Season Final Grades 2021

[patsfanfromoversea]

So is it t that the qb is the piece of the wr is the piece?

if the answers both, then you have to ask why isn’t the defense a factor?

then you remember that ours is old and slow.

what’s the priority? Paying a true #1? Or buttressing an average but improving offense with a defense that, if we put money into it, could go from regressing to maybe average-above average in a season?

the bills and bengals and packers had the luxury of getting #1s because they had fundamental pieces before that. We don’t. We’re not trying to be Green Bay yet because we’re rebuilding.

we can’t become one of those teams yet we aren’t there.

drafting a wr in rounds 1 or 2, or paying a top 15 contract to one this off-season would put us back in the future. It would be putting off the necessary work of team building. We have just enough for the offense to get better next season. If anything figure out what to do about Trent brown.

Exactly
Look at the giants with not a good qb imo and a crap o line in run and pass they sign golladay to a huge contract and expect good things lmao. Golladay can’t throw pass block an catch at the same time
We have Mac and a solid o-Line which we need to keep intact for next season and get some new defensive players, I doubt there is another big wr signing or drafting

mind you when obj was floated around as potentially coming here and he went to la, it made perfect sense cause they were contending without him. He’s a cherry on top.

when We got ocho, moss, lafell even… we had elite teams without them. No such n now and I feel our fanbase is falling into the trap of overvaluing ourselves cause… itsthapatriots! Reality is we’re a couple bad drafts away from being down with the jets, giants, etc. the bottom could very well fall out and then y’all are trying to find somebody to blame.

 

[‘Mondre]

I’m not saying we don’t address other needs, but how do you truly judge Mac against other QBs when Mac is throwing to the Nelson Agholor’s of the world while the top QBs are throwing to true number 1’s, and in most cases better number 2’s then what we have.

Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert will be in the AFC for the next decade or more. They will put up points. We will need to be able to get to 30 pts to win some of these games. We will also have to improve defensively so we aren’t giving up over 40. Both areas need improvement.

The goal isn’t to have the flashiest quarterback to “compare” others to. The goal is to set up opportunities to score off of STOPS, TURNOVERS, etc. The goal is to put yourself in situations where you’ve exploited the opponents weakness and give yourself a high probability of scoring, in a method of your choosing.

there’s less money to spend than last year. We have one of the greatest defensive minds of all time as a coach. We have a semi elite TE. We have a cadre of great running backs. We have to LEVERAGE what we have done. That means developing macs ARM, drafting a MLB, finding a FS… developing a secondary in general.

let’s Say we do focus on D this off-season with the same level of success as last season. And we get knocked out in the first round, but develop.

well then we got our new Rodney in Dugger, a new Mayo/HT, either JC or somebody promising at cb, a NT.

Now it’s 2023. that’s when you draft the best receiver you can. Now I think you gotta pay Mac too. You’ll be paying the new wr cheap early. If it don’t work out, sign a dude. Then that season you’re the bengals, but with a better line and defense.

 

[mgteich]

He’s going to price himself as a CB1 due to the INTs he was able to haul in. When he’s not getting the ball in his hands, he’s not an elite cover corner. He’s a very good CB2, but he’s not in Gilmore’s universe. I think he prices himself out of here as well (though I’d love to be wrong).

I suspect that most folks think that there are only 10 #1 corners in the league. The other 22 teams have fake #1 corners.

I guess they really mean what we used to call "shut down" corners.

Are these the top 10 corners?
Top 10 NFL ballhawks in 2021: Kevin Byard, Trevon Diggs among those making plays

 

[‘Mondre]

Perillo made a good point in that they need to create multiple ways to win, and brought up the example of flaccos 4tds in ‘14 despite losing to us. The strategy has been get the lead and eat up the clock. It’s indicative of the strengths, but got exposed by a quality, mobile qb combined with receivers. Mills being out didn’t help either.

Basically milking the clock to prolong the d getting ultimately exposed. If the d knows you’re in a desperate position dmac can play center field, judon can eat

 

[Deus Irae]

I suspect that most folks think that there are only 10 #1 corners in the league. The other 22 teams have fake #1 corners.

I guess they really mean what we used to call "shut down" corners.

Are these the top 10 corners?
Top 10 NFL ballhawks in 2021: Kevin Byard, Trevon Diggs among those making plays

That certainly has more truth in in than most posters will probably be willing to admit. On the other hand, Jackson was clearly the CB2 until Gilmore was moved.

 

[Boomer B]

The goal isn’t to have the flashiest quarterback to “compare” others to. The goal is to set up opportunities to score off of STOPS, TURNOVERS, etc. The goal is to put yourself in situations where you’ve exploited the opponents weakness and give yourself a high probability of scoring, in a method of your choosing.

there’s less money to spend than last year. We have one of the greatest defensive minds of all time as a coach. We have a semi elite TE. We have a cadre of great running backs. We have to LEVERAGE what we have done. That means developing macs ARM, drafting a MLB, finding a FS… developing a secondary in general.

let’s Say we do focus on D this off-season with the same level of success as last season. And we get knocked out in the first round, but develop.

well then we got our new Rodney in Dugger, a new Mayo/HT, either JC or somebody promising at cb, a NT.

Now it’s 2023. that’s when you draft the best receiver you can. Now I think you gotta pay Mac too. You’ll be paying the new wr cheap early. If it don’t work out, sign a dude. Then that season you’re the bengals, but with a better line and defense.

Who said the goal was to have the flashiest QB? My point was if he’s throwing to 3’s while other QBs are throwing to 1’s how can you truly know what you have in him. Dante Scarneccia just came out and said the team needs a playmaker at WR. We have no one that another team is scared of and will have to alter their defence for.

Now I’m not saying Bill has to use the #1 pick this year. If there’s a LB or CB that drops then we have to look at it, but same goes for WR. If one drops or we figure there’s a great one where we pick then get him. If we need to move up in round 2 to get the right guy then do it. I just hope Bill looks at separation as a key instead of size. No more N’Keal Harry’s. This team won’t be built in just this offseason. We are in a rebuild. We need a few more drafts like last years.

 

[Captain Cliche]

Our rookie QB was runner up for Offensive ROY despite fading at the end of the season.
We should all be thrilled.

 

[venecol]

Our rookie QB was runner up for Offensive ROY despite fading at the end of the season.
We should all be thrilled.

Chase had 42 votes, Jones had five, Creed Humphrey had two, and Rashawn Slater got the final vote.

 

[JayNM]

QB:
B. Started better than expected, hit somewhat of a wall. His year 2 jump will tell us the story. I think we keep only Hoyer once more as a clipboard guy. If we ever need a QB, hey Cam will be FA for sure



Running backs:
B+ The A is really for Bolden dropping in the clutch and keeping JJ Taylor instead of Sony Michel. Im sure theyll draft or sign a rookie RB, and that my future binkie already

Receivers*:
Hard grade, but I cant go higher than C+.
Bourne was unexpectedly better, but I might have ended up disappointed with Meyers in the End. Agholor's hate trains doesnt pass my station, but i do admit he underperformed. I think the team is noticeably worst at creating receiving space without him
Yep, those are all WR I count. Wilkerson deserved more chances
*Not counting the SP

Tight Ends:
B-
Henry was better than expected, Jonnu was worse, but I have a feeling he'll explode in 2022

OL:
C
and I know people will disagree. But look at the timeline. Started weak, ended badly, in theater, that is a horrible show. Im grading higher bc individually there were standouts, but a a group, ive seen more cohesion in street performers

DL:
D+
Barmore was a good as it can get in our system, i think. He is going to be scary good with NFL experience, and maybe get close to the A.DonldSun.
REST OF THE LINE IS TRASH MAN. Trash can to you, trash can to your mother, trash can to your cow, my dudes all are deserving a trash can to their faces. Guy lost a step, and Ill admit i do no pay attention to Wise the slightest, so at the very list he is not starring himself. DONT GET ME STARTED ON GODSUCKS

We have had a lot of bad RB defenses, and our LB corps is built more to stop the run than the pass. Its not working, i hope Kid Stinky at DC posiition is taking notice


LB.
B-
And the - is just.... that nagging feeling that I have with Judon with his injure. I dont know man. I dont know. Next season we'll see how good he is I guess
I personally think Van Noy can stay. But put him into a more restrained space, almost like Bentley (whom i liked, but i think his ceiling in very low, and Van Noy is athetic, albeit worsening a bit. HT, sorry man, you got to go, PLEASE SIGN 2 PLAYERS, UNCLE BILL

Secondary:
C+ The biggest disapointment is here tbh. I think JC lowered himself a lot of money by failing to contain Diggs once. At least here., ofc. I still think he will be tagged, but I wont be surprise if our prime signing or first pick is a CB

Special Teams:
Ill grade the whole unit
D-
Folk saves from being an F funnily enough

Coaches:
B
Ive said enough in the other thread about Coordinator, so i wont be repeating stuff

 

[mgteich]

OL:
C
and I know people will disagree. But look at the timeline. Started weak, ended badly, in theater, that is a horrible show. Im grading higher bc individually there were standouts, but a a group, ive seen more cohesion in street performers

5 Patriots make Pro Football Focus’ Top 101 players of 2021 list

After placing two players last year, five Patriots have made the cut.

www.patspulpit.com

Yes, Mason, Andrews and Onwenu are standouts. Karras can start, but certainly is at least very top level backup at all three interior positions.

So, for me, the four IOL's rate at A.

So, how bad are the OT's. For the whole OL to be rated C, I would think that they would need to an "F". I think that they are closer to a C (or C- because Herron played so much). So, for me, the OL is a "B" or at worst a "B-".

To put it another way, I think that when we re-sign Karras, we will have a solid 2022 OL in Wynn, Karras, Andrews, Mason and Onwenu. And yes, I certainly understand that 5 starters with no quality backups is just NOT good enough.

 

[JayNM]

5 Patriots make Pro Football Focus’ Top 101 players of 2021 list

After placing two players last year, five Patriots have made the cut.

www.patspulpit.com

Yes, Mason, Andrews and Onwenu are standouts. Karras can start, but certainly is at least very top level backup at all three interior positions.

So, for me, the four IOL's rate at A.

So, how bad are the OT's. For the whole OL to be rated C, I would think that they would need to an "F". I think that they are closer to a C (or C- because played so much). So, for me, the OL is a "B" or at worst a "B-".

To put it another way, I think that when we re-sign Karras, we will have a solid 2022 OL in Wynn, Karras, Andrews, Mason and Onwenu. And yes, I certainly understand that 5 starters with no quality backups is just NOT good enough.

Great explanation and artice, thanks

In particular, you nailed on the OTs, whichnt kinda of an overlooked aspect of need. I think a the 1st pick will be a T, we have traded up before for Vollmer, so there is precedence for value more or less, or a guy on D.

Regardless that, I hope we draft more guys in lower picks, our hit base is off the hook, i fell

On the Interior conversation, all i can say its that i saw a lot of "swap" changes and r"ollouts" (pls dont drog.... the terminolgy, when a Tackle swaps for outside,but try get interior fast enough... is how i can explain it, on power run we see this a lot, although the position is the tackle that swaps, not the guard. That the cohesion that existed with Scar



I hope they expand some money on a OT. I think we can find a steal,and dont know enough for Omweno and this Season was a bad one for Wunn

 

[crawhammer]

:
Mac Jones: B, He Needs to learn to look off safety's better to create space for his Receivers.

Running backs:
Bolden: B
Harris: B+
Rham: B got blown up blocking early, was better later- good pass catcher, need to see more to confuse the defense.
Jakob Johnson: BLEW KEY BLOCK leading to a blocked punt/6. Not as good to me as most think- also a dumb penalty or EZ drop when it mattered, I just don't think he's all that..
JJ Taylor: Sucked, but little chance to get better.

Receivers:
Agholor: C-, not sure what's up, time to throw, wrong routes?
Bourne: B
Harry: Sucked, good blocks only-CUT
Meyers: B
Gunner (special teams)C -Shoulda been better.
Slater (special teams): Not a Pro Bowl Year- Bethel was brought in to combine, then take his place.

Tight Ends:
Asiasi: No Chance. WHY?
Keene:What?
Henry: B
Smith: F - Doesn't understand the playbook IMO- Maybe I'm wrong, but 20 snaps at 14 mill isn't expected.

OL:
Andrews: B+
Brown: B - BUT gets hurt too often
Cajuste: ?
Durant: ?
Herron: B -. Did all right in the last few weeks.
Karras: B - He solidified the OL when he was inserted into LG- Good player, hope he's back.
Mason: B
Onwenu: B/+ when he had a chance to play.
Wynn: C/- , serious step back

DL:
Barmore: A-
Davis: ?
Godchaux: C-
Guy: C
Wino: ?
Wise: C+

LB:
Bentley: C+
Collins: Invisible
Hightower: C
Judon: B.
King: ?
Tavai: ?
Uche: C- This is a head scratcher
KVN: C+/B-

Secondary:
Bethel: ?
Bryant: C
Davis: ?
Dugger: B
JCJ: B
D-Mac: C
Phillips: B
JoeJuan: F

Special Teams:
Folk: A.
Cardona: A- I don't remember a bad long snap.
Bailey: C- How bad was he hurt?

Coaches: Not everyone just the 4 main guys.
Belichick: B
McDaniels: B-
Steve: C
Achord: F- Worst ST I've seen in awhile, 3 blocked punts...IN1 YEAR?

With Belichick the GM spending money like a drunken sailor, I don't think he'd agree with Belichick the HC getting a B. Far too many games the team looked ill-prepared at the start. They didn't play good situational football and their special teams were comically bad at times. The capper is the 1-4 finish to the season, they went from the #1 seed to a wild card tomato can in a matter of weeks. At best Belichick gets a C.

The offensive line and running backs would grade out highest for me, both in the B/B+ range.

The WR room is just not very talented or deep. They desperately need a #1 so everyone else can fall into their proper spot. N'Keal Harry needs to be gone. This group gets a C-.

TE's, only Henry is worth mentioning, Smith was a huge disappointment (F), and the depth at this position is a joke. Henry gets a B+.

Mac Jones had a good year, so that's puts him in the B range I guess. Although, that feels a little high to me because his highlight reel is very short. He doesn't have flashy skills and he's not a big play passer. He only managed one comeback win and that was against the Texans. Jones needs to work on his arm strength and mobility. The accuracy, brains and work ethic seem to be there. Considering the 1-4 finish I'll settle on a B- for Jones.

Defense was fraudulent and got exposed at the end of the season. The two embarrassments against Buffalo alone knock them out of the above average range. I'm not going to break it down by player or units, the end result of everything was a C.

Special teams get an F. Folk made his kicks but otherwise they were so bad at times it was comical. The special teams captain didn't live up to his reputation either so his annual no-look PB/AP nod shouldn't have happened.

 

[mgteich]

Great explanation and artice, thanks

In particular, you nailed on the OTs, whichnt kinda of an overlooked aspect of need. I think a the 1st pick will be a T, we have traded up before for Vollmer, so there is precedence for value more or less, or a guy on D.

Regardless that, I hope we draft more guys in lower picks, our hit base is off the hook, i fell

On the Interior conversation, all i can say its that i saw a lot of "swap" changes and r"ollouts" (pls dont drog.... the terminolgy, when a Tackle swaps for outside,but try get interior fast enough... is how i can explain it, on power run we see this a lot, although the position is the tackle that swaps, not the guard. That the cohesion that existed with Scar

View attachment 41235

I hope they expand some money on a OT. I think we can find a steal,and dont know enough for Omweno and this Season was a bad one for Wunn

I don't think that we should count on steals to fill needed positions.

Belichick will always find a steal. However, there is no way to tell where that steal will play. I thought that Stevenson was the steal of 2021. But you and I strongly agree. We need help at OT.

 

[captain stone]

To put it another way, I think that when we re-sign Karras, we will have a solid 2022 OL in Wynn, Karras, Andrews, Mason and Onwenu. And yes, I certainly understand that 5 starters with no quality backups is just NOT good enough.

I would really, Really, REALLY rather not see Wynn/Lose as our Opening Day LT... unless he's paired with a Joe Thuney-caliber talent at LG.

 

[PatsWSB47]

Patriots season? C+ or B-. Made the playoffs but didn't advance. They made progress over the previous year though. I'm looking forward to more progress in 2022.

 

[Guts]

Patriots season? C+ or B-. Made the playoffs but didn't advance. They made progress over the previous year though. I'm looking forward to more progress in 2022.

I gave them a solid B.

You have to take into account pre season projections.

I had them at 9-8 barely missing the playoffs.

 

[PatsWSB47]

I gave them a solid B.

You have to take into account pre season projections.

I had them at 9-8 barely missing the playoffs.

Yes they did better than expected but I dont think that elevates them in grade in general. Maybe an A for effort

 

[ashley]

We have some good, young talented players on both sides of the ball. I really like our young qb and the direction that we're going. Our defense wasn't as bad as the last two games against the Bills. Over the entire season, they played well. The one and big problem I had with them was not being able to get a "stop" when they needed it.....hoping that improves next year.

 

[JayNM]

I recommend one more award: DOY - Disappearance of the year....and the winner is Winovich.

Judon is a contender for me personally