PATRIOTS NEWS BoB officially back

[PScottman]

The Patriots are just a step to get back to a HC job.

You left out the crucial aspect of this - he, and the Patriots, have to win for that desire to occur.

He doesn't get a HC job unless the Patriots offense AND team are successful - especially given the poor track record of Coordinators from the Pats in HC positions. Given that historical track record - he will likely have to have the Patriots offense in the top 10 for the year next year AND a significant playoff end state (at least AFC title game) to be able to demonstrate that it was his addition to the staff that was the missing element.

So I hope that indeed is his goal.

 

[1960Pats]

He will be good for Mac, he was successful using two TE offense ( Gronk & Hernandez).

I believe he is using this to be a head coach again, if he turns this offense and Mac around that will be a good look for him for GM’s around the league.

Not meant to be a knock on BOB but I could be successful with Gronk and Hernandez as my TEs.

 

[TommyD4207]

Not meant to be a knock on BOB but I could be successful with Gronk and Hernandez as my TEs.

The only caveat to that, is that they were both rookies in 2010.

 

[libra957]

Now Mac has to perform.

 

[PScottman]

Regarding the Kraft verbal quote that the Patriots were to hire O'Brien...

Robert Kraft shares his take on Patriots' unusual coaching setup

Bill Belichick and the Patriots have yet to name an offensive coordinator or play-caller to replace Josh McDaniels, but Robert Kraft doesn’t seem too concerned.

www.nbcsports.com

Only comment about O'Brien is past tense.

It’s time for Patriots team owner Robert Kraft to treat Bill Belichick the way Belichick treats his players

Belichick's mantra has forever been doing what's best for the team. Well, what's best for New England now is Kraft being similarly unsentimental when it comes to the sputtering offense.

sports.yahoo.com

Reporter provides context to a two word answer "I know" that didn't even mention O'Brien.

I actually would bet money this is the rumor article that makes some think Kraft took all control from Belichick and directed the O'Brien hire:


100% rumor mongering - not credited to Kraft at all: "Per NFL Network's Mike Giardi, there is "one very influential voice in upper management" for the Patriots pushing O'Brien for the job."

The Herald ran a similar story Dec 9th. Guregian: What will Robert Kraft do to fix the Patriots?

Again all media supposition and not actual Kraft "Al Haig"-like statements stating that O'Brien was the next Patriots OC before interviewing began.

More unsubstantiated rumors disguised as reporting: A top NFL insider is now openly wondering about Bill Belichick's job security

Opinion piece with no actual quote: Change should come from Robert Kraft with or without Bill Belichick

Here's the "disappointed" quote, but no Bill O'Brien: Robert Kraft "Bothered" by Patriots Recent Playoff Failures - CLNS Media

Unattributed quote here but still no O'Brien.: Changes coming to Patriots after Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick have meeting

More "RUMINT": Alabama football: Bill O'Brien to Patriots rumors increase, NFL insiders say

Here's search#1: Robert Kraft comments on Bill O'brien
And Search #2: Robert Kraft, Bill O'brien, hire

The funniest part about this rumors and unattributed or inference as fact take, is that Kraft CAN'T make a definitive pronouncement like that as an owner before the interviews take place because it would bring NFL fines, etc for violation of the Rooney Rule!

 

[PScottman]

There is a difference, at least in my mind, between a team that score 27 points consistently and a team that have 3 outlier games that bump a lot their average points scored.

Does the rest of the league have to amend their statistics the same way?

Asking for a statistician.


Mac Jones, like Daniel Jones did this year, has a lot to prove now that one of the variables in the equation has been removed (Patricia), but playing better against weaker teams is thin gruel as a cudgel to beat him with.

 

[PScottman]

find it interesting how with how wide open offenses are now the average NFL team scored the fewest # of points per game since 2017.

MUST GET INNOVATIVE OFFENSIVE COORDINATING WUNDERKIND OR ALL IS LOST!!!!!!

Wait, defense prevailed this year in the NFL based on total points scored? WTF?

Those who ignore the lessons of...something something Dr Doom and repetition.

 

[PScottman]

Thats my belief. Also not as many good QBs. QB rating was down, QBR was down..

Also, the unstated fact of more running QBs - those runs slow the game down, which in turn removes number of possessions per game.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

This is a great first step. Bb got someone he knows and trusts. Next up is fixing the line and getting some speed at wr. I'd let Myers walk .. they need quick guys in the slot

 

[Huckleberry1]

Not a fan, hope he does a good job.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Alabama fans I know are thrilled he is gone. They called him the worst OC in rec recent Alabama history...

Hoping for the best.

 

[1960Pats]

I find it interesting how with how wide open offenses are now the average NFL team scored the fewest # of points per game since 2017.

It seems like offenses are having a harder time scoring from close these days. Don't ask me why.

It also looks like defenders are taking down runners a different way. When runners try to go low now the defenders are grabbing them by the shoulders and dropping them quickly. It looks like a technique that I don't remember seeing before and it's been pretty effective.

 

[stcjones]

BoB has never been a huge favorite of mine…..His overall management and record in Houston was not great ….He was a decent OC here years ago but not earth shattering….I was initially NOT psyched at the thought of BoB returning…..BUT ……Mac got screwed this year with Fatt Matt and Judge handling OC duties….he did Well with McD AND he had BoB as his OC at Alabama…..and BoB understands that offensive scheme better and CAN CONNECT to Mac better than any of the other candidates……SO…..given that I doubt they are ready to give up on Mac….Hiring BoB is the MOST LOGICAL choice right now!

 

[1960Pats]

The only caveat to that, is that they were both rookies in 2010.

Boy they were great to watch. Hernandez had an uncanny knack for finding the open spaces, with or without the ball, and Gronk was Gronk.

 

[stcjones]

Not meant to be a knock on BOB but I could be successful with Gronk and Hernandez as my TEs.

I get your point but wasn’t BoB the first one to introduce this concept of a Heavy 2 TE scheme to an offense!?

 

[rabidfireweasel]

As a Bama fan I can tell you that that our fans that were upset with him were because deep down he is a NFL OC.
Calling plays in college and the NFL is just different. BOB is a really good NFL OC, but not a good college OC.
Just 1 example, in college you rarely throw inside the 5 yard line, BOB called it all the time and we turned it over numerous times. He even did it with a red shirt freshman playing when Bryce was out.
Honestly he was also very predictable and lacked creative plays. His best game was our last game against in Sugar Bowl. We all were saying, where were these plays the last 2 years?
In his defense, we had a horrible DC that was giving up way too many points and this past year Bryce Young was injured.
Bama fans feel this really is the right move for both sides, BOB goes back where he was so successful and we hopefully can land a college OC.

I am lukewarm on BOB, but Bama fans are nuts. The two games Alabama lost were when they gave up a 50 burger to Tennessee and scored in the high 40’s and lost 32-31 to LSU when they gave up a 2 point conversion at the end of the game. Alabama’s problem was a giant talent drain: there wasn’t a competent back up QB, (As opposed to when they had Hurts, Tua and Mac at the same time) and there wasn’t even a wr close to Metchie, let alone Waddle, Smith or Williams. That is on recruiting, not BOB

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Trade for Higgins.

I hear this all the time. I think this is wishful thinking. I believe the Bengals are not going to trade him. The are going to keep him his whole contract and try to win one or more championships, and if he leaves after that in FA, they will thank him and get the 3rd round comp pick

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

In Texas Watson was a great QB. In Cleveland Watson has not looked that great. Obviously it is not all to Bob's credit, but some it must be. Right?

 

[Love The Drake]

I hear this all the time. I think this is wishful thinking. I believe the Bengals are not going to trade him. The are going to keep him his whole contract and try to win one or more championships, and if he leaves after that in FA, they will thank him and get the 3rd round comp pick

Sadly I agree with you.

 

[RxJock1120]

Why not Zappe for #1s?

Because no one would give us that. Mac on the other hand could actually fetch that price.