Defense is the biggest disappointment in 2024...

[Real fan 02]

This was an easy call for me during the offseason for two reasons: coaching and lack of talent. Whether or not Barmore and Bentley played, the defense was still going to take a nose dive because of Mayo. The LB’s have been criticized for years and that coach was none other than Jerod Mayo. What makes you think he could put together game plans stopping what opposing offenses do best and help disguise the weaknesses the defense clearly has? Appointing Covington was another blunder on Mayo.

That’s like promoting Troy Brown to be the new offensive coordinator after he’s been criticized for years for all the WR’s duds we’ve seen.

Initially I had optimism that Mayo could devise a defensive game plan as he played in and coached in the same system he claims he's running on defense. However it's apparent that whatever he's coaching or not coaching isn't working. It's inconceivable to me that after 11 weeks of football and a full training camp that guys can't stop the run or adjust to what an offense is doing.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I didn't expect a regression from Dugger. That's a disappointment.

I did. He had his worst season since his rookie season as a pro in 2023 when his snap count skyrocketed after the losses of McCourty and Phillips. This was why I criticized the signing.

Dugger has struggled all season.. Peppers is much more valuable as leader and locker room voice

Peppers is the better player and I’m surprised he took the money the Pats offered him after seeing what Dugger got.

 

[Real fan 02]

I did. He had his worst season since his rookie season as a pro in 2023 when his snap count skyrocketed after the losses of McCourty and Phillips. This was why I criticized the signing.

Peppers is the better player and I’m surprised he took the money the Pats offered him after seeing what Dugger got.

I believe becuase peppers felt thankful to the organization for giving him a chance when no one else did due to his ACL as he Said in his own words. Dugger is more impactful around the LOS. Coverage isn't his strength. Peppers is the Harrison type of enforcer on defense and they really miss him.

 

[Real fan 02]

I did. He had his worst season since his rookie season as a pro in 2023 when his snap count skyrocketed after the losses of McCourty and Phillips. This was why I criticized the signing.

Peppers is the better player and I’m surprised he took the money the Pats offered him after seeing what Dugger got.

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The Patriots will have plenty of things to address this offseason, but one could come in a spot where they already have talent.

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[Real fan 02]

Yes it's real ****ty when you think about it... if we had stayed Pat no pun: we would have come away with Maye and Ladd McConkey. Trading can seem tempting then it blows up in your face. We were picking close to the Top of each round and came away with absolute Stiffs after Maye that's bad. IF Wolf messes up again in 2025 he needs to be in the Unemployment line abysmal.

Brother even if a even we took Ladd.. he would had to play with Brissett for 5 games.. AVP can't even utilize pop or gibby correctly. Add in this joke offensive line..

 

[Stu Pidassle]

Right. Point I'm making is all these guys have been in the defense since training camp it shouldn't be this BAD!!!! BBs defenses even with 2nd and 3rd stringers some years always got better these guys got worse.

It is all about the preparation. Earlier this year Covington said that he needed to stay in the base package because starters were out. I don't remember any Pats DC saying that when injuries struck in previous years. If anything the coaches would say that the game plan was designed to help protect the backups who were playing. Covington needs to learn how to prepare depth players to execute the whole defense.

 

[Real fan 02]

It is all about the preparation. Earlier this year Covington said that he needed to stay in the base package because starters were out. I don't remember any Pats DC saying that when injuries struck in previous years. If anything the coaches would say that the game plan was designed to help protect the backups who were playing. Covington needs to learn how to prepare depth players to execute the whole defense.

Absolutely agree. On his weekly appearance yesterday on WEEI ty law said the exact same. When top guys were out the coaches called stuff to protect the players.. I totally get the injuries and unavailability of top guys that were being relied upon.. but look at the Bills.. they totally revamped thier Defense with young and unproven players. They are all playing sound with and for one another.. and are among the top half of the league in Defense.

 

[Family]

I would add this year's FA signings to the list of serious disappointments. With the exception of Maye, Wolf had one of the Pats worse GM performances ever. People would scream that BB was a lousy GM, and Wolf was even worse.

Agree.

Wolf as GM is the biggest disappointment.

 

[Patsfan1645]

Its the perfect storm this year for this defense to be just simply bad. You cant overcome but so many negatives and expect positive results.

Here is the problems I see with the defense:
Poor coaching /game planning/adjustments
Tackling (still cant tackle without peppers being on the field)
Judon gone (but with the way he is playing in Atlanta probably a blessing)
Barmore/Peppers/Bentley not on the field most of the season
Either slow or green at the LB
Secondary- everyone not named Gonzalez ( I like Marc Jones as he is usually in position but his size holds him back and becomes a liability)
No Pass Rush (White has the physicals but lacks talent, he has one move, bull rush and try to win going outside and loses containment often)
Poor coaching (worth mentioning twice)

I feel like all those things I see as negatives are too much to overcome and at this point I think the defense is the weakest unit on the Pats. My oh my how far we have come since training camp.

 

[Real fan 02]

Its the perfect storm this year for this defense to be just simply bad. You cant overcome but so many negatives and expect positive results.

Here is the problems I see with the defense:
Poor coaching /game game planning/adjustments
Tackling (still cant tackle without peppers being on the field)
Judon gone (but with the way he is playing in Atlanta probably a blessing)
Barmore/Peppers/Bentley not on the field most of the season
Either slow or green at the LB
Secondary- everyone not named Gonzalez ( I like Marc Jones as he is usually in position but his size holds him back and becomes a liability)
No Pass Rush (White has the physicals but lacks talent, he has one move, bull rush and try to win going outside and loses containment often)
Poor coaching (worth mentioning twice)

I feel like all those things I see as negatives are too much to overcome and at this point I think the defense is the weakest unit on the Pats. My oh my how far we have come since training camp.

Agreed with everything! I saw some posters mention white.. he's asked to play on edge and that's not his strong suit he's an inside bull rushing DL.. he's very agile and has good speed but doesn't have the body type to play on the edge. Goes back to that word again COACHING.

 

[Nunchucks]

Covington is clearly over his head. He needs to be replaced by a real DC.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Covington is clearly over his head. He needs to be replaced by a real DC.

That means there will be a scheme change. That's the dilemma Mayo has if he's still around.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

Patriots Draft Preview: Could Cornerback Be Sneaky Need?

The Patriots will have plenty of things to address this offseason, but one could come in a spot where they already have talent.

nesn.com

Once a team has the QB, maintaining excellence at CB is the most difficult position on the roster. The position is mission critical, 2-3+ CBs must be on the field every play, their athleticism means that they usually have to play special teams and it is a young mans position. There is high turnover because there are always injuries and it does not take much to limit a CB's effectiveness by losing a step or agility. CB is one of those positions that you need to draft for every year, even when it feels like a position of strength.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Patriots Draft Preview: Could Cornerback Be Sneaky Need?

The Patriots will have plenty of things to address this offseason, but one could come in a spot where they already have talent.

nesn.com

It's been a need for years which is why Bill took Gonzalez in 2023. However, the OL is the biggest need for the team - especially LT.

 

[Patsfan1645]

Agreed with everything! I saw some posters mention white.. he's asked to play on edge and that's not his strong suit he's an inside bull rushing DL.. he's very agile and has good speed but doesn't have the body type to play on the edge. Goes back to that word again COACHING.

Yeah I agree...I think keeping him inside is ideal for his abilities.

 

[Real fan 02]

It's been a need for years which is why Bill took Gonzalez in 2023. However, the OL is the biggest need for the team - especially LT.

Big Time I remember you and I talking during the 2023 off march FA off-season About why Bill didn't sign a CB.. we knew why he hit on gonzo. So LT, C and I'm not expecting anything from stranger until I see him on the field.

 

[Real fan 02]

Yeah I agree...I think keeping him inside is ideal for his abilities.

He is most effective next too Barmore and some edge rushers that are sorely needed.

 

[Brotherblues]

Mayo was LB's Coach and wasn't a good one: got to wonder how he vaulted to HC without no Coordinators experience. I think the Krafts made a mistake here you can't go from the GOAT of HC's to Mayo, something is wrong with that. I was so mistaken I thought Mayo was running our Defense last year, It quite obvious he wasn't.

How you ask?
He nicknamed Kraft's junk "Thunder" and shivved BB while navigating the back stairs at Gillette

Chronicle of Mayo’s post-playing career trayectory and ascent to HC of the NEP, as told by his own and Robert Kraft’s quotes (all quotes are pulled from Mayo puff pieces):

What they told him about his job description upon hiring as Vice President of Business Development at Optum:
"Half of it is all about relationships in business," Mayo said. "A lot is about relationships. They told me pretty much I can dibble and dabble and learn what I want to learn. I want to learn about mergers and acquisitions and things like that."

Translation: He was hired to a high position that he knew absolutely nothing about, and was basically told he could go ahead and learn at his own pace dibbling and dabbling here and there. Sound familiar?

How the job went:
“I ended up joining the board of Boston Medical Center, joining Optum,” said Mayo. “I was just like, "I'm all in." Because what, I am not good enough. And I would be in meetings, and I'm like, "Man, I don't understand anything they're saying." “

Translation: Do we need to translate “I don’t understand anything they’re saying,” coming from a board member talking about board meetings?

His most notable / only anecdote I can find from that job:
“So, at Optum, we go into this huge sales meeting or whatever,” Mayo said. “It's all 60-year-old white men out there. And I'm like, "This is not right." “

Translation: He can’t recall what the meeting was about, despite it being huge for the company, calling it “sales or whatever.” The one guy who knew nothing about the business stood up and said it ain’t right for people who do know their job to have their jobs.

Greasing up billionaires, not just Kraft:
“Like I remember being at Saratoga in a horse race, right?” said Mayo. “And Seth Klarman, he runs Baupost, right? Seth Klarman is sitting over at this table. And I tell my wife, I'm like, "That's Seth Klarman." I'm a huge fan, huge fan. And I was like, "I'm going over there to introduce myself." And I walked over there, and I was like, "Hey, Jerod Mayo, blah, blah, blah.” And then, he gave me his card, ended up going to his office, having great conversation.”

Translation: He can’t see a billionaire without immediately trying to go and be buddy-buddy in the guy’s face.

Greasing Kraft after retiring as a player:
“We stayed in touch,” Kraft said. “He reached out to me. We had dinners. It’s just a unique relationship.”

Translation: It’s a “unique” relationship because former players don’t go on regular dinner dates with their billionaire former boss while also nicknaming their junk.

Impressing Kraft with his spirituality (no mention of football acumen):
“We went to a lot of special places. I remember his reaction when he got baptized in the Jordan River. I saw a sign of spirituality,” Kraft said. “I could tell that moment was special.”

Translation: A true sycophant and brown noser, finding ways to hit Kraft’s biggest emotional weak spots.

Impressing Kraft with an airport meeting and the decision to make him HC before his first season as an assistant:
“The main thing, we’re at the airport getting ready to leave, and there was a big delay. So we had all of these guys sitting around,” Kraft explained. “Then Jerod organized a meeting with a forum and held a discussion on the trip. He did it all on his own.
“And at that moment, I saw the initiative and the way people respected him. And I said to myself: ‘He’s going to be our next head coach.’”

Translation: He was hired, for the second time in this story, to a high position he had not earned and knew nothing about, with the expectation that he co
uld wing it and learn on the fly.

*********
The rest is history filled with leaks by the team on how great Mayo was behind the scenes whenever the defense had a good game, and his name fully redacted any time there was anything negative to be said about the team.

It's extremely hard for me to root for this guy because everything points to Kraft being played like a fiddle and we the fans are the biggest losers in all this.

 

[Nunchucks]

That means there will be a scheme change. That's the dilemma Mayo has if he's still around.

What is happening now is unacceptable

 

[Real fan 02]

A few quotes by Mayo and Kraft on Mayo's post-playing career trayectory and ascent to HC of the NEP with just a bit of necessary context for each.

What they told him about his job description upon hiring as Vice President of Business Development at Optum:
"Half of it is all about relationships in business," Mayo said. "A lot is about relationships. They told me pretty much I can dibble and dabble and learn what I want to learn. I want to learn about mergers and acquisitions and things like that."

How the job went:
"I ended up joining the board of Boston Medical Center, joining Optum. I was just like, "I'm all in." Because what, I am not good enough. And I would be in meetings, and I'm like, "Man, I don't understand anything they're saying.""

His most notable / only anecdote I can find from that job:
"So, at Optum, we go into this huge sales meeting or whatever, it's all 60-year-old white men out there. And I'm like, "This is not right."" And he spoke up.

Kraft was impressed by Mayo's year at Optum:

“I didn’t know of anyone else who had gone in that type of private industry. He would talk to me about investments, so I knew he had an inquiring mind and he obviously had leadership skills."


Greasing up billionaires, other than Kraft:
“Like I remember being at Saratoga in a horse race, right? And Seth Klarman, he runs Baupost, right? Seth Klarman is sitting over at this table. And I tell my wife, I'm like, "That's Seth Klarman." I'm a huge fan, huge fan. And I was like, "I'm going over there to introduce myself." And I walked over there, and I was like, "Hey, Jerod Mayo, blah, blah, blah.” And then, he gave me his card, ended up going to his office, having great conversation.”

Greasing Kraft after retiring as a player:
“We stayed in touch,” Kraft said. “He reached out to me. We had dinners. It’s just a unique relationship.”

Impressing Kraft with his spirituality:
“We went to a lot of special places. I remember his reaction when he got baptized in the Jordan River. I saw a sign of spirituality,” Kraft said. “I could tell that moment was special.”

Impressing Kraft during a flight delay and the decision to make him HC before starting his first season as an assistant:
“The main thing, we’re at the airport getting ready to leave, and there was a big delay. So we had all of these guys sitting around,” Kraft explained. “Then Jerod organized a meeting with a forum and held a discussion on the trip. He did it all on his own.
“And at that moment, I saw the initiative and the way people respected him. And I said to myself: ‘He’s going to be our next head coach.’”

The rest is history filled with leaks by the team on how great Mayo was behind the scenes whenever the defense had a good game, and his name fully redacted any time there was anything negative to be said about the team.

It's extremely hard for me to root for this guy because everything points to Kraft being played like a fiddle and we the fans are the biggest losers in all this.

Great info pieces!! definitely can appreciate a poster who takes the time to put together a post like that.