Where do the Patriots go from here?

[NYRaider]

Draft Kenny Pickett

[Jraider91]

On 1/16/2022 at 6:09 PM, MWil23 said:

The Georgia LB or Kyle Hamilton seems like the most New England pick ever. Some pass rushing ability wouldn’t hurt them either. They’re lacking athleticism and those spots especially help them in divisional play.

Wide receiver has been a glaring need there for a while. I like their OL and TE situation and they get good enough production from their running backs.

How on earth are they managing to get Kyle Hamilton?

[FrantikRam]

The treadmill, for quite a while

[ThatJaxxenGuy]

Stay the course. They had a good season with a rookie QB. 

[DoleINGout]

Either Kraft and Belichick agree to part ways or...

Mike Mayock joins the staff per Bill's request and the rest of the staff more-or-less stays the same, somewhat unfortunately for Pats fans due to Patricia/Steve+Brian B/the random ST coordinator dude/McDaniels to a fair degree.

Edited January 18, 2022 by DoleINGout

[DoleINGout]

On 1/16/2022 at 7:42 AM, notthatbluestuff said:

(aside from the golf course)

Despite their annihilation last night, making the playoffs is arguably a better season than expected for this team with a rookie QB. How do they best ensure Mac's continued progress? Do you foresee another summer of spending, and which areas do they need to address? 

And is the defense a major problem or does Josh Allen simply present a major mismatch for their current system? 

 

So answering each part of your post in order:

Arguably better season? Arguably yes, maybe. But, they underperformed when you get down to it. Penalties, poor execution at the end of games mostly on defense, and a self-limiting game plan consistently, especially on the offensive end. Yeah, the offensive play calling and game planning held Mac Jones back. Ultimately the team suffered most from the game planning and play calling, which is a direct result of the coaching.

Another summer of spending? Yes, but maybe a third or less of what was spent last year.

In free agency they need to let essentially every one of their expiring contract guys walk. In the draft they need to address every level of the defense plus go after wide receiver.

QB, RB, TE, OL, S, PK/P/LS are not priorities this year unlike last year.

 

DL, LB, WR and especially coaching are the biggest areas of concern. CB is in the mix as well if JC Jackson is tagged+traded or let go.

The defense is a major issue but it isn't years away or far from average like over half of the NFL's other teams. That said, Josh Allen is an elite talent at QB and a mismatch for every team in the NFL. The Patriots current system is arguably antiquated but it isn't any further from away from stymieing Allen/elite QB's than most organizations.

[FinSting]

1 hour ago, DoleINGout said:

Arguably better season? Arguably yes, maybe. But, they underperformed when you get down to it. 

Another summer of spending? Yes, but maybe a third or less of what was spent last year.

Last year's FA spending spree was a shocker, the GM really opened up the bank vault. Some good players, some not-so-good players. Par for the course with FA signings tho. 

Didn't think the rebuilding Pats had much chance of making the playoffs this year but they did so even with a rookie QB. So I feel they overperformed not underperformed. Coach must be above average or something. 

 

[NYRaider]

If they get a true #1 WR it would really open up their offense. Agholor, Bourne, Meyers, Smith, and Henry are all solid players but their lacking that true #1 guy.

[WizeGuy]

They're in a tough spot because the Bills are now a well oiled machine with by far the best QB in the division, and I can't see Mac, Tua, or Wilson dethroning Allen anytime soon. It falls on BB showcasing why he's the best coach in the league. He needs faster LBers and better WRs first and foremost. Give Mac every chance to succeed and become a franchise guy. The Pats don't need the best QB in the division to become a threat to Buffalo, but they do need to rebuild some areas of their squad and develop Mac into a franchise QB (Flacco level would be good enough) to compete with the Bills. 

Problem is- the Bills have a great front office and coaching, so they're going to be doing everything possible to improve their squad. Allen's contract will limit them a bit, but the FO has proven they can draft well, navigate through FA well, and handle the financial side well. It's going to be tough, but if anyone can do it- it's BB.

[THE DUKE]

Give BB an offseason or two to build a defense to stop Buffalo and get Mac a couple more weapons, they'll be fine. The fact that this NE team made the playoffs should have made BB a coach of the year candidate.

[CP3MVP]

Be ok with competing for 2nd place in the division the next 5 years 

[DoleINGout]

16 hours ago, FinSting said:

Didn't think the rebuilding Pats had much chance of making the playoffs this year but they did so even with a rookie QB. So I feel they overperformed not underperformed. Coach must be above average or something. 

@jofos

The head coach is above average or something. But they still underperformed with way they finished the season. It's as much about the way they lost as how much they won.

[Xenos]

On 1/16/2022 at 6:22 AM, J-ALL-DAY said:

1. Re-sign JC Jackson

2. Draft a WR in the first two rounds 

3. Improve the athleticism, especially at the LB position

The Pats had the type of season you would hope with a rookie QB. No shame in losing in the WC round. Just make some improvements and hope Jones is able to get better. Pats are in a good position all things considered. 

They need a better GM for this to work.

[biggie.]

3 hours ago, THE DUKE said:

Give BB an offseason or two to build a defense to stop Buffalo and get Mac a couple more weapons, they'll be fine. The fact that this NE team made the playoffs should have made BB a coach of the year candidate.

THANK YOU.

Far too many in Pats Land figured the Evil Empire was back during our win streak. In reality that was more like a stock bubble getting inflated and then it deflated after the bye. At the end of the day this stock still overall grew.

Also amazing how Mac was the Boy Wonder who could do no wrong during the win streak and some started treating him like Chris O'Donnell post-bye. Mac is a young quarterback that still has a lot to learn and was working with ho-hum receivers.

Edited January 19, 2022 by biggie.

[Hunter2_1]

15 hours ago, NYRaider said:

If they get a true #1 WR it would really open up their offense. Agholor, Bourne, Meyers, Smith, and Henry are all solid players but their lacking that true #1 guy.

Exactly.

 

Plus we need a new defensive philosophy. It can be really good in the secondary, but those LB and sometimes the Run D.....My christ.