They changed the playbook to maximize Jones’, the receivers, and the o-line‘s weaknesses and minimize their strengths. Last year Jones was best at quick release plays, throwing short to intermediate passes in tight windows, and quickly going through his progressions. What did they do this year? Design the offense so that Jones has to hold onto the ball longer and lock onto one receiver and throw 50-50 balls down the field. Devante Parker is a possession receiver. So of course they made him a deep perimeter receiver. The o-line is built for size. So they designed the offense to play a lot zone blocking to maximize their speed which they don’t have. And Bourne and Henry were two of their best receivers last year and they basically benched Bourne and minimized Henry.
Tell me what they actually did to put Jones in a position to succeed? That is what an OC is supposed to do with a second year QB who is still learning.
And do you think that when the Pats play ok, it could be the talent overcoming the coaching? Most of the times when this offense has played well under Jones was either scripted plays at the beginning of a half which probably had Belichick's input and when Jones is running the hurry up offense and he is calling plays at the line.
I know you hate Jones, but try to look at this objectively.
That doesn't explain Jones missing MORE open receivers this year.
It doesn't explain his poor mechanics (something he supposedly worked on with Tom House).
They didn't incorporate "a lot of zone blocking". They already had zone blocking in their scheme according to Scarnecchia. He'd know better than any of the guys covering the Pats currently.
They DID incorporate more RPOs. Something that has been pointed out as something that Mac used well in college.
The "Speed" that the Outside Zone blocking is supposed to help is that of the RBs. Harris and Stevenson BOTH have the necessary speed. They aren't Tyreek Hill or Ty Thornton, but they have plenty of speed for those plays. In fact, the Outside runs have been some of their best all season.
The coaching staff is at fault on the offense for it being somewhat predictable.
WE have no idea if Mac is changing plays out of Play-Action when he's at the line or if the Coaches aren't giving him those plays. Some have mentioned that the Coaching staff seems to be wanting to keep Mac's eyes downfield, even on running plays.
There could be two reasons for this. One is that the O-line (including the TEs) aren't doing their job. Some of which we've seen. The O-line play has continued to be inconsistent with the exception of Onwenu. Andrews was exposed again to being unable to properly identify the late blitz.
The other reason is MAC. People have seen him eyeballing receivers. People have seen him miss multiple wide-open receivers on the same play. People have seem him fail to recognize a defensive change because he's NOT scanning the field pre-snap the way he should be. People have seen Mac go through his progressions too quickly. Other times not fast enough. It's mostly mental things. I think that MAC, instead of being MAC, tried to be Brady 2.0. That, in conjunction with Joe Judge not being a capable QB coach (yes, I'm convinced now) have hurt Jones.
It's safe to say that Joe Judge should not be the QB coach. I initially defended the hiring because he did have some experience with the position and I wasn't willing to blame him for Daniel Jones, but the proof is in the pudding, as they say. Look at what Daniel Jones is doing with Brian Daboll as his HC and former Patriots QB Mike Kafka as his OC. Four 4th Quarter Comebacks with 5 Game winning drives.
I think your statement on Parker is slightly erroneous. He's more than a possession receiver. He's always played Outside the numbers. His forte is jump balls, back shoulder passes, and toe-stepping the sidelines. The last two were supposedly MAC's FORTE coming out of Alabama. The number of times we've seen those plays can be counted on one hand, though and that is a COACHING issue.
There is blame to go around. It's not JUST MAC or JUST the Coaching. It's a combination. The only one who can sort it out completely is Belichick. We know he's not afraid to admit mistakes, even with Coaching staff. (Corwin Brown / Dave Guglielmo) My only hope is that there is no permanent damage to Jones when the season is done.
