It is Super Bowl Sunday but we are solely focused on the Patriots and the latest happenings around the team.
Here ten thoughts on the week that was for the Patriots. Super Bowl Sunday is here.
Super local flavor: Super LIX has a lot of local connections to both the area and the Patriots. Chiefs Senior Vice President of Football Operations and Strategy Chris Shea is a Belmont native and B.C grad. Co -Director of College Scouting Pat Sperduto is a Somerville native and Springfield Grad, Team President Mark Donovan is a Brown grad. You can bet there will be plenty of rooting interest around here.
Philosophy aplenty: The Patriots coaching staff appears to be set. It will be interesting to see how the staff comes together from a philosophy standpoint, especially on offense. A lot of different schematical experience on that side of the ball. Will the Patriots run the East Coast Offense they ran for years or will we see more blending of ideas? I think we will see more blending. Vrabel doesn’t hire a Thomas Brown if he didn’t want that.
Loyalty matters to Vrabel: Of the 25 assistants Vrabel hired, 10 of them had past ties to him. Loyalty and protecting the brotherhood are important to Vrabel and he said as much when the staff was announced on Wednesday.
“The goal in filling out the 2025 Patriots coaching staff was to identify loyal, trustworthy coaches who are diverse in background, ideas, experiences and systems,” said Vrabel. “We will be aligned in our vision to teach and develop our players with creativity, consistency and an attention to detail with the major goal of developing relationships that stretch beyond the field and meeting rooms.
“We are going to build a program that players, coaches and staff want to be a part of, protect and be proud of.”
McAdefense: One of the more interesting hires is Ben McAdoo as Senior Defensive Assistant. McAdoo has never coached defense in his career. One would think that he will be tasked with helping the defensive coaches by painting a picture for them in terms of offenses want to do.
Smith hire proves change in defensive philosophy: Outside linebackers coach Mike Smith is a telling hire. He played in the NFL for six seasons. Like Vrabel, he was a multi-faceted player who could play on or off the ball as a linebacker. With the Patriots now prioritizing longer, versatile players on the outside who can rush the passer, Smith will become an important coach to watch on the defensive side of the ball. He will be coaching edge players who will be key to the new defensive scheme.
Busy week for Maye: Drake Maye has had a busy week at the Pro Bowl and in New Orleans. Part of what he was doing was recruiting other players to the Patriots. Part of the recruiting process is centered around him taking the next step in Year two. Maye talked about that.
“I think big thing is kind of a year one to year two — people always talk about just taking a jump,” Maye said this week on Good Morning Football. “For me just trying to improve. Improve in certain areas.”
Situational football is one area Maye will have to improve in. He talked about that with Sirius FM.
“Situational football is huge. Playing my position, you have to be in tune in every situation. It’s on you,” Maye told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Those guys are looking at you — the other 10 guys on the field, it’s your job to get things going and get things on the right page. So I think situational football and just continuing to grow as a leader.”
Maye will have a better supporting cast and the coaching should be just as good or better. Taking the next step will be the key to the Patriots success in 2025.
Deebo trade? The San Francisco 49ers are rumored to be shopping Deebo Samuel. I think the Patriots should explore trading for him. Not necessarily to play receiver but to use him more like Kevin Faulk and James White. Line him up in the slot or in the back field and use as a Swiss Army knife that can create match up.
Collins joins Belichick at UNC: Former Patriots linebacker Jaime Collins is joining Bill Belichick at North Carolina. Collins wanted to get into coaching, reached out to Belichick and he has been hired as a defensive assistant.
“Trying to step into another lane that I think I’ll be great at, man, and that’s coaching,” Collins told TMZ Sports. “Blessed for the opportunity. … I love that dude, he loved me, obviously. He can’t get rid of me. So we’ll see how that works out. But yeah, I’m grateful, man. I’m shocked, but I’m grateful and ready.”
Another Belichick at UNC: As expected, Brian Belichick will be joining his dad and brother at North Carolina as safeties coach. Belichick was not retained by Vrabel after nine seasons with the organization.
Vinatieri denied: Adam Vinatieri did not get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is disappointing. Part of the reason, the NFL changed their bylaws. Candidates had to receive 80% of the vote in order to get in. Vinatieri had plenty of support but clearly fell short thanks to the change.