- Joined
- Jul 11, 2005
- Messages
- 15,532
- Reaction score
- 27,570
I really appreciate this post. Amazing how they break that down. But like most of these deeply analytical stats you have to also consider the CONTEXT of what went into that play. BUT they do provide him several areas where can improve. Areas that I didn't even knew existed before your ppst. BTW if my vertical receivers can get slightly less than TWO yds separation and my QB can't get the ball to him on a regular basis, then I'm going to need a new QB.Mac needs to dramatically improve on these numbers.
Consider these nuggets from last season, via ESPN Stats & Information:
- 41% of Jones' pass attempts thrown at least 20 yards downfield were over- or underthrown last season, an off-target mark that ranked 21st in the NFL (league average 36%).
- Jones ranked 24th with a 38.8% completion rate on vertical routes last season according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His completion percentage above expectation on those throws was -4.5% (26th out of 31 qualified QBs).
- Jones had his most completions 20-plus yards downfield to receiver Jakobi Meyers (7-of-16), but struggled to connect with Agholor (4-of-17, 0 TD, 2 INT).
- Patriots receivers ranked 25th with only 1.6 yards of separation on deep balls per NFL Next Gen Stats.
We may want to keep Meyers.
My goals for Mac are simple get to 30+ TD's and around 10 TD's Last year his TD to picks was around 2-1. THIS year I'd like that to improve to 3-`1
Please remember that Tom Brady didn't become more than a "game manager" until; late in the 2004 season, IMHO. THat's well into his FIFTH season. So lets give Mac a reasonable chance to develop, though with all the Polian passing rules changes, it i is certainluy an easier path for Mac to develop.
This team WILL be better offensively given we are improved at all the skill positions. Better at WR with the additions of Parker and Thornton PLUS a year's familiarity with the vets we brought back. BETTER at TE with a year more familiarity with the entire room. Better at RB with now at LEAST 3 RB's who are good receiving guys. (White, Harris and Stevenson)
I think the OL has the INDIVIDUAL talent to be pretty good. But it will be a BIG question mark until we actually see it in action But that is an unanswerable question at this time. Unfortunately it is question we won't really know the answer to until the middle of October. Until then it will be a CONSTANT discussion point and 3 preseason games will NOT give us an answer, just an INDICATION of what's happening. Of course health will have a big presence in answering those questions.
So overall I tihnk the entire offense will be improved and Mac will improve because its the SUM of all the pars that make an offense go. The defense on the other hand is a horse of a different color. So many questions. eiill the DL be stouter this year, DO we have enough talent in the secondary. And the most interesting question of all for me is WILL the transition from bulk to speed at the ILB position work to our benefit.