Yep, they have to play arguably the two toughest divisions in the league, NFC East and AFC West. The only team in their entire schedule that was truly bad this year is the Colts.
Patriots' Priorities for the 2023 Season
- Thread starter bsj
- Start date
Its pretty clear that on this board, Steve Belichik will never any credit for coaching even though he has done an outstanding job this year.
Yeah I’m not sure where I sit on this. I don’t think Mac is the guy. He had a rough year and I think it’s fair to say he took a step back. With that said he had zero help. Poor coaching, very little talent, and basically a sieve of an offensive line. I think you need to give the guy a chance to succeed before he can be run out of town. The patriots failed Mac this year. I think next year Mac still deserves to be the guy going in but I’d be open to having a competition for the job. Not sure if that means Zappe or someone else.
Problem is it’s hard to tell how much of that is father and how much of that is son given that Bill consistently has seemed to be much more hands-on with defense as compared to offense. (Not saying Steve Belichick is a bad coach or anything, just that it’s hard to tell how much he individually is responsible for the strong defensive performance this year.)
I get that the QB is the visible position, so it's going to be the one most talked about, but it really seems that unless something weird af happens, Jones is the QB next season. Hell, or even Zappe. My point is, it's seems exceedingly likely the guy starting opening day next season is already in the building.
We need to discuss realistic options (maybe with examples!) on what the team can do on both sides of the ball. If you think the QB is the #1 priority, unless you give some kind of realistic scenario where they get someone else, I don't think this thread is going to be very exciting reading for the next 6 months.
We need to discuss realistic options (maybe with examples!) on what the team can do on both sides of the ball. If you think the QB is the #1 priority, unless you give some kind of realistic scenario where they get someone else, I don't think this thread is going to be very exciting reading for the next 6 months.
I'm a huge Steve fan. The Patriots have had a top 4 defense by DVOA in the past two seasons, something they've never accomplished before under Bill (consecutively).
Yeah that part is definitely frustrating. Defense has been excellent (very good, great, whatever word/words you want to use) the last two years (considering what an excellent defense is these days) and he’s Rodney Dangerfield. Same with Mayo.
ITA. I also wonder exactly what Mayo's role is. It would appear that he and Steve have a great--at the very least, highly productive--working relationship. And while Mayo's name always surfaces when coaching vacancies open up (and SB's never does), I'm not sure any of us knows which of them does what. It's a credit to both that neither seems to care all that much about who gets the credit.
Wow do I agree with this. The best QB's in the draft will gone before Pats pick leaving this motley crew to choose from. DJnVA is on the mark
- Tom Brady (45), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: – UFA
- Baker Mayfield (27), Los Angeles Rams:– UFA
- Sam Darnold (25), Carolina Panthers: – UFA
- Jimmy Garoppolo (31), San Francisco 49ers: – UFA
- Teddy Bridgewater (30), Miami Dolphins: – UFA
- Daniel Jones (25), New York Giants: – UFA
- Case Keenum (34), Buffalo Bills: – UFA
- Mason Rudolph (27), Pittsburgh Steelers: – UFA
- Jacoby Brissett (30), Cleveland Browns: – UFA
- Geno Smith (32), Seattle Seahawks:– UFA
- Joe Flacco (37), New York Jets: – UFA
- Andy Dalton (35), New Orleans Saints:– UFA
- Mike White (27), New York Jets: – UFA
- C.J. Beathard (29), Jacksonville Jaguars:– UFA
- Kyle Allen (26), Houston Texans: – UFA
- Taylor Heinicke (29), Washington Commanders: – UFA
- Lamar Jackson (25), Baltimore Ravens: – UFA
- Blaine Gabbert (33), Tampa Bay Buccaneers: – UFA
- Chase Daniel (36), Los Angeles Chargers: – UFA
- Chad Henne (37), Kansas City Chiefs: – UFA
- Nick Mullens (27), Minnesota Vikings: – UFA
- Drew Lock (26), Seattle Seahawks: – UFA
- Brandon Allen (30), Cincinnati Bengals: – UFA
- Josh Johnson (36), San Francisco 49ers: – UFA
- Nate Sudfeld (29), Detroit Lions: – UFA
- Nathan Peterman (28), Chicago Bears: – UFA
- Cooper Rush (29), Dallas Cowboys: – UFA
- Brett Rypien (26), Denver Broncos: – UFA
- Tyler Huntley (24), Baltimore Ravens: – RFA
- John Wolford (27), Los Angeles Rams: – RFA
- Phillip Walker (27), Carolina Panthers: – RFA
- Trace McSorley (27), Arizona Cardinals: – UFA
- Jarrett Stidham (26), Las Vegas Raiders: – UFA
- Bryce Perkins (25), Los Angeles Rams:– ERFA
- Easton Stick (27), Los Angeles Chargers: – UFA
- Gardner Minshew (26), Philadelphia Eagles:– UFA
- Shane Buechele (24), Kansas City Chiefs:
I am not sure the majority here disrespect Steve or Mayo. I don’t. Their lack of a hype/attention might also be a good thing in that there’s continuity on that side of the ball. (I know the rumors are Mayo might be gone for a promotion, but who knows.)
In terms of upgrades, I’d focus on:
1. Oline, particularly OT.
2. CB and S (McCourty replacement)
3. WR
4. TE, particularly a blocker/big body
Give Mac the year; hopefully he shows you something.
Garoppolo is the name that sticks out there, obviously. Not that I think they will sign him, but it’s an option.
I’d be a lot more excited about it if Josh was still here.
Edit: but if Josh was still here we probably wouldn’t need a new QB
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Yeah, on that list I see--Lamar Jackson, JG, and maybe Daniel Jones. That's really it. If they're happe with Zappe (see what I did there?) then the QB room is pretty inexpensive next season. They need to use that to their advantage.
I hate not making the playoffs but the offseason can be interesting too. Maybe an offseason thread for each position group?
I assume there will be a different offseason thread, but I have to say...I'm really, really excited about this offseason. Can't wait to see what the Pats do with the coaching staff, with free agency, and then in the draft.
I think the priority moves are:
Rebuild the coaching staff (not just that the former head coaches struggled, retirements and McDaniels taking guys gutted the depth).
Add offensive line talent, particularly at tackle.
Continue to add speed on both sides.
I'd also start kicking the tires on QBs in the draft, FA and Trade. Maybe you don't find a guy, but Mac's limitation are pretty clear so you're looking at 2 more years of him maybe? I find it highly unlikely Bill is interested in paying a QB of his level big money.
Rebuild the coaching staff (not just that the former head coaches struggled, retirements and McDaniels taking guys gutted the depth).
Add offensive line talent, particularly at tackle.
Continue to add speed on both sides.
I'd also start kicking the tires on QBs in the draft, FA and Trade. Maybe you don't find a guy, but Mac's limitation are pretty clear so you're looking at 2 more years of him maybe? I find it highly unlikely Bill is interested in paying a QB of his level big money.
If Daniel Jones can be turned around so can Mac. But yeah, keep drafting sometimes you find gold (Brady).
I mean...
1. Has he been turned around?
2. To the extent Jones has been turned around it hasn't been his passing, it's that he ran the ball 120 times for 700 yards and 7 TDs... Mac Jones isn't gonna do that. Which is one of the reasons players with physical traits are more likely (but still not that likely) to have major improvements.
—Overhaul the offensive coaching staff. Hire the best OC you can and give him the keys. Let him hire a new offensive staff. Name a DC and let him be in charge. Bill can’t be so hyper focused on one side of the ball or the other. He needs to be the CEO type and be able to oversee the whole operation. The attention to detail on this team is the worst it’s ever been.
—Fire Cam Achord and put Joe Judge back to ST coach.
—Get at least one new OT.
—Try to get a#1 WR or TE. They are in desperate need of a game changing weapon.
—Try to get a #1 type outside CB.
Other than that how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?
—Fire Cam Achord and put Joe Judge back to ST coach.
—Get at least one new OT.
—Try to get a#1 WR or TE. They are in desperate need of a game changing weapon.
—Try to get a #1 type outside CB.
Other than that how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?
I think you're right that there aren't many, if any, realistic QB options for next season.
But I think this team will be somewhere between mediocre and first round playoff exit until they upgrade QB. And that's where they'll be next year, because there's no short term path to QB upgrade. None of the other changes being discussed will be large enough to make the team a real contender. So you make those changes because you should, but you have to continue investing in QB lottery tickets because Mac isn't taking this team anywhere meaningful.
Looks like the Pats are drafting #14--I've seen a few WRs in that area--Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jordan Addison possibly. I'd like Quentin Johnson from TCU, but don't think he'll be there.
Also seen a number of CBs in that area--Porter, Ringo, Gonzalez, Smith.
Also seen a number of CBs in that area--Porter, Ringo, Gonzalez, Smith.
I think it is less a question of little appetite and more a question of how do you do anything substantive there while retaining the capital (financial and draft) to address other needs.
If you improve the OL and the offensive coaching, Mac can do far better than he did this year - even if he's not ultimately the answer. Or Zappe can.
Deciding to invest in an upgrade at QB probably means a "blow it up" rebuild. Unless you find an underrated guy who can be brought here on the cheap.
The major needs:
- offensive coaching, ST coaching
- 2 OTs, or an OT and a G if they want to move Onwenu back to T
- a #1 CB
I wonder why Cooper Rush isn't higher on that list? I'm not saying that he's 2015 Aaron Rogers, but he's played decently well when he's had to. He definitely should be over a bunch of guys on that list.
SOS is first tie breaker and Lions/Packers have higher ones.
SOS:
Pats: .471
GB: .521
Detroit: .538
Well that’s the path that Steve chose in getting hired by his Dad. I’m not gonna weep for the guy who got one of 32 coaching positions in the league because he was good enough for Dad. He’s welcome to build his public rep on another team of it bothers him so much. I doubt it does.
View: https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1612254146865790979?s=20&t=HW7inoqVXeN1c9WedkK2JA
Quick synopsis of the #Patriots offseason: - Estimated cap space via @patscap: $36.535M - First round draft pick: 14th overall (11 picks, four in first 3 rounds) - Notable free agents: JJones, Meyers, D. Harris, DMac, Slater, Peppers, Agholor, M. Wilson, McMillan, Ekuale, Wynn
That's not a lot of operating room.
Quick synopsis of the #Patriots offseason: - Estimated cap space via @patscap: $36.535M - First round draft pick: 14th overall (11 picks, four in first 3 rounds) - Notable free agents: JJones, Meyers, D. Harris, DMac, Slater, Peppers, Agholor, M. Wilson, McMillan, Ekuale, Wynn
That's not a lot of operating room.
Meyers and J. Jones are good players but they play positions they've historically been able to adequately fill and replace guys, so not too worried there. Same with Harris, good player, but fungible. The other guys are either JAGs or actively bad players. Don't think they'll be missing much.
I mean, this early, those are the 1-2 guys in the 2024 draft. There's still some REALLY bad NFL teams out there.
Anyway:
View: https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1612256947545296897
I have always also wondered how much of it is Jerod Mayo. I really like him as a coach.
I agree that it probably isn't possible. But if they run it back with Mac/Zappe and those guys are both really just backups, the team could have an even higher pick in 2024 just based on the "tougher" schedule. Though a lot can change between now and April 2024.
If they trade out of the #14 pick it will be the first time since 2008 that they've traded out of the 14th pick or higher.
Would love to see them land Mayer, the Notre Dame tight end. Not sure if he’s going to last past the top
10 though. He’s a true blocking and receiving beast.
10 though. He’s a true blocking and receiving beast.
He is absolutely not a blocking beast whatsoever. His blocking is technically a disaster right now.
Has he regressed on film? That was considered a strength of his game at one point, I believe. Definitely a stud receiver.