An FYI On Mac Jones

[goheels22002]

The OL has shown better signs of coming together the last two games. If they stay healthy, you'll see what you want in QB play as well.

That is so completely on point. If the offensive line can continue to keep the pass rush out of the backfield and clear the way for the running backs, we will see solid production from this offense. It all starts in the trenches. The defense stopped the Lions on six - SIX! - 4th downs on Sunday and the offensive line did a good, not great, job in both the pass and run games.

I think a lot of this thread misses the bigger picture that the Patriots have two good young QBs whose ceilings are still unexplored. These two guys are inexpensive relative to other teams that have veteran QBs soaking up an outsized proportion of their salary caps. The Patriots will have resources for the next two years to continue adding depth while these guys advance towards their veteran contract decisions.

I don't know, my expectations for the 2022 team is modest, really. Make this a winning season, maybe grab a playoff berth, and try to catch a higher seed off guard. This is not a Super Bowl contender. We knew that going in. It's very interesting to watch this team develop an identity. A competent offense that protects the ball that relies on a much quicker, aggressive defense can win any game in the NFL.

 

[goheels22002]

We allocated 56.25 million to two TEs we barely use . Can’t use that money on a Diggs?

If the offensive line can do their job and free the TEs to roam in the seams a little more, you'll see increased production from that position. Getting Jacoby Meyers back was also a key addition to getting mismatches on the TEs.

 

[NG Pats Fan]

If the offensive line can do their job and free the TEs to roam in the seams a little more, you'll see increased production from that position. Getting Jacoby Meyers back was also a key addition to getting mismatches on the TEs.

Again your point was patriots won’t spend that kind of money. I think they are willing to spend that money for the right player at WR

 

[Ian]

Again your point was patriots won’t spend that kind of money. I think they are willing to spend that money for the right player at WR

They’ll spend the right money on guys who are talented who won’t break the bank. They’ll never pay full market value for a receiver. A cornerback, yes, but they’ve never done it for a wideout. But I agree, it’s odd how they paid Smith a fortune and hardly target him.

 

[crawhammer]

Didn't the New England Patriots just break records for money spent on free agents in 2021?

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I get what you're saying, but at the same time, even the best QBs - ie: Brady - have gotten away with one here and there.

All I'm saying is that it's way too early to quit on the kid for all the people who are happy that a 3rd string quarterback beat the worst defensive team in the league. Jones put up 54 against the Jets, 45 against the Browns, and 50 against Jacksonville last year as well, so all I'm saying is there needs to be a little bit of perspective. Not to mention that teams who cycle back and forth between guys - it never ends well. At least, I can't think of a time where that's been the case.

Obviously, he'll have to prove you wrong, but you still need to let him and give him the benefit of the doubt given how he performed over this same span last season. I think the time away and realizing how fragile this whole thing can be probably changed things for him as well, so I expect him to be better when he does come back.

My advice to you

Is to start drinking heavily

Sorry I get impatient I want to win now

I don't get how these people always say, "Rob, you're so patient..." No I'm not.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

It's not that Mac doesn't make an occasional bad throw, he does. But what you call "no composure" or "stupidity unbounded" often owes to what play is called in what situation, what kind of protection he's getting and whether he's given leeway to check out of a bad look (with his teammates expected to adjust accordingly).

Here's an example: One interception that went directly to a linebacker was as much on Patricia as Mac -- an ill-advised play-action call on second and seven. Play-action fakes are meant to draw the linebackers in creating room behind them for receivers. But they seldom work on second and long, where the defense's better choice is playing the pass. Mac ran the play, linebackers ignored the fake dropping into coverage and Mac threw to where the receiver was SUPPOSED to be as designed. Instead, a linebacker in coverage made the pick.

I think you'll be seeing less of this sort of misfire as Patricia settles in and Mac becomes acclimated to the new system. Just remember that often what seems obvious really isn't.

I don't think I've ever been interested in a 'system' quarterback

Brady's the best because he learns, he thinks and he fights to win.

I want whoever our QB is to do the same.

Don't have to be the 'GOAT'

 

[PatsFanInVa]

2 things that tweak me, although I didn't click through the whole thread. They're both of the "you sure look right during this particular few games" variety

1) @Ian yeahhhhh maybe just stipulate only throw to him like it'a Baltimore game... I am a Parker fan if you can't tell... starting to wonder whether M. Jones' just isn't selfish enough to effectively look out for number 1

2) @NG Pats Fan, the Holy Trinity of Regret again, Woulda Shoulda Coulda. We paid 2 TEs thinking we'd get production out of them, and so far, if you ask me, one of them hit in year 1, and in year 2 they are still trying to get the f out of their own way in general. I think we're getting close to you being able to do what you really want to do, which is jump up and down yelling "bust!"

@Ian if I start a "stake your claim" thread can you sticky it? The idea would be a repository for roster target ideas before events determine whether the roster move was smart.

So if you want to get "a Diggs," you have to say so ahead of time so you're not accused of just saying you would of got a Diggs after it turns out that Diggs panned out, we'd be able to check whether you thought so before the "get" was determined good, and we'd be able to see ahead of time if you would of made mistakes as well, or if you would of hit the salary cap after four guys were paid.

So you announce your would of moves ahead of time, and we keep track. If you want a guy on another team, explain how you'd get that trade to happen. If you want a free agent explain what you would pay. For extra credit go into cap implications too.

I don't think we're at "bust" for these two TEs yet, and I don't think the balls are there, at present, to get everybody involved. We're on our 3rd string QB and he has yet to break 200 yards. But it's possible that the entire 17 game season will look like games 1-5. And even if/when stats improve, it's possible that the QB, whoever that is, can't fold in the concept of getting the TEs into the action.

I don't think that's how this season ends though -- Henry at least will prove his worth. I hope both do.

Security Blanket Meyers is a lock to produce, then there's Everybody Else. This is a team dealing in volume in terms of targets, and they spent high ahead of a one-time inflationary spike in cap room. We have definitely seen that Mac will dial in on the mismatch (see Parker in the Ravens game)... but I'd like to see more of that (spreading the ball around.) That said, props to Meyers... he has now proven himself consistent with Cam, Mac, and Zappe. That's pretty impressive.

ok, too much rambling, Ian would you sticky the "track your would-be moves" thread if I make it? obviously it would not be super-busy right now but it will be great to have established once it matters.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Edit - I don't know if Parker vs. Balmer was a mismatch - he was also in when Security Blanket was out. One wonders if Mac wouldn't come back reminding himself "note to myself, throw to Parker, but not whoever is covering him..."

 

[Ian]

Edit - I don't know if Parker vs. Balmer was a mismatch - he was also in when Security Blanket was out. One wonders if Mac wouldn't come back reminding himself "note to myself, throw to Parker, but not whoever is covering him..."

I doubt he sees the ball unless he’s open when Mac comes back, not if Zappe goes out and has another solid showing.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I doubt he sees the ball unless he’s open when Mac comes back, not if Zappe goes out and has another solid showing.

You think he (or Patricia) has Jones-Parker PTSD? Like "Show me on the doll where Parker messed up the route"?

Without the mistakes, this D looks amazing. It's exciting to watch these games with so much in flux (even if I have to pull most of 'em down from NFL network after the fact.)

 

[Ian]

You think he (or Patricia) has Jones-Parker PTSD? Like "Show me on the doll where Parker messed up the route"?

Without the mistakes, this D looks amazing. It's exciting to watch these games with so much in flux (even if I have to pull most of 'em down from NFL network after the fact.)

I wouldn't call it PTSD, but would say there's most likely some lack of trust. When you throw up passes that you know are in tight coverage and you expect the receiver to do something different, and the ball keeps getting picked, it's probably not helping the situation. That and while Mac has always done a good job staying off of social media, his friends and family likely haven't, and he's probably heard a lot of the chatter about him when it comes to the turnovers, etc.

 

[n1997y]

On Zappe's 40 drop-backs this season, he has attempted only six tight-window throws (16.7%), and the rookie has yet to complete any balls into tight coverage.

you say that like it’s a bad thing. But is it really?

throwing into a tight window is a higher risk. Zappe has a 75% completion rate, so he’s being effective even without having to throw into tight windows. And at the same time he’s doing it without making risky throws. Maybe that’s really a good thing?

 

[Tunescribe]

you say that like it’s a bad thing. But is it really?

throwing into a tight window is a higher risk. Zappe has a 75% completion rate, so he’s being effective even without having to throw into tight windows. And at the same time he’s doing it without making risky throws. Maybe that’s really a good thing?

That works only if the running game is going gangbusters, which occurred vs. Packers and Lions. If that's not happening and it comes down to Bailey's arm, he'll have no choice but to throw into tight windows. That's where the rubber meets the road.

 

[upstater1]

you say that like it’s a bad thing. But is it really?

throwing into a tight window is a higher risk. Zappe has a 75% completion rate, so he’s being effective even without having to throw into tight windows. And at the same time he’s doing it without making risky throws. Maybe that’s really a good thing?

When you're a few scores in front of the Lions, it's a very good thing.

When you're 2 scores behind the Ravens, it's not.

 

[upstater1]

They’ll spend the right money on guys who are talented who won’t break the bank. They’ll never pay full market value for a receiver. A cornerback, yes, but they’ve never done it for a wideout. But I agree, it’s odd how they paid Smith a fortune and hardly target him.

I thought the Jonnu signing is a bust and they knew it.

When McDaniels was asked about Jonnu last year, he was almost apologetic, like he didn't have answers for how to use him.

This really told me the coaching staff was struggling with Jonnu.

Then they restructured his contract.

They ate $27m in the first 2 years against the cap, and they could have gotten rid of him for only $4m in dead cap money.

Instead they restructured and effectively extended him. So... they still like him I guess.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

I wouldn't call it PTSD, but would say there's most likely some lack of trust. When you throw up passes that you know are in tight coverage and you expect the receiver to do something different, and the ball keeps getting picked, it's probably not helping the situation. That and while Mac has always done a good job staying off of social media, his friends and family likely haven't, and he's probably heard a lot of the chatter about him when it comes to the turnovers, etc.

So, what happened with Mac (+Parker) vs. Balmer?
(here's one...

Mac Jones drops dime to DeVante Parker for 41-yards

Wow. Almost looks like this except with parker and mac on the same team


Settle, it's reminiscent, not the same play...)

what had happened was...
A) "Oh oh, Parker and Mac are in synch...?" (A la, "Oh oh, Happy can putt," i.e., they just worked well together finally)
B) Forced by coaching staff to relive the horror until it clicked?
C) (High character option) - Mac forced himself to trust Parker, int.s be damned?
D) Looking to victimize the rookie Armor-Davis (?), and Parker kept having the matchup?
E) Something involving a pentagram and the blood of a virgin?

Any and all of the above are in the absence of Human Security Blanket Meyers, who was out that game.

I'm not really arguing, it just seems like the connection sucked games 1 and 2, then it was great, then Mac got hurt. So, very small sample size but it is rational that he liked that downfield potential and might try to build on it once back...

 

[PatsFanInVa]

PS why is everybody now named Jaylen, Jalen, or Jalyn

 

[Ian]

So, what happened with Mac (+Parker) vs. Balmer?
(here's one...

Mac Jones drops dime to DeVante Parker for 41-yards

Wow. Almost looks like this except with parker and mac on the same team


Settle, it's reminiscent, not the same play...)

what had happened was...
A) "Oh oh, Parker and Mac are in synch...?" (A la, "Oh oh, Happy can putt," i.e., they just worked well together finally)
B) Forced by coaching staff to relive the horror until it clicked?
C) (High character option) - Mac forced himself to trust Parker, int.s be damned?
D) Looking to victimize the rookie Armor-Davis (?), and Parker kept having the matchup?
E) Something involving a pentagram and the blood of a virgin?

Any and all of the above are in the absence of Human Security Blanket Meyers, who was out that game.

I'm not really arguing, it just seems like the connection sucked games 1 and 2, then it was great, then Mac got hurt. So, very small sample size but it is rational that he liked that downfield potential and might try to build on it once back...

That play, Parker was open. They targeted him 10 times in that game and connected just 5. Granted, a bunch of big plays, but two of those attempts also got picked off. Guessing they're going to pick their battles a little better when he gets back out there

 

[venecol]

Didn't the New England Patriots just break records for money spent on free agents in 2021?

Idk but Bill made Drew Rosenhaus a sh*t ton of mulla that year.