5 things on Jax article today Tues 10/22

[SinceGroganWalkedIn]

Good article, but 2 criticisms seem off to me: (1) Regarding Godshaux getting blocked out of the play and Tavai having a bad day: Joe Thomas (announcer and former all pro tackle) said JAX is repeatedly having their guards and center double team the DT (Godshaux) and pushed him off the line. That's not Godshaux issue. Most guys can't take on double teams play after play and hold their ground. It's up the the other guys to fill the gaps given Godhsaux is taking on two guys. They didn't. Godshaux is a good run stopper and has been consistently that for his carreer. It's why he got paid well contractually. The issue is the pats had Lawrence Guy, Godshaux and Baremore in at tackle for 17 games in 2023. They had little depth behind those 3. Two of the three are gone and that's why opponents are running on the pats. It's one tape and repeated weekly. The replacements for Baremore and Guy aren't good enough on run D. Thank goodness Godshaux is healthy. As for Tavai, once an opponent pushes the middle of the D-line back, the battle is over. The DT's cover up and keep the o-line guys off the MLB. Last year Bently and Tavai were great and that is due to Baremore, Guy, Godshaux plus the edge guys in Jennings, WIse/Keion White holding the line of scrimmage. If the Dam bursts in the middle the guys behind that will have a bad day. Team game. Team issue.

(2) Polk. The article references "finger pointing" with no reference to any quote from Polk. Polk unwisely claimed he has good hands (he does, and that will show in the end) but he never blamed anyone else for his drops or overall play did he? No finger pointing happened or did I miss something. If a player finger points, the media won't miss smearing that all over the place.

Side comment: BB saying the team isn't soft is a joke to propell himself. I salute the man as a great coach, but he gives a bad look saying that. Why? Cuz he quoted it's the same D personnel he did well with and it's not. He mentions DBs and edge guys, but 2/3 of the DTs from 2023 aren't in there and that's why the D is "SOFT". Add in the Bentley and peppers being out and Duggar missed some time and it's not the same D. That 2023 D unit was lucky the 3 DTs went wire to wire for 17 games with no injuries and last year 3rd and 3 was a passing down for opponents. The D got enough stops to tank in the top 10 with opponents being one-dimenensional in forcing them to pass on 3rd down. It doesn't take much on NFL teams in terms of players departing or being injured to completly change the outcome. BB was a blo-hard on his comment, and I highly salute and respect what he did here in NE.

 

[Triumph]

Belichick sees the problems with Mayo in charge of the NE defense.

In 2023, BB lost Judon, Gonzalez and Marcus Jones for the season and still fielded a solid defense. Kraft tried to keep Steve Belichick, but he saw the writing on the wall. The way Kraft talked BS Belichick can say whatever he wants.

 

[borg]

1) Wolf chose not to fortify the back half of the roster; the depth is sub-replacement in many areas.
2) Polk had great hands playing college ball. N'Keal Harry was a force in college as well. Time will tell if Polk can shed the yips in pro ball.
3) BB, the teacher, offered Mayo a basic lesson in media relations; a lesson that should have been seared into Mayo's brain having spent a decade and a half learning under the master. A coach should never air the team's dirty laundry in public. Never call out a player or players in public. Give the media nothing.
Mayo at the microphone is like a pet that keeps slamming into the same sliding glass door, over and over and over again.

 

[Ian]

Good article, but 2 criticisms seem off to me: (1) Regarding Godshaux getting blocked out of the play and Tavai having a bad day: Joe Thomas (announcer and former all pro tackle) said JAX is repeatedly having their guards and center double team the DT (Godshaux) and pushed him off the line. That's not Godshaux issue. Most guys can't take on double teams play after play and hold their ground. It's up the the other guys to fill the gaps given Godhsaux is taking on two guys. They didn't. Godshaux is a good run stopper and has been consistently that for his carreer. It's why he got paid well contractually. The issue is the pats had Lawrence Guy, Godshaux and Baremore in at tackle for 17 games in 2023. They had little depth behind those 3. Two of the three are gone and that's why opponents are running on the pats. It's one tape and repeated weekly. The replacements for Baremore and Guy aren't good enough on run D. Thank goodness Godshaux is healthy. As for Tavai, once an opponent pushes the middle of the D-line back, the battle is over. The DT's cover up and keep the o-line guys off the MLB. Last year Bently and Tavai were great and that is due to Baremore, Guy, Godshaux plus the edge guys in Jennings, WIse/Keion White holding the line of scrimmage. If the Dam bursts in the middle the guys behind that will have a bad day. Team game. Team issue.

Godchaux lost several one-on-one battles that I saw when looking back through it. I was actually surprised to see it was his number on those plays, and he unfortunately didn't have his best game. Maybe he was among those guys battling an illness, but watching it back, he had a tough time in this one.

(2) Polk. The article references "finger pointing" with no reference to any quote from Polk. Polk unwisely claimed he has good hands (he does, and that will show in the end) but he never blamed anyone else for his drops or overall play did he? No finger pointing happened or did I miss something. If a player finger points, the media won't miss smearing that all over the place.

This was the quote I was referring to:
“I feel like I’m limited to what I can really do right now,” Polk said. “I mean, just continue to keep a good mindset and getting better.”
He followed that up when asked about that with, “I wouldn’t say anything specific. I’ll just say I’m limited on certain things right now.”

No humility. No accountability. And he alludes to the fact there's a different issue unrelated to himself for his struggles. Definitely a little disappointing.

 

[SinceGroganWalkedIn]

Belichick sees the problems with Mayo in charge of the NE defense.

In 2023, BB lost Judon, Gonzalez and Marcus Jones for the season and still fielded a solid defense. Kraft tried to keep Steve Belichick, but he saw the writing on the wall. The way Kraft talked BS Belichick can say whatever he wants.

Gonzalez and Marcus Jones have a smallish impact on the running game problem. They are CBs. And Judon is out last year and this.
What's your basis of Kraft trying to keep Steve Belchick? Was there any insider fact based coverage of that? No. And Belichick can indeed say what he wants alike all the media and fans etc. But that doesn't make his comment fact based does it? No.

 

[SinceGroganWalkedIn]

Godchaux lost several one-on-one battles that I saw when looking back through it. I was actually surprised to see it was his number on those plays, and he unfortunately didn't have his best game. Maybe he was among those guys battling an illness, but watching it back, he had a tough time in this one.

This was the quote I was referring to:
“I feel like I’m limited to what I can really do right now,” Polk said. “I mean, just continue to keep a good mindset and getting better.”
He followed that up when asked about that with, “I wouldn’t say anything specific. I’ll just say I’m limited on certain things right now.”

No humility. No accountability. And he alludes to the fact there's a different issue unrelated to himself for his struggles. Definitely a little disappointing.

No humility, accountabilty on himeself (Polk) - that's spot on Ian, but finger pointing is a stretch. The WR were almost neglibly used with Brissett in there due to line blocking issues on pass plays. I just see a rookie that's starting in a new offense in a tough spot. He'll be a good player and you can glean that. BUt when the press writes stuff, people in frustration start killing individuals in a team game. It's bad enough being patient given the teams woes right now. Accountability - yep. Good on that.

Godshaux, certainly unless you have the NFL game tapes, you can't see much of where the guard and center are doubling. I can't. But you can see some of it and Joe Thomas called it out as a repeat tact every play in that 17 straight run stretch. Does it really matter if it's godshaux or Roy etc... the DT position got displaced off the line of scrimmage. You may be correct on Godshaux but if his partners inside or Godshaux are getting moved, that's the problem right now in whole with the D. They get run on and that in turn opens the passing game for easy low risk throws. The Jets this week will do the same thing they did last time accept maybe run more. ROgers will have easy/safe throws all day. I don't think Godshaux is the problem. Unless he's hurt like you say. He is getting aged.

 

[Ian]

No humility, accountabilty on himeself (Polk) - that's spot on Ian, but finger pointing is a stretch. The WR were almost neglibly used with Brissett in there due to line blocking issues on pass plays. I just see a rookie that's starting in a new offense in a tough spot. He'll be a good player and you can glean that. BUt when the press writes stuff, people in frustration start killing individuals in a team game. It's bad enough being patient given the teams woes right now. Accountability - yep. Good on that.

Godshaux, certainly unless you have the NFL game tapes, you can't see much of where the guard and center are doubling. I can't. But you can see some of it and Joe Thomas called it out as a repeat tact every play in that 17 straight run stretch. Does it really matter if it's godshaux or Roy etc... the DT position got displaced off the line of scrimmage. You may be correct on Godshaux but if his partners inside or Godshaux are getting moved, that's the problem right now in whole with the D. They get run on and that in turn opens the passing game for easy low risk throws. The Jets this week will do the same thing they did last time accept maybe run more. ROgers will have easy/safe throws all day. I don't think Godshaux is the problem. Unless he's hurt like you say. He is getting aged.

The All-22 is available on NFL+, which I do subscribe to - albeit I don't claim to be an expert when it comes to reading coverages, etc., that's outside my wheelhouse. All I go off of is some of the obvious stuff.

Again, you're right, there were absolutely plays where he was doubled. But there were several where he wasn't and I was surprised when I saw those. To put it in perspective, he finished with just a single assisted tackle [0 solo] after leading all players on defense last week with 8. He just had an off-game, and a couple of players hinted that there were guys who had a tough time adjusting to the time difference. I will say that Daniel Ekuale was a bright spot in this one, he played pretty well. But I was also shocked to see a TE completely flatten Deatrich Wise on that one play...that was pretty crazy.

 

[archstanton543]

Good article, but 2 criticisms seem off to me: (1) Regarding Godshaux getting blocked out of the play and Tavai having a bad day: Joe Thomas (announcer and former all pro tackle) said JAX is repeatedly having their guards and center double team the DT (Godshaux) and pushed him off the line. That's not Godshaux issue. Most guys can't take on double teams play after play and hold their ground. It's up the the other guys to fill the gaps given Godhsaux is taking on two guys. They didn't. Godshaux is a good run stopper and has been consistently that for his carreer. It's why he got paid well contractually. The issue is the pats had Lawrence Guy, Godshaux and Baremore in at tackle for 17 games in 2023. They had little depth behind those 3. Two of the three are gone and that's why opponents are running on the pats. It's one tape and repeated weekly. The replacements for Baremore and Guy aren't good enough on run D. Thank goodness Godshaux is healthy. As for Tavai, once an opponent pushes the middle of the D-line back, the battle is over. The DT's cover up and keep the o-line guys off the MLB. Last year Bently and Tavai were great and that is due to Baremore, Guy, Godshaux plus the edge guys in Jennings, WIse/Keion White holding the line of scrimmage. If the Dam bursts in the middle the guys behind that will have a bad day. Team game. Team issue.

(2) Polk. The article references "finger pointing" with no reference to any quote from Polk. Polk unwisely claimed he has good hands (he does, and that will show in the end) but he never blamed anyone else for his drops or overall play did he? No finger pointing happened or did I miss something. If a player finger points, the media won't miss smearing that all over the place.

Side comment: BB saying the team isn't soft is a joke to propell himself. I salute the man as a great coach, but he gives a bad look saying that. Why? Cuz he quoted it's the same D personnel he did well with and it's not. He mentions DBs and edge guys, but 2/3 of the DTs from 2023 aren't in there and that's why the D is "SOFT". Add in the Bentley and peppers being out and Duggar missed some time and it's not the same D. That 2023 D unit was lucky the 3 DTs went wire to wire for 17 games with no injuries and last year 3rd and 3 was a passing down for opponents. The D got enough stops to tank in the top 10 with opponents being one-dimenensional in forcing them to pass on 3rd down. It doesn't take much on NFL teams in terms of players departing or being injured to completly change the outcome. BB was a blo-hard on his comment, and I highly salute and respect what he did here in NE.

"Good"? I've heard that Godchaux was the best nose tackle in the league.

 

[jmt57]

@SinceGroganWalkedIn

It helps the rest of us a great deal if you include a link to the column that you are commenting on.
Otherwise we have no idea what you are referring to.

Based on the responses above, I am now assuming this is it:

Five Patriots Thoughts Following a Disappointing Loss in London | PatsFans.com

Some thoughts following a disappointing showing by the New England Patriots in London on Sunday.

www.patsfans.com

 

[Ring 6]

Godchaux lost several one-on-one battles that I saw when looking back through it. I was actually surprised to see it was his number on those plays, and he unfortunately didn't have his best game. Maybe he was among those guys battling an illness, but watching it back, he had a tough time in this one.

This was the quote I was referring to:
“I feel like I’m limited to what I can really do right now,” Polk said. “I mean, just continue to keep a good mindset and getting better.”
He followed that up when asked about that with, “I wouldn’t say anything specific. I’ll just say I’m limited on certain things right now.”

No humility. No accountability. And he alludes to the fact there's a different issue unrelated to himself for his struggles. Definitely a little disappointing.

Godchaux is also playing way too many snaps for a guy his size who is exclusively a run stopper. He’s probably worn out and God help us, might be the next guy to go down with an injury.

 

[archstanton543]

1) Wolf chose not to fortify the back half of the roster; the depth is sub-replacement in many areas.
2) Polk had great hands playing college ball. N'Keal Harry was a force in college as well. Time will tell if Polk can shed the yips in pro ball.
3) BB, the teacher, offered Mayo a basic lesson in media relations; a lesson that should have been seared into Mayo's brain having spent a decade and a half learning under the master. A coach should never air the team's dirty laundry in public. Never call out a player or players in public. Give the media nothing.
Mayo at the microphone is like a pet that keeps slamming into the same sliding glass door, over and over and over again.

Kamala, in other words.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Godchaux lost several one-on-one battles that I saw when looking back through it. I was actually surprised to see it was his number on those plays, and he unfortunately didn't have his best game. Maybe he was among those guys battling an illness, but watching it back, he had a tough time in this one.

This was the quote I was referring to:
“I feel like I’m limited to what I can really do right now,” Polk said. “I mean, just continue to keep a good mindset and getting better.”
He followed that up when asked about that with, “I wouldn’t say anything specific. I’ll just say I’m limited on certain things right now.”

No humility. No accountability. And he alludes to the fact there's a different issue unrelated to himself for his struggles. Definitely a little disappointing.

He could be referring to an injury

 

[40yrpatsfan]

The All-22 is available on NFL+, which I do subscribe to - albeit I don't claim to be an expert when it comes to reading coverages, etc., that's outside my wheelhouse. All I go off of is some of the obvious stuff.

Again, you're right, there were absolutely plays where he was doubled. But there were several where he wasn't and I was surprised when I saw those. To put it in perspective, he finished with just a single assisted tackle [0 solo] after leading all players on defense last week with 8. He just had an off-game, and a couple of players hinted that there were guys who had a tough time adjusting to the time difference. I will say that Daniel Ekuale was a bright spot in this one, he played pretty well. But I was also shocked to see a TE completely flatten Deatrich Wise on that one play...that was pretty crazy.

I can't recall hearing Wise's name at all this year.

 

[Triumph]

Gonzalez and Marcus Jones have a smallish impact on the running game problem.

Its a problem alright.

Steve Belichicks 2023 run defense gave up an average 3.3 ypc.

Creampuff Mayos 2024 run defense gives up an average 4.6 ypc.

They are CBs.

A defense that cant stop the run is not a defense at all.

And Judon is out last year and this.

Judon was the leading pass rusher and still BB's defense was 15th by points against including Corky Macs pic 6's.

What's your basis of Kraft trying to keep Steve Belchick? Was there any insider fact based coverage of that? No.

It was all over the web.

And Belichick can indeed say what he wants alike all the media and fans etc. But that doesn't make his comment fact based does it? No

Belichick knows what he is talking about. He never threw his players under the bus like Mayo.

 

[Steve102]

Belichick sees the problems with Mayo in charge of the NE defense.

In 2023, BB lost Judon, Gonzalez and Marcus Jones for the season and still fielded a solid defense. Kraft tried to keep Steve Belichick, but he saw the writing on the wall. The way Kraft talked BS Belichick can say whatever he wants.

Bill is loyal to his players and defends them. Not surprising. Kraft has talked **** for a while now, Mayo stabbed him in the back, essentially. Even if Bill signed off on the coach-in-waiting, it was a lousy situation. I am sure there's no love lost now.

You're correct on the never throwing his players under the bus. He circled the wagons and defended the players, never went out of house with stuff.

Much like @1960Pats, I was sick of Bill's non answers. I am not sure this alternative is better.

 

[Triumph]

Bill is loyal to his players and defends them. Not surprising. Kraft has talked **** for a while now, Mayo stabbed him in the back, essentially. Even if Bill signed off on the coach-in-waiting, it was a lousy situation. I am sure there's no love lost now.

You're correct on the never throwing his players under the bus. He circled the wagons and defended the players, never went out of house with stuff.

Much like @1960Pats, I was sick of Bill's non answers. I am not sure this alternative is better.

BB would always preface his criticism with we need to do a better job of coaching.

 

[Steve102]

BB would always preface his criticism with we need to do a better job of coaching.

I can't help but look at Mayo like I looked at Mac: Never be the guy following The Guy. Anything other than a well oiled machine is going to get criticized by us because we know what it should look like. Even if an experienced guy came in, one with winning pedigree, we'd look at it and say it wasn't how Bill did it. Now we have to watch an undermanned team with an inexperienced coach and in inexperienced GM. It's a mess, even the most patient fan base would look at it and say it's fouled up.

 

[Ian]

I can't help but look at Mayo like I looked at Mac: Never be the guy following The Guy. Anything other than a well oiled machine is going to get criticized by us because we know what it should look like. Even if an experienced guy came in, one with winning pedigree, we'd look at it and say it wasn't how Bill did it. Now we have to watch a undermanned team with an inexperienced coach and in inexperienced GM. It's a mess, even the most patient fan base would look at it and say it's fouled up.

It’s crazy. They were so organized and smooth in that first game that I was both shocked and pleasantly surprised thinking maybe the continuity would allow for what seemed to be a smooth transition. It’s been going further off the rails each week ever since, with issues on both sides of the ball coaching-wise.

Add in the whispers from the locker room, and it’s a situation teetering on going over the ledge if he doesn’t get a handle on it.

But he’s also part of the problem, given his comments. He’s shoveling fuel on the same fire he now needs to try and put out.

 

[Wax Frog]

Add in the whispers from the locker room, and it’s a situation teetering on going over the ledge if he doesn’t get a handle on it.

@Pape @Steve102

 

[IcyPatriot]

Lost in much of this is that the Jaguars were in London for 2 weeks.
The Patriots landed on a red eye that Friday they then practiced that afternoon.
Mayo said he did not think it to be an issue ... stating it was all about energy and execution.

Well something that should be factored ... above my pay grade to offer an opinion.

Are Patriots at a disadvantage by flying to London on Friday?

The Jaguars have been in London for two weeks. The Patriots arrived on Friday. Does that put them at a disadvantage?

www.masslive.com