New England Patriots Thread Mod Warning Post #253

Look, the fact is Mac is taking too many chances. I put up a video critiquing one of his performance and he never looked underneath. You gotta complete the ball short to prevent double and triple coverage deeper down the field. As long as teams are confident he isn't going for short routes they can have nickel and dime packages to control his game.

Does anyone really know anyone who's stopped watching it for that reason?

Did ya watch the Superbowl with Ray Lewis after he was accused of Murdering a guy?

I'm just saying, there's been scandals in the NFL forever, viewing figures continue to grow. I don't think this scandal is making Irish viewers turn off NFL (and boards as you suggested)

I get that, the NFL in general seems to be one big controversy, but I don't think anything of this magnitude has ever happened before (I include the Ray Lewis incident too), and in addition to everything else that has preceded it, I think there's a cohort, a fairly small cohort granted, of people that this was the final straw. I haven't stopped watching it myself obviously, but I'm certainly less interested this year than last. I definitely will not be watching Watson play, even if he makes the Superbowl.

As for the viewing figures, I think they will be growing this side of the Atlantic for many years to come. Despite how much more widespread the sport is, it's still very niche. Most people I know couldn't name any non-QB players and would even struggle to name more than 2 positions. There's huge room for growth in that regard, and the fact that it doesn't clash with any other sport is a massive plus. But if it were possible, I'd love to see the retention figures for the gamepass for example.

And I think you'd be surprised by the effect it has had based on what you've said. It's not going to lead to mass boycotts by any means, but to think it has no effect is a bit narrow-minded tbh. Some people can't stomach seeing serious sexual predators featuring in a leading role in one of the world's richest sport. Some people can look the other way, and fair play to them.

Wish we had the capital to make a play for CMC. Feel he'd literally be BB's dream of a RB.

Not doubting his talent at all and seems like exactly the type of player BB would like. I just think you don't take on the remaining 2.5 years of the biggest RB contract in league history when that player has been plagued by injuries for the first 2 years of it, especially when one of the brightest young talents on your team is at that position on a 4th round rookie contract. I'd rather we made a splash elsewhere. If we're looking at Panthers, then DJ Moore would be my preference for a skill position to plunder.

I'm in agreement with the last two posters as regards CMC.

As regards QB, Baker Mayfield was awful with the Browns, is awful with the Panthers and will be awful wherever he ends up after that.

Mac is still finding his way. He was a game manager last season and did a good job at that. It's quite clear he's been asked to be a bit more aggressive and he just has to balance things out a bit. He's not looking much at anybody open under ten yards downfield besides Meyers.

He has to tone it down a bit and we'll have a great one I think.

You have to remember he played on a great college team and aggressive was easy with Devonta Williams and Jaylen Waddle to throw to against less than stellar defensive backs most weeks. He's obviously had a lot of success in practice with Parker but you can't throw him the ball in double or triple coverage.

The reason I mention Parker is that four of his five ints have been on throws to Parker.

If I was looking to sign anybody I'd be looking at underperforming WRs like Darnell Mooney, Robbie Anderson and Jerry Jeudy. The reason all three are underperforming is QBs.

Randy moss was good and dipped in Oatland. But was still seen as elite. Baker Mayfield is crap full stop. What does Baker bring that Mac Jones doesn't. Jones is in his second year. Does some good things. Does.some bad things but is still learning. May not have the skillset of an elite QB and lacks consistency but its still early days. Very little football played to be tossed on the thrash heap yet.

The other thing is that as a rookie under Josh McDaniels Mac did a good job as a game manager. That's how Brady started out for his first couple of years.

Do we blame Mac if things don't go well or do we look at Judge and Patricia?

Like there's not much serious offensive experience there. Judge has never been a QB coach before. Patricia did a little bit with the offensive line before switching to defense.

Good to see Thornton get off the mark. Maybe finally we've drafted a decent receiver

23 wins for Bill to tie Shula for most head coach wins.

Yeah but we know Bill from years ago when he dropped the franchise QB, Drew Bledsoe, favouring the sixth round pick.

I think he'll want to see more of Bailey and Mac will be told they are keeping him out until he is fully healthy so that's another two to three weeks before they have to make a decision.

Right now Bailey had the highest QB rating of any starting QB in the league.

I think we have to see more of him and I expect that's going to happen.

He's shown a lot of intelligence and vision to this point like staring down the safety to stop him making his move, like pulling out of what looked like an easy throw to Meyers and moving to the other side of the field to get Thornton in the back of the end zone. I watched that play a couple of times because I noticed in a replay from a side angle that the corner came out of nowhere to get in front of Meyers and that would have likely been a pick but he seen it. I was shouting at the TV for him to throw it to Meyers who looked wide open to me. He seen what could happen and made the smart decision to go to his second or third check down.

I have my no.10 jersey and I love Mac and it'll suck to have to go out and buy a no.4 but it's in the hands of the GOAT coach and I'll be happy no matter which way it goes.

I have to admit that I'm not far off believing that Bailey is the real deal.

You do know he broke the record for yardage and td passes last year in college? The td record was set by Joe Burrow and people said it would never be broken but Bailey threw for 5967 yards and 62 touchdowns breaking both records.

Bailey has a great story spending two years at Houston Baptist in the FCS and then transfering with his OC to Western Kentucky last year and breaking records.

He was a complete nobody until he broke those records last year. He reminds me a lot of the GOAT because he doesn't yet have the arm strength for accurate, deep throws but he certainly is a very smart football player. I can guarantee we'll be offered at least second round picks for him at the end of the season if he's back on the bench for the rest of the season.

I think if you put Mac back in he stays in unless he makes a mess of things.

I think you keep him out based on his injury for another two or three weeks, we have a bye after three games.

The Bears and the Colts are pretty vicious defenses and both better than the Jets. If Bailey gets through the first two with good play and wins I don't think you can take him out.

Yeah, you have to see what you've got in Bailey when you have the opportunity without affecting Mac's confidence. You just tell him we want to make sure he's 100% recovered before you put him back in and say that Bailey is doing a good enough job to allow us to take our time with you. That way you get time to assess what you've got against a couple of good defenses and then it's make your mind up time with no damage done to either player.

Always liked Walker myself and always thought he was a BB type player.

Hard to know, BB doesnt really do QB controversy. I'd be of the opinion that Zappe should be the starter till the bye - as mentioned above - and if he continues in the same streak as now it would be hard to pull him from the game. I've seen more flashes in the few games Zappe has played than I have from mac jones.

BB does do it. We had a young guy who hadn't done much outside of being a game manager and when Bledsoe came back from injury he was benched and the young man went on to become the GOAT but nobody could ever have guessed that when he first came in or even after his first two full years as a starter. There hasn't been an opportunity for a QB controversy since then.

I don't think Belichek is every emotionally attached to anyone. if you make his team 1% better, he'll make the change

I completely forgot about that. Haven't we a Rams pick as well? It might work out a lot better than expected.

The silver pants are back tonight instead of navy on navy.

That is horrendous by Jones. Picked up where he left off pre-injury. Calls for Zappe will get louder now.