We are #1 in 2025! (Draft order projection, ESPN's FPI)

[Real fan 02]

Nothing wrong with hoping for the best. There IS when you’re defeated before the season starts. I always seem to need to be reminded this is a negative nan environment. We will lose the next 10 years, our QB is ****, same for OL…**** throw the coach in with them as well right? I jest. I’m enough of a pessimist IRL…move along..

Absolutely you'd think some on this thread want us to be the Buffalo bills before Josh Allen for the next 10 years..

 

[signbabybrady]

The lack of concern of the HC and the coaching staff is not being talked about enough - if at all.

He's got some massive shoes to fill and I'm certainly concerned but as I pointed out there are plenty of reasons to think he'll be good and really the only knock is that he's only been a coach for 5 years (and that's a big one).

 

[mgteich]

6 to 10 wins picking between 10 and 20

7 wins picked 8, 9, 10 and 11 in 2023.
===========
In 2023, 8 wins moves someone to 12, often out of likely stud territory (although studs can be picked anywhere)

So, if we want a reasonable chance to pick a stud, 8 wins might be too many.

 

[dliverey44]

Going into rebuild year #2, I’d be fine with a top 1-3

I really don't see them being that bad, I have them finishing 8-9. Based on 2023 that would put them in the 10-15 range.

 

[cstjohn17]

Collasal mismanagement by the Pats sticking with the 3rd overall pick in 2024.

Maye might end being good but looks like a pretty big project, little return on investment until 2025.

They could have traded with the Vikings and ended up with:
2024 - 11, 23
2025 - their own top 3 pick, top 12 pick from Minny

That’s how you improve a roster and start building a strong foundation.

Now they are stuck with Maye even if a better option is available next year.

Talk about all in.

 

[moosekill]

Collasal mismanagement by the Pats sticking with the 3rd overall pick in 2024.

Maye might end being good but looks like a pretty big project, little return on investment until 2025.

They could have traded with the Vikings and ended up with:
2024 - 11, 23
2025 - their own top 3 pick, top 12 pick from Minny

That’s how you improve a roster and start building a strong foundation.

Now they are stuck with Maye even if a better option is available next year.

Talk about all in.

Or they could have been stuck with Rattler and been middle of the pack this year and the next 5 years. Silly to make statements like this. We have no clue until they play the game.

 

[rkarp1]

lots of "experts" out there, even on this forum.
Vegas tends to be right more than often, but wisely adjusts as more intel arrives.
injuries. trades. additional signings. lots will happen.
but today? Vegas says 4.5 wins

 

[Real fan 02]

He's got some massive shoes to fill and I'm certainly concerned but as I pointed out there are plenty of reasons to think he'll be good and really the only knock is that he's only been a coach for 5 years (and that's a big one).

Had it been a college coach coming into the NFL ranks I'd have more concerns. I have no concerns on the coaching. Honestly all around compared to the staff last several years coaching projects to be much better. There is no one that can replace Bill or brady so that's not even a debate. I'll keep saying... Mayo's coaching principles will be more Bill like than people will understand.

 

[jimnance]

Based on their record last year, a rookie head coach with zero experience as HC or coordinator, a new coaching staff, new systems, the dearth of experienced talent at key positions and more, the safest assumption is that they will struggle and fall near the bottom of the league again. Many things will have to go right to change that trajectory (Mayo turns out to be a good HC, the rookies are hits, the OL is decent with depth, Brissette has a decent year, we find a league average kicker, no key injuries, our older, key vets don’t decline, etc.) It may happen, but it probably won’t. A poor coach alone can derail your entire season.

If they win 8 games I will declare that the homers were right and quit this forum.

So you don't think the return of Judon & Gonzo makes a difference?

 

[Stu Pidassle]

Had it been a college coach coming into the NFL ranks I'd have more concerns. I have no concerns on the coaching. Honestly all around compared to the staff last several years coaching projects to be much better. There is no one that can replace Bill or brady so that's not even a debate. I'll keep saying... Mayo's coaching principles will be more Bill like than people will understand.

They have a professional coaching staff that is competent at the various roles. My biggest concern is how they gel as a team within a team to create a cohesive and efficient process with clear roles and responsibilities. I hope that Mayo is spending his time as the guy coordinating everything vs the guy who owns the details.

 

[mgteich]

They have a professional coaching staff that is competent at the various roles. My biggest concern is how they gel as a team within a team to create a cohesive and efficient process with clear roles and responsibilities. I hope that Mayo is spending his time as the guy coordinating everything vs the guy who owns the details.

There should be little issue on getting the DEFENSIVE coaches and players to gel. There have been few changes. And, yes, if necessary, Covington can get advice from Mayo.
===============
The OFFENSE is a mystery and could take a year to gel, or a month.

I think that for the OL, we will be OK, albeit with a couple of below average starters.

It is the overall Offense that needs to be taught, coordinated, and become second nature. That is a lot to ask of the young WR's and new QB.
=========
We seem to leave out the SPECIAL TEAMS. We need considerable improvement from the place kicker, all with a new set of rules. We are fine at punter and punt returner (and probably OK at kick returner).

But what about the other special teamers? We seem to be carrying many fewer STO's. Who are the protectors for the returners? Who are the gunners? In any case, we need to have improvement from the very poor 2023 play, all from a coach who coached on a horrible ST unit. I suppose that we still have Schooler, but is that nearly enough?

TEN players participated in 40% more of the ST snaps. THREE are on the 2024 team (Schooler 89%, Tavai 78% and Mapu 47%). Next man up sounds great, but we need to replace ST's reps of seven players. Sure, Mapu will get more reps; Ellis too (presuming that he makes the 53-man roster}. Hawkins will certainly get lots of ST reps. But these SEVEN are gone:

Board 89%
Slater 82
Phillips 70
Wilson 68
P. Brown 45
Davis 44
Montgomery 43

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

So you don't think the return of Judon & Gonzo makes a difference?

If they played offense, then yeah. It's not unrealistic to say that the defense looks like it's in good shape. There's uncertainty there, too, but less. There's more talent for sure, and if Mayo knows anything, it's defense.

But as we've seen, an above average defense, even an elite defense, won't score a lot of points. If they turn out to be well above average or elite, the defense will win some games for us, and if you say they might be elite, I won't say you're crazy.

The offense is a different story. Big personnel changes, new coaching, an OL without an established LT and questionable talent at other positions, a rookie QB that may or may not play based on his uncertain development and the team's appetite for risk. If you tell me they are going to be average, I'd say there *might* be a chance, but everything would have to go right: the OL gels, Brissette has a good year, we hit on our WRs, Mayo can coach offense too (he might not be calling plays but certainly he'll be in on strategy and key game decisions), etc. If Maye figures things out and looks so good they figure they have to start him, that might change everything. But that's not likely.

tl;dr Judon & Gonzo make the defense better, but there's so much uncertainty regarding the offense, there's no reason right now to believe they are better than Vegas says they are.

 

[Real fan 02]

They have a professional coaching staff that is competent at the various roles. My biggest concern is how they gel as a team within a team to create a cohesive and efficient process with clear roles and responsibilities. I hope that Mayo is spending his time as the guy coordinating everything vs the guy who owns the details.

I believe he is. Mayo's growing into his role just like every else is. I laughed when some act like he's just now picking a clip board. He's been a coach here for 7 seasons.. and more importantly played at a high level and been with the organization 16 years. I just want mayo to continue what he's doing and being himself and creating his own coaching legacy. More than wins and losses this season I'm looking at how the offense looks and how the players are developing.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

There should be little issue on getting the DEFENSIVE coaches and players to gel. There have been few changes. And, yes, if necessary, Covington can get advice from Mayo.
===============
The OFFENSE is a mystery and could take a year to gel, or a month.

I think that for the OL, we will be OK, albeit with a couple of below average starters.

It is the overall Offense that needs to be taught, coordinated, and become second nature. That is a lot to ask of the young WR's and new QB.
=========
We seem to leave out the SPECIAL TEAMS. We need considerable improvement from the place kicker, all with a new set of rules. We are fine at punter and punt returner (and probably OK at kick returner).

But what about the other special teamers? We seem to be carrying many fewer STO's. Who are the protectors for the returners? Who are the gunners? In any case, we need to have improvement from the very poor 2023 play, all from a coach who coached on a horrible ST unit. I suppose that we still have Schooler, but is that nearly enough?

TEN players participated in 40% more of the ST snaps. THREE are on the 2024 team (Schooler 89%, Tavai 78% and Mapu 47%). Next man up sounds great, but we need to replace ST's reps of seven players. Sure, Mapu will get more reps; Ellis too (presuming that he makes the 53-man roster}. Hawkins will certainly get lots of ST reps. But these SEVEN are gone:

Board 89%
Slater 82
Phillips 70
Wilson 68
P. Brown 45
Davis 44
Montgomery 43

Breaking it down into components, I feel that Offense is in the best shape, followed by Defense with ST a real concern. Even though most of the coaches on offense are new, most have worked together before and were installed hired as a unit. Defense lost 2 primary leaders. While I acknowledge that Mayo is still around, Covington will have his own style and will need to mesh with more existing coaches. Special teams is a real concern. They have been bad for a long time and Springer does not have a resume that inspires confidence. Mayo has continuity when it comes to game planning, roster management and orchestrating the units to play complimentary football. His ability to lead the team in those areas is a work in progress.

 

[mgteich]

If they played offense, then yeah. It's not unrealistic to say that the defense looks like it's in good shape. There's uncertainty there, too, but less. There's more talent for sure, and if Mayo knows anything, it's defense.

But as we've seen, an above average defense, even an elite defense, won't score a lot of points. If they turn out to be well above average or elite, the defense will win some games for us, and if you say they might be elite, I won't say you're crazy.

The offense is a different story. Big personnel changes, new coaching, an OL without an established LT and questionable talent at other positions, a rookie QB that may or may not play based on his uncertain development and the team's appetite for risk. If you tell me they are going to be average, I'd say there *might* be a chance, but everything would have to go right: the OL gels, Brissette has a good year, we hit on our WRs, Mayo can coach offense too (he might not be calling plays but certainly he'll be in on strategy and key game decisions), etc. If Maye figures things out and looks so good they figure they have to start him, that might change everything. But that's not likely.

tl;dr Judon & Gonzo make the defense better, but there's so much uncertainty regarding the offense, there's no reason right now to believe they are better than Vegas says they are.

Ok, we have a top Defense, top 10, or perhaps top 5.

You say that we MIGHT have an average Offense if everything goes right. IMO, as was the case last year, if we have an average Offense would mean that we were in the playoff hunt. For me, the biggest questions are the development of Maye, having an OK LT (well below average is fine), and having everyone learn the system and be able to execute that system.

For me, the WR's are good enough to compete. They won't be the reason that we're losing. Even if the rookies take a year to develop, we have Osborne, Bourne and Douglas (and a competent QB throwing to them).

 

[jimnance]

If they played offense, then yeah. It's not unrealistic to say that the defense looks like it's in good shape. There's uncertainty there, too, but less. There's more talent for sure, and if Mayo knows anything, it's defense.

But as we've seen, an above average defense, even an elite defense, won't score a lot of points. If they turn out to be well above average or elite, the defense will win some games for us, and if you say they might be elite, I won't say you're crazy.

The offense is a different story. Big personnel changes, new coaching, an OL without an established LT and questionable talent at other positions, a rookie QB that may or may not play based on his uncertain development and the team's appetite for risk. If you tell me they are going to be average, I'd say there *might* be a chance, but everything would have to go right: the OL gels, Brissette has a good year, we hit on our WRs, Mayo can coach offense too (he might not be calling plays but certainly he'll be in on strategy and key game decisions), etc. If Maye figures things out and looks so good they figure they have to start him, that might change everything. But that's not likely.

tl;dr Judon & Gonzo make the defense better, but there's so much uncertainty regarding the offense, there's no reason right now to believe they are better than Vegas says they are.

No tge offense will not be average. They will be below average...
However...it's logical to believe the offense will be better than last year. Brissett doesn't turn the ball over. The wr group is better that's obvious. I'm no Juju fan but he's totally healthy and fighting for a job. We should get his best,whatever that is. DD has a year under his belt. Both Polk and Baker have promise. They're rooks so I e pect mistakes but both have the ability to get open whi h only DD on last years roster was able to do.
Boney T? Well he did add some muscle. I haven't totally given up on him. But I don't expect much. The OL is no worse than last year might be slightly better but best we could hope for us just below average.
They added one of the best 3rd passing backs in the league so Brissett will have quick short passes available to him and DD both of whom can get open.
If they get anything at all from even one if their other wrs the offense will be decent. Not great, but decent.
Nobody can take an honest unbiased look at this team right now and say they're not improved from 2023. Nobody can also honestly say they're gonna have a winning record.
They'll be better, bet the farm on it.
But they have the hardest nfl sked in the entire league. Who you play matters.
So they'll be better but might only win a few more games.
Way too early to bet now, but put a gun to my head I'd say 7-10. Thats based on Maye not starting until the last 2 or 3 games.

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

Is there any position where things look worse this year? Not thinking that’s the case. Hoping for sure.

 

[signbabybrady]

I believe he is. Mayo's growing into his role just like every else is. I laughed when some act like he's just now picking a clip board. He's been a coach here for 7 seasons.. and more importantly played at a high level and been with the organization 16 years. I just want mayo to continue what he's doing and being himself and creating his own coaching legacy. More than wins and losses this season I'm looking at how the offense looks and how the players are developing.

I think this will be his 6th season.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

Is there any position where things look worse this year? Not thinking that’s the case. Hoping for sure.

Free safety is one position where there was net loss of players with no clearly identified replacements.

 

[0818NePa]

Hopefully.