"The Patriots could be 4-1. And although the standings don't show it, their stats do. The team is a .500 team. Before Cam was cut I had them as a 9-10 win team, I reduced that to 7 after he was cut. My buddy Ray had them as an 8 win team. To be honest and people might disagree. But if the Patriots don't have a realistic chance at the wild card, if Kraft will let them, I want them to play for a top 10 pick. The problem is I believe just like last year that the defense is too good to let that happen unless the coaching puts them in a bad position with play calling."
Afterwards I would go on to see that I was having the same opinion as many unpopular media personalities when it comes to Patriots nation. I am not a homer, I do not get loud watching my teams's games. I watch games alone because other fans tend to get irrational, and I am not afraid to criticize my team.
Mac Jones has played well. Thus far my concern has been is it McDaniels play calling or is he the one opting out of plays? He's already admitted to doing it, so the question if the play calling is still unanswered.
The other issues with Mac that I have had was decision making because there's been better options on occasion that he's not seeing. I get that the line hasn't played the best this season but still. I also have had an issue with his ball placement. While it's been decent and a huge upgrade to the 2019 Patriots' quarterbacks, it could be better. Mac Jones commented on that.
Jones said, "I let the other team touch the ball too much... Either our guy touches it or no one touches it. I can work on that but I'm not going to be gun shy"
There are times where Jones doesn't appear to have the fastball needed. Where his passes look slow. According to many the Rookie quarterback needed to hit the gym this offseason and although his arm strength was the best, it was said that it "could be improved" by those in the media.
Evan Lazar tweeted, "Vast majority of Mac’s INTs or close calls this year are because he’s throwing off his back foot or trying to hit a passing window that closes too fast on him at this level. Mostly on decision making/knowing his limits. Very fixable."
So Lazar is basically saying what I already said. Rex Ryan has an opinion of Mac's velocity and his choice of words is insulting to the Patriots 2021 first round draft pick.
Ryan said "The Patriots won't make the playoffs because they have a peashooter at quarterback. This team should've been beaten by the Houston Texans."
I don't disagree about the Texans should of won, the Patriots played bad for two and a half quarters of football and the Texans played bad and made mistakes the rest of it but back to Ryan.
Ryan would also say, "When the ball travels down the field more than 15 yards [in the air], it's bad news for this guy. He's like Danny Wuerffel."
To be honest. I didn't know who that wass but some of the media was quick to let people know. He was the heisman trophy winner at Florida in 1996 and world bowl champion in 2000. That doesn't sound bad, right? The saints drafted him in the fourth round so obviously he was seen as a project quarterback coming out of Florida. Still not that bad but he never did anything or wasn't given the opportunity.
Brian Mazique of the Heavy wrote, "Wuerffel’s weakness was always his arm strength. His positive qualities were his intelligence, accuracy and football IQ..."
That sounds like Mac Jones's scouting reports for the most part out side the few who wrote that he could do no wrong or no right, depending on the writer.
Mazique continued "While there are some similarities in overall makeup, it is safe to say Jones has already surpassed Wuerffel with his play in the first five games of his career. It’s a different time, system and overall situation, but on this alone, Ryan’s comparison is a bit exaggerated."
So yeah, Mac Jones is a little to blame for the Patriots 2-3 record but he's not alone. The offense has been bad running, and blocking. The pass catchers in my opinion have been so-so. I give as much blame to Mac for missing opportunities as I do lack of separation. And you know I also split the blame equally on play calling between the quarterback and offensive coordinator.
Bob SoccI wrote The Patriots have "been unable to protect it's young quarterback; struggling to establish a running attack, failing to adequately pass protect; and often falling ‘behind the sticks.’
The Patriots were supposed to be better without Sony Michel and although I get the trade, I do. The Patriots are ranked 31st on the ground. Now some of that falls to the offensive line but the committee is so far bad without Sony.
The defense has not been great either. Yeah the secondary played good against an injured Buccaneers team but the secondary was non existent versus the Texans for most of the game. I wasn't the only one who thought the secondary lacked hustle Sunday in their victory. The Patriots are ranked 15th in yards given up on the ground. When the defense needs to make a stop, they cannot be trusted.
This season the Patriots have had an issue with fundamentals and penalties. They have had an issue with making key plays when needed. The first month of the season, the Patriots normally treat like the preseason as they search for their identity. The only identity I can see at the moment is that the Patriots are a developmental .500 team in the middle of a rebuild.
I'm sure this doesn't sit well with the rest of Patriots nation but I'm being honest with how I see it. The Patriots aren't bad but they're barely average. The coaching staff has to do their jobs and get this team into shape or we as fans have to start looking at the draft and free agency. That's how I see it.
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