Patriots new OC - Alex Van Pelt

[AQPE]

Patsfan Ken is also a Jumbo. My youngest granddaughter is a Tufts EE freshman. She hates Mahomes.
There was a Tufts player briefly on the Pats. A Lineperson (Heh) I think. Can't remember details.

That was Mark Buben. My freshman year roommate was a safety on the team so I got to meet Mark. Very nice, smart, and down to earth guy. He was unblockable in college but a complete JAG in the NFL and the old USFL, not a surprise for a Division III player, NESCAC was a low level conference even for DIII.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I think it's real easy to listen to Felger and Mazz and get down on them. (not accusing you of doing that) They have not been the Patsies for over 30 years. Those days are over. I am not buying the "this is an undesirable job" crap some guys are shoveling. Top franchise with the opportunity to make a difference day 1. No pressure, just make the right decision on the QB. Piece of cake, right?

There's a difference between "this isn't a great job" in the Felger and Mazz overanalyze and manufacture controversy type of way vs. saying "this isn't a great job" in a more level-headed objective type of way.

We don't have a QB. Our OL play has been horrible and the top two OTs are pending FAs. The WRs are probably as bad as any team in the NFL, or close to it. TE depth chart is all hitting free agency.

A blank slate can be exciting, but it's also not as good a job as coming in with some foundation in place. That's a better situation to go in and have success. Most OCs are looking to eventually become HC somewhere and you are better set up for results that lead to that if you have some core pieces to build around vs. starting rom the ground up.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

I work for Tufts University and can vouch for what you're saying. I've seen the class reunions and the donor events. Very proud institution.

I'm a Jumbo as well ( grad school) and am also very proud...except for a certain Boston sportswriter is also a Jumbo....

 

[Steve102]

There's a difference between "this isn't a great job" in the Felger and Mazz overanalyze and manufacture controversy type of way vs. saying "this isn't a great job" in a more level-headed objective type of way.

We don't have a QB. Our OL play has been horrible and the top two OTs are pending FAs. The WRs are probably as bad as any team in the NFL, or close to it. TE depth chart is all hitting free agency.

A blank slate can be exciting, but it's also not as good a job as coming in with some foundation in place. That's a better situation to go in and have success. Most OCs are looking to eventually become HC somewhere and you are better set up for results that lead to that if you have some core pieces to build around vs. starting rom the ground up.

All the reasons you state are why the job is available.

 

[slifersd]

What has he done with Watson?

I sure don’t want the Browns offense, do you?

The Browns offense without their starting QB and RB and still shredded the Jets elite defense? The same defense we only put up like 3 points on? Deshaun Watson might just be washed after getting paid and stopped giving a damn, can't put it all on coaches. This guy even made the ghost of Joe Flacco look good down the stretch of the season man. Not saying it's all on him, but he should at least get some credit

 

[State]

Belichick is gone and other coaches still avoided this place like it's radioactive.

Well, maybe.

But other organizations six in total took a pass on Belichick. A hard pass on the coaching GOAT.

Thought experiment: if Saban were to have been let go in a similar way from Bama, would the same thing have happened in the college ranks?

The issue is not just Bill’s quirky and subpar drafting, but the guilt of ruining Mac Jones is falling squarely on the 71 year old’s shoulders.

Might not be fair, but that seems to be the consensus among the League.

 

[Ross12]

"Alex Van Pelt was integrally in setting up, designing, and implementing the Browns' offense. He is an excellent quarterback tutor."

 

[Huckleberry1]

So, will the new OC be more concerned with drafting a QB at #3, which will be advantageous to his own personal growth with the Pats, or agreeing with a trade down, which could be more advantageous to the Pats over all?

QB is their biggest need, and the absolute worst thing they could do for their long term success is to pass on one of the top .3 QB’s in this draft, and then try to patch the position together for the long term with other teams cast offs at the position. Getting Tackle to protect Zappe and Jones, or dogshit Fields, or Harrison for an of those sucky QB’s to throw to is nonsensical. .

 

[TommyD4207]

Fields is worth a little more, but his contract demands are going to be much higher. He’s going to want at least what a Daniel Jones got, and Mac Jones will be lucky to get vet minimum. That will lower Fields trade value. I would give a 5th for Fields, Draft a top 3 QB, let Fields play next season, and then get the comp value for him by letting him go free agent, which would bring them a 3rd back.

Here's the thing, if you're going the 'must draft a QB at 3' route (which I don't necessarily agree with), you can get Russ Wilson in here to throw checkdowns for 2 years for pretty cheap, I'd imagine. And he's significantly better than Justin Fields, and doesn't cost you draft capital.

 

[Immortan Joe]

Here's the thing, if you're going the 'must draft a QB at 3' route (which I don't necessarily agree with), you can get Russ Wilson in here to throw checkdowns for 2 years for pretty cheap, I'd imagine. And he's significantly better than Justin Fields, and doesn't cost you draft capital.

Wilson is guaranteed 39M next year and is garbage. Seattle and Broncos couldn't get rid of him quick enough.

 

[TommyD4207]

Wilson is guaranteed 39M next year and is garbage. Seattle and Broncos couldn't get rid of him quick enough.

It's already paid by the Broncos, that's why he sat at the end of the year - so they can cut him loose.

And he's not the best QB in the world, but he's far from garbage - he would have been the best QB since Brady with last year's numbers.

Russell Wilson 2025 Stats per Game - NFL - ESPN

The 2025 NFL season stats per game for Russell Wilson of the New York Giants on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

 

[Immortan Joe]

It's already paid by the Broncos, that's why he sat at the end of the year - so they can cut him loose.

And he's not the best QB in the world, but he's far from garbage - he would have been the best QB since Brady with last year's numbers.

Russell Wilson 2025 Stats per Game - NFL - ESPN

The 2025 NFL season stats per game for Russell Wilson of the New York Giants on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

Great point with the guaranteed. The only FA QB I'm open to is Baker.

 

[TommyD4207]

Great point with the guaranteed. The only FA QB I'm open to is Baker.

Mayfield's a completely different story. If you're bringing him in, it will be long-term, big money, and he's the QB of the future (he's only 28, and truthfully, if they have the chance to do that, they should do that).

Wilson, you can probably get for 2/30 or something equally as cheap, to be a true traditional bridge QB.

 

[Immortan Joe]

Mayfield's a completely different story. If you're bringing him in, it will be long-term, big money, and he's the QB of the future (he's only 28, and truthfully, if they have the chance to do that, they should do that).

Wilson, you can probably get for 2/30 or something equally as cheap, to be a true traditional bridge QB.

Agreed and Baker is only the answer if they don't like any of the top 3. I'd rather try throwing money at keeping Onwenu, J.Williams, and T.Smith (though I don't see him leaving Dallas for NE).

 

[Kasmir]

Well, maybe.

But other organizations six in total took a pass on Belichick. A hard pass on the coaching GOAT.

Thought experiment: if Saban were to have been let go in a similar way from Bama, would the same thing have happened in the college ranks?

The issue is not just Bill’s quirky and subpar drafting, but the guilt of ruining Mac Jones is falling squarely on the 71 year old’s shoulders.

Might not be fair, but that seems to be the consensus among the League.

Besides the age problem, Belichick's market is non-existent because of his arrogant insistence on being GM as well.

That's why he lost the Atlanta job.

There are now exactly zero NFL coaches who are also the GM. Bill has declared himself the enemy of every team with an established GM. And what owner wants to blow up his whole organization to bring in a 71 year old Coach/GM no matter how good he might have been?

Belichick's arrogance shoots his other foot off. You'd think he'd be satisfied with a chance to catch Shula, but no, so its highway for him.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Here's the thing, if you're going the 'must draft a QB at 3' route (which I don't necessarily agree with), you can get Russ Wilson in here to throw checkdowns for 2 years for pretty cheap, I'd imagine. And he's significantly better than Justin Fields, and doesn't cost you draft capital.

I would rather get Tannehill. Russell Wilson is a clown show. And all I want out of the veteran is 1 year, I want the rookie starting year 2.

If they had to rebuild the entire team I could see it taking 3 years, but they don’t, all they have to rebuild is the offense, so I think they can contend in 25’ if they make the right move this and next offseason.2 Drafts and 2 free agencies should do it.

 

[Boomer B]

The reality is we are about 2 - 3 years away from truly knowing if any of these hires are good or bad; Mayo, the coordinators, front office

You need the talent, which on offence we don’t have right now. Upgrades needed at QB, o-line, WRs. We desperately need a couple of great drafts.

Get ready for the long haul.

 

[venecol]

If true will give him a chance but he obviously floundered in Cleveland and was fired. Certainly there were other better qualified, more successful OC out there. I don’t care for McD but even HE would be better than Van Pelt….what is Mayo doing?!

He's sanitizing the place from Bill's influence and modernizing the franchise and offense. I think AvP is a great hire. Checks a bunch of the boxes and doesn't have a big ego, which means if successful, should stick around for years.

 

[venecol]

So, will the new OC be more concerned with drafting a QB at #3, which will be advantageous to his own personal growth with the Pats, or agreeing with a trade down, which could be more advantageous to the Pats over all?

That's the thousand dollar question, isn't it. Stay tuned.

 

[venecol]

Comments:

1.) We barely won 12-9. I was at Foxwoods Casino the night before for a Holyfield-Ruiz fight. Was in a hotel room watching the game all alone past check out time... fun season!