The inside story of the Patriots’ fall to rock bottom in the Bill Belichick era

[h0c2000]

Nothing to see here folks. 8 games under .500 is to be expected in a multi-decade rebuild with a 72 year old coach.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Corky will be forced on the new regime next year. Book it.

This implies that Kraft forced Jones on BB.

The problem with this is that if Belichick knew Jones was a "disaster," he had options. AFAIK he couldn't just trade him with Kraft's permission, but he could've benched him and basically dared Kraft to do something about it.

 

[Rob0729]

There's been some speculation that that is what happened this year and Bill wanted to move on from Mac before this car crash of a season.

It is just speculation. And that was a year after the Patricia experiment failure where Mac went from an OROY candidate to an inconsistent QB who still showed some promise at times. This is another year later and we saw the complete collapse of Jones.

So even if Kraft pressured Belichick into starting Mac, that situation was completely different than it would be this upcoming year with a new regime and the Pats may in position to draft an even better QB than Mac even if he built on what he did his rookie season and didn't regress into a puddle of fear and indecisiveness.

 

[Ross12]

I think this article makes good points (if it is true) about BOB - he could not really do what he wanted to do if he was unable to build the type of staff he wanted. He had to work with Bill and Patricia's leftovers. This coaching staff, at least on offense, sucks. It's a great defensive staff, from DBs to safeties to LBs to DL, but the offensive coaching staff is not great. McDaniels scooped up what little talent was here.

I think it gives you reason to be optimistic if Mayo (or Vrabel?) becomes HC and retains BOB - you have to assume BOB would be allowed to actually make the staff he wants, and several of Josh's guys that he took to Vegas (or even Josh himself) would be available if wanted. I thought BOB's gameplans were generally good, but execution was lacking, which probably falls more on assistant coaches than the OC himself.

Much has been made of Bill's inability to pick the players and build a competent offensive roster, but he's been bad at building a staff too. It gets smaller and smaller as the years go on, he trusts fewer and fewer guys, and the guys he trusts (on offense and ST) largely suck. Love Bill the coach, but his personnel management has simply declined beyond a level I'm willing to accept. I think the only path forward is a new GM and a new HC. Sad to see it but it's unfortunately time.

 

[Ross12]

Corky will be forced on the new regime next year. Book it.

What coach would want to come here when the conditions are that they have to start the corpse of Mac Jones?

 

[upstater1]

This implies that Kraft forced Jones on BB.

The problem with this is that if Belichick knew Jones was a "disaster," he had options. AFAIK he couldn't just trade him with Kraft's permission, but he could've benched him and basically dared Kraft to do something about it.

So, he should've signed, let's say, Jimmy Garoppolo, to a $25m contract.

Don't think Kraft would've been happy with that.

 

[Real fan 02]

Also sounds like there’s still a divided locker room over McCorkle Jones. Even if he did get a raw deal he won’t help the team now.


Thank goodness changes are coming.

No way Billy B survives this.. feels with each passing day Mayo projects to be the man..

 

[Real fan 02]

Certainly damming as far as Troy Brown goes.

So much for BOB having autonomy with the offense huh.. this year's report is worse than last seasons.

 

[TomPatriot]

Was Klemm really a highly acclaimed OL coach in the pros? I remember Steeler fans saying he wasn't a great OL coach and we'd regret bringing him here.

Hilarious. Klemm leaves, they go back to Scar’s method and the OL plays better. Draw your own conclusions.

 

[TomPatriot]

Why did 32 franchises pass on him 3 times and 14 franchises pass on him a fourth time?

There are other talented players at other positions in the draft?

 

[Real fan 02]

What a mess.

Klemm's illness: he's sick of Belichick. No help on offensive line, no true coaching, reverting to old ways because that's what they know as opposed to trying to adapt. Without any consistency on the OL, nothing else matters.

QBs: no leadership. 2 followers. Should have had a vet here to be, essentially, another coach.

Coaching staff: too busy building a circle of trust than trying to build a winning staff.

In the end, Bill has reverted to who he is, a brilliant defensive mind. Clearly he can coach, but he should not have any input to staff building or player acquisition. He's got buy in on the defensive side of the ball, and he's got help. Offensively, he's completely eff'd it up.

I don't see a way out for Bill. Do you keep him and the defensive staff, and then give BoB full autonomy, while bringing in a GM who Bill works for as opposed to the other way around? I don't see that being a viable solution in real life.

It's time.

I don't see a way out for him.. what a stark difference it makes when a organization is hoisting Lombardi to just dreaming of one.. when Bill leaves.. I think BOB stays and Mayo allows him to build his own staff..

 

[jmt57]

You're going to have to list the tackles they missed on.

I do believe the interior was a huge need.

It was a need created by giving Shaq Mason money instead of Joe Thuney. That decision lead to a roller coaster of draft picks expended finding a replacement.

I think they need all these guards and centers personally.

BUT--they also needed to draft tackles.I just don't know who they missed out on. Jones from Cleveland has already been discussed. Who else?

Clearly they thought Sow was a future tackle (right tackle?) because he played the position in college.

You are absolutely correct, the interior offensive line was in dire need of attention.

I just feel that there should have also some attention to offensive tackle. It doesn't have to be an either/or proposition.

I had not thought or researched what tackles were available to the Patriots over that time frame, but here is what I have found from a brief search. While no All-Pros jump out from the list, there are several solid starters. To be fair there are many JAGs as well - as would be expected when you get deeper in the draft.

Another thing I noticed was that there were many players drafted as tackles who became solid starters at guard. Maybe there shoul be a bit more consideration to that idea; it worked out well with Logan Mankins.


2022: from time Pats had a pick, through 5th round
2.57 - Bucs - Luke Goedeke (started at G in 2022, OT in 2023)
3.69 - Tenn - Nicholas Petit-Frere (starting LT in 2022; now on IR)
3.72 - Seattle - Abe Lucas (started at RT in 2022, most of 2023 on IR)
3.77 - Colts - Bernard Rainham (starting LT since mid-2022)
4.110 - Balt - Daniel Faalele (backup both seasons)
4.111 - Jets - Max Mitchell (has been kicked inside to guard)
4.136 - Cincy - Cordell Volson (moved to LG; 32 starts)
4.140 - GB - Zach Tom (starting RT)
5.145 - KC - Darian Kinnard (demoted to practice squad)
5.155 - Dallas - Matt Waletzko (has been on IR; was backup in 2022)
5.168 - Bears - Braxton Jones (All-Rookie LT in 2022; injured in 2023)

2021: from 2nd round through 5th, as Pats needed to replace Cam Newton at QB in 1st
2.45 - Jax - Walker Little (6 starts as swing tackle 2021-2022; 11 starts in 2023)
3.93 - Bills - Spencer Brown (3-year starter at RT)
4.110 - Browns - James Hudson (13 starts as backup LT/swing tackle)
4.128 - Pittsburgh - Dan Moore (3-year starter at LT)
4.139 - Cincy - D'Ante Smith (swing/backup tackle)
5.151 - Bears - Larry Borom (23 starts as swing/backup OT)
5.155 - 49ers - Jaylon Moore (7 starts as backup LT/swing tackle)
5.161 - Bills - Tommy Doyle (11 games as a rookie, but on IR in 2022 & 2023)

2020: from 2nd round through 5th (Pats traded down from 1st round)
3.96 - KC - Lucas Niang (starting RT as rookie; now a backup)
3.99 - NYG - Matt Peart (6 starts in 1st two seasons, but too many injuries since)
3.106 - Bal - Tyre Phillips (27 starts, mostly at RT; now on IR)
4.126 - Hou - Charlie Heck (starting RT in 2021; backup/swing since)
5.153 - SF - Colton McKivitz (starting RT after 3 seasons as backup)

2019: from 2nd round through 5th (Pats took N'Keaal Harry at #32
2.35 - Jax - Jawaan Taylor (has started every game in 5 years)
2.37 - Car - Greg Little (draft bust traded away for nothing after two seasons)
2.38 - Bills - Cody Ford (started 15 games as rookie, but after injury in 2020 has been a backup)
3.91 - LAC - Trey Pipkins (starting RT for Chargers after 2 years as backup)
3.92 - NYJ - Chuma Edoga (only 13 starts in 1st 4 seasons; now a G w/Dallas)
3.101 - Pats - Yodny Cajuste (five starts due to injuries)

 

[SVN]

 

[condon84]

What coach would want to come here when the conditions are that they have to start the corpse of Mac Jones?

Josh McD?

Maybe Mayo, Vrabel or BoB? Guys who want an opportunity to work for Kraft and know that Mac has one year left of his contract and are willing to suck it up for one year.

 

[Ross12]

Josh McD?

Maybe Mayo or Vrabel? Guys who want an opportunity to work for Kraft and know that Mac has one year left of his contract and are willing to suck it up for one year.

I could see them letting Mac stay on to compete but not being forced to make him their starter.

Would Mac want to be a "bridge" in his contract year to a QB drafted 3rd or 4th overall? But then what if Josh (as the HC or as the OC under a Mayo or Vrabel) gets Mac looking good again?

 

[raduray]

The players haven't given up if you ignore guys like Trent Brown and Jones who had to be taken away from the team.

I think players haven't given up on themselves. They're all playing to put out good game film to further their individual careers.

 

[TomPatriot]

Would Mac want to be a "bridge" in his contract year to a QB drafted 3rd or 4th overall? But then what if Josh (as the HC or as the OC under a Mayo or Vrabel) gets Mac looking good again?

Then you would have the kind of problem you’d like to have.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I could see them letting Mac stay on to compete but not being forced to make him their starter.

Would Mac want to be a "bridge" in his contract year to a QB drafted 3rd or 4th overall? But then what if Josh (as the HC or as the OC under a Mayo or Vrabel) gets Mac looking good again?

I think at this point, Mac has to want to get any playing time he can, wherever he can, to try to put together enough to get his next job.

 

[condon84]

I could see them letting Mac stay on to compete but not being forced to make him their starter.

Would Mac want to be a "bridge" in his contract year to a QB drafted 3rd or 4th overall? But then what if Josh (as the HC or as the OC under a Mayo or Vrabel) gets Mac looking good again?

Only reason why I'm saying that is what unfolded this year - the extraordinary long leash on Mac even after the worst quarterbacking I've ever seen, BoB's chain of command comment and now the article about Kraft forcing BoB on Belichick.

If we draft a QB with our 1st round pick, then throw my theory away. If we hire someone like Harbaugh, there's no way he would agree to that. But if we get any of the ex-Pats guys I mentioned, I think we are in for another Mac year.

 

[raduray]

I know it's not a popular opinion of others, but I hope that they loose to the Jets to aid the rebuild.

Not unpopular at all.