Let the Hyberbole Begin

[Ian]

I think Mahomes can be a pocket guy, not sure the Chiefs can create a pocket and sustain it… which has been their biggest problem offensively for a couple years.

When tthey paid Mahomes, when his cap charge caught up and started hurting them, they started trading away players or letting their own expensive free agents walk. One was Orlando Brown, they’ve been using bandaids at left tackle ever since. We’ll see if they put together a good OLine this year.

The reality was when Mahomes arrived and was an instant MVP his offensive line and teammates around him were superior. But we saw in the Tampa Bay Super Bowl later what happens when his line breaks down due to injury or free agency. No QB can play without a team around him, not Mahomes, not Brady… put superior blocking around Mahomes and he’ll have a revival… if not he’ll continue to struggle.

The killer is when things break down, him being able to get outside and create has been one of his biggest assets. If he can't do that, he's been beatable. And that gets a lot harder to do as you get older, and especially when you get hit as much as he's been. And like you said, add in the fact that group around him has gotten older and isn't what it once was, and it's hard to still call them the favorites in a Conference that has gotten increasingly better the last few years.

 

[Wozzy]

The killer is when things break down, him being able to get outside and create has been one of his biggest assets. If he can't do that, he's been beatable. And that gets a lot harder to do as you get older, and especially when you get hit as much as he's been. And like you said, add in the fact that group around him has gotten older and isn't what it once was, and it's hard to still call them the favorites in a Conference that has gotten increasingly better the last few years.

Even Brady sucked when pressure, especially inside pressure got to him. It’s impossible to pass when you’re on your butt. But I think Mahomes has it in him to be a pocket passer, they need to be better around him. Not sure if they managed that this offseason. I’ll let you know when I’m finished breaking down all 32 rosters.

 

[tasmlab]

2007 also had a fully operational, peak Bill Belichick with his prime staff still on the team.

A proven, experienced OL. A defense that played together for years and already won 3 super bowls. And whatshisname at QB.

I didn't read the article but I can't see the comparison.

 

[PatMan]

Further parallels backing up this thesis.

We are on schedule for an undefeated season boys and girls.

 

[TommyD4207]

Further parallels backing up this thesis.

We are on schedule for an undefeated season boys and girls.

Funny, I don't recall the 150-page threads of pearl-clutching 20 years ago.

This was equally public information, btw.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Health is definitely going to be the key. They've got a little better depth at tackle, but still not much margin for error everywhere else. A lot will hinge on Wilson and Vera-Tucker. If either of those guys get hurt, there's Ben Brown, and then seemingly a bunch of question marks unless someone surprises. Rupcich seems to be one of those guys in the earlygoing, but they need a little luck this year that everyone can make it through. If they can, it should be a fun year.

I think the development of the young players will pretty much determine their season. I think they chose kids who would work hard to get better, and most will take a good step forward this season.

 

[XLIX]

I don’t want to compare Brown to Moss but I do think he’s our best deep threat since Moss.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

The difference between the 2007 Patriots and the 2025 Patriots was essentially a TD per game.

Half of that difference was red zone conversion. The other half was red zone trips.

2025 scored the same number of > 20 yards TDs as 2007.

2007 50/72 red zone which is 3.13/4.5 per game.
2025 36/63 red zone which is 2.12/3.71 per game.

So to equal the 2007 team they need to increase red zone conversion from 57% to 69% (+8 TDs) and get to the red zone 14 more times in 17 games.

Is AJ Brown and OL improving enough to do that?

I think having Maye in year 2 of a functional offense plus Brown here and Campbell, Henderson, Wilson in year 2 plus AVJ seems like it could solve the red zone efficiency.

I felt we left a trip to the red zone per game on the field last year because of the OL.

Crazy as it seems this isn’t crazy as it seems.

Agree, and would add Doubs to the equation. Aside from JE, what other Patriot WR since Welker (14 years ago) was better than Doubs? I think he's better than Lloyd, Lafell, Dobson. We have a helluva 1-2 punch, the best we've maybe ever had when you consider their size-strength-skill-speed, plus excellent depth below them.

The OL is still the most vulnerable area till we see otherwise, though promising. But I'd say the biggest difference between '07 and '26 is Brady's experience. He was a 3-time SB champ and at the peak of his mental/physical powers. Maye has no ceiling but is he ready to guide an offense with this many weapons, and make good decisions all the time?