Mac Jones working out with Nic Shimonek on his strength and conditioning

[1960Pats]

That popgun arm will be a cannon in no time.

But will he still be a Patriot?

Absolutely. Patricia and Judge were spread too thin and were really bad.

That said Patricia and his meatball stained playsheet have nothing to do with his inconsistent mechanics, decision making, failure to handle sudden pressure/blitz/2nd level blitz and so on. We saw some of those issues before Chumley came along. Even as far back as coming out of college.

I think thats something Mac apologist dont get. It's ok to critique Mac. Admit he had a bad year as well as Patricia. They're not mutually exclusive. Sure Patricia was "worse" at what he was tasked with doing but Mac doesn't get a "free pass" when conditions erode or things get tough.

I agree with your take but it was still a wasted year for his potential development and it's difficult to judge his progress.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I agree on giving Mac a chance this year with Billy O to really see what we have. I just see some physical limitations from him that are hard to ignore. Not even just the physical issues is the fact that he seemed to look skittish in the pocket much more this season than he did as a rookie. Mac also seemed to want to tuck the ball and run or roll out of the pocket but wouldn't keep his eyes down field. It was like he made his decision to run and that was that. With proper technique and coaching he may develop into a QB who can carry the team but only time will tell.

What physical limitations are hard to ignore?

Now, skittish in the pocket I agree. Mac does not escape pressure well. He is slow to step up and like you said didn't always look downfield. I think these things can be corrected, so I am hopeful. Mac improved, finally, over the last 4 games. Can Mac learn how to step up or scramble to get an extra 0.5 or 1 sec? I do not know, but maybe. Those are correctable things.

But I do not see physical limitations that are hard to ignore.

 

[1960Pats]

If Bill was actually on the hot seat, does any reasonable person believe he'd put his faith and trust in Mac Jones? He's not rolling with noodle arm on his last chance but let's be real, he's also nowhere close to that.

Bill used the 15 pick in the draft on him. That's a huge leap of faith and if he doesn't pan out Bill should be on the hot seat.

 

[1960Pats]

Tom Brady, his arm wasn't that strong when he was drafted, and the team wanted him to improve his arm strength. I remember a interview he did on WEEI after he was drafted and he said the team had him on a program to improve his arm strength, he said he did it by working on his legs. look at some of his college tape, he was skinny and you could tell his arm wasn't that strong. I thought he was a waste of a pick from watching his college games.

It's kind of funny to see a Pats fan ask us to name a QB with a weaker arm who went on to win anything. I think Brady's 11 SB appearances with 7 wins comes under the anything blanket.

 

[RIpats88]

What physical limitations are hard to ignore?

Now, skittish in the pocket I agree. Mac does not escape pressure well. He is slow to step up and like you said didn't always look downfield. I think these things can be corrected, so I am hopeful. Mac improved, finally, over the last 4 games. Can Mac learn how to step up or scramble to get an extra 0.5 or 1 sec? I do not know, but maybe. Those are correctable things.

But I do not see physical limitations that are hard to ignore.

He's not Josh Allen but I'm not sure what physical limitations are hard to ignore either

He has nice touch on the ball. I mean later in the season he hit those deep balls.

Tua arguably has a weaker arm and was one of the top QBs once they gave him Tyreek hill and waddle

 

[Rob0729]

What physical limitations are hard to ignore?

Now, skittish in the pocket I agree. Mac does not escape pressure well. He is slow to step up and like you said didn't always look downfield. I think these things can be corrected, so I am hopeful. Mac improved, finally, over the last 4 games. Can Mac learn how to step up or scramble to get an extra 0.5 or 1 sec? I do not know, but maybe. Those are correctable things.

But I do not see physical limitations that are hard to ignore.

Jones escaped pressure just fine his rookie year and in college. His pocket manipulation was his strength. Last year was the opposite until the end of the season when he improved. I think it could have been his ankle and the o-line that played a big part of it.

 

[RIpats88]

Jones escaped pressure just fine his rookie year and in college. His pocket manipulation was his strength. Last year was the opposite until the end of the season when he improved. I think it could have been his ankle and the o-line that played a big part of it.

Also possibly not having a QB coach to keep working on his mechanics can hurt too.

 

[Love The Drake]

It will be very interesting if the Patriots take a QB in the first four rounds or do something crazy like sign Jimmy G and trade Mac to Vegas or Saints or Falcons.
I’m in that give him another season group shockingly.
But I want to see if the kid can improve.
I would love to take a free agent flier on Mayfield, Tru or Lock and see if Bill O brein can fix them.

 

[upstater1]

Bill used the 15 pick in the draft on him. That's a huge leap of faith and if he doesn't pan out Bill should be on the hot seat.

Is that the standard for being on the hot seat? Some of the best GMs and coaches in the league have had QB busts in the 1t round. The failure rate for top 15 QBs is super high. The vast majority flame out. Andy Reid traded a 1st for Alex Smith. Howie Roseman took Carson Wentz super high. Les Snead took Jared Goff #1. Jason Licht took Jameis Winston. These are considered top 5 GMs in the NFL, and they've all blown it with 1st rounders and QBs.

 

[203Pat]

What physical limitations are hard to ignore?

Now, skittish in the pocket I agree. Mac does not escape pressure well. He is slow to step up and like you said didn't always look downfield. I think these things can be corrected, so I am hopeful. Mac improved, finally, over the last 4 games. Can Mac learn how to step up or scramble to get an extra 0.5 or 1 sec? I do not know, but maybe. Those are correctable things.

But I do not see physical limitations that are hard to ignore.

I know this board likes to claim he doesn't have a weak arm but some of those out routes take too long to get out there.

 

[captain stone]

Also possibly not having a QB coach to keep working on his mechanics can hurt too.

No reason why Bo Hardegree should not have been retained... I feel that's been an under-reported factor in Mac's regression.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I know this board likes to claim he doesn't have a weak arm but some of those out routes take too long to get out there.

True. But not a big deal. The way you posted, it made it seem like Mac's physical limitations were more than that. Mac's issues are pocket movement, awareness, mechanics, and grit.

People always compare to Allen or Herbert to dump on Mac's arm strength but somehow forget to include Burrow and Tua.

 

[1960Pats]

Is that the standard for being on the hot seat? Some of the best GMs and coaches in the league have had QB busts in the 1t round. The failure rate for top 15 QBs is super high. The vast majority flame out. Andy Reid traded a 1st for Alex Smith. Howie Roseman took Carson Wentz super high. Les Snead took Jared Goff #1. Jason Licht took Jameis Winston. These are considered top 5 GMs in the NFL, and they've all blown it with 1st rounders and QBs.

The reason it's different for Bill is because he had the greatest QB who ever played and didn't want to pay him anything near what he's worth and only for one year. Then when he left he got nothing for him and had no replacement. Those other guys needed a QB and were forced to make a move. Bill was not.

In spite of how much some fans want to spin it, letting go of Brady was the 2nd biggest blunder in Boston sports history. Ruth was the first and people still talk about that one over a century later.

It's a dirty rotten shame that Brady didn't get to finish his career here and Belichick will.

 

[Guts]

This is the year where there's no excuses.
I hope he proves to be the guy

 

[1960Pats]

No reason why Bo Hardegree should not have been retained... I feel that's been an under-reported factor in Mac's regression.

The NYFL and Patriots own the news so it's all peaches peaches and cream. Bill's family and friends are coaching now and everything is hunky dory.

 

[1960Pats]

This is the year where there's no excuses.
I hope he proves to be the guy

He or Zappe better be.

 

[upstater1]

The reason it's different for Bill is because he had the greatest QB who ever played and didn't want to pay him anything near what he's worth and only for one year. Then when he left he got nothing for him and had no replacement. Those other guys needed a QB and were forced to make a move. Bill was not.

In spite of how much some fans want to spin it, letting go of Brady was the 2nd biggest blunder in Boston sports history. Ruth was the first and people still talk about that one over a century later.

It's a dirty rotten shame that Brady didn't get to finish his career here and Belichick will.

Man, I totally disagree. Although I too wanted Brady to stay, we were getting rid of our second dynasty players at the time.

Only Andrews and Wise are left from those years and Wise didn't even play back then. It's an entirely new team. We would've been sitting around here with Brady helming a team much like the 2019 team that lost to the Titans. We would not have gotten to a Super Bowl.

This was a rebuild. Having Brady wouldn't have helped us. The right move was to bring along a QB that could help us when the team had rebuilt and accumulated enough talent.

 

[RIpats88]

There's honestly no good reason you should NOT give Mac another year to see what you have.

Last year was so dysfunctional after reading that article you have no idea either way what Mac is. He's on a rookie contract still and now you are bringing in a REAL offensive coach who will install a REAL offense.

I see no benefit in cutting bait early after we know what a disaster the coaching was last year. Now if he looks the same as he did last year...then sure you can say it's Mac and not the coaching.

But right now it's just a big question mark. I think it would be hard for any 2nd year QB to excel in that offense with that situation

 

[aluminum seats]

I think Brady's 11 SB appearances with 7 wins comes under the anything blanket.

Hey don’t give him another loss!

 

[ctpatsfan77]

It will be very interesting if the Patriots take a QB in the first four rounds or do something crazy like sign Jimmy G and trade Mac to Vegas or Saints or Falcons.
I’m in that give him another season group shockingly.
But I want to see if the kid can improve.
I would love to take a free agent flier on Mayfield, Tru or Lock and see if Bill O brein can fix them.

Given Jimmy's recent injury history, that would definitely be crazy.