Howe: Pats Ecstatic with Mac this Offseason (so far)

[Rob0729]

There is merit to the argument that these guys are playing for their careers... but ultimately, by declining the 5th year option, the team is saying no mas... they aren't on a trajectory to become starters anymore...

sure, every once in a while a guy like Mitch Trubisky gets a second shot at starting... but honestly, what are the expectations for that player moving forward? Its certainly not what it once was... The player may feel the pressure to save a career... but that's a completely different type of pressure than the pressure on a guy people are looking to perform at a high level...

Mac has that pressure to perform laid across his shoulders this season... I want to see growth in year two... others on this board have talked about seeing immediate results... I think he is under a lot of pressure to repeat the first part of the season, and to avoid the second half swoon that happened once teams got sufficient tape on him... and while we are no longer the playoff lock we were with the grizzled veteran under center, we are still The Patriots. And that is always worth an extra ounce or ten of pressure because of the stature of the organization as a whole...

Trevor Lawrence? Yeah he's got some, but lets face it, all people want to see out of him is a glimpse of his future, as the Jags have completely overhauled their team in the offseason... its basically a bye for him this year...

Zach Wilson? Hes got some pressure, but again its more along the lines of "can he stay healthy" and "is he going to throw double digit ints again? There are no grand expectations for him...

Tua? this is probably the only one on rainmakers list i agreed with... Miami went out and spent a buttload getting him a weapon... No more excuses, so he is squarely in that pressure cooker, no doubt about it... first and foremost is can he stay healthy, and secondly 2600 yards and under 20 tds isn't going to cut it...

Joe Burrow? He has a ton of pressure this season... Can he provide the Bengals a repeat performance? Can he throw for 30+ tds again...

Josh Allen, same thing... can he get those 13 seconds back?

Zach Wilson was the #2 overall pick with three other viable QBs that could taken other than him and there are no grand expectations for him? That's what you are looking for with the #2 overall pick - as long as he doesn't suck, I'm satisfied? The lowly expectation for Wilson is that he will be an All Pro QB. Maybe this year, but the expectations is that he will be at least a top 10 QB this year. Or at least it should be.

 

[Rob0729]

I don't get why people can't just take this report for what it is - a positive sign. It might not pan out to be anything. But the substance of the report shows that Jones has a great work ethic and could make a big jump this year. Who cares if they pumped up Mallet and Stidham in the past?

Brady's gone. Time to move on. Stop beating on this kid because Kraft and Belichick allowed Brady to leave. And this is to a very small group of people here - stop rooting for Jones to fail. If Jones fails or turns into a HOFer, it doesn't diminish Brady and what he has accomplished.

 

[sb1]

 

[sb1]

I don't get why people can't just take this report for what it is - a positive sign. It might not pan out to be anything. But the substance of the report shows that Jones has a great work ethic and could make a big jump this year. Who cares if they pumped up Mallet and Stidham in the past?

Brady's gone. Time to move on. Stop beating on this kid because Kraft and Belichick allowed Brady to leave. And this is to a very small group of people here - stop rooting for Jones to fail. If Jones fails or turns into a HOFer, it doesn't diminish Brady and what he has accomplished.

I'm also looking for the second year jump. If Mac is all that then it will happen. Most QB's worth anything will do it. I've seen people bring up Josh Allen's 1st and 2nd year. Josh Allen was very green and raw with a ton of upside. He was not coming out of college touted as the most refined and pro ready QB. Mac was not raw at all coming in the league and he proved those scouting reports correct. So I'd like to see him get better and I think he will.

Also in Stid's second year he lost his track to QB1 to Cam and then his QB2 job to Hoyer and that regression was his ticket out of town. I made the point about Mallett not comparing him to Mac because that would be ridiculous but it shows the team does pump up their players - which I guess most teams do anyway but I'll take it with a grain of salt until we see for ourselves.

I don't think anyone is cheering for Mac to fail (or at least I'd hope they aren't?)

 

[sb1]

OT to Mac but Jonnu is another guy I expect to see a major improvement in 2023 and that would bode well if he does.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Mac press conference from today:

-trimmed down on body fat. Will bulk up the next couple of months

-knows more about nutrition and sleep now than he ever has

-excited to work with Joe Judge

-in terms of body weight, he's trying to find the right balance so that he's can absorb hits while at the same time being trim

 

[Rob0729]

I'm also looking for the second year jump. If Mac is all that then it will happen. Most QB's worth anything will do it. I've seen people bring up Josh Allen's 1st and 2nd year. Josh Allen was very green and raw with a ton of upside. He was not coming out of college touted as the most refined and pro ready QB. Mac was not raw at all coming in the league and he proved those scouting reports correct. So I'd like to see him get better and I think he will.

Also in Stid's second year he lost his track to QB1 to Cam and then his QB2 job to Hoyer and that regression was his ticket out of town. I made the point about Mallett not comparing him to Mac because that would be ridiculous but it shows the team does pump up their players - which I guess most teams do anyway but I'll take it with a grain of salt until we see for ourselves.

I don't think anyone is cheering for Mac to fail (or at least I'd hope they aren't?)

Josh Allen didn't have a year two jump. He sucked until midway through his third season. But where Allen was raw with his mechanics and ability to process the offense, you can argue that is leveled out where Jones was not in pique physical form. Jones has less room to improve in terms of mechanics and the mental stuff, Jones has about as much room to grow with his body. Jones dropping weight should make him move better in and out of the pocket. If he improved his arm strength, that can be a world of difference in his throws.

But Joe Burrow was about as pro ready as Mac Jones and he had a big year two jump.

 

[sb1]

Good stuff. He's on the right track.

 

[sb1]

Josh Allen didn't have a year two jump. He sucked until midway through his third season. But where Allen was raw with his mechanics and ability to process the offense, you can argue that is leveled out where Jones was not in pique physical form. Jones has less room to improve in terms of mechanics and the mental stuff, Jones has about as much room to grow with his body. Jones dropping weight should make him move better in and out of the pocket. If he improved his arm strength, that can be a world of difference in his throws.

But Joe Burrow was about as pro ready as Mac Jones and he had a big year two jump.

Right I meant Allen's first and second year compared to after that. He was raw. Mac wasn't IMO, at least when it comes to playing QB. Good point about the physical part of it.

Burrow is a great comparison. I'm sure he also had to work harder after his injury.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I don't get why people can't just take this report for what it is - a positive sign. It might not pan out to be anything. But the substance of the report shows that Jones has a great work ethic and could make a big jump this year. Who cares if they pumped up Mallet and Stidham in the past?

Brady's gone. Time to move on. Stop beating on this kid because Kraft and Belichick allowed Brady to leave. And this is to a very small group of people here - stop rooting for Jones to fail. If Jones fails or turns into a HOFer, it doesn't diminish Brady and what he has accomplished.

People like crawhammer and XLIX want Mac to fail so that they can troll about Brady. Ive yet to see anything positive they write about the CURRENT patriots team.

 

[Hyped]

Long accurate powerful throws for passing yards that will force Miami and others to respect the Pat's long game. Skip the talk and make a statement out there with Jones play.

Yes vs Xavier Howard and DBs just like him.

To be a top tier QB you need to beat top tier CBs. Time to the the diapers off - **** Vermiel

I am all for that, but I am not grading Jones on those types of plays. I am grading on whether we win the game or not...if Jones wants to check it down all day and we score 30+....sign me up.

 

[venecol]

The giants reached like crazy for jones too. What a monumental waste of 4 years and a #6 overall pick

And that's why there's pressure on Mac to perform in Year 2. The biggest trait being touted was his game preparation and being NFL game ready coming out of Saban's program. His biggest concerns had to do with physical traits or short comings. We all saw how the game wasn't too fast for him. How good he was at running the 2-min. offense. He's accurate.

Yet, the question remains, does he have the clutch factor that differentiate elite QBs from the average ones. He had one 4th QTR comeback against the lowly Texans. Can he do more in 2022? Can he come from behind against better teams and steal a victory from the jaws of defeat?

These are the questions that matter, because as you say, if he's not the Guy, then you set the team back 4 years (at least). These are the Patriots not the Jets, Jags, or Texans. There is monumental pressure on this kid to perform. He seems to be taking care of what he can control, his body, which is a good start.

My biggest concern is his mental fortitude when faced with a poor performance (individual or team-wise). Saban stated he had a tennis players mentality (John McEnroe), that took everything personally. He needs to be cold as ice to succeed.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

And that's why there's pressure on Mac to perform in Year 2. The biggest trait being touted was his game preparation and being NFL game ready coming out of Saban's program. His biggest concerns had to do with physical traits or short comings. We all saw how the game wasn't too fast for him. How good he was at running the 2-min. offense. He's accurate.

Yet, the question remains, does he have the clutch factor that differentiate elite QBs from the average ones. He had one 4th QTR comeback against the lowly Texans. Can he do more in 2022? Can he come from behind against better teams and steal a victory from the jaws of defeat?

These are the questions that matter, because as you say, if he's not the Guy, then you set the team back 4 years (at least). These are the Patriots not the Jets, Jags, or Texans. There is monumental pressure on this kid to perform. He seems to be taking care of what he can control, his body, which is a good start.

My biggest concern is his mental fortitude when faced with a poor performance (individual or team-wise). Saban stated he had a tennis players mentality (John McEnroe), that took everything personally. He needs to be cold as ice to succeed.

Eventually yes the expectation and pressure will be there for him to truly catapult the team but that doesn’t necessarily have to be this year. I think he’ll have plenty chances to get where he needs to be regardless of how this year goes.

Expectations (not mine) generally are pretty low for the patriots for 2022 and that would only lower the pressure on him too. Many afc teams have loaded up this offseason while weve made modest additions here and there, some think weve downgraded the team and are likely on the outside looking in for the afc playoffs . There is also the coaching uncertainty on the offensive side which is raising concern all around. I think we will be okay on both ends and have a year similar to 2021 but this is what im seeing and hearing. If the pats and mac have a down year, everyone will likely blame bb for it on the above points. Not saying less pressure on mac is better or what i want but thats the feeling i get.

 

[venecol]

Eventually yes the expectation and pressure will be there for him to truly catapult the team but that doesn’t necessarily have to be this year. I think he’ll have plenty chances to get where he needs to be regardless of how this year goes.

Expectations (not mine) generally are pretty low for the patriots for 2022 and that would only lower the pressure on him too. Many afc teams have loaded up this offseason while weve made modest additions here and there, some think weve downgraded the team and are likely on the outside looking in for the afc playoffs . There is also the coaching uncertainty on the offensive side which is raising concern all around. I think we will be okay on both ends and have a year similar to 2021 but this is what im seeing and hearing. If the pats and mac have a down year, everyone will likely blame bb for it on the above points. Not saying less pressure on mac is better or what i want but thats the feeling i get.

Maybe you're right but I doubt Kraft feels that way. He wants a playoff win. Now. He was sold on spending $170M in guarantees (a record then) and wants to see the return to his investment. I think people discount what Kraft says because they believe that Bill runs the team the way he wants.

 

[Zuma]

Maybe you're right but I doubt Kraft feels that way. He wants a playoff win. Now. He was sold on spending $170M in guarantees (a record then) and wants to see the return to his investment. I think people discount what Kraft says because they believe that Bill runs the team the way he wants.

So in your opinion...Kraft would like to win a playoff game ?

 

[XLIX]

I'm also looking for the second year jump. If Mac is all that then it will happen. Most QB's worth anything will do it. I've seen people bring up Josh Allen's 1st and 2nd year. Josh Allen was very green and raw with a ton of upside. He was not coming out of college touted as the most refined and pro ready QB. Mac was not raw at all coming in the league and he proved those scouting reports correct. So I'd like to see him get better and I think he will.

Josh Allen made his jump when he got a legit #1 (and top 10 in the League) WR to throw to. That's not a coincidence.

I think Mac Jones is the best of his draft class and it isn't even close, but there's only so much chicken salad he can make with chicken sh*t for ingredients.

 

[venecol]

So in your opinion...Kraft would like to win a playoff game ?

But, only so he doesn't have to listen to Cal McNair rub it in that the Texans have a more recent playoff win than the Pats.

 

[Zuma]

But, only so he doesn't have to listen to Cal McNair rub it in that the Texans have a more recent playoff win than the Pats.

I envy the Texans

 

[crawhammer]

People like crawhammer and XLIX want Mac to fail so that they can troll about Brady. Ive yet to see anything positive they write about the CURRENT patriots team.

If the Patriots "fail" this season then it's unlikely to have a lot to due with Mac Jones. He very well could have a very good season yet the team finishes with a worse record than last season. Patriots have a lot more questions defensively than offensively. If Judge and/or Patricia don't completely screw up everything then I think Jones and the offense will be good to very good. The two biggest problems the Patriots are facing this season have more to do with other teams than themselves. 1) Buffalo is a much better team who should comfortably win the division by the end of the season (I think it will be tight until December). 2) Many teams in the conference have gotten much better from a season ago.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Maybe you're right but I doubt Kraft feels that way. He wants a playoff win.

I think deep down he just wants a better masseuse