New England Patriots Thread Mod Warning Post #253

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118523971#Comment_118523971

We are not that far off, don't mind our last game. Fix the right side of the offensive line, get a legit no.1 wr and sort out or replace JC Jackson. We'll have Mac with a years experience and we'll be right there.

If Trevor Penning reaches us in the draft I'd love for us to pick him. Most likely we'll bring in a vet at right tackle and draft a guard in a later round.

Gotta get a receiver, lots of really good free agents on the market. I'd love if we got Allen Robinson, if we can afford it.

BizzyC

I think our defence is in need of a much larger overhaul.

They tailed off massively in the last 5 games, and I think age was a big factor there.

If you look at our D now, next season all of these players will be 30+: Hightower, Collins, KVN, Judon, Guy, Davis Jr, McCourty, Phillips, Bethel

I think we need a complete overhaul of our LB group, we need to get more athletic at the position across the board.

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118524235#Comment_118524235

In four of our last ten games we gave up more than twenty points.

The Dolphins game was a position where we didn't take it very seriously, I'm not sure we trained at all in the week leading up to that game.

We gave up big numbers to the Bills twice, no shame in that. We gave up 27 to the Colts which wasn't that bad really.

Shedite27

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118523971#Comment_118523971

I was thinking the same watching the game last night. We're a fair bit off that level

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

We don't have the players atm to compete with the likes of those Bills or Chiefs teams. With Mac on the rookie contract BB should be looking to rectify that though.

eagle eye

Let's compare with the Bills. If we got their right guard, right tackle and Diggs, do you think we'd beat them?

I think we would. We are not that far off.

Shedite27

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118524703#Comment_118524703

Right now Josh Allen does so much for them he's hard to compete with. Mac has been great, but he's not in the top 10 of QB's. Those top tier of QB's (top 5?) are worth about 5 players.

Pats competing with Allen/Bills right now is like Bills competing with Tom/Pats in the past 20 years

BizzyC

I dont think we would honestly.

They scored 7 TDs! We were wholly incapable of containing Allen. With those offensive additions we're still looking at a 47-35ish loss imo.

Until we have a defense capable of making them punt the ball at least a few times, they'd still control games against us because Allen will take off and outrun our backers when we blitz, or he'll sit back with plenty of time to find an open receiver when we play contain...

Speckydodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118524805#Comment_118524805

Allen was an absolute **** show the first 2 years of his career and nowhere near Mac's level in his rookie year. They stuck with him and got him the complimentary pieces he needed to prosper, we need to do the same. Definitely need an elite WR1.

Mac will really improve moving forward, will he reach those levels it's questionable but he might not need to.

Another strong draft class is imperative though.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118526491#Comment_118526491

Mac's rookie year was definitely better than Allen's, but Allen's ceiling was always way higher. People just didn't think his accuracy and decision-making would improve. He always had an absolute canon of an arm. It's hard to guage what Mac's ceiling is, but I'm not sure if he'll ever be a top 5 QB. Would be delighted to be proven wrong about that but I don't see him on the same level as Herbert, Watson, Allen, Mahomes or Burrow, never mind the likes of Brady, Rodgers & Wilson.

But I 100% agree about needing to get him the pieces. He needs, first and foremost, a competent OL, and secondly, a go-to receiver and TE.

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118527280#Comment_118527280

How do you decide that Allen has a higher ceiling?

I was adamant in every thread in the off-season that Mac Jones was the most talented QB in last year's draft class. All you've seen is his rookie season where he improved as the season went on. He's a pocket passer and a very good one. He was impressive in his year as starter for Alabama as Joe Burrow was in his championship year with LSU. If we get him the weapons he'll be top notch.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

I didn't decide anything lol, it was the general consensus on account of his build, athletic ability and that canon of an arm.

And btw I hope you're right Eagle Eye, at end of the day they are both opinions and only time is going to give us the answer. FWIW I would have confidence in Mac and BB bringing us a Superbowl, and as I've stated above a few times, we need to take advantage of his rookie contract years.

BizzyC

Hard to compare the two right now.

Allen is much more of a known quantity at this point, ultimately though I don't think his ceiling is much higher as sustaining that level of play as a mobile QB who's running into contact will be much harder to do. If he becomes less mobile, will his passing be accurate enough on it's own? He'd still be top 10 imo, but as is I'd say he's top 5.

Mac has shown a huge amount of promise for a Rookie, right now I see his floor as being the next Carson Palmer... His ceiling is much harder to estimate.

StringerBell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118524806#Comment_118524806

Yeah it was humbling tbh, I think it was 7 possessions, 7 TD's? I mean, what do you do with that really from an offensive point of view.

eagle eye

Looks like the GOAT, TB12, Tommy boy, Tom Terrific is retiring. I'm a bit emotional hearing this news.

I've had so much joy for so long with this man under center. I don't think we'll ever see anybody challenge his GOAT status.

brav

Indeed I feel the same, was still playing at a high level right to the end.

NedsNotDead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118551350#Comment_118551350

You sound like you want to give him a reacharound

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118551812#Comment_118551812

What does that mean?

NedsNotDead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118552325#Comment_118552325

No need to be coy about it

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118553643#Comment_118553643

I'm not being coy, I don't understand what you are suggesting.

Can you explain please?

NedsNotDead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118553732#Comment_118553732

@eagle eye Your some Buachaill. Never change.

HON THE TOM BRADY!!!!

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118553839#Comment_118553839

So you refuse to explain yourself and then say the above.

I'll say no more, your posts show exactly what you are.

Shedite27

Grow up gents

NedsNotDead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118555645#Comment_118555645

@eagle eye Don't hate the player. Hate the game.

Over and out my feathered friend

Mr. Guappa

Draft Week!

What do people make of our off season so far? Certainly more losses than additions so far, quality wise.

• JC Jackson and Ted Karras left in FA, Shaq Mason and Chase Winovich were traded, and KVN was released. Donta Hightower and Jamie Collins remain unsigned.
• Additions include Devante Parker, Malcolm Butler, Jabrill Peppers, Ty Montgomery, Mack Wilson, Terrance Mitchell.

Biggest needs heading into the draft look to be CB, G, T, LB, DT, EDGE and WR. So almost everywhere!

I can see us trading back from 21 for a couple of Day 2 picks if we can find a willing partner. The Parker trade adds a much needed weapon at WR but I could see another WR coming via the draft too. Guard is a major need at present - we've been good at picking up C/G in the middle rounds over recent years. Tackle is also a big need with both Wynn and Brown on short-term deals at present.

Defensively we seem intent on getting faster. Safety looks set with 4 quality, versatile options. Butler looks a decent addition at CB but more help is needed there. Another Edge rusher opposite Judon would be nice, and a proper NT would help. LB is a question mark too, with many unproven options there at present.

Last year's draft was a success (always risky judging these things after 1 year) with Mac, Barmore and Stevenson all looking like long-term starters. Hopefully that trend continues this year. We have 1 pick in each of the first 4 rounds, plus 2 5th rounders and 2 6th rounders.

Speckydodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118972868#Comment_118972868

Good summary of where we're at man. The consensus seems to be that almost everyone want's to trade back this year but there isn't many looking to move up, I'm thinking the only real possibility is the Chiefs with 29 or 30 if the wide reciever they really want is still on the board. Saying that if Jameson Williams was somehow still there then the Pats need to take him.

Personally I think they'll either go OT or LB possibly CB first, WR seems to be deep so they should be able to get one in the second or thir we've been saying that the last 2 years though🙄

Have to say I'm quite happy with the additions , Peppers could be a real gem under Bill, Parker has always been a beast just needs to stay fit, Butler is Butler have to be happy with that and from the sounds of it Mack Wilson could be a big talent that was utilised wrongly in Cleveland.

Saying all that

eagle eye

Well I think corner is the most pressing need. We have two guys there who aren't going to be around long in Butler and Bethel. Mills has a few years left in him but we need someone now to experience a year with these older guys. I love Trent McDuffie out of Washington. He's projected to still be there when we pick. If he's not I'd go linebacker and hopefully grab a corner in the second like McCreary, Elam or Gordon.

I don't think we need a WR this year, love the addition of Parker and I think that's going to work out really well for us. I think the addition of Parker opens things up for Bourne and Agholor. Montgomery is interesting too, he's a real Bill type player as in a Swiss army knife. We've got Meyers too who I think will take another step forward this year.

Speckydodge

The same can be said at reciever though, Jacobi is likely in his last year, Agolohor is in last year, Parker is only 2 years so next off season its only Bourne and Parker in his final year, maybe they get something out of Wilkerson but still it needs forward planning in this draft.

I think McDuffie is gone by 21 and your other 3 are second rounders but possibly gone by 54 , I like Gordon a lot too. They have a great record with corners anyway so hopefully they'll hit on it. Big question there too is if they are as it looks moving to more zone defence going forward.

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118978677#Comment_118978677

I think you'll see a deal worked out with Meyers before the season starts.

Yeah McDuffie could be gone but I'm hoping he's still there, I like Gordon too. Amazing to see Washington with those two last year, normally it's only the likes of Alabama, Georgia or Clemson that has two corners of that standard.

If you could somehow manage to get the two of them it'd be pretty awesome. Very little chance of that obviously.

I can see Parker having a great year and being traded next year for a pick.

Agholor might be in his last year but he'll easy to resign unless he has an awesome year. I'd be happy to wait until next year to use a high pick on a receiver. That's good depth in the draft this year at wr, I'd be happy to gamble with fifth and sixth rounders than spend a big pick at the position this year.

You have speedsters like Gray, Thornton and Jones and bug guys like Pierce and Polk who are projected to be there later in the draft.

Mr. Guappa

Yeah I think the Parker trade pushes WR down the priority list. Parker, Bourne, Meyers, Agholor is a solid group, with Henry and hopefully an improved Smith at TE and White, Montgomery as passing options too. A true WR1 though would elevate the passing game massively, so if they feel that player is there they will take him. Otherwise, a late round flier looks likely, to compete with Wilkerson and Nixon to round out the group.

I wonder if Shaun Wade is earmarked to step up at CB? He didn't really play last year after we picked him up from the Ravens, but was highly rated. Or maybe he just gets cut at the end of camp. Either way CB is still a massive need. Butler a question mark after a year away from the game, Mills rather unconvincing, Mitchell an experienced depth guy, Jones plays the slot, Williams has done nothing since he was drafted, Bryant a solid depth guy, and Bethel is a special teamer.

There does seem to have been a change of philosophy on both sides of the ball. Jakob Johnson is gone and the talk is we won't roster a FB this year.