The reason we’re here is Belichick’s frankly lackadaisical approach in the off-season.
Fine, can no longer afford the versatile Karras. That’s a guy who can come in and play center and we don’t miss a beat.
But this friends and family thing is causing problems. Ferentz is obviously not a long term solution at replacing anyone on the line.
There were plenty of veterans to bring in. They brought in a great candidate in Ryan Bates with the Bills. A reserve who in the past can come in and out play a starter. Just ask Bills fans.
We never made an offer. That’s very questionable. The Bears did but Buffalo matched with the restricted free agent.
And having Trent Brown as LT. Another questionable choice. He looks to be a RT from here on out.
But we traded our backup LT in Herron.
The ugliness is ugliest in the OL room.
1) BACKUP CENTER (OK)
Belichick has no issues with Ferentz at backup center. That is an issue for the board, not Belichick.
2) FUTURE CENTER (OK)
For Belichick, this may be a bit early. He is fine with Andrews and Ferentz. HOWEVER, he brought in Russey, who folks were very happy with as a future potential backup or starters.
3) GUARDS (NEEDED A VET BACKUP)
Belichick plan was a high pick for LG and Onwenu at RG, and Hines for the future (and perhaps even Murray).
This was a fine plan. We lacked a veteran backup OG for 2022. Surely, Strange and Onwenu could miss a game or two, or need some time to develop)
4) TACKLE (THE COACHING DEBACLE AND THE REFUSAL to TRADE FOR A BACKUP
Before the coaching debacle, we though that we had Wynn at LT, Brown at RT, Heron as the LT backup, and Cajuste as the RT backup. This is Ok as a 4 man OT corps. However, many of us BEGGED for an upgrade or at least a veteran swing OT. But the plan wasn't terrible. Apparently, Cannon was an option for an upgrade, which was fine. This was an OK set of OT's for 2022, but not for the future.
And then Belichick blew it all up by bringing in Patricia, letting him develop the Offense and change the OL and OL system to match the rocket scientist's dream for a new Offense.
a) A below average (but serviceable LT and backup LG) was moved to a new position where his was horrible, especially without training.
b) An average (or a bit better) RT was moved to LT for no particular reason.
c) With this AWESOME new combo, no additional OT's were apparently needed now. Heron and Cajuste or Bust? When the team tired of Heron, they replaced him with a RT, leaving no backup LT.
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BELICHICK'S LACKADAISICAL APPROACH
1) How can it be right to bring in Patricia to re-tool the Offense
2) AND not hire an OL coach to take on those responsibilities?
3) How is it right to have the fewest number of coaches in the NFL, especially with a team in transition?
4) How can it be right to refuse to bring in a veteran backup OG. Who was the backup OG? Was it really Ferentz?
5) How can it be right not to bring in a veteran backup OT to compete with Heron and Cajuste?
Sure, this might have required a bit of cap money, which is easily gotten as was demonstrated so many times.
Sure, this might have required a draft choice or two; but we do this all the time.
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BOTTOM LINE
The team is better than many expected.
As many others expected, the Offense would take a long time to develop, but we would have a chance at the playoffs at the end.
So, here we are. Perhaps, we are strong enough to succeed in a run for the playoffs, maybe not. Even 3-2 gives us a shot.
HOWEVER, perhaps we should poll. How many of us think that we would have one or more wins if we had an OL coach, didn't switch the OT's and had a veteran backup OL available (at least after the trade deadline)?
IMO, THIS IS NOT SECOND GUESSING OR HINDSIGHT ANALYSIS. The result was easily seen by all but Belichick and Patricia, and perhaps a few fans.
