Damien Woody's take on Maye timetable - its correct.

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Im not sure why Curran and others are saying putting Maye in is a panic move? Anybody who is looking for wins or a savior this year is going to be let down, we all know that. Ive said many times our focus should be doing whats right for 2025 and beyond, wins/losses in 2024 isn’t my concern as a fan of a team in a rebuild . So with that in mind, its still painfully obvious Jacoby has to sit.

#1- What message are you sending to your team if youre admitting that youre not basing the decision of who starts at qb on whats best for the team, but rather out of fear that you as managers didn’t put enough good players in front of him so now youre too scared to have the best guy out there! So the rest of the team has to be suffer for it by sacrificing their ability to win some games and play meaningful football beyond the month of October for the second straight year. This is arguably more dangerous and detrimental to the future of this team as a whole than putting your qb in harms way. Weve seen PLENTY of qbs suffer through awful first seasons and turn out fine. Part of being a top 3 draft pick is you’re going to be drafted by an awful team in the vast majority of cases!

#2 as Ive said many times, you can’t evaluate anything offensively and maybe even defensively anymore at this point with jacoby. If youre red shirting drake, youre red shirting the entire offense. Its a complete waste of a season, pop/polk/baker have 4 years on a rookie contract, frankly you don’t have the time to waste. Next years FA wr class looks about as decent as it gets with wr since lots of guys are entering or in their 30s and might not be needing to overpay massively for, you need to know who you might need. You have some tackle prospects on the team who may not be the answer but **** itd be ideal to see what they could do without thinking they have to block their man for 8 seconds. Or if we can put together a group who is serviceable with a guy who can take one step forward if he feels pressure and throw the ball. And its only a matter of time before the defense truly unravels. They already fought through one year of this nonsense and Jacoby is arguably worse than those guys last year.

 

[XLIX]

Who said the o-line will suck next year?

I did.

What makes you so sure the o-line will be any better next year than it is this year? ("It couldn't get any worse" is not an answer). If improving the o-line is so easy, why didn't they do it already?

Who said the o-line is going to suck all this year? Odds are the Pats will be drafting a LT early in the draft and free agency, as of right now, will have an unusual amount of starting quality tackles available.

OK, so there's a high draft pick rookie LT on the team. He is still going to be a rookie and play like a rookie and get beat more than every once in a while. Joe Alt was the most recent all-world rookie LT and he was playing very well - right up to the point where he got injured. So what do you do if next year the top draft pick LT gets injured? Put Maye back in the bubble wrap on the sidelines?

What if the Pats take Travis Hunter (which they absolutely should do no matter what if he is available) and the o-line isn't any better next year? Gonna sit Maye again for another full season?

 

[XLIX]

I never said the Pats were a good team. I am saying starting Maye before he is ready and behind a disaster o-line is the mark of a bad team that ruins QBs.

If you think the Patriots' offense will get significantly better this offseason, you are delusional. So let's sit Maye next year too!! After all, we wouldn't want to "ruin" him.

 

[Rob0729]

The fact that the team is fine by playing him if Brissett gets injured on the 1st play next Sunday shows that he is ready. If he is not then they are just dumb and should have a veteran backup.

To me they are just covering their asses. They are waiting for Brissett to get injured so they can say : « we were forced to play Maye despite him not being ready because Jakoby got hurt » in case Maye looks bad. If Brissett doesn’t get injured even better for them. He doesn’t play this year so if he sucks next year they can say : « not our fault! We were patient and sat him a year so he is just not good enough ». If they play him by their own accord and he sucks then everybody will say : « you should have sat him a year »

This is just opinion with no facts to support it. You are entitled to your opinion, but it doesn't make it remotely true.

 

[Rob0729]

I did.

What makes you so sure the o-line will be any better next year than it is this year? ("It couldn't get any worse" is not an answer). If improving the o-line is so easy, why didn't they do it already?

OK, so there's a high draft pick rookie LT on the team. He is still going to be a rookie and play like a rookie and get beat more than every once in a while. Joe Alt was the most recent all-world rookie LT and he was playing very well - right up to the point where he got injured. So what do you do if next year the top draft pick LT gets injured? Put Maye back in the bubble wrap on the sidelines?

What if the Pats take Travis Hunter (which they absolutely should do no matter what if he is available) and the o-line isn't any better next year? Gonna sit Maye again for another full season?

Here are reasons why I think the o-line will be better.
- The Pats will likely be able to draft the best LT on the board. Hell, they may be able to trade down and get the best LT on the board depending on what happens.
- Free agency has some good o-linemen next year opposed to this past free agency.
- Strange will be back. Not a great player, but an upgrade.
- Some of the young players could develop

A top rookie LT can start right away and perform. And right now someone like Will Campbell would probably be the best player on the Patriots' o-line right now never mind next year.

And if the Pats take Travis Hunter and he is a legitimate deep threat, he will make the o-line better. One of the reasons this o-line sucks is because opposing defenses don't care about the Pats throwing down field. They can afford to rush extra people and/or keep defenders close to the line. You start making teams worry about a receiver who can fly down the field and catch a 30 yard pass quickly, then defenses cannot pin their ears back and rush the passer as much. The lack of receiving options play into how bad the o-line is.

And Joe Alt getting injured could happen to any o-lineman no matter how many years they have been playing in the league. I don't know why that has to do with anything relating to drafting an OT next year.

 

[p8ryts]

Here are reasons why I think the o-line will be better.
- The Pats will likely be able to draft the best LT on the board. Hell, they may be able to trade down and get the best LT on the board depending on what happens.
- Free agency has some good o-linemen next year opposed to this past free agency.
- Strange will be back. Not a great player, but an upgrade.
- Some of the young players could develop

A top rookie LT can start right away and perform. And right now someone like Will Campbell would probably be the best player on the Patriots' o-line right now never mind next year.

And if the Pats take Travis Hunter and he is a legitimate deep threat, he will make the o-line better. One of the reasons this o-line sucks is because opposing defenses don't care about the Pats throwing down field. They can afford to rush extra people and/or keep defenders close to the line. You start making teams worry about a receiver who can fly down the field and catch a 30 yard pass quickly, then defenses cannot pin their ears back and rush the passer as much. The lack of receiving options play into how bad the o-line is.

And Joe Alt getting injured could happen to any o-lineman no matter how many years they have been playing in the league. I don't know why that has to do with anything relating to drafting an OT next year.

Hunter seems like a classic high maintenance Diva. Don't really know anything about him but have a negative perception so far.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

This is just opinion with no facts to support it. You are entitled to your opinion, but it doesn't make it remotely true.

Well the fact is Mayo is fine with playing Maye behind this exact OL if Brissett gets injured! so explain to me how does this make sense if he isn’t ready at all and ways away?

 

[Rob0729]

Well the fact is Mayo is fine with playing Maye behind this exact OL if Brissett gets injured! so explain to me how does this make sense if he isn’t ready at all and ways away?

We are talking a hypothetical that Brissett is going to get injured for an extended period of time. Maye is a back up. Even with this o-line, the odds of him getting in for an extended period of time based on injuries are still relatively low.

 

[XLIX]

Here are reasons why I think the o-line will be better.
- The Pats will likely be able to draft the best LT on the board. Hell, they may be able to trade down and get the best LT on the board depending on what happens.

The Patriots' draft pick is possibly going to be so high that they would be foolish to draft an LT. Fact is you have no idea who they are drafting here 7 months in advance of draft night.

- Free agency has some good o-linemen next year opposed to this past free agency.

Yeah and players are just fighting tooth and nail to come to NE in free agency.

- Strange will be back. Not a great player, but an upgrade.
- Some of the young players could develop

It is funny how you are assuming all these good things will happen and no one will get injured, go elsewhere, hold out, etc, etc.

A top rookie LT can start right away and perform. And right now someone like Will Campbell would probably be the best player on the Patriots' o-line right now never mind next year.

Even if they do draft an LT, it's still a rookie who is going to get beat every twice in a while. And how is the most recent stud LT doing this year? Let me answer that for you: He was doing great when he played - and now he's MIA.

And if the Pats take Travis Hunter and he is a legitimate deep threat, he will make the o-line better.

Travis Hunter will be a gimmick on offense, not a full time WR.

One of the reasons this o-line sucks is because opposing defenses don't care about the Pats throwing down field. They can afford to rush extra people and/or keep defenders close to the line. You start making teams worry about a receiver who can fly down the field and catch a 30 yard pass quickly, then defenses cannot pin their ears back and rush the passer as much. The lack of receiving options play into how bad the o-line is.

And Joe Alt getting injured could happen to any o-lineman no matter how many years they have been playing in the league. I don't know why that has to do with anything relating to drafting an OT next year.

Because you're foolishly assuming everything is going to go right and nothing is going to go wrong. Life is what happens when you're making other plans, and it would be foolhardy to just casually assume the o-line - or the offense in general - is going to get significantly better next year.

 

[Rob0729]

The Patriots' draft pick is possibly going to be so high that they would be foolish to draft an LT. Fact is you have no idea who they are drafting here 7 months in advance of draft night.


Yeah and players are just fighting tooth and nail to come to NE in free agency.

It is funny how you are assuming all these good things will happen and no one will get injured, go elsewhere, hold out, etc, etc.

Even if they do draft an LT, it's still a rookie who is going to get beat every twice in a while. And how is the most recent stud LT doing this year? Let me answer that for you: He was doing great when he played - and now he's MIA.

Travis Hunter will be a gimmick on offense, not a full time WR.

Because you're foolishly assuming everything is going to go right and nothing is going to go wrong. Life is what happens when you're making other plans, and it would be foolhardy to just casually assume the o-line - or the offense in general - is going to get significantly better next year.

Several things:
- Why wouldn't the Pats take a LT with their first pick? They used a top 3 pick on Maye. LT is the Patriots' biggest need offseason. It is the thing they need to target. They may trade down to get him
- The Patriots are going to have like $138 million in cap space next year. Players will come here. Since the start of free agency, most of the top free agents on the market went to the team that paid them the most money no matter how good or bad the team is. This is a business. If the Pats pay, they will get good free agents to come here.
- If Hunter is going to be just a gimmick on offense, the Patriots are not going to draft him. They do not need a #1 CB. He is likely to go in the top 5. You don't use a top 5 draft pick on a #2 CB and gimmick WR. Either he is going to be the primary focus of the offense, or the Pats are not drafting him.
- A top rookie LT might get beat from time to time, but not like the current LTs the Pats have been using. The Pats have had a different LT every game so far. I will take Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks over all of the LTs the Pats have used combined.
- It is safe to say any additions the Pats make and the return of Strange will be an upgrade over what the Pats have now.
- And injuries are not a guaranteed. Just because Joe Alt got injured doesn't mean Campbell or Banks or whoever the Pats might draft will get injured. Every single player in the league could get injured. But making plans to expect your high first round pick will get a significant injury his rookie season is silly.

 

[lancerman]

Who said the o-line will suck next year? Who said the o-line is going to suck all this year? Odds are the Pats will be drafting a LT early in the draft and free agency, as of right now, will have an unusual amount of starting quality tackles available.

One LT isn't going to fix this line.

 

[XLIX]

Several things:
- Why wouldn't the Pats take a LT with their first pick?

Uh, maybe because there may be someone better available?

- The Patriots are going to have like $138 million in cap space next year.

They had an awful lot of room this year too. Who was their marquee free agent signing again? Remind me....

- If Hunter is going to be just a gimmick on offense, the Patriots are not going to draft him. They do not need a #1 CB. He is likely to go in the top 5. You don't use a top 5 draft pick on a #2 CB and gimmick WR. Either he is going to be the primary focus of the offense, or the Pats are not drafting him.

LOL!!! The guy who is glad we used the #3 draft pick on a project doesn't want to use a top 5 draft pick on a starter? ROFLOL!!!

BTW, if Hunter comes here, he's #1 CB.

- It is safe to say any additions the Pats make and the return of Strange will be an upgrade over what the Pats have now.

This is just a rephrased version of "the offensive line will get better next year because it can't possibly get any worse!!"

- And injuries are not a guaranteed. Just because Joe Alt got injured doesn't mean Campbell or Banks or whoever the Pats might draft will get injured. Every single player in the league could get injured. But making plans to expect your high first round pick will get a significant injury his rookie season is silly.

ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cmasspatsfan]

One LT isn't going to fix this line.

They have more than one pick and good lineman have been found in later rounds not to mention the ton of money they have next year. Why do you guys think they won't improve the o-line next year with all the picks and resources and not sure why a lot of you think Maye won't play this year, he will when they think he's ready whether Brisket is hurt or not.

 

[Rob0729]

One LT isn't going to fix this line.

Sure, but there is free agency and other draft picks. Also, some of the young guys drafted in the last two drafts might emerge if there is more stability on the o-line.

 

[State]

I think OL is the number one REASON to not throw him out there.

Yep. But when the stadium is half empty and everything bad that goes with that, I can see Jonathan passing on his father’s wish to play the rookie.

And it should be Joe Milton III, who can survive the punishment. Maye very well could become Sam Darnold.

The Jets version.

 

[Rob0729]

Uh, maybe because there may be someone better available?

They had an awful lot of room this year too. Who was their marquee free agent signing again? Remind me....

LOL!!! The guy who is glad we used the #3 draft pick on a project doesn't want to use a top 5 draft pick on a starter? ROFLOL!!!

BTW, if Hunter comes here, he's #1 CB.

This is just a rephrased version of "the offensive line will get better next year because it can't possibly get any worse!!"

ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know why you are dinging so much. My argument has nothing to do risking Maye getting hurt. That isn't why I am saying not to rush to start Maye. In fact, I don't think I mentioned injuries at all in my argument not to start Maye right now. If I thought playing Maye wouldn't potentially hinder Maye's development or even possibly cause him to regress, I would say start him. Injury risk is not anywhere in my equation to start or not start Maye. And I don't think injuries to Maye is the reason why the Patriots are being cautious to start him.

If Hunter is coming here as a CB, he ain't coming here unless he has a massive drop in the draft and is available late first or in the second round. One of the Pats' greatest strengths right now is that we have a great young CB who might turn into one of the best CBs in the league. The Pats are not using a first round pick to make a CB a #2 CB whether it is Hunter or Gonzalez. And they have too many holes to make a luxury pick to have two first rounder CBs drafted two years apart on the roster. If the Pats are in a spot to draft Hunter in that situation, they will trade down because someone will trade for him.

The Pats had a lot of room, but the free agent class was horrible in 2024 and most of the best players were not at positions of need. And the Pats had a lot of players on their own roster to resign. Next year, there looks to be a lot of decent to good starting o-linemen available. They shouldn't spend to just to spend. They should spend to fit pressing needs. In hindsight, they probably could have signed a few defensive players based on the play of the last two weeks, but I don't think people thought the defense would play as bad as it has in recent weeks.

Maye wasn't a project like Trey Lance. Maye isn't nearly as a boom or bust player as Lance. But he is a boom or bust player to a degree. That is what gotta do these days to get a top QB. You gotta take a bit of a risk at the top of the draft. You minimize that risk by not rushing him into the line up until you are sure he is ready to start.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

at the end of the day the « sit Maye people because the line is atrocious » won’t be able to convince the « play Maye because he is the best QB on the team and he will not be ruined » people and vice versa.

But I think we can all agree that Brissett shouldn’t start another game for the Patriots. So either Drake Maye plays because he is the backup or Wolff should have added another veteran QB.I think the staff didn’t anticipate Brissett being this bad.

Wolff really screwed up the offseason.

 

[lancerman]

They have more than one pick and good lineman have been found in later rounds not to mention the ton of money they have next year. Why do you guys think they won't improve the o-line next year with all the picks and resources and not sure why a lot of you think Maye won't play this year, he will when they think he's ready whether Brisket is hurt or not.

College is having the same problem as the NFL with lineman quality. This is no longer an era where you can just expect to find someone who is a decent starter in later rounds. Maybe you find a diamond in the rough if you are extremely lucky. But really the best lineman are the top 4-5 and are frontloaded. After that it's sort of a crapshoot.

 

[lancerman]

Sure, but there is free agency and other draft picks. Also, some of the young guys drafted in the last two drafts might emerge if there is more stability on the o-line.

In addition to what I said in my last response, the lack of quality lineman in the league mean that young longterm lineman aren't hitting free agency as often because teams know they can't afford to lose them. It's older guys who might have a year or two left.

 

[Rob0729]

In addition to what I said in my last response, the lack of quality lineman in the league mean that young longterm lineman aren't hitting free agency as often because teams know they can't afford to lose them. It's older guys who might have a year or two left.

There are going to be a decent amount of younger guys potentially hitting the market this upcoming year. But if the Pats can continue to draft o-linemen, they can then sign 1-2 year stopgaps to take the place until the young guys are ready. The problem is in 2024 free agency, it was unusually low in o-linemen of any age. 2025 is supposed to be a glut of them.