We're currently in the awkward period between OTAs/mini-camp and training camp. The best way to describe it was that pre-pubescent world, where your voice would randomly hit this high octave just when you thought that was a thing of the past. It's also when you learn all about acne, smelly armpits, and a whole bunch of other stuff we won't delve into (that includes you in the comments, people).
I've got you covered with positional previews, but for this weekend's notebook, I thought I'd highlight who I see as the Patriots' top 5 most valuable defenders heading into the third week of July (I'll do offense next weekend). How do I define most valuable? It is a combination of talent (duh), scheme fit, scheme importance, and that undefinable quality that you just know when you see it.
5. Jabril Peppers: The tie that binds the back end to the front. A violent player, yet smart enough to handle Belichick's varied schemes in the old coach's final season. As I wrote earlier this week, Peppers looked and sounded like the player we came to appreciate that year and the one who earned a healthy contract extension in late July of 2024. Vrabel likes to weaponize his safeties. Sound like someone you know?
4. Robert Spillane: Small but mighty. Spillane is a heat-seeking missile with 306 tackles to his credit over the last two seasons. He's not the kind of linebacker we're used to in Foxborough. 225ish pounds, but quick, and a quick processor. Spillane is the unquestioned QB of this unit, "So, I tell the guys around me, ‘Go make plays, I’ll make you right,’ especially the guys in front of me."
3. Keion White: He has been very matter-of-fact about what he thought of his role, the defense, and the coaching from last year. Okay. Now prove why they screwed up. With the talent alongside him, White's going to see a lot of single blocks. He's talented enough to make offenses pay for that.
2. Christian Gonzalez: The only no-doubt blue chip player on this football team. The cornerback put opposing wideouts under lock and key a season ago. Now? He's stronger, quicker, and more confident. Bring on Tyreek Hill, D.K. Metcalf, Calvin Ridley (one of the few who played Gonzo to a draw), Ja'Marr Chase, and Mike Evans (among others).
1. Christian Barmore/Milton Williams: If the Pats are going to be what they can be defensively, these two will be at the heart of it. Barmore can't just be a guy. He has to be the 2023-24 version of himself - the best player on the entire team. You can look at the pass rush numbers, but Barmore's growth as a run defender is what made him worthy of his extension.
As for Williams, he received a boatload of cash, and based on his performance as a part-time player in the Super Bowl, we can all understand it. Some of his metrics (see pass-rush win rate) were absurd. I don't expect they'll remain at that level with a full-time role, but you can see Vrabel views him as a movable chess piece, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what that looks like.
OUT FOR VENGEANCE
The team that could have given the Philadelphia Eagles a run for their money in the Super Bowl instead didn't make it out of the Divisional Round. And if you don't think that leaves a mark on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, well, you don't know what drives him.
“I don’t get over any losses,” Jackson said during his first media appearance since talking postgame following that 27-25 playoff loss to the Bills. "I got losses from youth football that still haunt me."
The two-time MVP has spent the majority of this off-season working out on his own, bypassing OTAs. During that time, Jackson studied every one of the Ravens' losses from the past year, trying to find holes in his own game and that of the offense.
“We’re going to bounce back," he added after the first day of mandatory mini-camp earlier this week. "I feel like we’re going to have vengeance on our mind.”
The two-time MVP (some argue he should have won his third last season) also took umbrage with how his favorite target, tight end Mark Andrews, was treated following his costly drop on that two-point play that could have forced overtime with Buffalo.
"I've been seeing my guy be getting talked about, and I really don't like that because he's done so much for us," said Jackson. "He's done so much for us, and how people did him, I just don't like that. 'Cause Mark is still Mark, for sure, no doubt.
"He's accomplished so much for us and himself. I feel like, just let things happen sometimes. We wish we would've won the game. I wish I didn't throw that interception. I wish I didn't fumble. I wish the mishap didn't happen, but it happened. It's a lesson learned, man, so next time, we'll do something better."
Jackson was also asked about the possibility of a contract extension. The one he signed in 2023 is already outdated; Jackson is now the 10th-highest-paid quarterback in football. He declined to go down that road, but when apprised of John Harbaugh's quote that the signal caller should be the highest-paid player in the league, Jackson paused before slowly leaning into the microphone and saying, "That sounds good."
Jackson's deal was for five years and $230 million, but the reality of the agreement was essentially three years before the cap hit balloons to $74.5 million a year from now. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said the two sides are at the introductory stage of negotiations, but if it's anything like the last one, expect this to take some time.
WHY NOT?
Speaking of the Ravens, they wisely took Jackson's advice and signed his collegiate teammate and former Packer, Jaire Alexander. Alexander gets one year, worth up to $6 million. It's not a bad price for one of the best cornerbacks in football when healthy.
Therein lies the problem, however. Alexander has played just seven games in each of the last two seasons. And while the 28-year-old played at a high level, the Packers understandably wanted to rework his deal. After months of conversation, the two sides were unable to find common ground, resulting in Alexander's release.
Alexander joins Marlon Humphrey, last year's first-rounder, Nate Wiggins, and another free agent signee, Chidobe Awuzie, to compromise a formidable quartet. The Ravens also have T.J. Tampa (2024 fourth-round pick), Jalyn Armour-Davis (2022 fourth-round pick) and rookie sixth-rounders Robert Longerbeam and Bilhal Kone to compete for playing time.
“A quote that’s never been said and probably will never be said in NFL history is: ‘We’ve got too many corners that can cover,’” smiled Humphrey. “I think that’s a great problem to have, and I’m really excited for that addition.”
Oh, and former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano was hired this offseason to coach the secondary. That's a lot to like, assuming health.
HMMMM
Interesting nugget to come out of Green Bay this week. Incoming team president Ed Policy said he is not extending GM Brian Gutekunst or head coach Matt LaFleur before the season. Both men have two years remaining on their contracts, so there is no urgency to finalize a deal at this time. However, the comments from Policy certainly raise the temperature on both men, especially after he stated that he's generally opposed to GMs or head coaches entering the last year of a contract.
"That creates a lot of issues," Policy noted. “I think normally, you have a pretty good idea of where that relationship is going when you have two years left — not always, but normally. But it creates a lot of issues because they also have to hire a staff.
"Generally speaking, I would avoid lame-duck status. It’s oftentimes difficult for everybody involved, but there are certain situations that probably call for it. So I would not say never.”
The Packers have qualified for the playoffs five times in seven seasons under Gutekunst's leadership and five times in six seasons with LaFleur as head coach. They inherited a damn good roster that included an MVP in Aaron Rodgers, but they have done an excellent job turning over the roster and had the two youngest playoff teams of the last 45 years in 2023 and 2024. Yet, another first-round exit might force Policy to seek a change, especially if he thinks there's a ceiling to what these two can accomplish.
SPOTLIGHT ON SMITH
The Steelers did something this off-season they seldom have done - made massive waves in free agency and the trade market. The biggest was the June signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers - good luck with that - but they also dealt for D.K. Metcalf and then gave him a massive contract extension.
Naturally, the moves mean increased pressure on offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Considering that he has built a reputation as a run-first play-caller, then using play-action off the ground game... well, this is going to be different, and considering the two personalities acquired, it will be challenging.
“Obviously, we didn’t bring Aaron in here and sign DK (Metcalf) for all that money to go run the wishbone,” said Smith. “You try to play to the strengths of your team.”
But much like the conversation we've had locally about Josh McDaniels - nothing amuses me more than some talking head yammering about McDaniels having an outdated scheme without, you know, paying attention to how he evolved post-Tom Brady - the same can be said of Smith and how he's grown. He went from Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee to an aged Matt Ryan in Atlanta to more mobile passers in Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ritter with the Falcons. Then, there was last year's mix of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, two players who aren't remotely alike. Now, I'm not saying it all worked, but don't pretend like it's been the same offense season after season.
“We’ve evolved every year,” said Smith. “You have to, oftentimes out of necessity. I’ve had a lot of different quarterbacks with a lot of different skill sets. Our job, especially as a coach, is to play to the strengths of our players. We have our foundational things. Those don’t change. Whether you lean into certain schemes, year after year, you adapt.”
Rodgers attempted to persuade Smith to join the Jets in New York at one point during his time with the Jets. Of course, the quarterback was also the reason Nathaniel Hackett got hired (that didn't work, to put it mildly). However, at least for now, there's mutual respect.
“I’m going to learn the offense, and Arthur (Smith) and I are going to talk a bunch this summer,” said Rodgers. “If there’s things that I like that I’d like to see in the offense, Arthur, I’m sure, is going to put it in. He knows how to call a game. I know how to get us in the right spot based on what’s called.”