Let’s sum things up as of now. From the team that last saw the field in a humiliating playoff game against their division rivals giving up 47 points on 7 drives, the following is a summary of what the Pats have gained and lost since that game:
Lost: Josh McDaniels OC, Bo Hardegree QB coach, WR coach Mickey Lombardi and OL coach Carmen Briscillo
Gained: Joe Judge and Matt Patricia in unknown capacities
Lost: players- LG Ted Karras, RG Shaq Mason, likely RT Trent Brown, FB Jakob Johnson, RB Brandon Bolden, OLB Kyle Van Noy, likely D’onta Hightower and CB JC Jackson and his 8 Interceptions
Gained: players- the CFL guy the Pats outbid their competitors for with a $40k guarantee, the hope Onwenu can play guard, the possibility of acquiring the overpaid injury riddled RT Collins, the prayer 3rd rd TE Dalton Keene coming off a serious neck injury being an all-purpose FB, the hope James White’s hip is sound, the unknown of what Josh UChe, Anfernee Jennings, Ronnie Perkins etc can be and journeyman CB Terrance Mitchell.
It speaks for itself; there’s been quite a bit lost and very little of tangible substance gained. Yes, it’s March 16th, but that’s a whole lot of ground to make up in one draft and from the pool of misfit toys still left in free agency. That’s just to be as good not better than the team that gave up 7 TDs in 7 drives in their last game.
But, you’ve got the little wizard behind the curtain in Foxboro to make it all work. Good luck.
Your Post is lacking facts and context:
- Matt Patricia - Was in the Pats Front Office in 2021.
- Joe Judge- supposedly going to work with the QBs. Has some experience as he was a QB himself (though he also played ST).
Players Lost:
Hightower played like crap most of 2021.
Van Noy freelanced too much and ran his mouth too much which is why he's gone. OH. And he contributed mightily to the loss to the Cowboys. Part of the reason the Pass rush disappeared in the 2nd half of the season.
Ted Karras - Was not the great savior of the O-line that people like to claim. He was inconsistent and was a liability in the last two Bills games.
Bolden - He was the Pats #5 RB. He got elevated to #3 when White went down and gave the Pats a bunch more than expected. Still just a jag.
Johnson - I'm slightly disappointed that he's gone as I thought he played better than what people have mentioned. We'll have to wait and see how the Pats replace him. Whether it's Keene. A veteran. or someone from this year's draft (pick or udfa).
Jackson - This is the biggest loss, imho. Contrary to many, he IS a #1 corner and is near Elite. Even the Best have certain players that have their number. Diggs has Jackson's.
Winovich - He regressed to being almost exclusively a ST player last year. As a 3rd year play, he had the chance to be lining up opposing Judon and benefitting from that. Instead, he was a non-factor.
Players Gained:
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Drew Desjarlais - This was a MUTUAL deal. Desjarlais chose the Patriots after trying out for 11 teams in the league. He was one of the top guards in the CFL the last 2 years.
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Terrance Mitchell - He's had 23 PDs the last 2 years on 175 targets between Houston and Cleveland. Opposing QBs have completed 103 passing on the 175 targets for a 58.9% completion. That's the good news. Bad news is that he's only got 1 interception in that time while giving up 11 TDs. This has the potential to be a low risk/high reward signing if the Pats can Help him with his hands.
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Ty Montgomery - WR/RB/ KR- He's a partial replacement for Bolden. I say Partial because Bolden playing on the end of the line of the Punt Coverage unit.
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Mack Wilson - Fast, Sideline to Sideline LB who can cover TEs/RBs. He'll benefit from the tutelage of one of the best in Jerod Mayo.
Other Players:
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Onwenu CAN play guard or RT. The problem is the Pats need to pick a position and stick with it.
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Dalton Keene - Keene missed 2021 because of a Meniscus tear in his knee. The Neck injury was already over-come in 2020.
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James White - I'm certain White had to pass a physical before he signed his contract. Yes, there will still be lingering questions about him, but I doubt the Pats would have signed a 2 year deal if they felt he wasn't ready.
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Uche, Perkins, Jennings - They are no different than the other young players that will be joining the team in the draft other than they have experience in the system.
RaeKwon McMillan - Was a highlight of camp last season until he tore his ACL. Before the tear, he was wearing the green dot regularly and reports were that he'd taken to the defense like a fish in water. One of the rare times that the Patriots have given an injured player an extension.
How is the amount lost different than other years? There is ALWAYS changeover. There is always questions about the team going into the draft. Going into training camp. Going into the season. It's the coaches jobs to get them ready. Belichick has had TWO losing seasons in 22 years. Pretty sure that the 9 trips to the SB and 6 SB wins has earned him the benefit of the doubt and taught most rational people to have patience.
