Thank you Mac Jones!

[One-If-By-Sea]

I love Tet McMillan too but Hunter's hands are next to ridiculous...nothing gets' by him.

Can't pass on Hunter for McMillan. I would be shocked if anyone proposed that.

 

[Tunescribe]

Sounds great but statistically better players are drafted in the earlier parts of each round. We greatly increase our chances of future success if we have better players (like Drake Maye). I want the greatest chance to be great again, so I embrace the path that most likely will get the Pats there. That path is high picks in the draft.

With the plethora of non-QB roster needs this team has, there will be little difference between picking anywhere in the top four-eight or so slots in this upcoming draft. Establishing a winning culture by winning games in the here and now should be the Patriots' top priority. Not that I have any confidence they actually will be successful.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'd only listen if you drop no further than 8 and pick up a 2026 1st from a team that might be top 10. I don't think you get that from any team unless they are trading up for a QB. Getting more picks in 2025 and passing up a better player to move down I'm not interested in, the 2025 draft is too weak.

When's the last time there was any real big trade up for a non-QB? Ricky Williams?

IMO they won't get multiple high picks for Travis Hunter, he's #1 in this draft but probably #5 in the 2024 draft

There will be a lot of hype, huge hype, for S Sanders. If we have the #1 pick we will get a boatload for Sanders. Can the Giants win a game? I doubt the Pats can, but Maye might out duel Murray?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

With the plethora of non-QB roster needs this team has, there will be little difference between picking anywhere in the top four-eight or so slots in this upcoming draft. Establishing a winning culture by winning games in the here and now should be the Patriots' top priority. Not that I have any confidence they actually will be successful.

This year there is a huge difference between #3 and #8. Also it is the top pick in every round, not just the first round.

Statistically you are incorrect. We can establish a winning culture in 2025. We will not establish a winning culture this year - LOL. If we keep Mayo, AVP, and Covington there will be no winning culture next year either.

There are lots of variables in establishing a winning culture. To increase the odds of it happening, it is best to pay attention to prior success stories. We need high draft picks and complete new management and coaching.

 

[KCSVEN]

There will be a lot of hype, huge hype, for S Sanders. If we have the #1 pick we will get a boatload for Sanders.

Personally, I don't see it at this point but, then again, Bryce Young was, IMO, a 4th round flyer type prospect and look what he got in trade.
Of course, scouts had Young as the #1 prospect all year, Sanders is looked at as a 50-50 type prospect by most scouts so going to be harder to get the hype for Sanders. I'm also biased because I know Sanders is not a good QB prospect.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Quibbling? How about you lay out for me Bill's accomplishments over his last couple of years? Let's see the evidence of his greatness over that period, even over a year or two before, both as HC and GM.

"Hater"? What are you, some sort "mean people suck" skater boi? Bill was great while was great, and I was grateful for it: then he wasn't. Facts: nothing like 'em.

You are obsessed with BB. Threads have titles that are posted at the top of each thread page to help people remember what the thread topic is. If you want to rehash the same points about BB for the millionth time, please start a new thread.

 

[Tunescribe]

This year there is a huge difference between #3 and #8. Also it is the top pick in every round, not just the first round.

Statistically you are incorrect. We can establish a winning culture in 2025. We will not establish a winning culture this year - LOL. If we keep Mayo, AVP, and Covington there will be no winning culture next year either.

There are lots of variables in establishing a winning culture. To increase the odds of it happening, it is best to pay attention to prior success stories. We need high draft picks and complete new management and coaching.

What is "statistically incorrect" about trying to establish a winning culture with four games remaining? Look at what the Patriots did in 1993 carrying over into 1994. I agree it's unlikely to happen but from the team's perspective -- and assuming Mayo is back in 2025 -- that's the goal.

We both want Mayo/Wolf gone and replaced by competent adults but as a fan I'll never root for losses in favor of regime change, draft position or anything else. IMO, winning is the goal of playing and everything else is incidental. You do the best you can with circumstances presented after the fact.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

@upstater1

You're responsible for me watching a terrible game of football.

My conclusion is that "anyone who watched Mac yesterday" did not for one moment see a panicking QB.

He threw two interceptions, it's true. The first was on a 3rd-and-16. Yes, it was thrown towards a receiver who was in double coverage. But in those circumstances an interception on a deep ball isn't a disaster -- as good as a punt, some say. Likewise, the interception at the end of the half. His blitz protection had broken down and he was facing a sack that would have taken them out of field-goal range, so he tried to throw the ball away towards one of his receivers when he was already being grabbed. And it was intercepted with 5 seconds left on the clock. Big deal.

I don't know what you mean by "drove balls into the ground from 5 yards away". I only remember him missing a receiver low once. The receiver was about ten yards away and Mac was under pressure. If that's your worst throw, you're having a very good day.

Which he otherwise did.

I couldn't see on the TV if there were often men open downfield whom he missed, but I sincerely doubt it. His short passes were sharp and accurate despite pressure. And the Jacksonville running game was terrible so the Titans were able to put him under pressure.

So don't get it. You're an intelligent person who watches football closely. So why the Mac Jones hate? Is it to try to exonerate Belichick? Yet Mac Jones isn't close to being the worst quarterback drafted even by the Pats over the last several years. That would be Danny Etling ("Etling, you make my heart sing!") but Jared "Interception Machine" Stidham, Bailey "Happy Feet" Zappe, and Malik "Trainee Slot Receiver" Cunningham are also way below him.

My own take, for what it's worth, is that Jones was a very good pick who saved BB's bacon at a time when he had absolutely no succession plan for Brady (Cam Newton!) Josh McDaniels brought the best out of him, and then it all collapsed when McDaniels left and Belichick thought he could coach the offense through his sock-puppets Judge and Patricia. The Greatest Of All Time brought down by hubris! That's an old story.

Note, I'm not saying that Jones would have been better than Maye. He doesn't have Maye's athleticism or super-strong arm. But he can read the game well, make decisions and throw the ball accurately. Jacksonville are lucky to have him and the Patriots would have been much better starting him this season than Jacoby "Nice Guy, Shame about the Football" Brissett.

Great post. Mac imploded while McDaniels was still here. Defenses adjusted and Mac could not counter adjust. If you remember Patricia was trying to teach Mac how to throw deep jump balls to Parker and back shoulder throws in training camp, and Mac could not do it. Mac is accurate on short passes, but that is all he can do. After Mac's collapse at the end of his rookie year and his implosion in his next training camp trying to make adjustments, Mac was toast in the NFL.

You say Jacksonville could not run the ball. Of course not. The Pats couldn't either. Standard Mac defense is 8, or even 9 when the defense is having fun laughing at Mac, guys up front, blitz one guy, funnel all receivers wide, and dare Mac to throw over 10 yards or to the sideline. The opposing teams started that defense about week 10 in Mac's rookie year. The defenses still do it whenever Mac is the QB. Nothing has changed. Mac is a bust due to his physical limitations, not his football mind.

I love the nicknames in quotes. Keep up the great work.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

What is "statistically incorrect" about trying to establish a winning culture with four games remaining? Look at what the Patriots did in 1993 carrying over into 1994. I agree it's unlikely to happen but from the team's perspective -- and assuming Mayo is back in 2025 -- that's the goal.

We both want Mayo/Wolf gone and replaced by competent adults but as a fan I'll never root for losses in favor of regime change, draft position or anything else. IMO, winning is the goal of playing and everything else is incidental. You do the best you can with circumstances presented after the fact.

I agree with all that. But statistically we are better off losing. So cheer to win, but be excited when we lose.

 

[Thelonious]

You are obsessed with BB. Threads have titles that are posted at the top of each thread page to help people remember what the thread topic is. If you want to rehash the same points about BB for the millionth time, please start a new thread.

Gosh, thanks for the invitation. I only mention Bill when issues I actually care about are sidetracked by FOB fanboys cluttering up discourse with their little fantasies and delusions regarding end-game Bill's "accomplishments.". When they stop, I will stop. As I have said, I was a great fan of Bill's myself when such fandom was warranted, and while I am very grateful for all his terrific years of service to the franchise, the objective worth of present-day Bill is amply attested to by the fact that that no NFL team wanted him, resulting in his recourse to tilting at windmills in a long-time footaball backwater. Reality is a hard taskmistress whose demands are non-negotiable.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Gosh, thanks for the invitation. I only mention Bill when issues I actually care about are sidetracked by FOB fanboys cluttering up discourse with their little fantasies and delusions regarding end-game Bill's "accomplishments.". When they stop, I will stop. As I have said, I was a great fan of Bill's myself when such fandom was warranted, and while I am very grateful for all his terrific years of service to the franchise, the objective worth of present-day Bill is amply attested to by the fact that that no NFL team wanted him, resulting in his recourse to tilting at windmills in a long-time footaball backwater. Reality is a hard taskmistress whose demands are non-negotiable.

You can't help yourself. You are good at reading books, you might read and figure out why you are so obsessed and can't let it go even at an older age.

 

[Thelonious]

You can't help yourself. You are good at reading books, you might read and figure out why you are so obsessed and can't let it go even at an older age.

I am no doubt better at reading books than you are at reading posts.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I am no doubt better at reading books than you are at reading posts.

Agreed, but you still could read some more books

 

[The Gr8est]

Sounds great but statistically better players are drafted in the earlier parts of each round. We greatly increase our chances of future success if we have better players (like Drake Maye). I want the greatest chance to be great again, so I embrace the path that most likely will get the Pats there. That path is high picks in the draft.

And hopefully the losses contribute to the firing of Mayo and Wolf.

#1 overall pick, very young franchise QB, competent coaching and front office gets hired.

Lose

Win

WIN!

 

[The Gr8est]

With the plethora of non-QB roster needs this team has, there will be little difference between picking anywhere in the top four-eight or so slots in this upcoming draft. Establishing a winning culture by winning games in the here and now should be the Patriots' top priority. Not that I have any confidence they actually will be successful.

If winning now means Mayo stays then that is a loss and missed opportunity.

 

[upstater1]

Gosh, thanks for the invitation. I only mention Bill when issues I actually care about are sidetracked by FOB fanboys cluttering up discourse with their little fantasies and delusions regarding end-game Bill's "accomplishments.". When they stop, I will stop. As I have said, I was a great fan of Bill's myself when such fandom was warranted, and while I am very grateful for all his terrific years of service to the franchise, the objective worth of present-day Bill is amply attested to by the fact that that no NFL team wanted him, resulting in his recourse to tilting at windmills in a long-time footaball backwater. Reality is a hard taskmistress whose demands are non-negotiable.

It has to do with his age.

FULL-STOP

There are a bunch of Belichick haters here, and they are getting a lesson in how the rest of the NFL coaches right now as fans of this franchise.

It's OK, we've seen it before, it's pretty familiar through the years before Parcells got here.

 

[upstater1]

You know how we say you can't believe the rumors in sports media. There's a story up top that Belichick called Woody Johnson personally to inquire about the Jets job.

This is after Wickersham just wrote an article this week detailing how Belichick's confidantes (Lombardi no doubt) told Wickersham Belichick still despises Johnson and thinks he's an idiot. Why should we believe Lombardi? Because Belichick has openly ripped Johnson on the McAfee show repeatedly for months now. He's been ruthless, and has made the insults personal. I'm sorry, I don't believe Belichick is so stupid as to dog a potential employer. He's not doing that. So where did the story come from? Where do you think?

Don't believe everything you read in the media.

Just put 2 and 2 together.

 

[sb1]

Bruh.

 

[Thelonious]

It has to do with his age.

FULL-STOP

There are a bunch of Belichick haters here, and they are getting a lesson in how the rest of the NFL coaches right now as fans of this franchise.

It's OK, we've seen it before, it's pretty familiar through the years before Parcells got here.

His age is certainly a. factor but his dismal record of accomplishment both as GM and as HC over his last few years here is undeniably a factor as well. He does not seem much to lack vigor or mental acuity, but his judgment and manner of relating to people are, I think, obviously degraded. I don't hate him at all. I feel empathy for his loss in effect of his NFL career, but, as I believe Bill himself could put it, "it is what it is."

 

[upstater1]

His age is certainly a. factor but his dismal record of accomplishment both as GM and as HC over his last few years here is undeniably a factor as well. He does not seem much to lack vigor or mental acuity, but his judgment and manner of relating to people are, I think, obviously degraded. I don't hate him at all. I feel empathy for his loss in effect of his NFL career, but, as I believe Bill himself could put it, "it is what it is."

The impatience here always surprises me.

Any rebuild is going to have losing seasons. In Bill's case, 2 in a row.

But to go into an NFL season with losses of assistants and a QB who is beyond horrific, that's not going to work for any coach.

Belichick would have hade success here again if it weren't for our megalomaniac owner.