Key Players [Mac Jones/others] Isn't/Aren't Ready to Play

[Wozzy]

OT was my #1 priority all offseason. So I would've taken the best guy on the board which was Brodrick Jones. You can't keep allocating your resources to the same thing over and over again and expect the team to be better overall. Bill has taken way too many DB's high in the draft for years now with very little to nothing to show for it.

Broderick Jones is warming the bench in Pittsburgh… a team that desperately needs line help.

Sow and Mafi have more starts, Gonzalez already looks like a first round CB… what are we talking about?

 

[archstanton543]

Broderick Jones is warming the bench in Pittsburgh… a team that desperately needs line help.

Sow and Mafi have more starts, Gonzalez already looks like a first round CB… what are we talking about?

Talking about drafting offensive players that can help the Patriots score points.

 

[Wozzy]

Talking about drafting offensive players that can help the Patriots score points.

They have players that can help them score points, they need to straighten out their offensive line first. They also need to get some WR’s healthy.

They’ve passed for the 7th most passing yards in the NFL. They have the 5th best red zone conversion rate in the NFL.

They can’t block, this isn’t fantasy football.

 

[archstanton543]

They have players that can help them score points, they need to straighten out their offensive line first. They also need to get some WR’s healthy.

They’ve passed for the 7th most passing yards in the NFL. They have the 5th best red zone conversion rate in the NFL.

They can’t block, this isn’t fantasy football.

That is true. However, they're averaging just over 18 points a game.

 

[Wozzy]

That is true. However, they're averaging just over 18 points a game.

The Pats rank 21st in turnovers, Mac’s been sacked the 6th most times in the NFL, the rushing attack is ranked 27th in yards per game.

That’s not a Mac problem, that’s not a “weapons” problem… that’s an offensive line problem.

We’ve fielded two different lineups of starters made up mostly of rookies or young guys in two games after the starters got next to no reps together during the offseason. It’s not surprising they’re taking some time to get healthy and executing properly… but that’s the problem.

Fix the line and everything else fixes itself assuming health.

 

[stardawg]

So, no Keion White and Gonzalez? That's what you would've recommended?

As for Mapu, the Patriots are on record as being unable to trade out of that pick, and they admit to taking Mapu too early.

I like the White and Gonzalez picks but it's obvious from the results last season, the offense was in need of help. Belicheck could have addressed the needs in free agency or the draft. They still have $14 M in cap space. I don't know but BB is always saying do your job. I'm asking did he do his GM job? IMO he didn't...you can disagree, the season is still young we'll see.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

I

I like the White and Gonzalez picks but it's obvious from the results last season, the offense was in need of help. Belicheck could have addressed the needs in free agency or the draft. They still have $14 M in cap space. I don't know but BB is always saying do your job. I'm asking did he do his GM job? IMO he didn't...you can disagree, the season is still young we'll see.

We had a disgusting draft on paper I will say that we brought in Gesicki but I will credit that to Obrein.

We brought in Elliot who is going from playing behind a dominant o line to the weakest so I would bet he has regrets.

We overpaid for a hobbled Schuster the one receiver I didn’t want to overpay for.
We reupped Parker for his past performance which isn’t Patriot like at all.

That’s about it.

We hired Klemm who right now his line looks awful don’t know if it’s time to blame him yet or no.

But the biggest thing Bill did he buried the hatchet with Mac and brought in a offensive Guru in Obrein and Mac looks light years better maybe it’s just getting Judge and Patricia out of his ear was the the best off-season move.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

All is not lost. Before the season began most realistic posters felt that it would be ok to start 1-3 given the competition to start the year. Starting 0-2 is disappointing, not surprising when considering that the OL and CB positions decimated by injuries. The good news is that the ST are back to their usual standards and the team seems to be playing together much more efficiently than last year. Going forward the OL getting healthy and becoming a cohesive unit is the most critical success factor. If that happens Mac, the running backs and even the receivers will be better.

 

[upstater1]

I like the White and Gonzalez picks but it's obvious from the results last season, the offense was in need of help. Belicheck could have addressed the needs in free agency or the draft. They still have $14 M in cap space. I don't know but BB is always saying do your job. I'm asking did he do his GM job? IMO he didn't...you can disagree, the season is still young we'll see.

The top WRs in Freer Agency this year: JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jakobi Meyers. top TE? Mike Gesicki.

As for cap space: $5.1m

I agree we needed to do something about the WR position; I'm sure the Patriots felt the same way. The problem is making something materialize out of thin air.

 

[Patsgofor4]

He's jittery, he's skittish, he's throwing off his back foot. He's taking bad sacks. No wonder he's so inaccurate. His long throws are lollipops that bounce off the moon. There is zero confidence he can get anything done back there.

I gave Mac the benefit of the doubt until now, but you can't have a guy cowering back there and not controlling the game. He is the biggest problem. People will talk about the lack of offensive weapons, but the fact is, the QB controls the game, especially at home, and he doesn't maximize his talents or the meager talents of his WRs.

Medicinal or recreational? Just asking because you clearly can’t be watching these games sober. I can’t say that I pay too much attention to your posts, but seems like anti-Mac content may be kind of “your thing”?

Sorry, bro, but no lucid, unbiased Patriots fan would actually believe that Mac is the biggest problem on the team right now. It’s simply an absurd to take. He has by no means been perfect and he hast to make better throws than he made on his two INTs but he is way down the list when it comes to reasons that they are 0–2. 1, 2 and 3 on the list is the OL play.

Most of the instances when he is throwing off of his back foot he isn’t able to step into the throat because the pocket is collapsing. If you had been paying attention, you’d also know that most of those back foot throws have been accurate. I believe that he has been either the most pressured or second most pressured quarterback through the first two weeks of the season and has been a getting rid of the ball faster than almost any QB, out of necessity.

“He has been taking sacks” is the dumbest of your dumb statements. No ****, Sherlock. Quarterbacks who are under assault both from the edge and the interior tend to take sacks at a higher than average rate. What does he do when he takes a sack? He dusts himself off and gets ready for the next play or the next series. He has shown a ton of toughness and let’s just say I’ll take his teammates word on that, rather than yours. Cowering? F*ck off with that BS. In contrast to last year, Mac has shown a consistent willingness to stand in the pocket and take hits, while waiting for his receivers to get open. Zo is not shy about criticizing Mac, but he was saying this morning that one of the things that has impressed him about Mac this year is the fact that he has been cool under pressure and that he isn’t getting rattled. He also has been able to shake off bad snaps/series and move on.

If the OL had been able to be consistently above average, they would likely be 2-0. They haven’t been able to protect Mac or open holes for Mondre.

I suggest that you take the time to rewatch some of Tampa’s games last year, if you want to see what poor OL play can do even to great QBs. The main difference is that TB12 had no interest in absorbing contact (I don’t blame him at his age. It’s just a fact.) where is Mac has shown a clear willingness to take punishment.

 

[stardawg]

The top WRs in Freer Agency this year: JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jakobi Meyers. top TE? Mike Gesicki.

As for cap space: $5.1m

I agree we needed to do something about the WR position; I'm sure the Patriots felt the same way. The problem is making something materialize out of thin air.

BB without Brady as his team’s staring quarterback is now 71-79.

 

[upstater1]

BB without Brady as his team’s staring quarterback is now 71-79.

And with that ON Ignore

 

[captain stone]

IIRC, the red hoodie was Linda Holliday's bright idea for Super Bowl 42. Since they've split you'd think the curse is lifted, but apparently not.

Please tell us you're joking and that this is Not the reason he wore that cursed garment on that cursed night, because of... a woman...

 

[condon84]

I'm bolding this because it is the biggest problem I have seen so far: we are telegraphing our plays.

Defenses are teeing off on our OL because they get a running start and they know exactly when we're going to snap it. This was a home game for heaven's sake. Our OL has no chance to stop jailbreaks when the QB is calling for the ball predictably each and every time. I would blitz too in such a situation. No changes in cadence. No variation. This is a home game!!! And when we audible, we try a sweep on 4th and 1 when we need just ONE YARD!!!! He is not seeing the game, not taking command, not playing the head games a QB needs to play with a defense to put his offense and the OL in optimal positions. And it doesn't help him either.

He's jittery, he's skittish, he's throwing off his back foot. He's taking bad sacks. No wonder he's so inaccurate. His long throws are lollipops that bounce off the moon. There is zero confidence he can get anything done back there.

I gave Mac the benefit of the doubt until now, but you can't have a guy cowering back there and not controlling the game. He is the biggest problem. People will talk about the lack of offensive weapons, but the fact is, the QB controls the game, especially at home, and he doesn't maximize his talents or the meager talents of his WRs.

Bill O'Brien has to see this, but it's Mac's 3rd year and I'm not sure what can be done at this point.

I don't have the patience with him to see if he develops into a Geno Smith maybe 5 years down the line. I don't think he will ever even be a Geno Smith.

The O-line will get better, the continuity will improve, Mac will get more comfortable behind it, but when it's crunch time and the defense sends the house in crucial situations, when the heat turns up, especially against good teams, Mac will not answer the call. The good play we'll see from him in the coming weeks will be a mirage.

Oh, and one last thing: Make someone else play FS. We need Dugger up near the line of scrimmage causing havoc.

Fully agree with Mac assessment.

Physical limitations aside, the brain dead plays is the most frustrating.

 

[Tunescribe]

Please tell us you're joking and that this is Not the reason he wore that cursed garment on that cursed night, because of... a woman...

That's what I recall from reports back then, that it was her suggestion and the cutoff sleeves were hemmed. Can't find any links to it now, 15 years later.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Medicinal or recreational? Just asking because you clearly can’t be watching these games sober. I can’t say that I pay too much attention to your posts, but seems like anti-Mac content may be kind of “your thing”?

Sorry, bro, but no lucid, unbiased Patriots fan would actually believe that Mac is the biggest problem on the team right now. It’s simply an absurd to take. He has by no means been perfect and he hast to make better throws than he made on his two INTs but he is way down the list when it comes to reasons that they are 0–2. 1, 2 and 3 on the list is the OL play.

Most of the instances when he is throwing off of his back foot he isn’t able to step into the throat because the pocket is collapsing. If you had been paying attention, you’d also know that most of those back foot throws have been accurate. I believe that he has been either the most pressured or second most pressured quarterback through the first two weeks of the season and has been a getting rid of the ball faster than almost any QB, out of necessity.

“He has been taking sacks” is the dumbest of your dumb statements. No ****, Sherlock. Quarterbacks who are under assault both from the edge and the interior tend to take sacks at a higher than average rate. What does he do when he takes a sack? He dusts himself off and gets ready for the next play or the next series. He has shown a ton of toughness and let’s just say I’ll take his teammates word on that, rather than yours. Cowering? F*ck off with that BS. In contrast to last year, Mac has shown a consistent willingness to stand in the pocket and take hits, while waiting for his receivers to get open. Zo is not shy about criticizing Mac, but he was saying this morning that one of the things that has impressed him about Mac this year is the fact that he has been cool under pressure and that he isn’t getting rattled. He also has been able to shake off bad snaps/series and move on.

If the OL had been able to be consistently above average, they would likely be 2-0. They haven’t been able to protect Mac or open holes for Mondre.

I suggest that you take the time to rewatch some of Tampa’s games last year, if you want to see what poor OL play can do even to great QBs. The main difference is that TB12 had no interest in absorbing contact (I don’t blame him at his age. It’s just a fact.) where is Mac has shown a clear willingness to take punishment.

His take is the silliest take I've read on here in a long time. He obviously hates Mac and makes stuff up to agree with what's going on in his head or what he wants to see.

 

[chasa]

The top WRs in Freer Agency this year: JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jakobi Meyers. top TE? Mike Gesicki.

As for cap space: $5.1m

I agree we needed to do something about the WR position; I'm sure the Patriots felt the same way. The problem is making something materialize out of thin air.

everyone and there mom knew dhop was available. I'd much rather have a shell of dhop over juju right now.

 

[AQPE]

It’s hard to be optimistic right now, they are 0-2 with 2 games upcoming against very good defenses. With that said they have shown resilience and the ability to make plays after putting themselves behind the 8-ball. It may not be the next 2 games but if they can stay healthy on the OL and get more snaps as a unit I think they can get a running game going which will help the whole team a lot. Don’t give up hope!

 

[cmasspatsfan]

It’s hard to be optimistic right now, they are 0-2 with 2 games upcoming against very good defenses. With that said they have shown resilience and the ability to make plays after putting themselves behind the 8-ball. It may not be the next 2 games but if they can stay healthy on the OL and get more snaps as a unit I think they can get a running game going which will help the whole team a lot. Don’t give up hope!

They haven't had many breaks either, they're due for a fumble that bounces their way or a bad throw from a QB taken to the house.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Lol we would be SB favorite and 2-0 with Brady right now. That’s what having a QB does for you.

Well in all fairness, there are teams that "have a QB" and are in the same situation

Russel Wilson/Broncos 0-2
Justin Hebert/Chargers 0-2
Kirk Cousins/Vikings 0-2
Kyler Murray/Cardinals 0-2
Joe Burrow/Bengals 0-2

Whats that like a billion dollars worth of contracts between those 5 QBs?

Lots of teams are 1-1 with legit QBs, including Mahomes/Chiefs

Getting a win this weekend is the first step towards digging our way out of this hole