Patriots Pregame Thread Week 1 pregame discussion: On to Cincinnati

[TheRainMaker]

Watch Trent Brown have the game of his life on Sunday. And no, it will not mean the Pats should've retained him. Rather, former players like to show up the former teams.

 

[Thelonious]

The talk is that given the problems with pass protection and with the passing game generally, the team will "rely on the running game." The opponent knows this. They will assume, rightly, that they need not fear the passing game, so they will concentrate to stopping/slowing the Pats' running game. I think they will succeed in this, leaving the pats with...what?

A lot of five and outs, an exhausted defense by some point in the second half, and a lopsided loss. I will watch the game with a hope of seeing some progress, some bright spots, some reasons for hope. The outcome of the game is a foregone conclusion, it seems to me.

 

[Ross12]

A few games for a starting QB who was named captain I'd say is short leash. Brissett starting I really believe has more to do with the dissaray on the line than anything. Mayo probably wants to see how they perform if anything before letting the future of the franchise take a snap. Personally I think if it gets 2023 wretched on offense the first 4 weeks I can see a change at QB.

Brissett is a team captain more for his mentorship than his play. And obviously the fact that he’s the actual starting QB on the team on week 1. I don’t think anyone would be bothered if the kid looks really good and deserves to start over the older guy after a few weeks just because the older guy is a captain.

I do definitely have my eye on week 5 as a target for Drake since it gets them past two tough defenses (NYJ and SF) and then week 5 and 6 are both home games, and then week 7 is at a neutral site (London), though I venture to guess more Pats fans than Jax fans will be in London, and then week 8 is another home game. So he would be able to play 4 games before he had to actually play an away game in “hostile territory”. Good on-ramp for him.

If week 4 is too soon then I would probably guess week 8, as having his first game be in London would be weird and abnormal prep. Week 8 would be tough, against the Jets, but it would be a home game. From week 8 to week 13 it would be 3 home/3 away games without any long stretch either direction, then the bye week 14, then 4 weeks to close out the year with 2 away games and then 2 home games. So only a 10 game season for him in this scenario.

 

[jdlboot14]

It's been talked about ad nauseam, I get it.
But, seriously, how is it possible that this team is going into Week 1 of a brand new reset, rebuild, re-worked, re-staffed year...
and still has a horrible patchwork OL?!?!?!
It's just absurd.
We'll likely have at least 2 guys playing out of their natural position - after an entire offseason & preseason that should have been spent building repetition and chemistry. So disappointing.

 

[mgteich]

It's been talked about ad nauseam, I get it.
But, seriously, how is it possible that this team is going into Week 1 of a brand new reset, rebuild, re-worked, re-staffed year...
and still has a horrible patchwork OL?!?!?!
It's just absurd.
We'll likely have at least 2 guys playing out of their natural position - after an entire offseason & preseason that should have been spent building repetition and chemistry. So disappointing.

I guess the issue is that Onwenu is a better RT than anyone we have.

When healthy, we could certainly field an entire line playing at their natural positions
Lowe-Sow-Andrews-Onwenu-Okorafor
with Wallace and Robinson as the primary backups.

This is no way a horrible patchwork OL. That doesn't make it the best choice. Robinson-Onwenu might be much better than Onwenu-Okorafor or Onwenu-Wallace.

The options are there. For this week, we have two injuries, so our options are limited.

IMO, the question marks are the newbies
1) Is Robinson more ready to have a major role than Wallace. (I think that the answer is yes).
2) Is Okorafor's transition working out well enough for him to be the best option at LT (I vote no)

BOTTOM LINE
A) We might have made different choices in free agency and the draft (long, long ago0
B) We don't know what the staff has learned in camp and the pre-season. We won't know until Lowe is healthy.
C) For now, it seems that Leverett is starting as the 3rd string LG with both Strange and Sow injured.

 

[PScottman]

Trent Mount Brown is the definition of Big have you seen Onwenu lately??

Apples and kumquats. Brown when he's heavy (i.e. heavier than his established normal playing weight) plays with zero motivation, concentration or sustained effort. Onwenu is the model of consistency in comparison.

I'm not saying that's what this version of Brown is GOING to be, what I am saying is historical data says that what he is in that circumstance.

 

[PScottman]

Will he be motivated playing against the team that screwed him out of millions? I dunno.

I don't either.

Who screwed who anyway? The $$$ was there for the taking, but it had to be earned versus simply given. After his first stint here...when did he play to the level anywhere near his contract?

 

[PScottman]

Watch Trent Brown have the game of his life on Sunday.

Of course he will. Can he sustain that motivation for an entire campaign? His year on/year off approach of his earlier career kinda derailed the past couple seasons so the data is now all over the place, but agree he probably is going to be locked in for this Sunday.

 

[Ross12]

I guess the issue is that Onwenu is a better RT than anyone we have.

When healthy, we could certainly field an entire line playing at their natural positions
Lowe-Sow-Andrews-Onwenu-Okorafor
with Wallace and Robinson as the primary backups.

This is no way a horrible patchwork OL. That doesn't make it the best choice. Robinson-Onwenu might be much better than Onwenu-Okorafor or Onwenu-Wallace.

The options are there. For this week, we have two injuries, so our options are limited.

IMO, the question marks are the newbies
1) Is Robinson more ready to have a major role than Wallace. (I think that the answer is yes).
2) Is Okorafor's transition working out well enough for him to be the best option at LT (I vote no)

BOTTOM LINE
A) We might have made different choices in free agency and the draft (long, long ago0
B) We don't know what the staff has learned in camp and the pre-season. We won't know until Lowe is healthy.
C) For now, it seems that Leverett is starting as the 3rd string LG with both Strange and Sow injured.

Onwenu is a much better guard than tackle, but he’s still a solid tackle. If it’s best for the team, I’d be fine with keeping him there for now. Sow/Strange, Andrews, Robinson and Onwenu makes a pretty solid group besides LT (once Robinson gets acclimated after a couple weeks), and even at LT, Okorafor should be “good enough”. Lowe is probably around the same level. Not world-beaters but that’s a line that should be able to get the job done once they gel, especially in the run game, which is what they really want to focus on anyway.

 

[mgteich]

Onwenu is a much better guard than tackle, but he’s still a solid tackle. If it’s best for the team, I’d be fine with keeping him there for now. Sow/Strange, Andrews, Robinson and Onwenu makes a pretty solid group besides LT (once Robinson gets acclimated after a couple weeks), and even at LT, Okorafor should be “good enough”. Lowe is probably around the same level. Not world-beaters but that’s a line that should be able to get the job done once they gel, especially in the run game, which is what they really want to focus on anyway.

If Lowe and Okorafor are "good enough' at LT, then we are in good shape. This would be a very big step forward.

Of course, we still have many question marks on the Offense: at QB, in coaching and in the WR group.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

The offense is going to be soooo predictable.

First down: Run for 1 yards
Second down: Run for 2 yards
Third down: Screen pass for 0 yards
Fourth down: Punt

Cycle rinse repeat....

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

If Lowe and Okorafor are "good enough' at LT, then we are in good shape. This would be a very big step forward.

Of course, we still have many question marks on the Offense: at QB, in coaching and in the WR group.

Lowe and Okorafor are not good enough. They are both poor offensive tackles. Lowe was traded for a 6th round pick. Okorafor was essentially released. They are stop gap measures going against the best and fastest DEs rushing off our left side.

 

[TommyD4207]

I don't either.

Who screwed who anyway? The $$$ was there for the taking, but it had to be earned versus simply given. After his first stint here...when did he play to the level anywhere near his contract?

When he signed the second time, he signed for right tackle money, when there was still a big disparity in the league between left and right tackle money (There still is, but to a lesser degree). Then Belichick flipped him to left tackle, and he was pissed. Bill tried to make it up to him with pay bumps, but the damage was already done.

This is pretty well documented, although I'm not surprised it got memory-holed by most.

 

[mgteich]

Lowe and Okorafor are not good enough. They are both poor offensive tackles. Lowe was traded for a 6th round pick. Okorafor was essentially released. They are stop gap measures going against the best and fastest DEs rushing off our left side.

So, you think that Lowe and Okorafor aren't good enough at LT for this year.

What do you expect the team to do?

 

[IcyPatriot]

So no Lowe and limited to no Sidy Sow ... start the fireworks.

I stopped drinking but Sunday seems to be a good day for a few quickies.

Anyone playing do a shot for each Bengal score TD/FG?

 

[mgteich]

When he signed the second time, he signed for right tackle money, when there was still a big disparity in the league between left and right tackle money (There still is, but to a lesser degree). Then Belichick flipped him to left tackle, and he was pissed. Bill tried to make it up to him with pay bumps, but the damage was already done.

This is pretty well documented, although I'm not surprised it got memory-holed by most.

This being a new regime, either Brown or the team could have reached out. We had the money and incentive to pay him more than he was able to get elsewhere. Of course, it would have taken both parties to be interested in order for this to work.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

So, you think that Lowe and Okorafor aren't good enough at LT for this year.

What do you expect the team to do?

Try to help the LT and struggle. What else can they do?

 

[archstanton543]

The offense is going to be soooo predictable.

First down: Run for 1 yards
Second down: Run for 2 yards
Third down: Screen pass for 0 yards
Fourth down: Punt

Cycle rinse repeat....

Can they play one game before you know how this completely new offense is going to look?

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

The offense is going to be soooo predictable.

First down: Run for 1 yards
Second down: Run for 2 yards
Third down: Screen pass for 0 yards
Fourth down: Punt

Cycle rinse repeat....

Oh wait, they might mix it up. You know really surprise the defense and run a draw play on third and 7....for 1 yard....oh wow

The punter will get blisters on his foot. The Patriots defense will get worn out and disgusted...

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Can they play one game before you know how this completely new offense is going to look?

How can they throw the ball if they cannot protect the QB and the QB has a bum shoulder and even if he was healthy I am not so sure how accurate or mobile he is? What do you expect, an Air Coryell offense? Oops, sorry I am being rude--this is all just guess work on my part. For all I know, the Patriots will start off with draw plays and quick passes to Pop or Poke; that should work with a defense stacked against the run.

I could be wrong, but I have to assume they will try to establish a running game against a defense that will be stacked against it. Most of the passes will be screens against a defense that will be looking for it.