We're on to the OFF-Season

[ivanvamp]

When Belichick does self scouting this week, he should ask himself what was the biggest difference from 2021 to 2022 in this team’s make up. Hint: it is replacing McDaniels with Patricia.

Two issues with that. First, obviously the efficiency was WAY down this year compared to last year. They had the worst red zone efficiency in the entire NFL this year. #32 out of 32. Terrible.

But second, look at the significant drop in number of red zone chances. A tick more than one per game. That adds up. So they struggled getting INTO the red zone, but then when there, REALLY struggled to score TDs. Cost them a ton of points this year.

And I don't think that's Mac. He was pretty decent in the RZ last year, so it's not like HE has some red zone phobia. Something dramatically different happened with the structure of the red zone offense, and yeah, that points directly to the offensive design and play calling.

It didn't help when they got penalized either fairly (holding calls) or unfairly (the absurd phantom OPI yesterday on Hunter Henry). And obviously penalties are not part of the "design".

They really killed themselves with red zone offense this year.

 

[Rob0729]

Two issues with that. First, obviously the efficiency was WAY down this year compared to last year. They had the worst red zone efficiency in the entire NFL this year. #32 out of 32. Terrible.

But second, look at the significant drop in number of red zone chances. A tick more than one per game. That adds up. So they struggled getting INTO the red zone, but then when there, REALLY struggled to score TDs. Cost them a ton of points this year.

And I don't think that's Mac. He was pretty decent in the RZ last year, so it's not like HE has some red zone phobia. Something dramatically different happened with the structure of the red zone offense, and yeah, that points directly to the offensive design and play calling.

It didn't help when they got penalized either fairly (holding calls) or unfairly (the absurd phantom OPI yesterday on Hunter Henry). And obviously penalties are not part of the "design".

They really killed themselves with red zone offense this year.

The significant drop in red zone visits has a lot to do with the significant drop in third down efficiency.

 

[ashley]

porter or addison i would take in a heartbeat. the rest at pick 14 not so much
Skor and Branch aren't the type of players we need for our o-line and defensive backfield imo..

Interesting, is there an OT out there that you would grab in the 1st?

 

[Nehalem]

Two issues with that. First, obviously the efficiency was WAY down this year compared to last year. They had the worst red zone efficiency in the entire NFL this year. #32 out of 32. Terrible.

But second, look at the significant drop in number of red zone chances. A tick more than one per game. That adds up. So they struggled getting INTO the red zone, but then when there, REALLY struggled to score TDs. Cost them a ton of points this year.

And I don't think that's Mac. He was pretty decent in the RZ last year, so it's not like HE has some red zone phobia. Something dramatically different happened with the structure of the red zone offense, and yeah, that points directly to the offensive design and play calling.

It didn't help when they got penalized either fairly (holding calls) or unfairly (the absurd phantom OPI yesterday on Hunter Henry). And obviously penalties are not part of the "design".

They really killed themselves with red zone offense this year.

2022: 45 trips
2021: 63 trips

It should be pointed out that when you say "A tick more than one per game" it is really underselling the difference given how many trips you normally have per game. They made only 71% as many trips to the RZ.

The other thing that stands out is sacks increasing from 28 to 41, an almost 50% jumped. I am betting there was a significant increase in OL penalties as well.

 

[Patsfan1958]

Pretty good article on McCourty if anyone is interested...

Devin McCourty went from hating playing safety to an all-time Patriots great

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

Interesting, is there an OT out there that you would grab in the 1st?

yeah, i would like
paris johnson out of OSU (LT)
Darnell Wright Tennessee (RT)
Anton Harrison Oklahoma (LT)
--> i would draft them in the first rd
Skoronski is a G projection for me although he deserves a shot at OT
There are other Tackles i like in Blake Freeland, Matthew Bergeron or Dawand Jones but they are more second round picks depending on their measurements and drills during the combine.

 

[jdlboot14]

Bill can say he plans to be back, but he can't say he WILL. Hopefully there's still a sense of being the Kraft's employee??
If not, that reflects what absolute job security can do. Which has played into BB's stupid, even narcissistic, staff decisions lately.
BB is liable to Kraft for coaching decisions that EVERY Pats fan knew would be horrible, he wasted a year and cost the Patriot brand quite a bit with unilateral decisions that were obviously going to fail. Where's the accountability?

 

[PowerRunRevival]

porter or addison i would take in a heartbeat. the rest at pick 14 not so much
Skor and Branch aren't the type of players we need for our o-line and defensive backfield imo..

I've seen compared to Rashawn Slater, if that comparison is true he's exactly the type of player we need imo? What do you not like about him?

 

[Nikolai]

Even a league-average offense would have put this team in the 11-12 win category. If we can maintain, more or less, on defense, and improve on offense just a bit, we're much better off. With this defense maintaining this play or close to it, we don't need to blow the doors off on offense with 600 points to win a lot of games.

I'm just hazarding a guess that moving on from Patricia will go at least part way to getting there. Putting a competent OC in there is probably good for 2-3 more wins.

 

[jdlboot14]

Most have been suggesting MP moves into office/advisor... I don't think I want anything to do with him anymore.
He's shown the same ultra-petty, grudges and mind-games, that actually hurt the team, and take the best playmakers off the field.
I don't want that guy pulling personnel strings.
I hope Kraft's talk with BB includes them "advising" him to:
Hire a top-level, OC - even if it means changing the system a bit. And a real QB coach for Mac.
Firing Achord and MP from current roles (maybe move Judge back to ST)
Give Mayo DC title (unless he's hired away), then give it to SB Jr., because some things need consistency.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

I've seen compared to Rashawn Slater, if that comparison is true he's exactly the type of player we need imo? What do you not like about him?

the comparison makes sense. It depens where he checks in during the combine measures. For me Length and Size are important for an OT. If teams project him as an OT he could be very well OT1 on some boards. If teams view him as a G i don't draft this position top 15 expect a generational talent. There are quit a few different reports on Skoronski's length and weight. We'll see

 

[RobertWeathers]

Even a league-average offense would have put this team in the 11-12 win category. If we can maintain, more or less, on defense, and improve on offense just a bit, we're much better off. With this defense maintaining this play or close to it, we don't need to blow the doors off on offense with 600 points to win a lot of games.

I'm just hazarding a guess that moving on from Patricia will go at least part way to getting there. Putting a competent OC in there is probably good for 2-3 more wins.

Yea probably.

Of their 9 losses, 5 were greater than 2 scores with IMO only 2 that we were totally out of from the jump (CHI and BUF)

The other 4 games a TD here and there gets this team to 9-10 wins no question....assuming they don't blow it doing something stupid which can't be ruled out.

So frustrating.

 

[turkeyneck]

Troy Brown needs to pack his bags.

Sadly, yes. It appears Troy spent his time just hangin' with the guys rather than coaching them up to do what he used to do.

 

[aluminum seats]

I'd take Eason's 1st 3 years in a heartbeat over Mac 1st 2.

Kinda reminds me of Matt Cavanaugh

 

[VectorPrime]

Most have been suggesting MP moves into office/advisor... I don't think I want anything to do with him anymore.
He's shown the same ultra-petty, grudges and mind-games, that actually hurt the team, and take the best playmakers off the field.
I don't want that guy pulling personnel strings.
I hope Kraft's talk with BB includes them "advising" him to:
Hire a top-level, OC - even if it means changing the system a bit. And a real QB coach for Mac.
Firing Achord and MP from current roles (maybe move Judge back to ST)
Give Mayo DC title (unless he's hired away), then give it to SB Jr., because some things need consistency.

Seriously, when has Patricia shown that he's especially useful at ANYTHING besides being a reasonably decent defensive coordinator before he pissed off giant chunks of the leagues playerbase.

 

[Triumph]

It’s the Krafts’ team and they pay his salary. Im sure BB understands the chain of command.

It is and its BBs job to run Krafts team from top to bottom. Its worked out real well for Kraft too because there is only 1 other franchise in NFL history with 6 Super Bowl trophies. BB did a fantastic job this season with what he had to work with. But hey, Kraft tried bossing around Parcells and that backfired. Jerry Jones tried to control Parcells and he quit. Art Modell meddled and complained about BB.

If Kraft wants to be a mini Jerry Jones good luck with that one.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

 

[Rob0729]

He has to act fast. The best coaches go fast after new head coaches are hired. If Bill O'Brien is the guy as OC, he will likely be hired by someone by next week.

 

[archstanton543]

"The Process" continues....

 

[RobertWeathers]

Seriously, when has Patricia shown that he's especially useful at ANYTHING besides being a reasonably decent defensive coordinator before he pissed off giant chunks of the leagues playerbase.

I'm sure hes recommended better tasting food in the NEP nutrition program.