The Patriots have shown it's adaptability with the likes of with quarterbacks like Brady, Cassel, Hoyer, Garoppolo, Brissett, Newton, and Stidham being able to run it at varying degrees of success depending on their ability and understanding of the system. He'll even Danny Etling showed it's versatility with a long run versus the Giants in the preseason.
When the Patriots drafted Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, they showed it's adaptability. Flash forward to 2020, when Cam Newton was signed and we saw the option runs utilized, just more of how adaptable the offense is. Granted the option plays looked like Dave Kreig trying to run the hurry up at the end of his career. Unfortunately, with a supporting cast that only fell five spots, Cam's inability to throw with pin point accuracy and instead being a bubble thrower, was a huge part of the downside in 2020. Along with a list other red flags., regardless if there's an excuse or not.
The draft Network's Benjamin Solak spoke about the Patriots' rookie quarterback and the transition to the Patriots offense.
Solak said “Make no mistake: Jones is not a scheme fit in New England. Not the scheme they ran with Brady, at least. And either the player must take massive strides to fit in that offense, or the offense must undergo massive changes to fit the player in order for Jones to find success under Belichick, McDaniels, and the Patriots.”
I disagree with Solak about Jones being a scheme fit with the Brady offense, however I believe his athleticism is good enough that the Patriots can continue to mix in RPOs or even the wildcat. According to Pro Football Focus, the Patriots ran 70 RPOs in 2020, compared to only 4 with Brady in 2019.
In his article, Solak talks about Brady and Jones and basically describes Jones as in need of a Cam Newton vertical offense. Now while Jones can run the RPO, one of the big knocks on him is his arm strength. The deepest the Patriots want Jones throwing the ball is 40-50 yards. He is not a vertical game quarterback which Solak suggests the Patriots need evolve into for Jones.
After reading his article, which I'll post below, I'm convinced that Solak wants to Patriots to set Cam up for a comeback and to be the quarterback for the future, while setting Jones up to fail. My assessment could be wrong but it's based off all the scouting reports I've read about Jones and how they seem to defer from what Solak says Jones needs to be successful.
The Patriots can make necessary adjustments to suit Mac Jones but to drastically change the offense for Mac Jones is absurd. Eapecially when suggesting that they evolve their offense into something that is a weak point for Jones. The Patriots do not want Jones throwing the long ball consistently.
Jones can run the Brady offense, and will do it successfully when the time comes. People are bored of the Patriots offensive success and want to see more risky play. That's not a formula for long term success. The Patriots knew this, and all I'll say is it's why Justin Fields is in Chicago and not New England.
Here's Solak's article for anyone interested. https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/mac-jones-fit-new-england-patriots-offense-belichick-mcdaniels
No comments:
Post a Comment