Marcus Jones was fantastic; he could be the big key on D

[Vindicate]

It was great to see the secondary not miss Barmore and Judon as the DL held its own. I was worried about the domino effect there. I hope to see these results become the regular and not just a product of the Bengals having some issues with their roster, from injuries to holdouts.

What's good is the players, for the first time in a few years, seem to WANT to play for their coach. And that's awesome.

 

[mgteich]

Not necessarily.

Multiple ways.

Most likely just run Dre right into relevancy just give him 250+ carries and if he runs like Sunday we'll be relevant.

Second most likely is at some point we pass the baton onto Maye and he is an immediate success.

Third it's not asking too much to expect a little more out Jacoby not likely to suddenly become a 300 yard passer but can he consistently get closer to 200 doesn't seem like a big ask. (Still need Dre here and the D)

I'm very excited with how well players are developing.

However, it is what it is.

1) We are not likely to get even average QB play from Brissett or from a rookie, unless you think that he is Stroud.
2) Our LT's are truly awful.
3) We don't even have a backup RT.
4) Bourne is our best WR (we should repeat this 10 times every time we think that we have an average Offense).

 

[signbabybrady]

I'm very excited with how well players are developing.

However, it is what it is.

1) We are not likely to get even average QB play from Brissett or from a rookie, unless you think that he is Stroud.
2) Our LT's are truly awful.
3) We don't even have a backup RT.
4) Bourne is our best WR (we should repeat this 10 times every time we think that we have an average Offense).

Pop didn't have a big day Sunday but I think he's better than Bourne. And I continue to be intrigued by year 3 Thornton he's pulled me back in.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

I watched Marcus Jones quite a bit yesterday and other than his fantastic pickup of the strip by Dugger at the goalline, he was all over the Bengals' slot receivers. The announcers mentioned him several times. But he also made a few unbelievably athletic plays that the announcers DIDN'T mention and that the booth never replayed. One was a diving PBU on an out to Iosivas on the left boundary. Somehow Jones got there even though the ball was thrown perfectly to Iosivas's outside shoulder.

If he can be an amazing slot corner coupled with his All-Pro return skills, and maybe even some gadget plays on offense, we may find that Jones is one of only a handful of standouts on this team.

An integral player.

Some people had him as the #4 or #5 CB going into the season.

He may play more like the #2.

Just like I coach em' !!!

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Pop didn't have a big day Sunday but I think he's better than Bourne. And I continue to be intrigued by year 3 Thornton he's pulled me back in.

Thornton might even be better if he is convinced the QB can get him the ball. Tough to repeatedly run deep routes when it is an anomaly if the ball arrives when and where it is supposed to. Let's see what Thornton is like when Maye is throwing the ball versus Mac or Brissett.

 

[n1997y]

Thornton might even be better if he is convinced the QB can get him the ball. Tough to repeatedly run deep routes when it is an anomaly if the ball arrives when and where it is supposed to. Let's see what Thornton is like when Maye is throwing the ball versus Mac or Brissett.

If Maye is behind the same OL pass blocking as Brissett was Sunday the results will be the same.

 

[Real fan 02]

If Maye is behind the same OL pass blocking as Brissett was Sunday the results will be the same.

Hmmm.. I think maye hits Tyquan on those deep throws that Brissett missed on.. the tackle spot is what the problem is. Interior is fine.

 

[Real fan 02]

Pop didn't have a big day Sunday but I think he's better than Bourne. And I continue to be intrigued by year 3 Thornton he's pulled me back in.

Yeah.. I just didn't see Brissett having the time in the pocket to fine pop regularly. Then again I think the overall game plan had alot to do with his targets. The limitations on Brissett we could see.. he misses Tyquan a few times on deep shots. Drake would have hit him I believe.

 

[signbabybrady]

Yeah.. I just didn't see Brissett having the time in the pocket to fine pop regularly. Then again I think the overall game plan had alot to do with his targets. The limitations on Brissett we could see.. he misses Tyquan a few times on deep shots. Drake would have hit him I believe.

They have to work Pop in more. First watch on Sunday I figured Cincy took him away but I read he was getting open so it seems its like you said Brissett just didn't find him due to time/pressure.

He should be getting a couple slants and crossing routes a game.

Tyquan I think they put enough deep routes on tape that even without hitting them they should be able to play off that next week and try some other stuff. His best catch was a 17 yard curl which obviously those deep routes helped set up. And who knows maybe we hit a deep route to him too.

 

[signbabybrady]

Thornton might even be better if he is convinced the QB can get him the ball. Tough to repeatedly run deep routes when it is an anomaly if the ball arrives when and where it is supposed to. Let's see what Thornton is like when Maye is throwing the ball versus Mac or Brissett.

Thornton needs to know those deep routes set up his 17 yard curl. But absolutely if we can get the deep stuff going with him it will only open things up more for him and others.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Thornton needs to know those deep routes set up his 17 yard curl. But absolutely if we can get the deep stuff going with him it will only open things up more for him and others.

Thornton is only human. Anyone running ten Go routes a game and not getting a well thrown ball game after game, year after year, has to be tough.

 

[Real fan 02]

They have to work Pop in more. First watch on Sunday I figured Cincy took him away but I read he was getting open so it seems its like you said Brissett just didn't find him due to time/pressure.

He should be getting a couple slants and crossing routes a game.

Tyquan I think they put enough deep routes on tape that even without hitting them they should be able to play off that next week and try some other stuff. His best catch was a 17 yard curl which obviously those deep routes helped set up. And who knows maybe we hit a deep route to him too.

Yeah. Pop in my opinion is uncoberable when I say that meaning he's always open he's always has a step on the DB. I really would like to see polk starting he offers a better skill set than KJ. This could also be a game where baker can get in on some deep attempts as well. These guys are part of the present and future they need playing time. Tyquan I've said this before is one the fastest football players in the league he always beats his man off the line. He glides like a gisselle. I just want to see more deep attempts this game that will loosen up stuff for pop and the TEs.

 

[signbabybrady]

Thornton is only human. Anyone running ten Go routes a game and not getting a well thrown ball game after game, year after year, has to be tough.

That's my point though the go routes are tough to hit and he needs to know they set up other things. If he's getting at least 2 to 3 other catches then his numbers will start to add up and they'll eventually hit a few go routes. If he lets it discourage him then he'll get less opportunities and probably wind up back on the bench.

I think he and Osborn really need to take advantage of their reps while Bourne is out because even if their skill set is different whichever one performs worse probably winds up on the bench when Bourne returns.

Not to mention the rookies will start taking more and more reps too as they improve.

 

[signbabybrady]

Yeah. Pop in my opinion is uncoberable when I say that meaning he's always open he's always has a step on the DB. I really would like to see polk starting he offers a better skill set than KJ. This could also be a game where baker can get in on some deep attempts as well. These guys are part of the present and future they need playing time. Tyquan I've said this before is one the fastest football players in the league he always beats his man off the line. He glides like a gisselle. I just want to see more deep attempts this game that will loosen up stuff for pop and the TEs.

My brother sarcastically has started calling KJ my boy because every time I see him I think it should be someone else (Polk or whoever). But at least for now we need to give him the benefit of the doubt. But between the rookies and Bourne's looming return reps will get harder to come by for him and Thornton too if they don't show something of value very soon.

 

[upstater1]

Thornton is only human. Anyone running ten Go routes a game and not getting a well thrown ball game after game, year after year, has to be tough.

They have to see something in practice though. Maybe he's not showing them ball skills; maybe he's not high pointing the ball.

I can only think of 3 receivers in 25 years for the Patriots who could snag the ball downfield: Deion Branch, Randy Moss, and Brandon Lloyd.

No one else.

Thornton may be fast and he even may have good hands, but can he adjust to a long ball and out jump the DB for it? Maybe he has shown that he can't in practice.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

They have to see something in practice though. Maybe he's not showing them ball skills; maybe he's not high pointing the ball.

I can only think of 3 receivers in 25 years for the Patriots who could snag the ball downfield: Deion Branch, Randy Moss, and Brandon Lloyd.

No one else.

Thornton may be fast and he even may have good hands, but can he adjust to a long ball and out jump the DB for it? Maybe he has shown that he can't in practice.

The two balls thrown by Brissett were uncatchable. Am I missing something? I don't remember Thornton missing balls in '24. I have no idea what goes on in practice but Brissett tried to throw a couple balls to Thornton against the Bengals that were way off.

 

[Real fan 02]

My brother sarcastically has started calling KJ my boy because every time I see him I think it should be someone else (Polk or whoever). But at least for now we need to give him the benefit of the doubt. But between the rookies and Bourne's looming return reps will get harder to come by for him and Thornton too if they don't show something of value very soon.

LOL.. Agreed there. KB is important his great hands, the energy he brings to the game he's a nice route runner too. He's a starter. So I'm thinking KB, pop, Thornton? I don't think KB is gonna get forced right in he may just get slowly worked back in the offense.

 

[mgteich]

The two balls thrown by Brissett were uncatchable. Am I missing something? I don't remember Thornton missing balls in '24. I have no idea what goes on in practice but Brissett tried to throw a couple balls to Thornton against the Bengals that were way off.

As I recall from TC posts, Thornton did much better when Maye was QB. IMO, that is what made him a starter.

 

[upstater1]

The two balls thrown by Brissett were uncatchable. Am I missing something? I don't remember Thornton missing balls in '24. I have no idea what goes on in practice but Brissett tried to throw a couple balls to Thornton against the Bengals that were way off.

I have seen Thornton in prior years not contest long balls. He has also been wide wide open several times with either bad throws or no throws.

 

[mgteich]

LOL.. Agreed there. KB is important his great hands, the energy he brings to the game he's a nice route runner too. He's a starter. So I'm thinking KB, pop, Thornton? I don't think KB is gonna get forced right in he may just get slowly worked back in the offense.

I have a feeling that Polk will be a starter over Douglas and Osborne, so Bourne-Thornton-Polk.