He said himself that he should have tried for more chunk plays, but it could just be meaningless words in the press conference. Tape will tell.One sort of analysis I await is whether Jones overlooked any open-enough receivers on longish gains and ended up checking down more than he needed to.
I'm pretty sure he did, I think a lot of his long hold time was not trying as many "NFL open" throws as a vet QB would. Felt like a lot of his best throws pushing down field were on the quick throws where he had to make a yes no decision fast because there wasn't going to be an opportunity to cycle through due to a blitzOne sort of analysis I await is whether Jones overlooked any open-enough receivers on longish gains and ended up checking down more than he needed to.
I saw this also, but I wasn't sure if his exhortations were directed at the Defense or at Harris.I was very impressed overall but mostly by one thing i saw. Not sure if anyone else noticed but after Harris's fumble and the review, when they came back from commercial (or out of the replay), Mac was on the field trying to pump up the defense as they came onto the field. Not a major thing by any means but it kind of showed that he's very much "in" the game, if that makes any sense
Yup. I’d normally be incredibly annoyed by a loss like yesterday but Mac took all the pain away for me. 74% completion rate and no INTs against a really solid D/coaching staff in his first start. Trevor Lawrence got to play a garbage Texans squad and looked all over the place. Mac will have some rough games like 2001 Brady did but Mac is a keeper.I'm sure he left some plays on the field but I'd rather have him err on that side than do a bunch of stupid shit (after the first play at least). Its important to learn to strike the balance a bit better but he definitely seems like a guy who has the mental tools to do that.
He is already an impressive NFL-level decision maker and he has started maybe 15 football games since High School. It's obvious he has a really, really, really good football brain - he largely knows what's happening on the field both pre and post-snap and its not all happening too quickly for him to process. Whether his combination of skills is only enough to make him a league average starter or can elevate him higher than that is still TBD. But I don't think I've ever seen a rookie QB's first start and had more confidence that he would be at least a league average starter in the long run.
Agree completely, especially about the strength of the Dolphins D being an important contextual factor.Yup. I’d normally be incredibly annoyed by a loss like yesterday but Mac took all the pain away for me. 74% completion rate and no INTs against a really solid D/coaching staff in his first start. Trevor Lawrence got to play a garbage Texans squad and looked all over the place. Mac will have some rough games like 2001 Brady did but Mac is a keeper.
We’re probably a Harris fumble away from a national media Mac splooge fest this morning.
This is what I saw from section 306. Seams and flat were open a lot. I thought that Mac did well to identify the open guy presnap and hit them, but guys who got themselves open 20yds downfield were left waving a hand while Mac checked down for 3 yards. Chunk plays were definitely left on the field.There was definitely some conservative play calling, but some of the “not taking shots” might have been Jones checking down. I personally have no idea how to know that either way beyond seeing what people who review the all 22 film think.
Actually I don't think it is TBD. It takes a lot of pessimism to look at yesterday's performance and think maybe he'll top out at average.He is already an impressive NFL-level decision maker and he has started maybe 15 football games since High School. It's obvious he has a really, really, really good football brain - he largely knows what's happening on the field both pre and post-snap and its not all happening too quickly for him to process. Whether his combination of skills is only enough to make him a league average starter or can elevate him higher than that is still TBD. But I don't think I've ever seen a rookie QB's first start and had more confidence that he would be at least a league average starter in the long run.
A league average starter is pretty good.Actually I don't think it is TBD. It takes a lot of pessimism to look at yesterday's performance and think maybe he'll top out at average.
I saw the exact same thing from section 129, and I think the All 22 film will bear it out a bit. There were guys open downfield (our weapons are good this season guys, Jonnu, Henry, Agholor, Bourne, White/Harris out of the backfield is really, really hard to stop) a few times that I noticed and Mac either didn't see them or decided to take the easier throw that was also open.This is what I saw from section 306. Seams and flat were open a lot. I thought that Mac did well to identify the open guy presnap and hit them, but guys who got themselves open 20yds downfield were left waving a hand while Mac checked down for 3 yards. Chunk plays were definitely left on the field.
Next Gen Stats clocked Jones’ average time from snap to release as the sixth-fastest in all of football in Week 1 (2.54s on average). His average intended air yards per attempt of 6.3 yards per attempt was the seventh-lowest in the league in Week 1. Only 10.3% of his attempts were classified as “aggressive” throws; attempts made to a player with a defender within 1-yard of the target. And only five quarterbacks threw shorter to the first down marker on average across all of their attempts on Sunday than Jones’ -3.0 air yards to the sticks per attempt.
This isn’t meant to diminish Jones’ play on Sunday, though. It is more so to amplify what the Patriots are asking their young quarterback to do. Jones was mentally sharp, he was in control at the line of scrimmage, and he clearly knew the right places to go with the football. But situationally, the Patriots needed more from Jones than what they got; which is exactly the shoes you’d expect to find a rookie quarterback in.
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/mac-jones-first-start-breakdown-patriots-dolphinsThe smoking gun from Week 1? New England’s drives and point production:
These drives stalled at Miami’s 9, 24, and 15-yard lines, respectively.
- 14 plays, 65 yards, 7 minutes of possession. Field goal.
- 14 plays, 67 yards, 8 minutes of possession. Field goal.
- 14 plays, 57 yards, 5 and a half minutes of possession. Field goal.
New England didn’t get that final product from Jones in Week 1. That’s fine. It was his first career start. But Jones’ development and his ability to help push New England as a playoff contender will be rooted in how he grows in these areas moving forward because the stuff between the 20s? That’s going to take care of itself. New England’s ground game and Josh McDaniels are going to see to that.
Fairly misleading on those drives given that each one had at least one significant offensive penalty. On one of those "drives" we had 2 offensive penalties (not even including the 2 personal fouls that killed our field position). Just looking at the drive charts its brutal how hard NE made this game on offense.From TDN's Kyle Crabbs on Mac Jones' performance yesterday.
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/mac-jones-first-start-breakdown-patriots-dolphins
Interesting stuff. But for people who dive more deeply into this stuff that I do, is it fair to say that he was "asked to" throw so "non-aggressively"? I'm not being critical of Jones at all. It was his first game. And better safe than sorry is the way to go.From TDN's Kyle Crabbs on Mac Jones' performance yesterday.
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/mac-jones-first-start-breakdown-patriots-dolphins
I'm guessing that there were times when he checked down when he might have had something deep. But this was his first NFL game! Stuff like that is what film study is for.Interesting stuff. But for people who dive more deeply into this stuff that I do, is it fair to say that he was "asked to" throw so "non-aggressively"? I'm not being critical of Jones at all. It was his first game. And better safe than sorry is the way to go.
I think Mac was instructed to take what the defense was giving him, and he did a very good job of that.Interesting stuff. But for people who dive more deeply into this stuff that I do, is it fair to say that he was "asked to" throw so "non-aggressively"? I'm not being critical of Jones at all. It was his first game. And better safe than sorry is the way to go.
I feel like the red zone vs between the 20s commentary gets it pretty wrong.From TDN's Kyle Crabbs on Mac Jones' performance yesterday.
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/mac-jones-first-start-breakdown-patriots-dolphins
Wholeheartedly agree.I feel like the red zone vs between the 20s commentary gets it pretty wrong.
The Patriots were bad in the red zone not because Mac struggled there, but because the offense more generally shot itself in the foot. Of the three red zone failures, one was a bad fumble inside the 10, one was a holding penalty that negated what would have 1st and goal at the 1 but instead was 2nd and 20 from the 24 (which is a really difficult situation for any offense in the league), and one ended with a failed 3rd and 4 conversion where the offense had exactly what they wanted but Mac left the pass a little low to Meyers trying to throw that quick out. That's a type of throw Mac was making all night in other spots and a good throw and catch execution there leaves them with first down just inside the 10.
They never really had a red zone trip where you left thinking, "Wow, what they were missing was that final red zone execution by Mac Jones and the passing game." So its kind of lazy box score scouting for Crabbs to conclude that what they were missing was that "final product" from Mac. If anything the missing element was chunk plays that would have let them move between the 20s more rapidly and more efficiently, not red zone execution from the QB.
Their red zone chances:Not so quick.
"and one ended with a failed 3rd and 4 conversion where the offense had exactly what they wanted but Mac left the pass a little low to Meyers trying to throw that quick out."
It sounds like Mac was the culprit on that play.
Mac was the culprit but the failure had nothing to do with being in the red zone and it being tougher to move the ball in that situation. It was the type of route you’d run on 3rd and 4 anywhere on the field. It was open and Mac just made a poor throw.Not so quick.
"and one ended with a failed 3rd and 4 conversion where the offense had exactly what they wanted but Mac left the pass a little low to Meyers trying to throw that quick out."
It sounds like Mac was the culprit on that play.
IIRC it hit his fingertips. It was a catchable ball, although it wasn't perfect. Both Meyers and Mac deserve a share of blame on that one IMO. It could have definitely been a catch and conversion if it's the same play I am thinking aboutNot so quick.
"and one ended with a failed 3rd and 4 conversion where the offense had exactly what they wanted but Mac left the pass a little low to Meyers trying to throw that quick out."
It sounds like Mac was the culprit on that play.
This is a good point. Given Mac’s record when pressured/hit and on third downs generally, it’s hard to see this particular play as anything but one slight miss that still could have worked out. He made much tougher throws than this and made positive plays in much tougher situations than this all game long.Mac was the culprit but the failure had nothing to do with being in the red zone and it being tougher to move the ball in that situation. It was the type of route you’d run on 3rd and 4 anywhere on the field. It was open and Mac just made a poor throw.
https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2021/09/14/Bedard-Breakdown-patriots-costly-miscues-kept-Patriots-from-hitting-gear-DolphinsMac Jones was simply outstanding. Had him for only three minus plays — the fumble, a poor throw to JamesWhite, and one late decision to Jonnu Smith — but other than that, he was great, especially in the second half. ... From my press box view, Jones did leave some yards and plays on the field — a deep corner route to Smith was open and Jones had plenty of time but checked it down — but outside of that and without the all-22, I can't really complain about much he did. ... Had Jones for nine plus plays, including five throws against pressure. In the second half, Jones just kept making outstanding play after outstanding play, including the 2nd and 15 strike to Agholor that had serious heat and was an impossible throw against pressure, and the wheel to White on 3rd and 11. Jones' second-half tosses to Bourne (wiped out by penalty), Hunter Henry against pressure (third down), and a 3rd and 6 pass to Meyers against pressure were just terrific. Not really sure you could ask much more of a rookie QB.
Meyers could have caught it, but the placement was going to make it hard to get the first here because he had to reach back. There was a defender that looked like had the angle to make a quick tackle. A more precise throw would have set him up better to get the YAC he needed to reach the sticks.IIRC it hit his fingertips. It was a catchable ball, although it wasn't perfect. Both Meyers and Mac deserve a share of blame on that one IMO. It could have definitely been a catch and conversion if it's the same play I am thinking about
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Agreed. This is a case where an inch or two could make all the difference.Meyers could have caught it, but the placement was going to make it hard to get the first here because he had to reach back. There was a defender that looked like had the angle to make a quick tackle. A more precise throw would have set him up better to get the YAC he needed to reach the sticks.
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-1-game-recap-miami-dolphins-17-new-england-patriots-16Mac Jones provided flashes of Tom Brady for the Patriot faithful, throwing for 281 yards and posting only one turnover-worthy play on 40 dropbacks. Jones wasn’t forcing the ball down the field, finishing with 6.5 average depth of target, but he got the ball out quickly with an average time to throw of 2.37, fifth-fastest among quarterbacks in Week 1 pending the Sunday and Monday night games.
He's accurate everywhere, really. We'll see how the league adjusts to how they called the game against the Dolphins, but I saw no reason to believe he'll struggle throwing the ball anywhere. Won't surprise me if the Jets play more coverage and don't blitz him as much.More encouraging stats and write up from PFF:
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-1-game-recap-miami-dolphins-17-new-england-patriots-16
If you want to see a throw where arm was a possible issue, look at the somewhat deep ball to Meyers that was broken up by a defender. There was a tight window, Mac was on target, but maybe the ball gets there a little quicker Meyers can catch it clean. On the other hand, later in the game he rifled one right in to Agholor on a somewhat similar type of play for a big completion.He's accurate everywhere, really. We'll see how the league adjusts to how they called the game against the Dolphins, but I saw no reason to believe he'll struggle throwing the ball anywhere. Won't surprise me if the Jets play more coverage and don't blitz him as much.
Yeah, I remember the play you're talking about. He seems like the kind of QB that has to gear up to throw into a tight window, so if he gets to the read a little later in the down or doesn't have time to step up it might not get there in time. Still, that's a much bigger issue if you have trouble processing and Mac doesn't seem to lack in that department. He doesn't have Justin Herbert "oh shit, oh shit, what to do here, oh look Allen's open 25 yards down the sideline, let me put it there on a rope while backpedalling" type of arm but that's not much of a detriment given his play style.If you want to see a throw where arm was a possible issue, look at the somewhat deep ball to Meyers that was broken up by a defender. There was a tight window, Mac was on target, but maybe the ball gets there a little quicker Meyers can catch it clean. On the other hand, later in the game he rifled one right in to Agholor on a somewhat similar type of play for a big completion.
Here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Patriots/comments/pn2z9m/mac_jones_is_not_a_mobile_qb_he_wont_be_able_to/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3I looked on Twitter for a clip of the scramble drill throw to Bourne that was called back on a penalty by Herron but couldn't find it. Anyone have video of that? It was an impressive play.
On the other hand, Mac threw on the run a couple of times and was right on the money - not something he showed in the preseason. He checked down at times when he might have had a bigger play. Maybe he held the ball too long a couple of times, though he generally got the ball out very fast. Faced a lot of pressure and generally handled it well. Had a lot of third downs and handled those.Yeah, I remember the play you're talking about. He seems like the kind of QB that has to gear up to throw into a tight window, so if he gets to the read a little later in the down or doesn't have time to step up it might not get there in time. Still, that's a much bigger issue if you have trouble processing and Mac doesn't seem to lack in that department. He doesn't have Justin Herbert "oh shit, oh shit, what to do here, oh look Allen's open 25 yards down the sideline, let me put it there on a rope while backpedalling" type of arm but that's not much of a detriment given his play style.
Those are all terrific for a rookie, I just hate "time to throw" as a stat. It's not indicative of the quality of QB play at all, mostly the style of offense you're running. Sometimes you get some anomalies like Brady last year having the highest intended air yards per attempt in the league while also sporting a top 5 time to throw, but mostly it's a reflection of depth of target. Mac had the 5th lowest average depth of target and the 7th lowest time to throw, that's usually how that works.View: https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1437761164449042435?s=21
EPA - expected points added
CPOE - completion percentage over expected
I'm no football expert, but I saw this happen a few times Sunday in multiple games, but isn't the more fundamentally sound approach for Jakobi (in this case) to flip his hands so that his thumbs are together and his right hand is on top?IIRC it hit his fingertips. It was a catchable ball, although it wasn't perfect. Both Meyers and Mac deserve a share of blame on that one IMO. It could have definitely been a catch and conversion if it's the same play I am thinking about
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I love that he had so few "bad plays" that we're discussing this as one of them.IIRC it hit his fingertips. It was a catchable ball, although it wasn't perfect. Both Meyers and Mac deserve a share of blame on that one IMO. It could have definitely been a catch and conversion if it's the same play I am thinking about
View attachment 44271
Haven't seen it commented on, but Football Outsiders DVOA ratings for QBs are out for the first week. (Not posting them direct even though they are free because they require you to have a login to see them)View: https://twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1437761164449042435?s=21
EPA - expected points added
CPOE - completion percentage over expected