Content Post Idle thoughts: the "one-step back" edition

[aluminum seats]

I tried to watch Bedard's post game podcast but the guy who acts as his host immediately started crying " what's wrong with Drake Maye?" so I shut it off. At 23 He's the best quarterback in football while learning MacDaniels offense and these numbnuts are crying about a bad quarter. Seriously wtf is wrong with these people? Do they expect him to be great every minute of every game? Is being the best quarterback in football not good enough for them? WTF? I'm getting very negative about the negativity, seriously folks, STFU with the " what's wrong with Drake Maye" ****. It's like WTF is wrong with Larry Bird, he just missed two 3 pointers in a row?

Yep. I also think it’s pretty obvious that he whacked his hand and it took him a while to shake it off. Maybe he should be one of those drama queens who grimaces and holds his hand.

The ball was coming out of his hand weirdly for a couple of series, including the interception, and he even fumbled on a bootleg, so I think it was definitely smarting a little bit, nothing serious and then he was back to himself.

 

[Patsfan1645]

Yep. I also think it’s pretty obvious that he whacked his hand and it took him a while to shake it off. Maybe he should be one of those drama queens who grimaces and holds his hand.

The ball was coming out of his hand weirdly for a couple of series, including the interception, and he even fumbled on a bootleg, so I think it was definitely smarting a little bit, nothing serious and then he was back to himself.

Speaking of hand did you see Flacco's finger? Came out for like one play for them to straighten it up and threw a dime for a TD when he came back in. His best days are behind him but I give the guy credit.....one tough hombre.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Speaking of hand did you see Flacco's finger? Came out for like one play for them to straighten it up and threw a dime for a TD when he came back in. His best days are behind him but I give the guy credit.....one tough hombre.

I agree. I have never been a fan, but he's a tough bastard.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Yep. I also think it’s pretty obvious that he whacked his hand and it took him a while to shake it off. Maybe he should be one of those drama queens who grimaces and holds his hand.

The ball was coming out of his hand weirdly for a couple of series, including the interception, and he even fumbled on a bootleg, so I think it was definitely smarting a little bit, nothing serious and then he was back to himself.

I just get tired of people expecting perfection. It's competition, things are going to go wrong, it's never perfect, but people act like everything should always run smoothly, and that's not going to happen. What is more important is overcoming the problems you run into and getting the win. I was really impressed with the way Vrabel and the team played it out. They took the 3, made it a touchdown game, and then kept them out of the end zone for the win. That's good execution all the way around.

 

[imahobgoblin]

I thought the goal line issues were related to the left side and Tonga being out.

Ya that is probably part of it, but we should not fail like12 times on the 1 yard line. A big part of it was play calling. Part of it is Drake's inability to run the sneak. Josh Allen is incredible at it, and Drake has to learn it. Why not a naked bootleg with Drake's running skills? If the left side was bad, why can't Rham get 1 yard behind Moses and Owenu?

 

[Thelonious]

Rhamondre: 6 carries, 5 yards.

How much longer are we going to ignore that this player is no longer what he once was, or was imagined to be? I am sure, for the sake of those obsessed with his pass blocking skills, we could waste a few hundred thousand a year on some designated pass blocker, if we had to. That would be better than wasting millions on one.

I am honestly baffled by this near universal blind spot among fans and, apparently, team leadership. Vrabel's lovey-dovey stuff is fine in its place, I suppose, but at some point you have to make the hard decisions, certainly when they are easy and obvious ones.

Drake had a rocky start, then got squared away. I regard this as entirely to be expected in any quarterback frm time to time and of no significance whatsoever. i expect to see more quick-developing pass plays now that Drake will be behind a diminished O-line. I would not expect this to present any difficulty for Drake whatsoever.

 

[TommyD4207]

Rhamondre: 6 carries, 5 yards.

How much longer are we going to ignore that this player is no longer what he once was, or was imagined to be? I am sure, for the sake of those obsessed with his pass blocking skills, we could waste a few hundred thousand a year on some designated pass blocker, if we had to. That would be better than wasting millions on one.

I am honestly baffled by this near universal blind spot among fans and, apparently, team leadership. Vrabel's lovey-dovey stuff is fine in its place, I suppose, but at some point you have to make the hard decisions, certainly when they are easy and obvious ones.

Drake had a rocky start, then got squared away. I regard this as entirely to be expected in any quarterback frm time to time and of no significance whatsoever. i expect to see more quick-developing pass plays now that Drake will be behind a diminished O-line. I would not expect this to present any difficulty for Drake whatsoever.

Stevenson only got like 12-15 snaps. He lost his starting job.

 

[sb1]

So this really was a moral loss amirite?

 

[denverpatsfan]

Rhamondre: 6 carries, 5 yards.

How much longer are we going to ignore that this player is no longer what he once was, or was imagined to be? I am sure, for the sake of those obsessed with his pass blocking skills, we could waste a few hundred thousand a year on some designated pass blocker, if we had to. That would be better than wasting millions on one.

I am honestly baffled by this near universal blind spot among fans and, apparently, team leadership. Vrabel's lovey-dovey stuff is fine in its place, I suppose, but at some point you have to make the hard decisions, certainly when they are easy and obvious ones.

Drake had a rocky start, then got squared away. I regard this as entirely to be expected in any quarterback frm time to time and of no significance whatsoever. i expect to see more quick-developing pass plays now that Drake will be behind a diminished O-line. I would not expect this to present any difficulty for Drake whatsoever.

He's not part of the 2026 season plan. Just hope he doesn't fumble and we are good with whatever production he gives the team.

 

[n1997y]

Stevenson only got like 12-15 snaps. He lost his starting job.

Or they’re bringing back slowly in his first game after missing time with his injury

 

[Thelonious]

He's not part of the 2026 season plan. Just hope he doesn't fumble and we are good with whatever production he gives the team.

If he were average or adequate, I would agree with you, but his downright poor play is hurting the team in the present. We have a crap run game which contributes to crap redzone and first-and-goal stats. He is very much part of that problem. Breakout, longer gains are rare with him these days, consistent short yardage play and first down running which ought to be his strength is complete garbage: again 6 carries for 5 yards. Makes no sense whatever. He is easily replaced with someone better. Put him on the practice squad, or whatever. Just keep him off the field.

 

[Thelonious]

Or they’re bringing back slowly in his first game after missing time with his injury

He was crap before the injury, so a "return to form" is a useless prospect.

 

[Thelonious]

Stevenson only got like 12-15 snaps. He lost his starting job.

That's a start (so to say): now replace him.

 

[TommyD4207]

That's a start (so to say): now replace him.

I mean, he's here until the end of the year, as a backup. Not sure what else you want.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Part of why hopes were low going into the year is that the talent, especially 23-53, was very limited. Vrabel talked about that when pressed why he didn’t go after Micah Parsons- that the team needs future resources to strengthen the team. Instead of being angry about what we lack, which we all knew was significant and would take time to rebuild, why not celebrate the success we are having.


It seems like people lose their minds every snap that Drake Maye doesn’t increase his chances of winning an MVP or set a new record. Enjoy the success and hope we can continue to have a better roster after the offseason.

 

[Thelonious]

I mean, he's here until the end of the year, as a backup. Not sure what else you want.

You're right. of course. Can he be put on the practice squad or something, or phony IR, or something? I see no point in putting him on the field and I would bet we can find a better option on some practice squad or elsewhere. At this point I think he's just a wasted roster spot. If you want to tell me I'm wrong about his being easily and cheaply replaceable on-field, I'll relent, being no expert, but it seems to me he would be.

 

[TommyD4207]

You're right. of course. Can he be put on the practice squad or something, or phony IR, or something? I see no point in putting him on the field and I would bet we can find a better option on some practice squad or elsewhere. At this point I think he's just a wasted roster spot. If you want to tell me I'm wrong about his being easily and cheaply replaceable on-field, I'll relent, being no expert, but it seems to me he would be.

You're paying him either way, and he's probably better than like, D'Ernest Johnson.

Incomplete roster, still in the middle of a rebuild. This is the kind of stuff we have to deal with. Just like we have to deal with Onwenu the rest of the year at 20 million or whatever he's making.

 

[mgteich]

He's not part of the 2026 season plan. Just hope he doesn't fumble and we are good with whatever production he gives the team.

He picks up the blitz better than the others, and he is a better receiver than Jennings.

That makes him the best option in lots of situations.

He isn't successful up the middle, but neither is anyone else.
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Yes, Stevenson should be upgraded for 2026.

 

[Thelonious]

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Yes, Stevenson should be upgraded for 2026.

That's probably, expressions of frustration aside, what I am looking for. Until this conversation, all I've heard are excuses for the guy. If the notion he cannot be part of a fully competitive roster is in place, I suppose that's enough, for now.

 

[The Gr8est]

He's not part of the 2026 season plan. Just hope he doesn't fumble and we are good with whatever production he gives the team.

I hope it is a deep RB draft.

Maybe Pats can get a starter in the 4th or 5th?