I've heard more whinging about the play-calling I feel like addressing it. Like everything else it isn't linear or black & white.
Josh is calling the plays behind the guise of Bill ... (No TO worthy plays, nothing out of comfort zone, build up confidence, get used to NFL speed, what you can get away with, OL has been swamp-ass) ...
This is also why I say posters aren't watching other teams play, with respect. Or certainly not invested or paying as much attention. And truthfully there's nothing wrong with that. If they did though or followed other teams they'd know Charger fans think they're play calling sucks, the Bears had Fields looking at 5 wide with their crappy OL blocking Garrett 1 on 1 all game getting killed. Not exactly the right way to.bring along a rookie. So the run plays are annoying and possibly could be performed in other ways (get rid of toss/certain screens and replace with others) we need to keep the defense honest and our OL hasn't been a plus all year. It's annoying and I have my issues with Josh but I get the overall approach.
There have been a few plays each game where a big play is available but we get a flag, defense makes a play, dropped pass, Mac misses the target. Few and far between trust me but think of Mac dropping back 5 more times a game specifically looking for deep targets. He can and it will happen. Play calling isn't so much the issue rather than overall approach to how we're trying to win games and what we're asking of Mac right now.
This is where I have a problem and it needs to be handled going forward. It's not 1994 anymore. Bill at times will over-think and outsmart himself. He was ahead of the curve, now behind it. I can't imagine any OC saying "nah we're good, let's NOT go for it with my new QB"
Maybe not go for it every time and just have blind faith with analytics but you have to go for in today's game. The odds are telling you to go for it, the defense is gassed, you should be able to pick up 3-5 yards - every OC has special plays - let the offense roll in these situations. Unless they're a disaster Id rather be middle of the pack of trying and punting in a close game vs a high powered offense. We're the underdogs now without Brady and c'mon man you're in a mini-shootout vs an offense that do a lot of things well! This is all Bill let's not get it twisted. Also I get both sides of the end of the first half. I mean there really wasn't a ton of time left but we could have come up with something better imo. In a close game we need to steal a few points on those situations, 4th down or before halftime.
Another thing I've been asking for is early / 1st half RB targets. We need to keep passing to Stevenson and even Harris early on.
I have to see splits and charts but the right side of the line gets no push on run plays. Both sides were blown up today, both tackle spots but right side needs to play better, I could be wrong and obviously it's in motion so we'll see going forward
Onwenu looked good but had a few issues with getting hands on his man on short yardage plays but looked good. Not bad at all for on call duty. At this point it's any means necessary. It doesn't matter, just fix it. Brown is only on for a year, right? You can't depend on him and absolutely have to figure out the left side as well. I'd love if Onwenu took the spot, I'd love if anyone took over a spot and really played like a bull.
The Patriots could absolutely use a few playmakers or upgrades but 75% of their problems on offense right now stem from pass pro being putrid, can't pick up short yardage (I could be wrong here overall) / run blocking isn't what it should be and a new combo of players each week. It's the OL.
What was going on before the pick 6? Didn't look like Mac & Josh were on the same page. J Johnson does his job well enough but if we're going to have a FB in there he absolutely needs to catch the ball at times and be a plus runner at that position.
I was all for the 12P shift but it's become a problem of sorts bc neither TE is a legit, true Y and our OL is 6 days unwashed bum. Now I still thought it would work bc at the time I thought our OL was top 5-10. Obviously I was big wrong. Now that it's not we're asking a little more blocking out of our TE's. We're still targeting them at a decent rate believe it and they have to block better but neither are killers in that area. Smith has run like 12 routes the past two games. We're trying to use him to help spring stretch plays but asking him to block bigger guys as opposed to DB's. Maybe I'm exaggerating here slightly but film and #'s kind of back it up. Again we're looking their way, just not enough for what we're supposed to be imo.
Yea we need tackle help. I'm a Wynn fan but I'm objective - you can say what you want but I'm pretty objective no matter the player. Yes we need tackle help but let's not forget about IDL/LB/CB.
A)No pressure from the middle of the DL. There was a stat last week showing how doubled Barmore is and we can't name another player that could stop that from happening or take advantage of 1 on 1. We need help along the DL. Edge, Under-Tackle, DT, it don't matter. Barmore is definitely not going to be enough this early in his career. Judon is 1 man. Uche plays 4 snaps a games. We need to invest in a game changer and fortunately there are plenty in the next draft. Plenty. Get Barmore and Judon an every down partner and build the DL back up.
B)I'm too tired and about to bail but we need to rethink the LB position. I know what do I know but we're continuously searching for that hybrid but not going really going all in. Bill wants his guys to have heavy hands, smash the **** out of OL'm etc but we're always getting killed there. Sure most teams are but some are trying new things and making some progress even if you can't see it yet. Cards with Collins, Simmons, Hicks ... Panthers with Shaq, Chinn, Reddick, Carter. I'd like to see Bill get aggressive here and really tinker about. Even still we as a defense need to rethink this next with HT, Bentley, KVN etc .. I'll add some names of hybrids from upcoming draft or just put together a early PTP list but I'd love to see us get more athletic at LB next year. We have very little speed in the MOF and particularly little lateral speed. HT & Bentley are complete liabilities in coverage and that isn't changing. Hello Kyle Hamilton (if we have a top ten pick he's probably going to be top 3 on my PTP board)
C)Did you see Mills out there ? ? How in the world are beat that bad when you're that close? This team could use another bulldog at corner. I'm not saying tackle isn't an issue, just that we have others at valuable positions. Not only Mills either, JC makes plays but we need a 1A/B situation here. Mills & Dak torched us way too easily.
Dak doesn't get the credit he deserves. When he's right he's a legit top 5-7 QB in this league that make plays inside/outside the pocket. We obviously tried keeping him inside but he's special.
Look right now we're a bad team. We're close and not terrible but we're a bad team. Take it easy, we've had and known more success as Pats fans than the entire Cleveland + Detroit + 10 other fan bases put together. We're bad though.
We can't pass protect or run block particularly well. We definitely could use a "Z" type playmaker or any true playmaker but the "weapons" aren't the problem, it's the OL. We're also continuing to turn the ball over at an unacceptable rate. Top 5 in the league I believe? We've given up way too many easy yards, Mills was a disaster on 4-5 separate plays giving up yards - two arm lengths in between him and the target. Coaching hasn't been the best either.
Have to call it like I see it and be objective. Luckily Mac looks like the real deal. Kind of exactly how I saw him. Excellent anticipation, accuracy, placement and touch. I wrote about his "arm talent" being a plus bc of those despite not having natural strength or velocity. He makes up for it with poise and anticipation. He won't make any better, esp early in his career but he's able to utilize everyone. Keep working on the physical, maybe tighten up the mechanics, maximize the mental and he's capable of being a top 12 QB in a few years.
