampa because he was a Tampa guy. Like, that's a perfect example. where the just do godwin like they try to Yeah, but that was an example where the guy was just comfortable in the system and the environment where he's at.
Speaker: But no that's also, yeah, that's that's what you want from Pop. That's what, you know, if if he has that season and that he's willing to take that cut to come back. I mean, may and Rabel have changed the script, right? They've clearly shown last year that they have a formula that could get you into the Super Bowl, right?
Speaker: And we'll see. This will be a huge telling year. Like, everyone's going to obviously point to the schedule, schedule, schedule. I don't want to go into that. But... It's a year where if they go ahead year three with Vrabel and May and they come out and they're back in the playoffs, they're back in contention, they're you know competing towards the top of the AFC.
Speaker: 100% their destination spot again because every player recognizes like you said Sophie like two years ago if you think about where their wide receiver room just look at their entire roster and what they've done in two years is insane insane teams don't turn it around that quickly obviously it helps us because we got the quarterback we got the guy But like there's a lot of pieces where you say, like we hit here, we hit there, we got the right signing. like It's hard to point to really any of our free agency signings and say, like well, that was a really bad risk and that was a miss. like We haven't had any of them. So, yeah, if we win, if we go out there strong and show a strong showing, 100% we're going to get those veteran guys that are go to come in here at a discount because they want to come compete for championships and they want to play for May and Vrabel.
Speaker: I mean, Vrabel to me is... the biggest like thing you can circle to why the turnaround was what it was, was, you know, when Gerard was named head coach, they couldn't, they were struggling to get an offensive coordinator, let alone players to come in. And it's things of that nature. All of a sudden Mike Vrabel's in and you're, you know, you saw the reports way before that Josh McDaniels was, you know, he, he already had that plan to bring Josh back as offensive coordinator. He had all these guys who we'd built those connections with in Tennessee that then or wanted to come back and play for him. So to me, that was the best thing that organization did at that exact time was, you know, to because that's also something where that was a guy that the crowd would draw that they handpicked. that They said, this is Bill's successor. I think nine out of 10 organizations probably would have given him another year or two, to be honest, and if I'm honest, because that is the guy that you, i mean, you made this massive statement. You fired a future Hall of Fame head coach, um you know, ah that many Super Bowls and you're you're like mutual parting of ways. And then Kraft comes on the radio and says, or does like an interview and says he was fired.
Speaker: You have all that. And then this is the guy you can pick. Typically you'd want to give him some time to develop, but they were like, no, we want this turnaround now. He's out, Vrabel's still market, immediately get him in here and you're in the Super Bowl. Like that, you know, as much as,
Speaker: the crafts are getting a lot of slack for what's going on with Gonzalez and that is okay. But you do have to give for what the turnaround is. I think that is a huge kind of plus for the craft organization of that. The fact that they were willing to just be like, this clearly isn't working.
Speaker: We made a mistake. Let's switch this out in year one. Yeah, i i think um I think that's a really valid point. people Obviously, Kraft is the one people decide to gang up on for you know many reasons. But I think truly, like his willingness to fire Gerard Mayo when it needed to be done yeah um needs praise. And people should praise that move. I mean, i don't know where Vrabel would be somewhere else now coaching. And to think that Vrabel was able to come in, have i mean, think of it. Mayo came in, he couldn't staff –
Speaker: the team. He couldn't, you're like, what do you mean? Like it was the most ill-prepared coaching situation. I couldn't believe it. They hired, had like Robin Glazer running his like shit for him. Like shit's leaking all over the place that year. That was wild. So it was just a bad year. It was a bad, bad year.
Speaker: People riding bikes in the locker room. Right. what's going on right now? Well, you're talking about this, like, culture shift, which also, like, that to me was like, you know, it just showed that it was more, you know, you could have fun again, and we're all like talking these good things, and then all of a sudden it's like, mm.
Speaker: Maybe not, but yeah no, i I mean, with the, I think also the Patriots got very lucky, lucky that Vrabel wasn't picked up right after he was fired by Tennessee. Cause that to me was actually the most shocking move of that entire coaching cycle was that Vrabel was not hired by another team.
Speaker: And I, I don't know if the crafts would have been willing to fire Gerard had Vrabel not still been available. I think that was something that, you know, yeah. You just had to be like, this guy's still in the market. How we can't pass him up again.
Speaker: I think Drake is obviously like a pretty special quarterback. I wonder how different his development is without Josh. And I think it would be maybe slower. I know people probably in the comments will be like, no, he's going to be amazing no matter what. And I listen, I i understand. I think he's a phenomenally talented person. I just think McDaniels is a really good offensive coach. He's a really good offensive coordinator. He's amazing.
Speaker: he's amazing. Amazing. He's a great staff member. And this was a great hire by Vrabel. And I know everyone wanted Ben Johnson. Like that was like the big debate between Vrabel and Ben Johnson. But like.
Speaker: You were one of them. Yeah. And I wondering, I didn't mind. Did you want but bump Ben Johnson? I think I was, I'm trying to, I'd have to go read my tweets. Yes. No, hundred percent. A hundred percent. Cause I was, area I remember right now I was Vrabel guy. i was Vrabel through and through.
Speaker: And you and Snooty were like, nope, we got to get Ben Johnson. We got to be offensive focused. We'll get comments on this because people love this fucking debate. But like I was i was i was high as as many were. And to be honest, he's a good hire. Like Ben Johnson is a really bright yeah offensive line. And him with Drake May would have also been probably incredible. So um I don't think it's like a lose-lose. I just think like the Patriots made the Super Bowl.
Speaker: It's hard to say. they could you know You can't do much better than that. you know And I think you have two defensive coaches in the Super Bowl. I have nothing but crazy respect for Mike McDonald, too, and and how he coaches that defense. He's a freak show, man. That dude, he's like, he might be the next Belichick type of dude. He's the Sean the defensive Sean McVay, young guy. He's just brilliant defensively.
Speaker: And you ever hear him talk about defense and how he organizes stuff? Like he's a savant. So I'm a big fan of Mike McDonald, obviously. um i just think he's a really great coach. But, but yeah, man, I think it was a great hire. Obviously, they they got a fantastic ah ah coaching staff. I love – I didn't know anything about stretch. Love stretch, right? there They got a a great coaching staff.
Speaker: And I think this year they're going to be, I think, better than people think. People are just looking at the schedule. I get it. It's hard. Whatever. um You know, they're still going to be a really, really effective team. And the offense is going to really, really good and probably better than people think. So, um all right, we'll start start wrapping it up so we don't keep Sophie for the entire night. Honestly, this has flown by. This has been so much fun. I, like, just looked at the time and I'm like, holy crap, it's been an hour. Just so much fun, you know. It's been, like, five minutes. What is happening? This is just, like, just one time.
Speaker: You know, it's just entertainment. Tuesday night entertainment. Jeez. I can talk football on Tuesday night. have it I know. My God. So good. um but Sophie, where, where can the people find you and what are you working on? Tell them about yourself.
Speaker: Yeah, no, Twitter is probably the best place I put everything, um all my crazy thoughts, stories, everything on there. um it is my name, Sophie Weller, but with two E's and two R's because one E and one R was taken when I made my username. Honestly, i yeah, i' like kind of let it's like kind of become my personality as the two E's and two R's. I use it for everything now, but it's like so funny because it's like it happened because I tried to just do like my just my name straight up and it was like, no this is taken. i was like, well, what about two? I think it was like my mom who was like, well, just try two E's and two R's. And I was like, okay. And then it was like, oh, it's open.
Speaker: and I was like, this is literally now my entire personality. um But yeah, and then I also talk football on my podcast, Fourth and Foxboro, with um Ethan Hurwitz from On si Yeah, we had Ethan on recently. Yeah, yeah great. He's awesome. And it's we're just two nerds who love talking football and don't take life too seriously is how I like to describe it. you know We just have some fun. um But we're both agile at gillette every day we can be. So it's also that boots on the ground coverage. But yeah, no, just –
Speaker: just you know, i'm always tweeting about football. 99%. That are, that are the socks. Look this. We got paper ways. I love that. Wow. Paper ways being so nice. That, that was amazing. Like, um to hear that because that's true you know what on do you know what the statistics of i'm not mansplaining anything you know what you know what i didn't want to cut you off you're let me explain to you women go go uh no you know you know the statistics of my audience male to female do you want guess and this is really bad oh sophie you guess how many males i don't even i honestly i'm just gonna let you tell me I got it's 95% now, which is, I thought borderline impossible. You'd figure like accidentally more women would like read my tweets or something, but it's truly incredibly skewed. So maybe that says something poor about myself, but I'm not sure. Anyway, Brett, you any final thoughts? Anything you want add?
Speaker: No, I mean, Sophia, obviously great having you on the pod. It's always fun to talk. I mean, welcome to our Tuesday night. This is all we do is just talk sports and go through it. You text me. I'm here now. this is I told you, this is the fastest hour of my life. Like, this is so much fun.
Speaker: Yeah, well, it's cool. I mean, we like talking to people that are are down there at Gillette every day and talking to players and getting vibes off them and things like that because it just gets us more insight as to, like, where we're at and the vibes and the feel of the teams and – Yeah, it's it's finally in a positive direction for the team, so that's always great. And and it's good to have someone like yourself to jump on the pod and give us that insight and different perspective than the three of us usually talking because sometimes we'll usually have Snooty on, but we've been trading off with guests and stuff. so We'll just get lost talking like, I don't know, a draft from like 2002. Oh, yeah. we'll just get on some stupid shit that we remember from like high school.
Speaker: That sounds like Barth and Lazar at practice every day. Or their Catch-22 podcast is just them going on some like tangent about, like oh, I'd love it. I could listen to the two of them talk all day. They're hilarious. That's like a similar vibe. Especially when you get into the draft. When we get offseason, there's nothing going on. We're just in draft mode. like Brett gets like annoyed. at all like because me and sty Well, they get they get so far in the weeds, it's crazy. the The Campbell draft year drove me nuts because we were garbage, and it was like starting October I was like, I can't do this. Six months tough time. I can't six months. It's like 10 months. Cause you got to get to the draft. So that was, that was brutal. But yeah, Snooty the kind of guy that you could get in the game with them and be like, what was the offensive line of this year?
Speaker: Like dating back to like the mid seventies. And he could probably give it to you. Yep. That is Alex Barth as well. but Yeah. Well, Barth, man. I like Barth.
Speaker: Snooty knows the Pats. Barth, man, his draft knowledge is insane. Insane. He'll just name a player from and like from a draft class that literally probably maybe like played a training camp with a certain team, but was like a standout at college. And it will just like start rattling off statistics of this guy. and I'm like, what?
Speaker: like yeah my I don't know where that's stored. like I need to work on my memory because i you know i I got my memory for Pat's stuff, but outside of that, I'm like, oh my God. I'm decent. Any Patriots stuff back to about 96, I'm pretty good on per season knowledge stuff, statistics. Probably outside the Patriots, I'd be very general. I know some, but not that. All right. Let me wrap it up. Let me wrap it. So I don't want to keep Sophie forever.
Speaker: um all right. Thank you so much, Sophie, for coming on. you for having me. daie Everyone tuning in and we'll catch you next time. Peace. All right. Peace.
