Curran Believes Jones is 'Making an Enemy' Out of Belichick

[upstater1]

Yes, Jones would be better off is he channels his frustrations differently, and used some of that energy to focus on improving.
Ultimately, however, it is the job of the coaching staff to know the emotional maturity of their 24 year old 2nd year QB and construct a culture that will get the best out of him, and not let this happen. I'm more and more of the mind that these three guys aren't up to that task.

Patricia is not up to the task.

But... I'm not sure I want a QB who is having emotional flameouts out there. There will be years in which the offensive line cannot protect you, and in fact, even in winning years, there are times when the D hammers on you and makes things incredibly difficult, you want your QB to be able to handle that. He can't wither under pressure.

 

[upstater1]

I think the trade down turned out to be great value but I’d have to agree Guards can be found later on. A Wr that some is us where clamoring for, Christian Watson, should’ve been the pick at 29.

Watson has played well. He's got a good QB. But his scouting report screamed danger danger. Known as having bad hands in college.

 

[upstater1]

We're talking about coaches on the hot seat but no one mentioned Harbaugh.

2 playoff victories in 9 years.

He's been given a lot of leeway and I don't think the fans in Baltimore are clamoring for a change.

 

[lancerman]

We're talking about coaches on the hot seat but no one mentioned Harbaugh.

2 playoff victories in 9 years.

He's been given a lot of leeway and I don't think the fans in Baltimore are clamoring for a change.

Since Harbaugh got there in 2008, the Ravens have only had two losing seasons (and you could argue one would have been a .500 season under the old 16 game format).

 

[venecol]

Since Harbaugh got there in 2008, the Ravens have only had two losing seasons (and you could argue one would have been a .500 season under the old 16 game format).

Not sure what they're feeding their players, but they've also had incredibly bad luck with injuries these last few seasons. Like really really bad luck.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

Watson has played well. He's got a good QB. But his scouting report screamed danger danger. Known as having bad hands in college.

He’s dropped a few in his young career but he has that ability to take it to the house any time he gets the ball, something that’s lacking with our current group. We need a weapon on offense that can get those chunk yards on one play.

 

[upstater1]

He’s dropped a few in his young career but he has that ability to take it to the house any time he gets the ball, something that’s lacking with our current group. We need a weapon on offense that can get those chunk yards on one play.

Makes you wonder though what Rodgers would be doing with Thornton

 

[venecol]

Lol, our friend from Buffalo doesn't want to move on from Bill until he dies. That's just great. Let's wallow around in 1980 football strategies with mid tier talent while the 78 yo Bill continues to be more and more crotchety on the podium while his 5 generation younger players laugh behind his back because he's clueless about the latest new "thing" their generation is into. Oh, and everyone else will be sporting innovative young coaches that "get" their players and know how to motivate them. Kraft of course will be DOA by then after one too many blue pills trying to keep up with his no longer so young wife. After several seasons of splitting games with the Jet, Pats finally go 0-6 in the division, still in search of that elusive franchise QB. Surprisingly, Mac is still in the league, now a 3rd string back-up for the Texans. Zappe also moved on after Bill wouldn't extend him and is the starting QB for the Detroit Lions that went 13-5 the prior season under the leadership of the short but talented young QB.

Almost forgot, Seattle finally put Carroll out of his misery and hired McVay in 2024 who led them to a perfect 21-0 season (yup, there's 18 games then).

 

[upstater1]

Since Harbaugh got there in 2008, the Ravens have only had two losing seasons (and you could argue one would have been a .500 season under the old 16 game format).

Right, but... I don't think we'd be satisfied with 2 playoff wins in 9 years.

 

[upstater1]

Lol, our friend from Buffalo doesn't want to move on from Bill until he dies. That's just great. Let's wallow around in 1980 football strategies with mid tier talent while the 78 yo Bill continues to be more and more crotchety on the podium while his 5 generation younger players laugh behind his back because he's clueless about the latest new "thing" their generation is into. Oh, and everyone else will be sporting innovative young coaches that "get" their players and know how to motivate them. Kraft of course will be DOA by then after one too many blue pills trying to keep up with his no longer so young wife. After several seasons of splitting games with the Jet, Pats finally go 0-6 in the division, still in search of that elusive franchise QB. Surprisingly, Mac is still in the league, now a 3rd string back-up for the Texans. Zappe also moved on after Bill wouldn't extend him and is the starting QB for the Detroit Lions that went 13-5 the prior season under the leadership of the short but talented young QB.

Almost forgot, Seattle finally put Carroll out of his misery and hired McVay in 2024 who led them to a perfect 21-0 season (yup, there's 18 games then).

First, I love Buffalo, it's a great town. I've lived in many great towns. This is up there with them.

Second, you seem like a guy who is from a place like Pepperell.

Be that as it may, I see a lot of coaching ineptitude around the league, by guys that Belichick regularly depants'd, including your hero in LA.

The "new" thing. What is that exactly? What is the "new" thing?

We're in the middle of a rebuild. I have patience. I also lived in a town where fans adopted the same brainless mentality you have, always switching coaches, always switching QBs, year after year, decade after decade, and you remind me so much of those fans.

 

[Ian]

Lol, our friend from Buffalo doesn't want to move on from Bill until he dies. That's just great. Let's wallow around in 1980 football strategies with mid tier talent while the 78 yo Bill continues to be more and more crotchety on the podium while his 5 generation younger players laugh behind his back because he's clueless about the latest new "thing" their generation is into. Oh, and everyone else will be sporting innovative young coaches that "get" their players and know how to motivate them. Kraft of course will be DOA by then after one too many blue pills trying to keep up with his no longer so young wife. After several seasons of splitting games with the Jet, Pats finally go 0-6 in the division, still in search of that elusive franchise QB. Surprisingly, Mac is still in the league, now a 3rd string back-up for the Texans. Zappe also moved on after Bill wouldn't extend him and is the starting QB for the Detroit Lions that went 13-5 the prior season under the leadership of the short but talented young QB.

Almost forgot, Seattle finally put Carroll out of his misery and hired McVay in 2024 who led them to a perfect 21-0 season (yup, there's 18 games then).

LOL, you sent Zappe to Detroit in your hypothetical situation? That's just mean. He didn't end up in like Los Angeles after the Rams spent three years trying to make Baker Mayfield the guy? Or Denver after they kicked Russell Wilson to the curb? Or to Green Bay after Jordan Love fizzled where Zappe's career started? If you're going to dream, dream a little bigger. The kid doesn't deserve to be in a city where QBs don't seem to thrive.

 

[venecol]

LOL, you sent Zappe to Detroit in your hypothetical situation? That's just mean. He didn't end up in like Los Angeles after the Rams spent three years trying to make Baker Mayfield the guy? Or Denver after they kicked Russell Wilson to the curb? Or to Green Bay after Jordan Love fizzled where Zappe's career started? If you're going to dream, dream a little bigger. The kid doesn't deserve to be in a city where QBs don't seem to thrive.

Lol. Detroit is a different place in 2025/26. Dan Campbell was named Coach of the year in 2024 after winning the NFCN division and taking them to the NFCCG but losing with Goff and all the young talent that was all-in on his crazy nutty knee biting style. He signs Zappe, who takes them to the promised land his 1st season. Turns out, the kid was actually uber talented but the fans never gave him a chance in NE because of a 2nd half perf. in a game long ago.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I agree. Jones has no leverage. He'll either not play, or be moved. Belichick would be the last one standing in that situation. Unless he was to tell Kraft otherwise.

If any of this is anything more than speculation, please somebody use it as a springboard. Otherwise, feh, I needed to do something while I processed the statins anyway.

1. (This will not rule the day, but it is a thing): Kraft probably is pro-Mac at heart
Mac is the pick that Kraft didn't hate (the Committee drafted him, he was the shiny no.1 pick of a new draft methodology.)

2. If BB's seat is warm to hot, there is a finite universe of models to offer in the "fix it" continuum.
A. Bill can maintain Mac at QB and blame his own coaching staff hirings/non-hirings. I.e., he can eat crow, go back to the drawing board, and do this like everybody else, giving Patricia the defense, bringing in a QB-whisperer for Jones, go out and find the new Scar, etc.

B. Some variation involving tweaking the scheme and the playbook, etc. etc. etc., but heads not rolling, we appreciate Mac's passion, etc. This would mean attempting to keep the present cast of characters and blaming the SOP binder, in corporate talk.

C. Bill can let Mac be the scapegoat/take the rightful blame. That is, he can ditch Mac NOW and let the press write about why, just say he thinks Zappe gives us the best chance to win right now. We own Mac's rights, it's up to him to come back into camp and win the job back. I think given his mindset, this is tantamount to writing him off. I am sure Jones believes he is the National Championship Winner From Alabama, pro-bowl rookie, not the 7-7 guy throwing more interceptions than TDs.

D. Bill can say this is an adjustment year, act like it's no big deal, and tinker in the offseason. The "blame" goes into a big pot of "some good things, some bad things, obviously we would have liked some better results..." Then he does whatever work he does behind the scenes, with all the principals in the drama being basically materials to throw into the cauldron. Seat officially goes to hot if he makes no progress, but he probably has enough warning track if he eats crow and tells Kraft he's figuring it out.

If he wants to make option (D) work, he can always point out that basic fundamental lapses of discipline accounted for the Raiders meltdown, cite similar cases, not mention the last minute 10-7 Jete win on the other side, and go with "we're not as bad as our worst game or as good as our best game."

E. Make the last 3 games about chances for Mac to look really good, whether the team wins or loses. Pump up the trade value. Seems very un-Patriotic though.

What this thread really reminds us of is that Mac can "punish" the Pats by sucking, but ultimately BB has the cards.

3. (really an extension of 2C) Mac can be a human shield for BB. If he keeps throwing tantrums he is asking to be traded or just benched. How can Kraft not back his coach in that scenario? Roll with Zappe, add a vet, and basically make Mac earn the chance to see the field. Ditch the vet if Mac shines in camp.

Only BB knows how much he likes what Patricia/Judge are doing, how much he thinks that aspect really stinks, how much he thinks Mac is just fighting what they want to achieve, etc. ... so as fun as it is to try to figure out, I am once again in observe-speculate-bloviate mode.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

If any of this is anything more than speculation, please somebody use it as a springboard. Otherwise, feh, I needed to do something while I processed the statins anyway.

1. (This will not rule the day, but it is a thing): Kraft probably is pro-Mac at heart
Mac is the pick that Kraft didn't hate (the Committee drafted him, he was the shiny no.1 pick of a new draft methodology.)

2. If BB's seat is warm to hot, there is a finite universe of models to offer in the "fix it" continuum.
A. Bill can maintain Mac at QB and blame his own coaching staff hirings/non-hirings. I.e., he can eat crow, go back to the drawing board, and do this like everybody else, giving Patricia the defense, bringing in a QB-whisperer for Jones, go out and find the new Scar, etc.

B. Some variation involving tweaking the scheme and the playbook, etc. etc. etc., but heads not rolling, we appreciate Mac's passion, etc. This would mean attempting to keep the present cast of characters and blaming the SOP binder, in corporate talk.

C. Bill can let Mac be the scapegoat/take the rightful blame. That is, he can ditch Mac NOW and let the press write about why, just say he thinks Zappe gives us the best chance to win right now. We own Mac's rights, it's up to him to come back into camp and win the job back. I think given his mindset, this is tantamount to writing him off. I am sure Jones believes he is the National Championship Winner From Alabama, pro-bowl rookie, not the 7-7 guy throwing more interceptions than TDs.

D. Bill can say this is an adjustment year, act like it's no big deal, and tinker in the offseason. The "blame" goes into a big pot of "some good things, some bad things, obviously we would have liked some better results..." Then he does whatever work he does behind the scenes, with all the principals in the drama being basically materials to throw into the cauldron. Seat officially goes to hot if he makes no progress, but he probably has enough warning track if he eats crow and tells Kraft he's figuring it out.

If he wants to make option (D) work, he can always point out that basic fundamental lapses of discipline accounted for the Raiders meltdown, cite similar cases, not mention the last minute 10-7 Jete win on the other side, and go with "we're not as bad as our worst game or as good as our best game."

E. Make the last 3 games about chances for Mac to look really good, whether the team wins or loses. Pump up the trade value. Seems very un-Patriotic though.

What this thread really reminds us of is that Mac can "punish" the Pats by sucking, but ultimately BB has the cards.

3. (really an extension of 2C) Mac can be a human shield for BB. If he keeps throwing tantrums he is asking to be traded or just benched. How can Kraft not back his coach in that scenario? Roll with Zappe, add a vet, and basically make Mac earn the chance to see the field. Ditch the vet if Mac shines in camp.

Only BB knows how much he likes what Patricia/Judge are doing, how much he thinks that aspect really stinks, how much he thinks Mac is just fighting what they want to achieve, etc. ... so as fun as it is to try to figure out, I am once again in observe-speculate-bloviate mode.

tl:dr

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Not really a ringing endorsement from the HC. I remember Bill laughing in the face of the media when asked about replacing a previous quarterback. How about all the times Bill responded "there isn't another quarterback I would rather have than..."

Definitely, it is fair to say it's clear we're under-achieving on O badly. But it's also fair to realize that teams go .500 or so all the time without everybody being fired.

I do think the Pats' brass will run out of patience.... but I also think the sky will fall here 20 times before it falls in reality (and all the chicken littles will celebrate if and when a patch of blue actually falls to earth.)

 

[signbabybrady]

I am sure Belichick doesn't like Jones' attitude. He is the same guy who has benched players for far less.

The thing is I am thinking Jones may want to try to force Belichick to trade him. His end goal could be to make Belichick enough of an enemy to trade him to another team that might put him in a position to be successful.

I am not excusing his actions, but if I was a young player and felt that the team I was playing for was putting me in a position to fail and messing with my career, I would want to shoot my way out of town.

I still think if things become a complete disaster the last three weeks of the season, Belichick might not be here next year. Right now, if he wasn't a six time Super Bowl winner with multiple other Super Bowl and AFCCG appearances (and wins in the AFCCGs), he would already be fired. People automatically assume that Kraft would never part ways with Belichick after this season, but I am not so sure about that. Before the season, Kraft seemed pretty frustrated with the direction of the team. He has to be irate now. He won't outright fire him, but there could be a "mutual" parting of the ways.

That's an interesting question: let's assume the last 3 years was a rookie coach and he went 7-9, 10-6, and currently 7-7 how would we be looking at it? I think the defensive guys on offense might be fire-able as it is without the cache BB has but then again they'd never have been able to try. For this exercise let's assume a normal offensive staff and the same results.

I've said it elsewhere I think I'd just let Bill do his thing and pray he brings in an offensive staff but if he doubles down then the seat gets extremely hot. I don't think he'll double down and I'm not sure either way that seat can get any hotter. I can't imagine Kraft going there now but how long is supposed to give him. Personally I think 5 years seems right and if you want to argue he burned an extra year with the Patricia thing I wouldn't argue. However 3 years post Brady seems way too soon.

 

[archstanton543]

Well, I'm losing faith in BB too so the feeling it mutual.

 

[archstanton543]

That's a non-answer given the stats and this season as a whole.

 

[PWRxWLF]

We could sit here and nitpick every position, every coach, every personnel move, and more. Bottom line is, there’s only one person to blame for everything that’s taken place, and that’s Bill Belichick. It pains me to say it. I love everything he has done for this organization, but come on already. The personnel decisions he has made over the last few years. The coaching decisions. He seems lost. I’ve personally fallen prey to chalking it all up to in BB we trust, but this season has really eroded some of that. Hell, with all the cap space coming up, the plethora of draft picks….I just don’t have any hope that he is going to make the right decisions to make this team better. Henry and Smith and Agholor have been duds. Big Trent has been mediocre since re-signing. Slapping the franchise tag on Wynn. Letting JC walk for nothing. Not refilling the coaching staff, ****ing Mayo around, trading Mason for jack ****. I just don’t get it. Does anyone really think he’s gonna blow this whole thing up this offseason and aggressively do what needs to be done to bring this team back into contention?

 

[archstanton543]

We could sit here and nitpick every position, every coach, every personnel move, and more. Bottom line is, there’s only one person to blame for everything that’s taken place, and that’s Bill Belichick. It pains me to say it. I love everything he has done for this organization, but come on already. The personnel decisions he has made over the last few years. The coaching decisions. He seems lost. I’ve personally fallen prey to chalking it all up to in BB we trust, but this season has really eroded some of that. Hell, with all the cap space coming up, the plethora of draft picks….I just don’t have any hope that he is going to make the right decisions to make this team better. Henry and Smith and Agholor have been duds. Big Trent has been mediocre since re-signing. Slapping the franchise tag on Wynn. Letting JC walk for nothing. Not refilling the coaching staff, ****ing Mayo around, trading Mason for jack ****. I just don’t get it. Does anyone really think he’s gonna blow this whole thing up this offseason and aggressively do what needs to be done to bring this team back into contention?

It hardly ever ends well for legendary coaches in any sport. BB and football are no different.