Patriots Pregame Thread Week 6: Texans @ your 1-4 Patriots

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'd say most don't.

Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Steve Young, Kurt Warner, Troy Aikman, John Elway, James Harrison didn't exactly shine when they started in the NFL. Josh Allen was mediocre in his rookie season. Terry Bradshaw's TD/INT was hilariously bad in his rookie year. Even Adam Vinatieri was nothing special in his first year.

Maybe some positions are more successful than others.

We were not talking about QBs. That is a different topic.

 

[The Brandon Five]

I give Pats a 1% chance of beating the Texans.

I’m an optimist.

 

[JohnJH]

I agree on Maye. He is a good person too so I like Maye as a player and as a person.

I could have picked Maye. You could have picked Maye. A good GM picks guys that others miss like Douglas in the 6th round. Wolf sucks really really badly. Did you hear Wolf's two press conferences? Polk has no separation. Wallace in the 3rd round because he can switch to LT - that lasted two practices. Robinson in the 4th because he is really strong but he can't move so guys run around him. Stone hands Baker in the 4th? Can anyone even remember Wolf's 5th to 7th round picks?

I wanted Braelon Allen if he was there in the 4th Round (which he was). But that ship has long since sailed. We'll regret not drafting him.

 

[PatsFan2]

I wanted Braelon Allen if he was there in the 4th Round (which he was). But that ship has long since sailed. We'll regret not drafting him.

Wow very good RB nice call.

 

[jdlboot14]

Mayo said it was "solely my decision" to make the Drake move.
It is just odd though that 1 week ago he was adamant that JB was the best chance for the team to win.
Not sure if this was pressure from the team (players & coaches) and even ownership, and then he made the "call".

Either way, a heel-drop out of bounds may have been the difference in Maye playing week 6 vs. week 10.
Polk is actually a hero in many regards

 

[PatsFan2]

Mayo said it was "solely my decision" to make the Drake move.
It is just odd though that 1 week ago he was adamant that JB was the best chance for the team to win.
Not sure if this was pressure from the team (players & coaches) and even ownership, and then he made the "call".

Either way, a heel-drop out of bounds may have been the difference in Maye playing week 6 vs. week 10.
Polk is actually a hero in many regards

You're amazing I was thinking that same thing the little things. I don't think Mayo thought we would have lost to that Injury riddled Dolphins Team they were right for the taking but Brissett couldn't seal the deal.

 

[upstater1]

I keep coming back to the fact that so many players are no longer playing.

If, back in May, I told you that we would have all the following players out for one reason or another, you would've thrown in the towel:

Barmore, Judon, Bentley, Peppers, Andrews, these are key players and captains.

 

[Brotherblues]

Mayo said it was "solely my decision" to make the Drake move.

 

[Jim Beankie]

It's the scotch talking (down into my belly), but I can't wait for this f'ing game. Bring It On!!

 

[obgod3]

Well i dont think NE will wont this game, but I do expect better performance with Maye playing. Wish they had not waited so long to put him in. I dont think Mayo is deciding anything on his own however. Unfortunately Maye will get compared to Stroud all day during the game, not fair and unfortunate. Hope we see some good things over the next set of games.

 

[PatsFan2]

Well i dont think NE will wont this game, but I do expect better performance with Maye playing. Wish they had not waited so long to put him in. I dont think Mayo is deciding anything on his own however. Unfortunately Maye will get compared to Stroud all day during the game, not fair and unfortunate. Hope we see some good things over the next set of games.

Stroud?? Herbert and Allen.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

I keep coming back to the fact that so many players are no longer playing.

If, back in May, I told you that we would have all the following players out for one reason or another, you would've thrown in the towel:

Barmore, Judon, Bentley, Peppers, Andrews, these are key players and captains.

Not mention multiple other starting OLmen. You can’t expect to win with that injury list, yet we should absolutely be 3-2 even with JB at qb.

 

[Salsalife]

I'd be happy if the kid and get us in the end zone with low talent. 12 personal hopefully. Seasons over but a least it gives some hope.

 

[PatsFan2]

??? Did Siddy Sow lose his Starting Job to M Jordan?? I now see him listed on the dept chart behind Jordan.

 

[KCSVEN]

??? Did Siddy Sow lose his Starting Job to M Jordan?? I now see him listed on the dept chart behind Jordan.

Yup, I would have gone Jordan, Sow and kept Onwenu at Tackle. Not convinced Jacobs can hold up against good pass rushers.
Also not sure Sow is 100% healthy but Jordan been good all year and Sow had a breakdown in technique on a couple of pass protections that were concerning considering how they have been harping on the type of technique they want.

 

[Water Boy]

Yup, I would have gone Jordan, Sow and kept Onwenu at Tackle. Not convinced Jacobs can hold up against good pass rushers.
Also not sure Sow is 100% healthy but Jordan been good all year and Sow had a breakdown in technique on a couple of pass protections that were concerning considering how they have been harping on the type of technique they want.

Onwenu hasn't been great in pass pro at RT. I'd rather be stout up the middle in that regard. Plus need good guard play to make up for Leverett at OC.

 

[PatsFan2]

Onwenu hasn't been great in pass pro at RT. I'd rather be stout up the middle in that regard. Plus need good guard play to make up for Leverett at OC.

Nailed it: keep Onwenu at RG and the let the RB or TE account for the extra rusher. You can't have every Receiver going out in the pass pattern with our current Tackles. Our Pass Blocking Scheme should be built on accountability. IF Maye is able to step up he should find open Receivers.

 

[Thelonious]

Thinking ahead to games these days is very different than it was during the Glory Years. We used to anticipate a win pretty much every week. I was more irked by a loss than I was gratified by a win. I felt a win was our due, in the very nature of things. In other words, I was spoiled.

We sure aren't spoiled any more, and developing a take on a game is a far more complex matter than it used to be, certainly this week, when I am simultaneously thrilled that we get to have a look at our new binky in action and at the same time expecting with trepidation that he might not survive the experience intact in all his limbs and of sound mind.

So far, this is what I think I think looking ahead (?) to Sunday:

1) No matter how bad it gets, I will form no judgment whatever as to Maye's eventual merits as a qb. The asinine mismanagement of the qb situation this year has put him into a terrible spot, facing a dangerous rush behind a rotating gaggle of confused fatties, trying to throw to receivers who will never get open against a very good secondary. Unless Maye flees screaming from the stadium or runs weeping into his mommy's arms (We know that can happen.), I'm gonna say, "He looked fine."

2) The guy on the hot seat has to be VanPelt. If he cannot provide, even in these adverse circumstances, some sort of setting and scheme which gives Maye a shot at showing what he can do or least at surviving the damned game, I say we write him of as a timid fool and get somebody who can. There is no way Drake should have to begin his NFL career in a high school offense.

3) What then do I actually expect. For whatever reason, if only because hope does spring eternal, I actually do expect Maye to look pretty good. I expect him to account for a touchdown, maybe by running it in himself. With a newbie center, I expect a fumble. On no particular empirical basis, I don't expect an interception. Let's say 13 of 21 for one TD, no interceptions, two sacks, lots of hurries, lots of entertaining running around. I expect it to look like an old Road Runner cartoon. I expect the team to lose by a significant margin, but I expect to feel better about things after the game than before it, which means that I expect, with trepidation, that Maye will survive the experience unharmed in mind and body. How's that for optimism?

 

[captain stone]

You can run on them and the offense has not clicked completely.
However, they are at the top of the NFL in pass defense and pressuring the QB and just made Josh Allen look like Zach Wilson and now facing a rookie in his first start. I see why some pundits could see that happening. It could go that way. I'm assuming AVP will be smart and run the ball a ton.

You ass-ume Way too much…

 

[PatsFan2]

Javon Baker will be a Stud in due time not ever my WR come in the League and look like a world beater in year one. Some guys make the second year Jump right now they are just learning and waiting for their opportunity. Again don't give up on Baker we haven't seen the best of him.

@captain stone believe it Coach cap I am certain.