Game Day Thread Official Post Game Thread- Pats beat the Jags

[Brotherblues]

Anyone know the status of Harris?

Hammy is an issue but I don't think it acted up in the game. So his status next week is unchanged.

 

[PScottman]

But the wide open 2nd TD was so easy, lots of guys would have dropped it - including obviously Harry.

In all of the overhype regarding how the only way this (and any other) Patriots team can succeed is via the WR, the sub-context here is important.

Specifically, the "fake block sell" is only one part of the entire play - the second is the speed to immediately separate to give Jones the target quickly so that the defense can't correct. The verdict is in that Harry's game is definitively not speed and quick release. Wilkerson did present that and therefore open that play type up for utilization.

As such, for the rest of this season, the opposing defenses now have to commit some time against BOTH an Agholor and Wilkerson in preparation. Harry preparation likely could be limited to the same defensive scheme type as J. Smith.

If Agholor is back, the second speedster (who has demonstrated necessity to align defensive scheme for as part of a package by successfully doing what he did yesterday) does add tons more flexibility to the team in specifically opening up space for the TEs and the two other WRs who work best in the medium routes.

As has been said, for this offense, the sum of the parts is the thing. Would a "true #1 WR" be better? Absolutely, but they don't have that right now so they need to maximize what they do have and the speed aspect Wilkerson brings is a component that can present a very different scheme issue for the defenses they face going forward because flooding the short/intermediate now becomes significantly more high risk.

 

[PP2]

Wilkerson is not the answer either. Hands of stone.

Where do you get the idea that he has "hands of stone"?

Did you even look at any of his scouting reports?

 

[jdlboot14]

I know many of us, including me, have given Agholor a hard time for not exploding onto the scene. But, rewatching his highlights of last year, the guy has a lot of potential. And we've seen some of those same moments this year, just with far less production. But that might not be on him at all. The guy can separate, and he can catch, and he's fast. I think with another year, and the O opening it up more with Mac's 2nd year, Agholor could become an important piece and rise to that 50/750/6TD kind of level. I think Bourne will also rise in production next year to 70/900/7TD right in line with Meyers. I'd rather have a corp of 3 solid guys that spread out production than 1 all-pro who, if he gets hurt, the year is over.

 

[Ring 6]

TO a degree although not all schedules are created equal. Based on team pass rating we have faced 6 of the worst 8 passing offenses and 4 out of the top 15 in the league.

2022 NFL Team Passing Postseason Stats | ESPN

Visit ESPN to view 2022 NFL team stats

www.espn.com

Whilst you can only play whats put in front of you schedules vary

The differences are minimal.

 

[Ollie]

The differences are minimal.

i disagree. we havent faced many teams ranked even in the top half. most of our schedule is from the lower half of that chart. That has to make a difference

 

[VectorPrime]

Why did we let him leave?

 

[Nunchucks]

Where do you get the idea that he has "hands of stone"?

Did you even look at any of his scouting reports?

We watched him in training camp and preseason and he dropped a ton of balls

 

[Sicilian]

i disagree. we havent faced many teams ranked even in the top half. most of our schedule is from the lower half of that chart. That has to make a difference

It may, but unless we do the same breakdown for all of the top ranked defenses, just looking at who the Patriots faced is drawing a conclusion with no context. For example, do you think the Bills' pass defense is better? Because they've played the same schedule as the Patriots, except they faced Mahomes instead of Herbert (mostly a wash this year, but I'll give advantage Bills there slightly), Heinecke instead of Prescott (advantage Pats), and Mac Jones twice instead of Josh Allen twice (advantage Patriots).

 

[JMC00]

 

[captain stone]

Why did we let him leave?

Gunner’s potential... Had Bill known then about him what he knows now - that he has no future whatsoever as an NFL WR - then I’m sure that he would’ve kept Barrio and waived Gunner.

 

[n6249c]

Can you name me any game in his 4 year career where Harry played better the Wilkerson yesterday?
I'll wait....

Wilkerson wasn't even that good if you look deeper at his performance (8 targets is a lot of looks to muster 40 yards). Your point is probably valid even so.

Wilkerson had 4 catches on 8 targets, with 2 TDs.

I’m afraid that Harry might consider that a career day.

 

[Ring 6]

i disagree. we havent faced many teams ranked even in the top half. most of our schedule is from the lower half of that chart. That has to make a difference

If you think it does, quantify it. You called our pass defense “suspect”. I would assume “suspect” would be in the bottom 25%. So there must be 20 or so teams that you think have better pass defenses but their numbers are worse because of level of competition. Let’s start with 5.

 

[captain stone]

Anyone know the status of Harris?

Same as always: productive when actually on the field, but too often prone to injury & fumbling.

Rham is so much better than he is now it’s not even close.

 

[Ollie]

It may, but unless we do the same breakdown for all of the top ranked defenses, just looking at who the Patriots faced is drawing a conclusion with no context. For example, do you think the Bills' pass defense is better? Because they've played the same schedule as the Patriots, except they faced Mahomes instead of Herbert (mostly a wash this year, but I'll give advantage Bills there slightly), Heinecke instead of Prescott (advantage Pats), and Mac Jones twice instead of Josh Allen twice (advantage Patriots).

I agree you can't really compare all the schedules. All we know is our schedule featured weaker passing offenses more than it did stronger ones. its unlikely every teams schedule was skewed that way but i can't say for sure. It does at least promote debate that our 3rd ranking may be slightly fortunate. It did struggle massively against the Bills, Cowboys and Houston with Mills who up until that point had been awful. I do think this team is a bit Jeykll and Hyde.

 

[captain stone]

We are going to have to keep mixing up coverages in the secondary..we don't have the cover guys to play man all the time other than JC.

Jalen Mills in particular is especially ****ing clueless… What a ****ing stupid, stupid ****ing football player he is; another ****ing colossal waste of valuable ****ing resources like Agholor & JonNo Smith…

 

[Ollie]

If you think it does, quantify it. You called our pass defense “suspect”. I would assume “suspect” would be in the bottom 25%. So there must be 20 or so teams that you think have better pass defenses but their numbers are worse because of level of competition. Let’s start with 5.

Suspect was possibly the wrong word but my point was that i don't think our passing defense is deserving of being called the 3rd best in the league and i think we would struggle massively against the bengals.

 

[Ring 6]

Suspect was possibly the wrong word but my point was that i don't think our passing defense is deserving of being called the 3rd best in the league and i think we would struggle massively against the bengals.

It IS 3rd, of course it deserves being called what it is.

 

[Ring 6]

i disagree. we havent faced many teams ranked even in the top half. most of our schedule is from the lower half of that chart. That has to make a difference

The average patriot opponent has passed for 3607 yards. The Patriots have allowed 3078. These teams pass for 17% more per game than they have against the patriots.
The 16th and 17th ranked pass offenses gave passes for 3548 and 3536, making the mid point of the league 3542.
So the Patriots have built their #4 ranking by playing a group of teams that are slightly higher than the average. In other words, the ranking is completely justified.

 

[jdlboot14]

Same as always: productive when actually on the field, but too often prone to injury & fumbling.

Rham is so much better than he is now it’s not even close.

Overreaction Monday! I like Rham too, but Harris is solid and dependable. I don't think he got hurt at all, I think they realized the game was already won, and didn't want to risk aggravating his hamstring. Also, Harris does the heavy lifting in the first half, and once they open up the pass in the 2nd halfs is when Rham has been used more, allowing him bigger chunk plays. That said, I'm open to a legit competition for the "lead back" next summer. But I think this 1-2 punch at RB is a great thing to have. I don't care who is called #1. What we need next year is either White in premium shape, or a new 3rd down guy. I don't think Bolden or JJ will cut it going forward.