I wasn't one of those who had unrealistic optimism about the team this year. I understood that certain things with injuries and plays didn't go the team's way last year but a 4-winteam is unlikely to turn into a 10-win team. I am beginning to get nervous though. A lot of talk around practice this year has same vibes as the last 2 years. Defense is getting pressure without even trying. Lanes blocked. I saw a highlight throw from Maye and the covering safety obviously didn't make a defensive movement because of the no-contact nature of practice but it would have 100% been broken up in a game situation. Am I jumping to conclusions too quickly? I can accept this might be a multi-year rebuild. -Shane O'Brien

Well, I think you're both jumping to conclusions a little too quickly while you also need to accept this will be a multi-year rebuild regardless of how the first five practices looked. We're all a little shell-shocked from the last two training camps and we're stuck trying to remind ourselves what the early days of offense should look like and that defense should be ahead of offense at this point, especially with a new offense going against a defense that already knows what they're doing. Based on Monday's first padded session, I'd say things are headed in the right direction. There is a system being put in place by coaches who know what they want. They showed strides on Monday, especially in the run game, where we saw a handful of well executed plays that opened up some nice holes for the running backs. It was a good day to remember patience. There certainly isn't the sense of frustration emanating from the fields as we saw at times in 2022 and 2023 when the offense just couldn't string much of anything together. It appears they've settled on a line combination they like and the rest is showing signs of coming together, at least with Brissett under center.

That said, Drake Maye is still a ways off so we do need to be patient while waiting for him. But if Brissett helps get the system in place, it will be ready for Maye to eventually take it to another level. Hopefully. -Mike Dussault

When Jabrill Peppers landed that thunderous tackle last season which introduced Jalen Hurts to the true meaning of his surname and caused a much-needed fumble as well the the play for me epitomizes everything that he stands for and can produce on a regular basis which also has the effect to set a standard for others to emulate within your franchise at every level. With the news that our New England Patriots had tied him up with a much-deserved contract extension can you give me your thoughts on it all since you're a bit of a Jabrill Peppers super fan like myself? -Marc Saez

Yep, I love what Peppers brings to the team and how he plays the game with an infectious aggressive style that jumps off the field. Clearly the Patriots see Peppers and Dugger as the foundation of their secondary for the foreseeable future. Now the question is only how good can they be together and whether or not they'd be maximized with a third rotational player. McCourty and Chung were awesome, but they were made even better by the flexibility that Duron Harmon offered. Ideally both Peppers and Dugger will have enough flexibility to continue their playmaking ways close to the line of scrimmage. Maybe Jaylinn Hawkins can be that guy, he's been heavily involved so far. -Mike Dussault

Why not let the young WR's play over Shuster and Osborne and see who may emerge? -Larry G.

We'll see how it all plays out but to this point there's just constant rotation of all the wide receivers in all situations. Based on five practices, the most active receivers have been Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen Reagor, but the others, like Juju, Osborne, Thornton and Boutte, have all had their moments. Thornton in particular had a couple impressive catches during team work on Monday. But we still have not even seen Pop Douglas (limited with a hand injury) nor Kendrick Bourne (PUP), and those two might be their best receivers on the roster at this point, so it's hard to truly know how it will all play out. But every time Polk or Javon Baker catches a pass it's hard not to wonder if they could truly be the future. Baker has been coming on the last two practices while Polk has been particularly busy in just about every practice we've seen dating back to the spring. If those two continue to ascend and Bourne and Douglas eventually join them the Patriots could be cooking with gas. For the next few weeks though, every rep of every practice will be meaningful for all the receivers. -Mike Dussault

How did the Pats manage to be ranked #9 in spending with low-cost QB's while having no shot at a playoffs? -Stan C.

It's just offseason spending and we should really wait until the recent quarterback numbers drop because I'd bet the Dolphins and Packers might've pushed the Pats out of the top-10 for whatever that means. I think the Patriots spent good money on good players this offseason. It was something they had to do. I don't get caught up in which teams are spending more or less money. The Patriots needed to reestablish a long-term core and they did so by hanging on to their best young players and they didn't overextend themselves to do it. It's a measured approach with selective aggressiveness, while the attempted Calvin Ridley signing showed they aren't afraid to extend themselves for a star player. Prior to the 2024 offseason the Patriots defense was barren for 2025. Moves had to be made and they either had to resign guys like Dugger, Peppers and Barmore, pay even more money in free agency, or waste even more time going back to the draft for the kind of players you already had in the building. There will still be work next offseason, especially on offense and likely at edge rusher, but based on what they did this year I believe this regime understands what they're doing and won't be afraid or limited to make the necessary moves. -Mike Dussault

Are Pats hoping to pick up a late running back waiver to have at least three capable ball carriers? -Ken Cominski

I think that's a pretty good bet, though we've only seen one padded practice to this point. We know Stevenson and Gibson are the top two, but I'm still eager to get a better look at undrafted rookies Terrell Jennings and Deshaun Fenwick, as well as veteran JaMycal Hasty, who looked quick and had a nice rush during Monday's practice. The young legs of Jennings and Fenwick should have some burst to offer in the preseason and I wouldn't rule out one of them flashing. I also would not rule out Kevin Harris, who also had a couple of good runs on Monday. It really might just be Stevenson, Gibson and Harris to start with someone like Hasty on the practice squad as a back-up third-down option. There are still some intriguing backs out there like Ezekiel Elliot last year, so it's a position I try not to worry too much about. Ideally, they get a full year from a dominant Stevenson and the depth won't matter. -Mike Dussault

With Barmore out indefinitely how do you see his role being filled? @PatsFan0910

Probably Daniel Ekuale is the biggest beneficiary in terms of snaps, he filled in pretty well for Barmore in 2022 and had his best year as a pro. Ekuale is the kind of interior upfield player that Barmore is but Barmore has special potential. Add in the uncertainty with Judon and my worries about the Patriots pass rush this year are very real. Many are high on the defense coming into this season and fro good reason, but Lawrence Guy is gone, Godchaux and Judon are looking for new deals and now Barmore is out indefinitely. They will have to lean heavily on Deatrich Wise Jr. and free agent addition Armon Watts. I knew there would be uncertainty in 2025 along the defensive line and it hard to believe but that uncertainty has only increased through the first week of camp. -Mike Dussault

How did Maye look, on the first day of padded practice? @RedsoxJunkie75

Unfortunately, Maye struggled on Monday, but it's not any reason to panic in my view. I had him completing just one clean pass in nine reps of 11-on-11, though there were also a couple of drops. There were other extenuating circumstances. With David Andrews missing, Maye was taking snaps from third center Atonio Mafi and, in general, the rookie quarterback had a lot of pressure in his face right off the snap. It was the first day of pads for a rookie quarterback. It is what it is. Maye is 21 and maybe people like me who have been clamoring to throw him into the fire need to realize that he really is going to need some time before he's ready. I do think it's a good sign that Brissett is starting to get the offense into shape. Maybe we'll get a look at Maye with the top offensive line and things will look a little better. Otherwise, it's important not to get too worked up. Maye checks all the boxes and doesn't look lost, but he's not ready to carry an NFL offense by himself in training camp practice number five of his career. He'll be okay. -Mike Dussault

Mike, has anyone popped from the UDFA class who might have a decent shot at roster opportunities early? With a 15-man class (now 13) feels like there's a good chance to start a new UDFA streak. @TeamCrazyMatt

Good question! Thus far the only guy I'd dare put in the mix is Terrell Jennings at running back and he was on PUP for the first four practices. I'm basing it entirely on basically two runs today where he showed his size and burst. As discussed above, running back is a prime position of opportunity and both Jennings and Deshaun Fenwick probably have the easiest path to a roster spot.

John Morgan and Jotham Russell on the edges could have a chance too depending on Judon, but it's hard to see any locks at this point from the UDFA class. -Mike Dussault

With the awful issues for Barmore, Godchaux seemingly unhappy with his contract and now Judon not practicing, do you think the domination of last year's defense is looking unreachable? @clazzyclare

The statuses of Barmore, Godchaux and Judon will determine the ceiling of the defense this year, there's just no way around it. All three are the best at one particular thing that no other player on the roster can do quite as well, so the dropoff without any combination of those three players will be undeniable. Even with an excellent secondary, I just can't lie to myself and say that they can simply get by with what they have below those three on the depth chart. Maybe you can work around playing without one of them, but two would be bad and all three would be devastating to the defense. No question, Monday was a tough day for the defense after Barmore's situation was fully revealed, Peppers left practice after getting hurt and then Judon's interactions on the field. But it's still a long way to go until September 8, hopefully some of these situations get resolved soon. -Mike Dussault

If this is a "foundation" year for the Patriots, what would you think are the team goals to achieve said foundation? Curious to hear what you have to say. @RoderickMelvin

Something like re-establishing the offense to at least the middle of the pack. Finish somewhere like 13th-15th in total offense and I think we'd feel pretty good that a solid system is back in place, then they'd just need to keep stacking talent. Ultimately, finding talent is the bottom line, so if a couple rookies and second-year players suddenly look like impact players, especially on offense, New England will be back on the come in my view. I want them to be scrappy. A team that is just a pain to play for every team. That would be a pretty good first year of the new regime in my view even if they only win around a third of their games. -Mike Dussault

What's been significantly different in this year's training camp than from the Belichick era camps? @MrEd315

Music is much more prevalent throughout camp. The warmups are slightly different but still in line with some of the recent developments over the last couple years. Perhaps more noticeable to me is that there's been no red zone work. With Belichick they lived in the red zone early in camp whether it was seven-on-seven or 11-on-11. The way Alex Van Pelt and his offensive coaches are putting together their practices is a lot different for the quarterbacks first and foremost. Footwork drills are more of a constant for them, along with throwing into a net with three different targets. It doesn't feel completely different from a Belichick practice, a lot of drills and periods are the same but there are subtle differences in certain spots. -Mike Dussault

Hello fellow hosts. As a long time Patriots fans since 1993, thanks to Drew Bledsoe, my question is why doesn't the organization bring back those championship uniforms that the team wore from 2000 to 2019? Nine Super Bowl appearances, six wins. Why not do like the Tampa Bay Buccanneers did that year they won the Super Bowl? Those navy blue, silver and white jerseys were the most beautiful and most winningest of all. What are your thoughts about that? -Syl Gromko

My thoughts are that I completely agree with you and believe that the "Dynasty" uniforms have to re-enter the mix at some point. The Patriots are the only NFL Dynasty to currently be wearing uniforms that aren't the ones they won multiple championships. Green Bay, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Dallas have all stayed true to their roots even if some of them did briefly experiment with alternatives. The red uniforms coming back was a great first step but I believe we'll see a day when the winningest and best uniforms in Patriots history will return to the mix. -Mike Dussault

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer