There's No Way Schuster Makes This Team.

[Real fan 02]

The Patriots currently list Marcus Jones as slightly bigger than "border line pro bowl player" Jon Jones (188-185), so I'm not sure why you keep saying he's too small. He's not to small to cover Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle... he's just right.

JC Jackson wasn't playing particularly well when he was here, he wasn't the same confident player he was when he left... so he's not a huge loss.

Also not sure where you're getting your Shaun Wade take from, he played a lot in the first month, he started six games on the season. He hurt his shoulder midseason and missed some time, he missed one game in week 11 to covid... but when he came back healthy he played quite a bit and played really well to end the season. Last season was the first season I can remember him playing and first I remember saying something positive about Wade. They played him all over as well, some free safety included. He was good, it surprised me as I had written him off.

I won't slam Myles Bryant on the way out the door, let's just say I wish him well elsewhere and always have.

Jack Jones sucked terribly, beyond the airplane and guns he got toasted on the field. Crappy play and a loud mouth will get you booted out the door... good riddance.

Mills is the only person who might be missed, I also think they can replace him with another CB at FS.

The player you're forgetting or omitting is the second most athletically gifted CB on the team after Gonzo. Marco Wilson is a ridiculous athlete and has been playing for a dog in Arizona. They didn't acquire him until two weeks left in the season. I expect him to start opposite Gonzo or somewhere. He is finally on a great defense and should be able to show his worth. He is better than any single DB they lost.

Marcus Dial is a fast tall strong border CB who uses the sideline extremely well based off college tape. He doesn't have ridiculous agility but it didn't seem to bother him at South Carolina. He ranked #3 in passes defensed two years in a row in the SEC, he played a lot of football and started a lot of games.

Two players who provided some potential excitement is Isaiah Bolden and the other is UDFA from this offseason Azizi Hearn. Both of these guys are roughly 210 pounds, they're big. Bolden has pure speed and was a dynamic kick returner in college. He looked pretty decent at CB until he went down with injury.

Hearn had very good measurables across the board, he was big at 6'1" 206 pounds, he had very good speed (4.48 forty), strong (18 reps), explosive (37.5" vert/127" broad) and his agility was exceptional for a guy his size with a 4.23 shuttle and 6.92 cone. He had a long circuitous route through college but settled at UCLA and defended a lot of passes last season. His best football might be ahead of him.

Even guys like Alex Austin and Kaleb Ford Dement has some tools to work with. In short, they lost some more experienced veteran guys and got a lot younger but they also let a lot of really ordinary players walk and got a lot more athletic. I don't see the big need... here's my projected depth chart with all the garbage removed:

FS – Shaun Wade, Marcellas Dial,
BIG CB – Christian Gonzalez, Marco Wilson, Isaiah Bolden, Azizi Hearn, Alex Austin (PS),
SLOT CB – Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Kaleb Ford-Dement (PS),

That's a great mix of talent and some vets mixed in, better than last year's depth chart. The defensive front just has to do their job.

Wozzy gotta hand it to ya.. that was a great post. Alt I'll say this.. I really have big hopes for My guy Alex Austin.. however hard to argue with everything else. Good stuff.

 

[captain stone]

Did you enjoy how a disciplined team that knows accountability was able to rebound and win its 6th Super Bowl the following season?

What accountability?

 

[rkarp1]

The Patriots currently list Marcus Jones as slightly bigger than "border line pro bowl player" Jon Jones (188-185), so I'm not sure why you keep saying he's too small. He's not to small to cover Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle... he's just right.

JC Jackson wasn't playing particularly well when he was here, he wasn't the same confident player he was when he left... so he's not a huge loss.

Also not sure where you're getting your Shaun Wade take from, he played a lot in the first month, he started six games on the season. He hurt his shoulder midseason and missed some time, missed one game in week 11 to covid... but when he came back healthy he played quite a bit and played really well to end the season. Last season was the first season I can remember him playing at all and first I remember saying something positive about Wade. They played him all over as well, some free safety included. He was good, it surprised me as I had written him off.

I won't slam Myles Bryant on the way out the door, let's just say I wish him well elsewhere and always have.

Jack Jones sucked terribly, beyond the airplane and guns he got toasted on the field. Crappy play and a loud mouth will get you booted out the door... good riddance. He's someone else's problem now.

Mills is the only person who might be missed, I also think they can replace him with another CB at FS.

The player you're forgetting or omitting is the second most athletically gifted CB on the team after Gonzo. Marco Wilson is a ridiculous athlete and has been starting the last three years for a dog in Arizona. They didn't acquire him until two weeks left in the season so we barely saw him. I expect him to start opposite Gonzo or somewhere this season. He is finally on a great defense and should be able to show his worth. He is better than any single DB they lost.

Marcus Dial is a fast tall strong border CB who uses the sideline extremely well based off college tape. He doesn't have ridiculous agility, but it didn't seem to bother him at South Carolina. He ranked #3 in passes defensed two years in a row in the SEC, he played a lot of football and started a lot of games.

Two players who provide some potential excitement is Isaiah Bolden, and the other is UDFA from this offseason Azizi Hearn. Both of these guys are roughly 210 pounds, they're big. Bolden has pure speed and was a dynamic kick returner in college. He even looked pretty decent at CB until he went down with injury.

Hearn had very good measurables across the board, he was big at 6'1" 206 pounds, he had very good speed (4.48 forty), strong (18 reps), explosive (37.5" vert/127" broad) and his agility was exceptional for a guy his size with a 4.23 shuttle and 6.92 cone. He had a long circuitous route through college but settled at UCLA and defended a lot of passes last season. His best football might be ahead of him.

Even guys like Alex Austin and Kaleb Ford Dement has some tools to work with.

In short, they lost some more experienced veteran guys, got a lot younger but they also let a lot of really ordinary players walk and got a lot more athletic. I don't see the big need... here's my projected depth chart with all the garbage removed:

FS – Shaun Wade, Marcellas Dial,
BIG CB – Christian Gonzalez, Marco Wilson, Isaiah Bolden, Azizi Hearn, Alex Austin (PS),
SLOT CB – Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Kaleb Ford-Dement (PS),

That's a great mix of talent and some vets mixed in, better than last year's depth chart. The defensive front just has to do their job.

Wade allowed a high completion percentage and had a poor QBR against
My comment regarding Marcus Jones was in reference to playing outside. both Jon and Marcus belong inside.
I would like to see another vet on the outside oppo Gonzo

 

[Wozzy]

Wade allowed a high completion percentage and had a poor QBR against
My comment regarding Marcus Jones was in reference to playing outside. both Jon and Marcus belong inside.
I would like to see another vet on the outside oppo Gonzo

PFF told us Stephon Gilmore was a bad player before we paid him a motherload and he went on to win DPOY. PFF player grades are toilet paper... you know this. Most of us watched these games last season, Wade played well.

You keep repeating Marcus Jones is too small, he might get hurt etc... he's not small when you play the Dolphins (Tyreek/Waddle) twice a year and you always need a slot guy to cover those small agile guys. There's a tool for every job.

Barring injury the other vet on the outside should be Marco Wilson. They also have some size/speed with Bolden, Dial and Hearn. I thought they needed another CB before the offseason began also, then the collaboration station did a good job in the draft and UDFA bringing in some talent to fill in the depth behind the starters who were already there.

If they can improve the team anywhere I'm all for it, but they're not lacking talented bodies.

 

[Love The Drake]

PFF told us Stephon Gilmore was a bad player before we paid him a motherload and he went on to win DPOY. PFF player grades are toilet paper... you know this. Most of us watched these games last season, Wade played well.

You keep repeating Marcus Jones is too small, he might get hurt etc... he's not small when you play the Dolphins (Tyreek/Waddle) twice a year and you always need a slot guy to cover those small agile guys. There's a tool for every job.

Barring injury the other vet on the outside should be Marco Wilson. They also have some size/speed with Bolden, Dial and Hearn. I thought they needed another CB before the offseason began also, then the collaboration station did a good job in the draft and UDFA bringing in some talent to fill in the depth behind the starters who were already there.

If they can improve the team anywhere I'm all for it, but they're not lacking talented bodies.

Keep Gonzo on Hill he blanked him out.

 

[Wozzy]

Keep Gonzo on Hill he blanked him out.

I think that was a stress test for BB, let the rook play the best WR and hardest cover in the NFL and let's see how good he really is.

Tyreek's going to be 30 this season, I have no problem keeping Gonzo on him. Gonzo's probably not coming off the field regardless.

 

[Taxed in Maine]

Bolden was pretty good in training camp before being concussed. Sticking with my binky to make huge strides. Think he makes an impact at 2. Coached up by Dion and has all the measurables you want. 4.3 speed, 6’2 205 38 vert, Mold him into that guy you want. Don’t sleep on him.

I'd like to see him get snaps at FS. Could be a good fit there.

 

[p8ryts]

To return to discussion of JUJU, amid recent stories by Bedard et al that he is on his way out. JUJU has been very good in the past. He was still recovering last year. I wouldn't want to write him off early without seeing what we really have and what he is this year.

 

[Real fan 02]

To return to discussion of JUJU, amid recent stories by Bedard et al that he is on his way out. JUJU has been very good in the past. He was still recovering last year. I wouldn't want to write him off early without seeing what we really have and what he is this year.

I believe juju is here at least this season. With KB likely starting on PUP, juju salary and that we have some rookies likely starting juju and pop will be relied upon.. now of course if he can't make it through camp then that changes things.

 

[Love The Drake]

To return to discussion of JUJU, amid recent stories by Bedard et al that he is on his way out. JUJU has been very good in the past. He was still recovering last year. I wouldn't want to write him off early without seeing what we really have and what he is this year.

That’s a tough one my nightmare is seeing Boutte and or Thornton be really good elsewhere while Ju Ju is a jag.

Thornton has a possible skill set that only Hill, Waddle, worthy do breakneck speed that should stress a defense everyone their on the field.
Maybe with a actual offensive coordinator a QB Thornton starts to match his potential.

Boutte was being compared to Jefferson prior to whatever the heck he had going on, we know he can get open, he didn’t get both feet down against Philly knowing about his gambling issues makes you say hmm?
Netherless the talent is there and someone can develop and use him.

Ju Ju’s cap could go to pay someone like Wirfs or Aiyuk or Higgins.
I don’t want to keep a high priced vet who hasn’t had success in 2 seasons because we are scared. We are an incredibly young team with a new coaching staff and essentially front office.

Time to move on from Ju Ju if he can’t crack third WR.

 

[signbabybrady]

What accountability?

I'm confused, you don't think they were accountable? You're trolling me right has a team ever shown more accountability?

 

[captain stone]

I'm confused, you don't think they were accountable? You're trolling me right has a team ever shown more accountability?

"They" = Bill; and he wasn't held accountable until after the 2022 season.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think that was a stress test for BB, let the rook play the best WR and hardest cover in the NFL and let's see how good he really is.

Tyreek's going to be 30 this season, I have no problem keeping Gonzo on him. Gonzo's probably not coming off the field regardless.

This was after the Miami game last season...

 

[signbabybrady]

"They" = Bill; and he wasn't held accountable until after the 2022 season.

That's a different kind of accountability. Being accountable for yourself and your role with your players vs being accountable to your management.

I'm not saying Bill ever gave his team the reason Butler didn't play we obviously know that never happened however Bill over the course of the prior decade and a half had long proven to his guys that he was as accountable to them and for them as he could be.

 

[mgteich]

he was as accountable to them and for them as he could be.

So, in the case of Butler, it was simply NOT POSSIBLE for Belichick to tell the team why he didn't play Butler, impossible before the game, during the game, and for years after the game?

I understand Bill not telling anyone the reasons for his decisions. That was Bill being Bill. However, let's not make believe that Bill COULDN'T choose to share that reasoning, before or after the game.

 

[mgteich]

I believe juju is here at least this season. With KB likely starting on PUP, juju salary and that we have some rookies likely starting juju and pop will be relied upon.. now of course if he can't make it through camp then that changes things.

OK, the rookies are starting and Douglas will be counted on. Isn't Osbourne the #4 WR to be counted on? Osborne was guaranteed over $3M to be a 2024 transition into the future. And Bourne makes five.

I suppose that if Bourne starts on PUP, Juju could be our emergency #5 WR at no cost, especially if one of the rookies isn't ready to contribute. I would rather have one of the long shots in that 5-week look-see position: Thornton, Boutte or Reagor.

I see us moving on from Shuster. If he looks healthy, there will be a trade partner, saving us at least some cap money. We likely won't have to cover his entire salary. His salary issue is somewhat an illusion. It costs us $2M to cut him, not much in the scheme of a rebuilding team wih hundreds of millions in cap money over our 3-year rebuild.

 

[Real fan 02]

OK, the rookies are starting and Douglas will be counted on. Isn't Osbourne the #4 WR to be counted on? Osborne was guaranteed over $3M to be a 2024 transition into the future. And Bourne makes five.

I suppose that if Bourne starts on PUP, Juju could be our emergency #5 WR at no cost, especially if one of the rookies isn't ready to contribute. I would rather have one of the long shots in that 5-week look-see position: Thornton, Boutte or Reagor.

I see us moving on from Shuster. If he looks healthy, there will be a trade partner, saving us at least some cap money. We likely won't have to cover his entire salary. His salary issue is somewhat an illusion. It costs us $2M to cut him, not much in the scheme of a rebuilding team wih hundreds of millions in cap money over our 3-year rebuild.

Sensible. Good points on juju salary. I believe your exactly correct. He says he's 100% healthy wich is impossible whenever you have had issues with a knee as an NFL player especially.

I believe as you said best scenario is juju balls out in camp and a team takes note and trades for him. KB, KJ, Polk and baker, pop, Thornton,* boutee* could possibly make the final cut. Also kee your eyes on the tee Higgins situation as well as it's still possible we can trade for him especially with 50 plus million still available in the salary cap.

 

[signbabybrady]

So, in the case of Butler, it was simply NOT POSSIBLE for Belichick to tell the team why he didn't play Butler, impossible before the game, during the game, and for years after the game?

I understand Bill not telling anyone the reasons for his decisions. That was Bill being Bill. However, let's not make believe that Bill COULDN'T choose to share that reasoning, before or after the game.

He probably should have then the haters would have one less major thing to ***** about. The world may never know why he benched him and why he turned it into a Zapruder level secret.

Point is that Bill built up a level of accountability (accountability of actions and accountability to teammates) that in part allowed them to overcome something that could have easily been the end.

 

[captain stone]

I suppose that if Bourne starts on PUP, Juju could be our emergency #5 WR at no cost, especially if one of the rookies isn't ready to contribute. I would rather have one of the long shots in that 5-week look-see position: Thornton, Boutte or Reagor.

So would I.

I see us moving on from Shuster. If he looks healthy, there will be a trade partner, saving us at least some cap money. We likely won't have to cover his entire salary. His salary issue is somewhat an illusion. It costs us $2M to cut him, not much in the scheme of a rebuilding team wih hundreds of millions in cap money over our 3-year rebuild.

I'm still not sure about that one... Isn't it closer to $7-9M?

 

[Real fan 02]

So would I.




I'm still not sure about that one... Isn't it closer to $7-9M?

It would all depend on how Bill was forced to draw up his contract..