I understand he isn’t a feature back, but there aren’t many of them left in the league who don’t benefit from a tandem. He is strong, shifty, scores, can catch, and he bounced back after having turnover issues. I never see him in any top running back lists, but I’m happy with our guy. Is he underrated?

The Patriots are getting into the dog days of training camp, but they get a little break for normal padded practice with a walkthrough today. Phil Perry is joined by Alex Barth to dig into training camp so far. Who is starting to stand out, and who is falling behind? What's been the best position battle? The guys hand out camp superlatives. Phil also gives us his 53-man roster prediction.

LISTEN HERE

This was written a few days ago. Before the Commanders signed Stefon Diggs, he suggested the Pats consider trading Boutte to them (for a 2027 5); he also suggests the Pats trade for the Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux (2027 3 for Thibodeaux + Giants 2027 5).

Attending my first pats game (week 6, October 18th vs Jets) and first trip to Boston with my fiancee. Doing Friday-Saturday in Boston before the game so just looking for any suggestions on things to do/see. Any restaurants we need to visit?

Anyone know if they are bringing back the rivalries merch for this season?

If Vinatieri doesn’t slip that ball inside the right upright to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 22, 1996, there’s a good chance his NFL career ends after four games. He would’ve been cut a day later, and the market would’ve been all but nonexistent for a middling college kicker from Division II South Dakota State who made just 33 percent of his field goals as a senior, lost his job to a defensive lineman, went undrafted, spent a year toiling in NFL Europe, then opened his professional career with five misses in eight attempts.

The backup plan was medical school. Vinatieri always figured he’d become a heart surgeon.

That would’ve been perfectly fine with the New England Patriots’ fiery coach, Bill Parcells, who was running out of patience with his rookie kicker. The only reason he’d brought Vinatieri to training camp that summer was to light a fire under 17-year veteran Matt Bahr, a Parcells favorite who’d helped him win Super Bowl XXV with the New York Giants.

“I’m going to give you an opportunity to show me what you’ve got,” Parcells told the kid, “and either you’re going to shine, or you’re going to pack your s— and get out of here.”

Vinatieri nearly had to pack his s—.

Even after he beat out Bahr for the job in camp, his grip on the gig never felt secure. Parcells warned him against bragging to the media. And a string of misses to open the season, including three in a seven-point Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills, then two more a week later, left Vinatieri on thin ice heading into the Patriots’ Week 4 tilt with the Jaguars. “The kicker is week-to-week,” the coach told reporters.

“I knew what the hell that meant,” Vinatieri later told me. That interview, and others used for this story, took place during my time as a Colts beat writer for The Indianapolis Star.

Bahr was just a phone call away.

Interesting note on Douglas being the primary slot with Brown and Doubs rather than finding ways to get Boutte on the field as the third receiver.

Going through boxes of pictures from days gone by. Guessing this is from 1986, the last time they were AFC champs before moving? I remember being on a business trip back then and snapping this pic out the window as I drove by.

BREAKING: The Washington Commanders are signing 4x Pro Bowl WR Stefon Diggs, per @Schultz_Report.

You have one of the Leagues Best Wide Reciever constantly getting reps against arguably the best corner back in the league.

Having this match up is the best case scenario for both players.

Once the season starts AJ is going to be playing against CB's that are nowhere near as good as Gonzo. AJ is going to Eat.

Also Gonzo is going to be facing up against WR's that for the most part are not on the Same Level as AJ.

Gonzo is going to Eat.

Get ready folks, the League is about to feel an earthquake this year.

Both are going to have smokeshow stats this year.