PostGame Thread OFFICIAL 2023 Post Game Thread: Week 16 - NE @ DEN

[Ring 6]

If they win that game and the giants, titans and chargers lose out, it does put us at 8 possibly depending on how the SOS shakes out the next two weeks.

Ok. And we would have finished the season, injury depleted and winning 4 of 5 against 4 playoff contenders and the jets. That will do more for the direction if the franchise than a few slots in the draft.

 

[Ross12]

Zappe was good last year and has been this year when starting, so that tells me there's been an evaluation problem in the coaching staff on top of everything.

Even Zappe has suffered from lack of development.

Back to draft talks, is Ewers a 2nd round prospect, I'd be OK with taking him early on the 2nd.

An evaluation problem or a “owner says Mac has to start” problem

 

[NFL Mystique]

Defense will be great in 2024. Offense needs a lot but they will need to spend tons of cash plus have high picks. If they decide to keep rolling with Zappe and use their 1st on a different offensive position then it helps a lot in the short term. I would still target a QB in the 3rd to develop. Maybe Mac fetches a 3rd and you use that pick. Maybe you keep developing Rourke.

I think the last two games will tell alot on Zappe's future.

I don't think the fan base will like it too much if Zappe is the starter without a freshly drafted rookie as backup. You have to sell hope.

 

[n1997y]

I share your sentiments.

The bottom line is the future of the team really looks different now.

You had to get a franchise QB. Now...what?

You found you have a franchise QB. So improve the team around him.

Zappe responding to being cut by telling his college coach “I’m going to be the Patriots’ starter” will be the next dynasty equivalent to Brady telling Kraft “I'm the best decision this organization has ever made.”

 

[Ross12]

I think the last two games will tell alot on Zappe's future.

I don't think the fan base will like it too much if Zappe is the starter without a freshly drafted rookie as backup. You have to sell hope.

If Zappe keeps looking solid then I think most fans would buy in but it would help to have a rookie too. Like I said, grab a guy in the 3rd with your pick in return from trading Mac.

 

[sb1]

An evaluation problem or a “owner says Mac has to start” problem

I can’t see Bill agreeing to Kraft telling him what to do. Kraft also learned his lesson from Tuna’s exit imo.

 

[condon84]

An evaluation problem or a “owner says Mac has to start” problem

It was a theory that BoB inadvertently confirmed with his comments.

 

[Ross12]

I can’t see Bill agreeing to Kraft telling him what to do. Kraft also learned his lesson from Tuna’s exit imo.

It feels like Kraft has been meddling for a couple years.

 

[Ring 6]

Bears aren't passing on Williams. Why would AZ pass on MHJ and trade that pick? WSH desperately needs a QB. They would take Maye/Daniels. Tennesse would take whoever Wsh didn't.

Titans likely aren't winning again. And would have the schedule advantage over NE at season's end. Assuming both end with 5 wins.

Where does NE get their QB now?

I wouldn’t take Williams in the 7th round.
They have 100 mill in cap space Those qbs are as likely to be busts and successes.
Winning is a culture. Going into next year having swept the bills and jets and winning 4 of 5 (on the heels of 3 games you would have won with anything but horrendous QB play) means a hell of a lot more than a few draft slots.

 

[rogerthat]

He is 5’11.5, below avg arm.

Not a legit starter.

BUT…totally good with him as backup

I think he’s at least earned a chance. He should have been playing all year and then we would know a lot more.

I do agree size is a concern. Can he overcome his lack of size? Maybe, maybe not but that remains to be seen.
Arm strength is close to average and better than Jones. Imo nfl calibre if on the low side.

 

[sb1]

 

[Lavictoire]

The dirty little secret is the have built a pretty darn good defense and are going to add to it next year before they draft a single player. Zappe won a game late on the road in a stadium that is a house of horrors for NE. Impressed - yeah. Give the guy some confidence and who knows. Hell, he got released and nobody wanted him. He probably is an FU mood vis a vis the entire league.

thats what we want, a young QB with a Bradyesque chip on his shoulder.

 

[n1997y]

They try and sell us that Zappe was the guy all along.

Zappe. The same guy they cut.

He hasn't played Anyone that matters and when he did the chiefs smoked him.

The Chiefs smoked the entire Patriots team. QB alone isn’t enough to win, if he doesn’t have sufficient talent around him.

what we just saw is Zappe + a very flawed Patriots roster > Russ Wilson + a playoff contending Broncos roster.

Zappe, the same guy who responded to being cut by telling his college coach “I’m going to start for the Patriots” and then backed it up.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Mac has zero value

 

[bormio]

Defense will be great in 2024. Offense needs a lot but they will need to spend tons of cash plus have high picks. If they decide to keep rolling with Zappe and use their 1st on a different offensive position then it helps a lot in the short term. I would still target a QB in the 3rd to develop. Maybe Mac fetches a 3rd and you use that pick. Maybe you keep developing Rourke.

Taking a first round QB is so risky. If you get Mahomes, great. But so many are not. And if you miss, it kills your team for 3-5 years.

 

[Jim Beankie]

I wanted them to lose, I admit it. But can not be too upset that they the team played very hard and gave everything they had.
I will predict now that if they beat the Jets, BB will be back next year. That is the reality

Geez... even the Bills' Jekyll and Hyde team isn't even a guaranteed loss at this point. They almost lost to Easton Stick. If the Pats win out, the 10th pick is a serious possibility given everyone's remaining schedules. Funny that according to my rough calcs, another loss would pretty much guarantee the 4th pick, but 2 wins would make the 10th pick very realistic all due to SOS.

 

[Jim Beankie]

I share your sentiments.

The bottom line is the future of the team really looks different now.

You had to get a franchise QB. Now...what?

Absolute worst case Pats pick from #10. Where was Mahomes picked from again?

 

[festy1986]

Ok. And we would have finished the season, injury depleted and winning 4 of 5 against 4 playoff contenders and the jets. That will do more for the direction if the franchise than a few slots in the draft.

It really wouldn't.

Just another mid season with zero direction and no results.

The Patriots can't keep finishing around 7 wins and for y'all to just accept this as good results.

Bill should be fired based on the results post Brady.

He doesn't get a forever contract

 

[Tunescribe]

Good lord, Zappe is trying to grow facial hair. Embarrassing. Someone needs to take the kid aside and tell him to stop.

 

[varjao]

With 2 good games to end the season the Bears may stay with, it would be very Bearish to do that