Next 6 games.

[Ring 6]

On the one hand, we only lost to Philly and Miami by one possession so maybe this Dallas 35 point drubbing is overblown. But on the other hand, both Philly and Miami had ample opportunity to turn into double digit point drubbings if some mistakes Mac got away with went the other way.

It’s all about turnovers.

 

[Boomer B]

27 teams in the NFL don't have a WR named Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs, Tyreke Hill, Deebo Samuel, or Davante Adams. QB play is so important in making your WRs better. Look at random names like Puka Nacua and Nico Collins doing well. A top 10 WR isn't going to fix Mac's decision making.

Sorry, but our WRs get no separation. It was in another thread that says the NFL average is about 2.5 yds. We average about 1.5 yds. Our receiving core sucks and have sucked for a long time.

 

[mgteich]

Sure, we can do OK in the next few game. HOWEVER

DEEFENSE
We need some health at CB. Bryant is an Ok #4 or #5. Blaming him for not being a #2 or #3 is just plain silly.

We can play without Judon, Ekuale and Godchaux. Our safeties are truly awesome.

We CANNOT play with Byrant as our #1 CB. duh! And, yes, Bryant is playing better than our #4 safety (mills), but that's OK. Mills isn't one of our top 6 corners.

I am indeed presuming SOME health in the next couple of weeks at corner.
==================
OFFENSE OTHER THAN QB and WR
1) If we think that the issue is the OL, then we are kidding ourselves. We do need SOME health, but this line won't stop us from winning enough to be above average in wins.
2) I suspect that we might pick up a RB, but Montgomery as a backup is fine for now.
3) The TE's are learning the Offense, and are the best 3 man corps we've had recently.
===================
WIDE RECEIVER
We probably should trade for a WR in October, but with are Ok with what we have plus of TE's and RB's as receivers. Bourne, Parker and Douglas are an OK set of 3 WR's. We also have Shuster, Boutte and Thornton, but we don't really need a lot from them, since the top THREE could be productive as the OL gets a lit health and plays more together.
=================
AND THEN THERE IS THE REASON WHY WE SEEM TO HAVE RELATIVELY LITTLE CONFIDENCE
With average QB play, we are a team competing for the playoffs, perhaps not making it because of a very tough schedule.

I don't have much to add to the discussion of our QB play.

It does seem likely that the most likely way to be a contender or spoiler at the end of the season is to trade a 2nd or 3rd for someone's backup QB Minschew?) Of course, that is "overpaying". Or is it. How much is the one missing piece worth?

 

[Thunderhead]

It's time to tank for a top 5 pick. Don't think they even need to do so intentionally.

 

[mgteich]

It's time to tank for a top 5 pick. Don't think they even need to do so intentionally.

That could only happen if Kraft sells the team and/or if Belichick is fired as GM and coach.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I’d be for this. If we are 1-4, 1-5, sell off some assets for draft picks and see what the rest of the guys have via self-scouting. This is something we should have done in 2020.

While I agree, who do you suggest? Their best asset is injured (Judon). Uche, Dugger and Onewnu would be next in line as potential bait. Other than that, the Pats wouldn't get much in return for anyone else.

 

[Ross12]

While I agree, who do you suggest? Their best asset is injured (Judon). Uche, Dugger and Onewnu would be next in line as potential bait. Other than that, the Pats wouldn't get much in return for anyone else.

Uche is the type of trade teams like to make - some top playoff contending team overspends to add a pass rusher to their arsenal to bolster their chances down the stretch.

Onwenu makes sense - teams always need linemen. I think some team would still pay a decent price for Mac, but probably not mid season. That’s more of an offseason deal. Teams have been calling about Bourne for 2 years, seems like he has value. Stevenson probably could fetch a decent return. You could conceivably move Juju just to get out of the deal, but you’d be eating about a $5M dead cap hit in 2024 to do so.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Uche is the type of trade teams like to make - some top playoff contending team overspends to add a pass rusher to their arsenal to bolster their chances down the stretch.

Onwenu makes sense - teams always need linemen. I think some team would still pay a decent price for Mac, but probably not mid season. That’s more of an offseason deal. Teams have been calling about Bourne for 2 years, seems like he has value. Stevenson probably could fetch a decent return. You could conceivably move Juju just to get out of the deal, but you’d be eating about a $5M dead cap hit in 2024 to do so.

I agree, I could see a contending team missing a pass rusher and trading for Uche assuming he's having a relatively good season.

Onwenu would be a shame as the Pats can't afford to lose their only good lineman.

Lance got a 4th rounder. If Mac could fetch that, you have to take it at this point.

Maybe a contending team with an injury calls the Pats again for Bourne. I just can't see anything more than a 4th-5th rounder which is why I left him and Mac off the list.

I left Stevenson off the list just because I felt it was too early, but there's something seriously off with him. He looks overweight and slow. He's turning into that type of back that needs perfect blocking to get going as he's not shifty enough to make anyone miss.

 

[Ross12]

I agree, I could see a contending team missing a pass rusher and trading for Uche assuming he's having a relatively good season.

Onwenu would be a shame as the Pats can't afford to lose their only good lineman.

Lance got a 4th rounder. If Mac could fetch that, you have to take it at this point.

Maybe a contending team with an injury calls the Pats again for Bourne. I just can't see anything more than a 4th-5th rounder which is why I left him and Mac off the list.

I left Stevenson off the list just because I felt it was too early, but there's something seriously off with him. He looks overweight and slow. He's turning into that type of back that needs perfect blocking to get going as he's not shifty enough to make anyone miss.

I’d take a fourth for Mac IMO. I wouldn’t trade Bourne as I feel like there’s still something there. Defenses seem to agree as they’re doubling him regularly. I’m tentatively hopeful they keep him after 2023 but also kind of wouldn’t be surprised if he preferred to move on elsewhere too.

Agree about Stevenson. Obviously the blocking hasn’t been the best, but Zeke has looked better than him with the same crew, which just should not be the case.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I’d trade any of the following:

Mac-4th or better
Duggar-same
Onwenu-2nd
Bourne-4th
Schuster-anything really
Parker-same
Uche-2nd or 3rd plus

I’m not sure we have anything else anyone would want other than this year’s rookies who I’m not trading

 

[PatsFan2]

Buffalo (h) and Miami (a) sandwiched in between 4 bad teams; NO, LV, Wash, Indy.

With winnable games with LA, Giants, jets, Pitt, Denver still to go, there is a lot of season left.

4 or 5 wins in those 6 games sets them up in decent shape to finish strong.

Dream on Mac Jones without Judon and Gonzalez??

 

[PatsFan2]

Buffalo (h) and Miami (a) sandwiched in between 4 bad teams; NO, LV, Wash, Indy.

With winnable games with LA, Giants, jets, Pitt, Denver still to go, there is a lot of season left.

4 or 5 wins in those 6 games sets them up in decent shape to finish strong.

This new Defense won't be getting off the field anytime too soon 3rd and First minus those key guys.

 

[Ring 6]

Dream on Mac Jones without Judon and Gonzalez??

Next man up

 

[gtfanboy]

None of these games are gimmies.

Isn't that sad how far we have fallen?

 

[Brick27]

Next 6 sadly look like a floor of 1 win, maybe most realistically 2 wins, and a ceiling of 3 wins. Would require a godsend of luck to avoid further injuries/mend existing ones sooner than later, a complete flip on offense and an overall addition of disciplined play to MAYBE get 4 wins.

 

[PatsFan2]

Next man up

You mean they are benching Mac??

 

[Betterthanmost]

I am on to next season. Got to get the signal caller right. Don't need a superstar but someone who has an NFL arm and brains. There are about 6 of them in the next draft. Hopefully we hit on the right one.
Mark it, Patriots will select

J.J. MCCARTHY .​

 

[venecol]

Buffalo (h) and Miami (a) sandwiched in between 4 bad teams; NO, LV, Wash, Indy.

With winnable games with LA, Giants, jets, Pitt, Denver still to go, there is a lot of season left.

4 or 5 wins in those 6 games sets them up in decent shape to finish strong.

Every one of those teams score more than the Pats, except the Giants. I guessed 8 wins before the season. I've dropped that to 7, if we're lucky. Too bad we don't play ARI, CHI & CAR.

 

[State]

I think White may get out in Judons spot.

And Anfernee Jennings. I’d be leery of Uche on running downs. He has trouble containing the edge. He’s too small.

 

[Ring 6]

Every one of those teams score more than the Pats, except the Giants. I guessed 8 wins before the season. I've dropped that to 7, if we're lucky. Too bad we don't play ARI, CHI & CAR.

If only the results of the first 4 games dictated what will happen in the rest of the games, there would be no reason to watch