Lamar Jackson & The New England Patriots make sense.
A few months ago (on patsfans) I threw out the idea that Lamar Jackson would be a hell of a reason to entice Josh McDaniels to stay. Not only would we have our future coach, but our future H.C. would have a QB that epitomizes todays spread/r.p.o. offensive game. Waiting, watching, training, absorbing. And with the recent events over the past few weeks & months this went from a fun idea to throw out there, to a real possibility.
Assuming the obvious for a moment. Josh, Bill, Kraft all met, talked over the past week & hammered out a real succession plan for a Post-Bill Belichick Patriots. I'm reading between the lines here but it sounds like Bill will retire, move on from New England within a few (2-3) years & Josh will take over. Now Brady could still be playing but the end will be visible by then. Enter one of the most the exciting, dynamic young Quarterbacks to come out of college in the last 20 years, Lamar Jackson. And yes he's absolutely a Quarterback. Let's dismiss that nonsense from the start. Those of that opinion haven’t watched Jackson or other issues going on.
Jackson, from Pompano Beach, Florida. Has been preparing for this challenge since 6 years old. And I mean that in every sense of the word. Jackson's mother Felicia Jones got him working with a trainer from age 6-high school. She saw, even at a young age. Jackson was a special talent. And has helped him every step of way as much as she could. She did so quietly, keeping the focus on Lamar. That doesn't mean everything has been easy for him. Quite the contrary, people have been doubting him the entire time. Even as we speak.
Jackson played QB high school for 2 years. Throwing for 22 TD’s & rushing for 31. He had plenty of offers of college but some wanted him to change positions. Some didn't guarantee he’d start in the future. Most weren't all in on Jackson. After showcasing his arm in highlight tapes for college, Jacksons familiarity w/ the pistol, a fellow Floridian in Lamar Thomas introducing Petrino to Jackson. Lamar ended up deciding on Louisville. He struggled at first. He wasn't comfortable under center. The playbook was like a different language. A lot of people in the area & familiar w/ Petrino’s offense doubted him picking up the system. He was 18, just started playing the position 2 years prior & a long away from home. What did he do?
He studied opponents tendencies, his own flaws on film. He used virtual technology to help decipher coverages. Coaches forced him to stay in the pocket & blew the play dead when/if he tried to run in practice. He developed relationships w/ teammates, impressed coaches, took his weaknesses head on. The results have been a tremendous success at Louisville.
Jackson is only 21 & has some obvious flaws he has to correct. That said if this player gets w/ a good coaching staff that gives him the proper development he deserves, the results on his NFL career could be staggering.
And I would argue there's no better place to land than right here in New England. McDaniels would have his muse to mold & train. Jackson could sit and learn behind Brady in his final years. Imagine a 24-25 y/o Jackson with an extra 10-12 lbs of muscle on his frame at 6’3/225-ish. Watching Brady perform, practice & train. Being coached by Bill, Josh & co. Jackson would see H.O.F. coaches & players “do”, “show”, “tell” the game from a 3 person p.o.v. while honing in on his craft. For any player that would be special. This player has an arm cannon, accuracy, poise, a sub 4.4 & ridiculous agility? Imagine what Josh & Jackson could do in the spread/r.p.o. game?
Jackson might not strike you as a P-TP (Patriot-Type Player) but he absolutely is. Jackson ran the Erhardt-Perkins offensive system & the pistol at Louisville.
We've seen this play in numerous variations the past few years. Particularly in play action where we have the G pull to sell the run
He's extremely hard working & bright. The possibilities between a coached up Lamar & Josh are endless. Hes 21, he can sit, learn & still have a long, productive career. He welcomes a challenge & isn't afraid of hard work. His skills are literally video game-like.You simply don't have many people on earth who can do what he does. And I'm not only talking about the flashy stuff. He's much more than that. As a player & person.
