We're on to the OFF-Season

[PowerRunRevival]

I'll believe the changes when I see them (which won't be for a while).

Completely reasonable take. I gave Bill the benefit of the doubt last year and that didn't turn out well so even big Belichick guys are going to heavily scrutinize his moves this year.

 

[signbabybrady]

Completely reasonable take. I gave Bill the benefit of the doubt last year and that didn't turn out well so even big Belichick guys are going to heavily scrutinize his moves this year.

Nope in BB I trust

 

[Deus Irae]

So, if Curran is right, Lazar was wrong. And I think most of us, if not all, hope that Curran was right.


A lot of needed moves are pretty easy to see:

Patricia and Judge need to be shuffled to other spots. Judge to special teams and Patricia to a special assistant makes sense.
Bring back the old system and an O.C. who's run it (That means no Kingsbury!) and can get Jones back to a good place mentally
Get a left tackle (Brown can be shifted back to RT), a CB1, and a WR1
Get speed at ILB
Get a speedy FS if McCourty retires



There's plenty more, but those are nose-on-face level obvious.

 

[Real fan 02]

But good character players generally don't murder people. If you think character isn't part of the Patriots draft process, you're dreaming.

And bringing up Jack Jones... really? You mean the Jack Jones that's currently suspended from the team because he blew off rehab and supposedly argued with Belichick about it? Yeah, I'm sure the coaches just love that pick now.

Hopkins looking to be traded. Cooks looking to be traded. OBJ should be healthy.

Patriots really need to be aggressive and get a premium WR.

It's funny, we had cooks, played well here. I've been on the D Hopkins train for months, if we could trade possibly a 4th and jannu smiths contract for him could work I guess? Still need Hopkins and another burner on the outside..

 

[Real fan 02]

Nope in BB I trust

I definitely trust in BB as well.. however he has to change the narrative as it's looking more like BB in Cleveland post brady...

 

[Boomer B]

It's funny, we had cooks, played well here. I've been on the D Hopkins train for months, if we could trade possibly a 4th and jannu smiths contract for him could work I guess? Still need Hopkins and another burner on the outside..

Why would Arizona want J. Smiths contract? I’d imagine it would take a 2nd to get Hopkins.

 

[h0c2000]

“One important facet of the meeting: Did Belichick need persuading to change course on offense or did he go in knowing changes were necessary? My understanding is that no persuading on the part of Kraft was necessary.”

“But my understanding is offensive coaching reassignments are going to happen and several offensive coaches are under consideration for the Patriots' 2023 staff.”

I don't see the phrases offensive coordinator nor outside offensive coaches.

 

[Real fan 02]

Why would Arizona want J. Smiths contract? I’d imagine it would take a 2nd to get Hopkins.

I was just throwing that out there, who knows stranger things have happened.. BB and groh are not giving up a 2 for D hop as great as he still is.. I see a 3rd rounder.. then he contract has to be reworked..

 

[PowerRunRevival]

So, if Curran is right, Lazar was wrong. And I think most of us, if not all, hope that Curran was right.


A lot of needed moves are pretty easy to see:

Patricia and Judge need to be shuffled to other spots. Judge to special teams and Patricia to a special assistant makes sense.
Bring back the old system and an O.C. who's run it (That means no Kingsbury!) and can get Jones back to a good place mentally
Get a left tackle (Brown can be shifted back to RT), a CB1, and a WR1
Get speed at ILB
Get a speedy FS if McCourty retires



There's plenty more, but those are nose-on-face level obvious.

Lazar is really good breaking down film, but I don’t think he’s a guy with good inside sources.

Can I get a link for what lazar said?

 

[Deus Irae]

On reported changes to the #Patriots offensive staff, team source said "Bill (Belichick) knew it was untenable to continue to go forward with this configuration. He's all about the end results. You can't deny what they were."

There are still plenty of people in that building that believe in Mac Jones, added the source. "Hard year in so many ways." Believes there needs to be better structure but that Jones is "smart, tough and accurate."

 

[Patsfan1958]

 

[venecol]

With apologies this doesn't make sense to me.
"On D they should be solid when it comes to that with Steve, but bring back Mayo give him the DC and name him the successor or at least let him know he will the considerations list in two years. Then BB Jr gets the DC title all is well."

If the D is solid with Steve who definitely calls the defense, why would Mayo be named DC or even be considered the successor to BB. The defense had been good. Other than Steve making calls, I have no idea what the remaining responsibilities are.

Mayo said he was doing the coordinating which is a big deal.

 

[venecol]

We don't but i'm pretty damn sure BB is imparting his wisdom to BB Jr more than Mayo.

I get the feeling the players don't respect Lil Stephen. That's why Bill had him working in tandem w/ Flores and now Mayo to act as buffers. If Bill wasn't there, Lil Stephen would probably be b*tch slapped weekly.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I get the feeling the players don't respect Lil Stephen. That's why Bill had him working in tandem w/ Flores and now Mayo to act as buffers. If Bill wasn't there, Lil Stephen would probably be b*tch slapped weekly.

I haven't heard that. Multiple players are on record as saying BB Jr knows a ****-ton about defense.

Whether they are BSing or being truthful is a question.

He looks like he skateboards all day but whatever...

 

[venecol]

What evidence do you have that Steve has a weakness dealing with players? He's been a coach in some capacity since 2012 and this is the first I am hearing this.

Seriously?

 

[venecol]

We have the 4th-most cap space (more than $50m more than Miami and Buffalo), very little dead money and haven't stolen from out years like many teams have with voidable contracts. Plus an unusually good haul to come in this draft - number 14 is their highest pick in a decade, and they are projected to have 11 picks altogether (including compensatory picks in the 4th, 5th and 7th rounds). So with 6 picks in the first four rounds they plenty of ammunition to move up if needed.
Belichick noted we've had the among the lowest total payouts over the last three years.
So now the Pats are actually finally in a good position roster-wise - we sold out some in the last years of Brady when we traded for some players at the expense of draft picks which hurts in terms of salary. And the bad picks (Harry etc,) are now mostly off the team and behind us.

NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap

NFL salary cap space estimates for all 32 teams

overthecap.com

OTC is not correct, more like $35.7M

 

[signbabybrady]

Seriously?

Yeah. Where has that been reported?

 

[venecol]

I hope this eases peoples minds. Especially the people who thought Bill would refuse to move on from Patricia and that would be the final straw that pushes Bill out. Here are two important quotes from the article

“One important facet of the meeting: Did Belichick need persuading to change course on offense or did he go in knowing changes were necessary? My understanding is that no persuading on the part of Kraft was necessary.”

“But my understanding is offensive coaching reassignments are going to happen and several offensive coaches are under consideration for the Patriots' 2023 staff.”

None of that means anything though. They won't make any announcements, nobody is getting fired, etc. Sounds like Bill BSed his way through that meeting.

 

[Rob0729]

 

[venecol]

Yeah. Where has that been reported?

There was a report that the reason Malcolm got benched was Lil Stephen told him to practice on the ST unit and he told him to GFY. That's why he got benched. Malcolm said afterwards, "those Mfers."

Lil Stephen has never been left alone. Bill has him working in tandem first w/ Flores, then w/ Mayo.

Jack Jones tweeted: imagine trying to teach you how to tackle when you've never played ball.

Mayo said he does the coordinating (dealing w/ players) & Lil Stephen is the play caller. All of the secondary & LB coaches are ex-lacroisse players, except for Mayo. Watch the sidelines interactions during games.

Nobody is interested in interviewing Lil Stephen because he's a leader of men or for any reason really. Several teams are interested in Mayo despite him only coaching since 2019. Flores can get DC or HC jobs.

Just put 2 & 2 together. Do you think any of these young ballers are going to respect the ex-lacroisse son of the HC? Sure, he's smart. Probably learned more about football than most by osmosis just by standing next to Bill. He can call plays. But from that to gaining the respect and admiration of these young men isn't the same thing. He's not Bill. Bill protects him.