Andrew Callahan: "Universal" chatter out of Combines is that Maye's ceiling is top 5 QB

[Real fan 02]

Again we don't know who was the best choice. Vrabel has more experience. But all of his success came when he had a much better roster than what either the Patriots or current Bears have. We've never seen Vrabel with a mediocre roster. He came onto a team that was middle of the pack at 9-7 for the last two years and then was 9-7 for two more years with him. They drafted AJ Brown his second year and added him to the offensive lineup with Henry and a bunch of all pro lineman and they had success for a couple of years before falling back down, which also coincidentally happened the year after Brown left.

Not saying either will or won't succeed, but for both guys, this Pats team would be the worst team of their careers and it's not even close.

So to me it's again hard to hit out at Johnson for having a good offense when literally all of Vrabel's success came with having a stellar cast on offense. They are two guys that made their names being on talent rich teams and have not been put in a position to elevate a very bad roster.

Vrabel's advantages are that he already

1. Has went through the "learning what it actually means to be a HC" phase of the job and at least has some muscle memory on it.

2. This isn't an easy fanbase to win over and Vrabel has more sentimental ties with the fanbase, so he will have an easier time taking the hit on growing pains than Johnson who will be the new guy

Fair assessment. You hit on alot of key points. Here's what I'll say. Vrabel was pro bowl player, talked it and walked it on and off the field. Worked his way around the college and NFL scope to be a HC. I Don't know much about BJd background other than a fantastic offensive mind with a kings ransom of offensive weapons. The AJ brown trade from what I remember I don't think Vrabel was on board with that. His Titans teams played hard and they always had great trench play.

After last season even the players admitted they were too loose and didn't put forth as best effort as they could becuase the atmosphere was relaxed after bill. With Vrabel he commands accountability from the players. Guys will be tested and coached hard. He will put his players in position to succeed as every good coach should. I suspect that Ben Johnson will have that Chicago offense where they should be top 5. Odunze, Allen, DJ Moore, Williams at QB.. yeah that's a dangerous offense.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

Top five all time, top three maybe. Need to see a few preseason games to be sure.

 

[borg]

A top 5...................... "ceiling"?

Bizarre choice of words

 

[Real fan 02]

Top five all time, top three maybe. Need to see a few preseason games to be sure.

On Drake you mean Boom?...

 

[1960Pats]

Maybe so, but Jones was considered the same, and he was a disgrace turning it over.
Do I feel the same? NO, but TO'S are tos...he needs to stop being careless with the ball.

And he REALLY needs to learn how to slide.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

On Drake you mean Boom?...

Yes, I thought the joke I was making was obvious, but I know my head is whirlwind of chaos, so I think I missed the mark. Folks are jumping the gun. Drake has all the raw tools for greatness, even HoF greatness. So did Jeff George (at first glance), but look where he ended up. I saw George play vs Michigan (at Ann Arbor) when he was with Illinois. He absolutely destroyed the Michigan defense. I thought for sure he'd be the next great NFL QB. He went #1, and busted (for his position). Now, Drake isn't Jeff. But we'll just have to see how it pans out.

 

[PatsFan2]

We Need a Top 10 WR to get Drake there not the 331st.

 

[Real fan 02]

Yes, I thought the joke I was making was obvious, but I know my head is whirlwind of chaos, so I think I missed the mark. Folks are jumping the gun. Drake has all the raw tools for greatness, even HoF greatness. So did Jeff George (at first glance), but look where he ended up. I saw George play vs Michigan (at Ann Arbor) when he was with Illinois. He absolutely destroyed the Michigan defense. I thought for sure he'd be the next great NFL QB. He went #1, and busted (for his position). Now, Drake isn't Jeff. But we'll just have to see how it pans out.

Oh definitely agree... you make good points Boom... I think the difference here is the organization is actually doing the right thing and that is giving Drake the correct coaching.. protect him and maximize his potential. He definitely has to work on the TOs, but that is due to him trying to make a play behind a ****ty OL.

I have belief in Drake what he showed was promise. I'm looking forward to watching him grow!

 

[Real fan 02]

We Need a Top 10 WR to get Drake there not the 331st.

We get big will Campbell to protect him not vederian Lowes improvement.. we need to also get Drake kupp a technician across the middle. Watch what pop will do then PF2.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

This draft is make or break. I hope Hunter and Josh conerly are drafted by us . That would be a home run on offense . On defense sign DJ Reed, Josh sweat and Williams . If we can trade bourne + 5th round pick for jakobi that would be sweet . Sign dan Moore as LT insurance while conerly develops . Sign few unheralded young free agents who can have their Zach Baun moment with pats this year so that we can sign them next year based on performance .

Have a huge performance clause in all our contracts and let motivated free agents come here . They know we have the cash and should know if they perform they will get paid .

This isn’t a great draft. It’s not make or break. All things considered you HOPE your #4 pick hits and you hope to maybe catch a diamond in the rough or at least fill out your roster with some later picks

 

[Toofy]

This isn’t a great draft. It’s not make or break. All things considered you HOPE your #4 pick hits and you hope to maybe catch a diamond in the rough or at least fill out your roster with some later picks

When I said make or break, we need to have a pretty decent draft and not one like 2024. So first 2 rounds have to be meaningful contributors . Other picks I don't care . If that doesn't happen we are in a pretty bad spot. Looks like free agency is dead before it even started.

 

[patfanken]

This draft is make or break. I hope Hunter and Josh conerly are drafted by us . That would be a home run on offense . On defense sign DJ Reed, Josh sweat and Williams . If we can trade bourne + 5th round pick for jakobi that would be sweet . Sign dan Moore as LT insurance while conerly develops . Sign few unheralded young free agents who can have their Zach Baun moment with pats this year so that we can sign them next year based on performance .

Have a huge performance clause in all our contracts and let motivated free agents come here . They know we have the cash and should know if they perform they will get paid .

\

Sorry Toof, but any post that declares early in March that this draft is "make or break" looses all creditability. If we have learned one thing, its NOTHING is "make or break. Everything improves or worsens by degrees. Seasons's are made and broken by the vagaries of injury luck, draft and FA luck, getting the call, or the bounce at critical time of the game and other factors to dim to perceive.

There are ways that things can break our way and make 2001 look like "here we go again" OR.... it could be more of the same pain again if they don't.

Please be careful of the use of absolutes kiddos. We don't live in a world of black and white, no matter what Donald trump tries to tell you.