Mac and the "It Factor"

[Wozzy]

BB was able to move on from Bledsoe so easily because he wasn't his guy. Mac is BB's 1st Rd guy. Much like N'Keal was BB's 1st Rd guy, so that's why we got to see years of ughness from N'Keal. Sunk Cost Fallacy. Never thought the GOAT coach would succumb to it, but here we are.

I've said this before, but BB really set up Zappe to fail in the 3rd preseason game. WR8 was his best receiver. 3rd/4th string OL going against starters. It worked. He looked like crap understandably, and that's why no one picked him up. Heck 2nd game preseason there were soooo many drops and bad WR play there as well.

That being said, imho he's gotta start Mac next week.

BB gave up on N’Keal in year three, that’s plenty long enough if the player provides flashes. Mac’s in year three. It’s put up or shut up time.

Start Mac again, he’s got the Saints and Raiders coming up. Derek Carr has a bum throwing shoulder, should be easy.

If our offense struggles to pass the ball again, BB has to consider a change. The Raiders would be ideal game to start fresh with Zappe.

 

[PatsFan2]

BB gave up on N’Keal in year three, that’s plenty long enough if the player provides flashes. Mac’s in year three. It’s put up or shut up time.

Start Mac again, he’s got the Saints and Raiders coming up. Derek Carr has a bum throwing shoulder, should be easy.

If our offense struggles to pass the ball again, BB has to consider a change. The Raiders would be ideal game to start fresh with Zappe.

Going to be interesting game Sunday the Saints ain't the Eagles or Dolphins plus Carr have a bum shoulder. IF Mac and the Offense struggle against the Saints it could get ugly fast. Can't see BB sticking with Mac if he throws up another Stinker. Though not popular Zappe time could be closer than we think what do we have to lose??

 

[Jim Beankie]

BB gave up on N’Keal in year three, that’s plenty long enough if the player provides flashes. Mac’s in year three. It’s put up or shut up time.

Start Mac again, he’s got the Saints and Raiders coming up. Derek Carr has a bum throwing shoulder, should be easy.

If our offense struggles to pass the ball again, BB has to consider a change. The Raiders would be ideal game to start fresh with Zappe.

While I agree with you, it's probably going to take another 3 legit turnover game for a switch to happen.

Crazy that N'Keal got 3 full years with the Pats. I'm thinking was that a group effort on the coaching staff to keep him, or was it an Emperor's New Clothes thing with Belichick where he overruled everyone because N'Keal just needed to "find a consistent groove"?

 

[mike_usagisan]

While I agree with you, it's probably going to take another 3 legit turnover game for a switch to happen.

Crazy that N'Keal got 3 full years with the Pats. I'm thinking was that a group effort on the coaching staff to keep him, or was it an Emperor's New Clothes thing with Belichick where he overruled everyone because N'Keal just needed to "find a consistent groove"?

I don't think Bill would make the switch to Zappe. I think it'll be the Cam year again, where we never really saw Stidham. I've thought this is the year where we see what Mac has got and if he hasn't got it and it doesn't flash through the entire year, everyone will probably be on board with moving on.

 

[Rob0729]

I don't think Bill would make the switch to Zappe. I think it'll be the Cam year again, where we never really saw Stidham. I've thought this is the year where we see what Mac has got and if he hasn't got it and it doesn't flash through the entire year, everyone will probably be on board with moving on.

There is pretty much zero chance that Belichick switches to Zappe unless Mac completely implodes. Everything Belichick has done since the final cutdown shows that Belichick has no faith in Zappe from cutting him and putting him on the practice squad to the endless parade of young developmental back up quality QBs that he has been bringing in.

 

[amfootball]

There is pretty much zero chance that Belichick switches to Zappe unless Mac completely implodes. Everything Belichick has done since the final cutdown shows that Belichick has no faith in Zappe from cutting him and putting him on the practice squad to the endless parade of young developmental back up quality QBs that he has been bringing in.

I agree. They are all in with Mac for this year. If he continues to struggle then I believe we will go back into the draft or sign a FA if a good QB becomes available.

 

[Jim Beankie]

I don't think Bill would make the switch to Zappe. I think it'll be the Cam year again, where we never really saw Stidham. I've thought this is the year where we see what Mac has got and if he hasn't got it and it doesn't flash through the entire year, everyone will probably be on board with moving on.

Yeah I totally agree - I was thinking the same thing, but there's a limit. If not 3 legit turnovers (not like an Agholor complete missed drop tipped to a defender's arms sort of INT like for one of Zappe's last year) for either of the next 2 games, I wonder how many would do it? Not that it would happen because Mac's gonna turtle again and dink and dunk conservatively just enough to keep his job. I'll be psyched if he comes out firing, though. Go big.

The Cam year, he actually took care of the ball for the most part after a disastrous 1st 3 games after coming back from Covid. His only 3 TO game was that ugly 49ers game.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Yeah I totally agree - I was thinking the same thing, but there's a limit. If not 3 legit turnovers (not like an Agholor complete missed drop tipped to a defender's arms sort of INT like for one of Zappe's last year) for either of the next 2 games, I wonder how many would do it? Not that it would happen because Mac's gonna turtle again and dink and dunk conservatively just enough to keep his job. I'll be psyched if he comes out firing, though. Go big.

The Cam year, he actually took care of the ball for the most part after a disastrous 1st 3 games after coming back from Covid. His only 3 TO game was that ugly 49ers game.

Unfortunately, I think we're going to see more of what happened last year, where after throwing lots of interceptions early in the season, Mac became very conservative and won't turn the ball over. But also, we're unlikely to score a lot of points. And that will finally answer the question of whether it was just Matt Patricia that caused the offense to implode last year.

 

[203Pat]

If we bottom out and end up with a top 5 pick does anyone really want Bill "rebuilding" again with the next guy? I know I sure as hell don't.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

While I agree with you, it's probably going to take another 3 legit turnover game for a switch to happen.

Crazy that N'Keal got 3 full years with the Pats. I'm thinking was that a group effort on the coaching staff to keep him, or was it an Emperor's New Clothes thing with Belichick where he overruled everyone because N'Keal just needed to "find a consistent groove"?

He was hurt a lot, so it wasn't really a full three years. You guys seem to forget Tom had games with 3 TO's and 4, let's see how Mac bounces back before we throw him out to the wolves.

 

[archstanton543]

He was hurt a lot, so it wasn't really a full three years. You guys seem to forget Tom had games with 3 TO's and 4, let's see how Mac bounces back before we throw him out to the wolves.

Isn't he one step from being out of the league? Injuries don't account for the suckiness that was on display with Harry.

 

[mike_usagisan]

If we bottom out and end up with a top 5 pick does anyone really want Bill "rebuilding" again with the next guy? I know I sure as hell don't.

The guy has almost always hit on his top 15 picks and we have a great defense. And for the most part, he's had a great track record with picking QBs. Yeah, I'm ok with Bill doing the rebuilding.

That said, I want him to get Higgins as he's the closest thing to a stud WR1 who will be available in free agency.

 

[PatsFan2]

To all those saying BB will sink with Mac Jones similar to the Cam year I beg to differ. I think if Mac sucks on Sunday his days as a NFL Starter is numbered. BB ain't Coaching forever and he's built a Decent Defense which I don't think he wants to waste. BB owes the Defense I don't think he wants to lose those guys because of the Offense.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

If we bottom out and end up with a top 5 pick does anyone really want Bill "rebuilding" again with the next guy? I know I sure as hell don't.

The Pats have been very good with developing QBs from lower draft picks. JimmyG, Cassel, Stidham, Hoyer, etc. Quite a list. Who do you think is better?

 

[1960Pats]

Tua and Purdy would be more productive and better culture-builders, which Mac clearly fails at.

I’m starting to come around on the moving on from Belichick if he hangs on to Mac Jones/fails with a new QB next year, mainly because I think it might just be time to completely turn the page on the Dynasty Decades. The New England culture is stale AF and also clawless without Brady. Time for a team that has zero connection to the old teams.

My dream scenario (which would never happen) would be to have Bill move to DC and work closely with his kids while Kraft hires a new GM, HC and OC. As bad as he looked last week I still think there's hope for Jones if he can clean things up. He threw one weak pass while standing completely square to his target, even with a pocket.

 

[mike_usagisan]

The Pats have been very good with developing QBs from lower draft picks. JimmyG, Cassel, Stidham, Hoyer, etc. Quite a list. Who do you think is better?

Yeah, it's funny. I 100% want the Pats scouts picking our next QB. I 100% don't want them picking our next WR.

 

[p8ryts]

A Yahoo Sports writer, Darren Hartwell, said "A "top (NFL) executive" from a team that faced the Patriots this year (so, either the Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets or Cowboys), summed up the Mac Jones Experience well to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.

"Jones is an excellent decision-maker and is very accurate on short throws -- which are good traits to have if you're surrounded by explosive playmakers who can create yards after the catch. But New England's current offense lacks those playmakers.

“He’s a quick-trigger, efficient, rhythm-and-timing passer," the exec added. "If you’re playing a quick game and play-action with him, that’s great. If you have him sitting there processing, and throwing into tight spots, that’s not great.

Personally, I haven't seen an excellent decision maker, nor accuracy on short throws. I haven't seen a Quick trigger, efficient rhythm and timing passer.

Maybe in that 4th and 1 pileup someone twisted his cohonies. Sure looked like he didn't have any after that.

 

[203Pat]

The Pats have been very good with developing QBs from lower draft picks. JimmyG, Cassel, Stidham, Hoyer, etc. Quite a list. Who do you think is better?

The guy has almost always hit on his top 15 picks and we have a great defense. And for the most part, he's had a great track record with picking QBs. Yeah, I'm ok with Bill doing the rebuilding.

That said, I want him to get Higgins as he's the closest thing to a stud WR1 who will be available in free agency.

So then why are we going back to the well with a QB that Bill picked in the top 15 if Bill is so good at developing QBs? If you guys are fine with our potential top 5 QB turning out like Jimmy G, Cassel, Stidham, or Hoyer then have fun with that.

 

[archstanton543]

So then why are we going back to the well with a QB that Bill picked in the top 15 if Bill is so good at developing QBs? If you guys are fine with our potential top 5 QB turning out like Jimmy G, Cassel, Stidham, or Hoyer then have fun with that.

Don't forget Mallet!

 

[203Pat]

Don't forget Mallet!

Ahh yes Bill's crown jewel.