Former Jets GM Makes Important Point About How Patriots Can Overcome Jarrett Stidham's Inexperience

The New England Patriots are expected to start Jarrett Stidham over Brian Hoyer in 2020. There is a great deal of concern over Stidham's experience as an NFL level quarterback.

"In order to adapt to the stark change in experience and talent at the quarterback position, former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum thinks that Bill Belichick will have to lean heavily on the deep, young running back room he has created over the last few years." according to Michael Luciano of 12up.

Tannenbaum said “I don’t think Stidham has to be great for New England to be productive this year and I don’t think there’s been enough said — look, I understand their weapons may not have been ideal a year ago, but that running back room to me is dynamic and it doesn’t necessarily have to be as runners. Damien Harris can’t even get on the field and I think he has a chance to be a really good player."

The Patriots were a throw first team with Tom Brady because they didn't need to run the ball. It wasn't always the case, especially during the early part of the Brady Belichick era.

Sony Michel is one of my breakout players. His stats were nearly the same, although he had a worse average running behind both Marshall Newhouse who was one of the worst run blockers in 2019; and the Patriots offensive line and tight ends were also very poor run blockers as units in 2019.

Damien Harris is also being projected a breakout candidate by everyone else. Harris was redshirted in 2019 and should be the Patriots powerback. Together him and Michel should be a dominant one, two punch.

The Patriots don't need a superstar quarterback in 2020, they need an intelligent game manager, who can move the ball down field and into scoring range. The Patriots will probably get the ball a minimum 8-10 times with their defense. 

If the Patriots can at least get into field goal range half the time, the Patriots are looking at 12-15 points minimum. While the Patriots will need to put touchdowns on the board, even just one with four field goals could be enough to win games in 2020. 

If the Patriots run game can open up the play action pass, Stidham is going to have an easier time in 2020 than Brady had in 2019.