Tom Curran’s Patriots Talk Podcast

1:57 - Tom Curran is joined by Jamison Hensley of ESPN Baltimore to discuss the upcoming Patriots-Ravens Sunday Night Football showdown, beginning with the anticipation of the game in Baltimore.10:43 - Jamison discusses what has made Lamar Jackson a never-before-seen-type talent as well as how a team could limit the young quarterback.17:52 - Tom and Jamison get into the comparison of the current Patriots defense and the 2000 Ravens defense. Do the Pats have a chance to break that team’s record and is it even a fair comparison?24:16 - Phil Perry gives an in-depth breakdown of how the Patriots can succeed against the Ravens, starting with the offense and then hitting on the defense (32:51). WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:52 - Tom Curran breaks down the Patriots cutting kicker Mike Nugent and Bill Belichick's comments on why a lack of cap space limited the Patriots at the trade deadline.5:22 - All season long the Patriots running game has not been up to its normal standards. Tom asked running backs coach Ivan Fears if the Pats have enough artillery at the position and how he thinks Sony Michel can improve.8:51 - Matt Cassel joins Tom to talk about the structure of the team following the trade deadline. Will the addition of Mohamed Sanu be good enough for Tom Brady and to overshadow the running game.18:05 - Tom Brady has reiterated that he wants to play until he's 45, but he does seem more aggravated this season than ever. Matt explains how Brady has his good and bad days like anyone else and that can't be overanalyzed.24:10 - Is there any scenario in which Brady ends up somewhere else after this season. Matt says there's only one.29:11 - Tom has been calling the Patriots Week 9 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens the "Patriots season opener" because it's their first "real" opponent. Matt breaks down what he predicts the Patriots will see from the Ravens on both sides of the ball. Tom quickly hits on the addition of kicker Nick Folk. WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1:03 - Tom Curran quickly dissects Jarvis Landry's comments about guaranteeing a win in Foxboro in Week 8.2:32 - Phil Perry joins Tom to discuss why exactly the Patriots might not want Josh Gordon anymore. Was it the Sanu signing, his lack of dependability or something else?10:08 - Tom argues that the Patriots are just winging it on offense this season for whatever reason. It's a very abnormal approach for Bill Belichick.15:47 - With Adam Schefter strongly voicing his opinion that it's very likely Tom Brady will not return next season, Tom and Phil discuss why it seems Brady's happiness is dwindling.25:00 - Matt Cassel joins Tom to give his take on the addition of Mohamed Sanu and breaks down the X's and O's of where he'll best fit into the Patriots offense.34:22 - As someone who's been in the Patriots organization, Matt talks about why Belichick might have made the decision to place Josh Gordon on the IR and effectively end his season in New England.38:10 - While it seems that Tom Brady's future in New England is a focus point for the quarterback, Matt thinks that there's no way Brady is letting it distract him. But does that mean Belichick and Kraft aren't? WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1:48 - Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News joins Tom Curran to talk about what exactly went wrong for Sam Darnold in the Jets 33-0 loss to the Patriots. Is he to blame? Is he broken? Does he still have a chance to be an above-average signal-caller in the league?11:03 - Tom goes deep into the analytics behind Mohamed Sanu's success as a receiver, quantifying his production out of the slot, his ability to separate from his defender and his sure-handedness.16:42 - D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution joins Tom to discuss what exactly the Patriots will be getting in Sanu and what makes him so dependable on the field.23:07 - Phil Perry gives his take on the addition of Sanu - "The Patriots were perilously thin at receiver." How does the increased depth at the position affect guys like Julian Edelman, Phillip Dorsett or Jakobi Meyers? Would he have preferred Emmanuel Sanders?34:25 - The only negative takeaway from the Patriots win over the Jets was the continued lack of production from Sony Michel and the running back position. Should Belichick make a change or ride it out?38:34 - Who popped and who dropped from the victory over the Jets? WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2:46 - Tom Curran is joined by Matt Cassel to discuss the Patriots one-game suspension of Michael Bennett. How do organizations determine a punishment for altercations and how does a player acting out affect the rest of the team?13:41 - Matt talks about the perfection Tom Brady expects on the field (from everyone) and how that relates to N'Keal Harry being reintroduced into the Patriots offense. 21:01 - Curran wonders what it is that new or young receivers consistently mess up as they try to learn the Patriots offense. Matt gets into the Xs and Os.24:49 - Is 'laces out' really the golden rule when it comes to place kick holding? Cassel questions this andtalks about his experience as a holder.29:31 - Tom and Matt give their picks for second-best team in the AFC. One of the contenders may shock you (hint - it's in the Patriots' division).You can leave a question or comment for Tom or Phil on Twitter (@tomecurran - @PhilAPerry), by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, or by leaving us a voicemail to use in the show by calling 781-214-0753 WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2:18 - Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry discuss the one-game suspension the Patriots placed on Michael Bennett after an apparent "philosophical disagreement" the defensive end had with coaches last week. Did the Patriots know what they were getting into when they signed him?16:27 - N'Keal Harry returned the practice field after sitting out the first six games of the regular season. Josh McDaniels answers Tom's questions about how much the Patriots are able to rely on the rookie receiver.27:53 - Tom and Phil cycle through which receivers are out there that the Patriots are likely targeting before the trade deadline.35:53 - Rob Gronkowski may have finally put an end to the possibility of his return with the comments he made on WEEI. Tom talks about why it's finally time for Patriots fans to let him go. WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2:35 - Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry rank the Patriots offensive concerns after another unimpressive performance from that side of the ball against the Giants. They begin with tight end. Next up is the running game (6:25). And finally, the wide receiver corps (12:24).22:11 - With the trade deadline on October 29, the Patriots need to determine what they need and what they have to offer. Phil and Tom discuss the picks Bill Belichick could trade away and the players at tight end and wide receiver he could target.26:52 - Tom wonders if Michael Bennet will be traded or if he'll end up as a key member of the defense. He continues by explaining how the historic tear the Patriots defense is on is actually sustainable.32:26 - Rob Gronkowski or Tyler Eifert: Which player will be on the Patriots roster by Thanksgiving? WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1:52 - Tom Curran explains why he thinks the Patriots cut tight end Benjamin Watson. He believes that Bill Belichick is willing to make sacrifices on offense because of how good the defense is.12:11 - Matt Cassel jumps on the pod and gives his take on the disparity between the Patriots offense and defense.22:57 - Plenty of Patriots fans were criticizing Tom Brady's throw that resulted in a interception in the end zone on Sunday vs. the Redskins. Matt breaks down the play and explains how the play (minus the result) was by design.32:45 - Matt brings us back to the Patriots 2007 regular season finale vs. the New York Giants and how Tom Brady refused to leave the game with a perfect season on the line.You can leave a question or comment for Tom or Phil on Twitter (@tomecurran - @PhilAPerry), by leaving us a review on Apple podcasts, or by leaving us a voice mail to use in the show by calling 781-214-0753. WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2:23 - Tom Curran and Phil Perry discuss the rumors surrounding Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs wanting to leave Minnesota. How would bringing in Diggs affect the Patriots cap, what picks would they lose and how often have other star receivers been moved midseason?20:11 - Phil breaks down the Patriots running game up to this point in the season and the inefficiency of Sony Michel in the zone run. Will this limit Tom Brady as one of the best play-action passers in the league?29:21 - The Patriots have brought in kicker Ted Nugent after Stephen Gostkowski was sent to the IR. Does the team's dominant defense mean they can settle for more field goals or will they have trouble trusting the new kicker in big spots?39:40 - Tom wonders if the Patriots have too many players that play strictly on special teams and if the organization should better allocate their roster spots. WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2:51 - Tom Curran is joined by Matt Cassel to talk about his concerns with the depth at the wide receiver position and how it has affected Tom Brady's decision making.10:08 - Is this Patriots defense one of the best in NFL history? Despite New England facing four terrible offensive teams so far, Matt supports the claim.15:51 - The hit Jonathan Jones put on Josh Allen in Week 4 caused an uproar, but should it have?19:19 - Looking ahead to Week 5, Tom and Matt discuss how the Patriots will approach the Redskins' three-quarterback system as well as what to do with Stephen Gostkowski.29:41 - Tom is joined by Bills writer for the Athletic Tim Graham to discuss Sean McDermott's lack of poise following the Bills loss last Sunday. WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.