Final season the New England Patriots nearly missed the playoffs. If it wasn’t for the wild-card win, we wouldn’t have seen their NFL season specials.
This close to miss is a transparent signal that one thing wants to alter within the group. We’ve completed some deep diving into the reason for their setback. The principle distinction? Mac Jones.
The quarterback has regressed after a robust rookie season in 2021.
One of many greatest unfavorable modifications was his passer score. It dropped from 92.5% to 84.8%. The 28% drop is sufficient to lose a sport. In truth, it did lose video games.
It’s simple responsible this modification on nerves, or Jones’ ankle harm, however there’s extra to it. The quarterback didn’t have sufficient assist. He couldn’t make nice performs as a result of there was nobody there for him.
We have now some concepts to alter the Patriots’ destiny, prepared for the subsequent season.
Use Recognized Offensive Coordination Expertise
Wanting on the Tremendous Bowl 57 traces, there isn’t a lot distinction between the 2 groups. They aren’t equally matched, however the bettors know that both group may win. It’s because their coaches are confirmed specialists. Most of them had been taught by Andy Reid. Reid himself will probably be teaching the Chiefs to take down his former group.
Reid is thought for listening to his gamers, watching them carry out, and discovering their abilities. With that info, he learns easy methods to make the most of every participant, creating a powerful group total.
New England must comply with this thought course of. They want an offensive coordinator who acknowledges Jones’ strengths. In addition they must suppose creatively and add a spark to their play model.
The present offensive coordination officers have backgrounds in defensive or particular groups. Neither have actual expertise with offensive groups.
If considered one of them had a special background and the opposite knew the offensive technique, the added distinction would have created an fascinating taste. However as a result of each groups had been rusty of their offensive information, they ended up making a predictable offensive construction.
Discovering a educated offensive coordinator isn’t laborious. There are masses to select from, a lot of whom would love the problem of coordinating a brand new group. The Patriots want to alter their present technique and spend money on recognized offensive coordination expertise.
Make investments In A Sturdy Receiver
Jun 5, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots operating again Rex Burkhead (34) runs drills throughout obligatory minicamp on the Gillette Stadium follow area. Necessary Credit score: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports activities
Mac Jones wants a powerful receiver. In the mean time their goal is Jakobi Meyers. Meyers is an effective receiver, however the pool of comparative choices isn’t nice.
Meyers is a free-agent and final season he acquired 804 receiving yards. These are good numbers, however for New England to drag itself out of this rut, they want a couple of contender.
Their most important choices are JuJu Smith-Schuster and Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham needs to be their greatest guess, however as a result of he didn’t play in any respect final season we can’t be positive the place his present skills lie.
The free-agency pool isn’t the Patriot’s solely selection. They might get a stronger group by means of a commerce, and one group has already proven an curiosity. The Arizona Cardinals have made experiences on buying and selling DeAndre Hopkins.
Relying on what they need in return, Hopkins could be the best choice.
And naturally, we can not neglect concerning the drafts. They will choose 14th total, which isn’t a terrific alternative, however not many groups are in search of a receiver.
They are going to be watching Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison, and Quentin Johnston and hoping to choose any considered one of these three. Every is both ranked fifteenth or larger on the draft board.
The Patriots must weigh up their choices and get backups in place, to make sure they’ve a powerful receiver on the facet.
Enhance Cross Safety
The following suggestion is controversial, however it must be mentioned. Trent Brown ought to go. He was accountable for 8 sacks in 2022. He additionally triggered 13 penalties.
His numbers are down, and he can not shield his quarterback. If the group let him go now, they may save over $10 million and stop extra pointless defensive blunders.
Whether or not the group trades him, releases him, or retains him benched, Brown must go. Our sources say that Orlando Brown Jr will change into a free agent quickly. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have plowed by means of the season this 12 months, so taking Orlando may very well be a sound possibility.
As all the time, there may be a couple of technique to get new gamers. The group may purchase a powerful left sort out from the drafts. They need to be taking a look at Paris Johnson Jr or Peter Skoronski. Each are within the high 12 prospects listing or larger.
Both approach, the group has to drop Brown or bench him. They might make investments time in his re-training, however as a free agent, there isn’t any level. As an alternative, they’d be higher off hiring a full group member.
Abstract
The New England Patriots want to alter their strategies and assist Mac Jones attain his potential. To try this, they need to rent confirmed offensive coordinators, and spend money on a brand new receiver and a brand new left sort out.
They will do that by commerce or by means of the drafts.