In an article on BSJ today, Bedard urged the need for a "hard reset" to the Pats offense. Among his suggestions:
What other possibilites could come about during this mid-season bye week? Perhaps something in the way of contract extensions?
- Rethink the O-Line, in terms of who plays where. Bring in another coach or reset Patricia to let him focus on the Line only.
- Have BB call the plays.
- Focus on Jones, Mac Jones. Work with him to find out what he likes to run. Spend more time in uptempo.
- Bring back the fullback to the offense.
- 1 and 2 work a bit in tandem. I have felt all season that the Line and the QB are each getting short-shrift with MP calling the plays. Either he doesn't spend enough time between offensive series talking to his line or to his QB (leaving the latter primarily to Judge based on the few clips the network shows). I'm not sure about BB calling the plays. I much prefer letting him float to wherever he is needed rather than being tied down to play-calling. Regardless, the O-Line clearly needs a lot of work. Getting Andrews back will surely help, but the problems run much deeper than that. Among his specific personnel suggestions, Bedard offers the idea of swapping Brown and Wynn back to where they were last year. I think this is the one I would consider most seriously. I've often wondered what sort of power the line could open up if you put the two monsters (Brown and Onwenu) next to each other. Maybe Wynn would get back to being serviceable if he could return to the left side.
- Mac Jones obviously needs work. But I do agree with Bedard that the play-calling needs to work to Jones' strengths (assuming he has any left). Can RPO work in this offense?
- I noticed one play yesterday where they lined up Jonnu in the backfield and used him as a true lead-blocker. I can't recall the exact time, but if was definitely second half on a 3rd and short. Jonnu was successful in wiping out one defender coming thru the line unimpeded, allowing Rham to get to a different hole and get the first down. Perhaps more of that. Is there anyone else on the roster who could fill this role? Could Raekwon McMillan or Mack Wilson or Jamie Collins do it? If Strange isn't going to be the starting LG, could his speed (for an O-Lineman) work in this role?
What other possibilites could come about during this mid-season bye week? Perhaps something in the way of contract extensions?