New England Patriots Thread Mod Warning Post #253

Definitely think CMcC would be an unnecessary luxury, and would be worried about his injury history and workload. Seems like everybody thinks Carolina is going to engage in a fire sale now. To that end, name I've seen mentioned that would fill a need (but isn't splashy) would be Derrick Brown, who has the size to play as a two gapping nose tackle, this would then allow Godchaux and Guy to play the outside in a 3-4 base, and could definitely improve run defence. My only concern there would be whether we have the right OLBs to set the edge in a 3-4. I'm assuming Judon will be OK, just don't know if Uche can set the edge on the other side although reports from training camp were good (don't think Collins would, knock on him is that he's always played with a bit of indiscipline).

Not sure there's any other area I'd look at. Really, we go how Mac goes. If his play is good, we've enough around him to get the playoffs, and maybe even win one. If he's poor, then we're screwed. Somebody asked earlier if Jackson became available would we take him. It really depends on how Mac goes, if he shows a progression later in the season from last year, I'm happy enough to stick with him. However, if he's flat or moves back from last year, then I'd think about it. Either way, I just can't see Bill tying up the amount of money in one player that Lamar would want, so I think it's a moot point. I think Bill will always value building the middle class of his roster instead of paying one/several players top of their position prices, and to be fair I think that approach has proven to be the correct one for sustained success.

Zappe doing a nice job, 209 yards and a td early in the third. Seven different receivers so far.

I'm confident we did. He was impressive in college. COVID prevented him from doing what he did last year for two seasons. He'd have been a first round pick if he had done it for two seasons.

Zappe now has 315 yards and 2 TDs. Thornton four receptions for 37 yards and a td.

It'll be hard to hand the keys back to Mac after this performance.

Thornton had a 19 yard rushing td before the end of the game.

Given he had the best year of any of the rookie 1st rounders it would be mad if he was the first one to start on the bench while healthy. However he hasn't played well this year and Zappe had the same OC situation. I still expect Mac to start again but it does highlight it isn't the scheme given his doppleganger looked good with the same team.

Bailey has just been asked to run as a game manager behind a strong defense. There is no need for him to push for points. That is exactly what you want for a back up and will need to show more to be a starter and there is no need to rush Mac back. Essentially I need to see more of him. Like Cooper Rush I want to see him when he doesn't feel like their defense will dominate a game.

Obviously Bill has made this decision before but it will be harder to go back to Mac if he is benched for any period of time. Plus the interesting wrinkle that I believe Zappe should have the incompetent Bears while Mac will be back in time to face a dominant Jets defense so the calls for Zappe could get loud if the Pats don't entirely shut down the Jets offense (though they should be able to do that).

I think Mac sits for another week or two to be 100%. If we bring Mac back too early and he sucks, then I think that would do enormous damage to team morale and the morale of both qbs. Think it’s better to ride the hot hand for the moment. I also assume at some point that defences will have enough video of Zappe to the point where the difficulty starts to escalate, which I think would be great time to bring mac back.

On a non-patriots note, sad to see today that delanie walker has officially retired. I always thought he was a great all-round tight end and someone who could have done really well here if he ever came over to us.

Do you think when Jones is back and healthy, will Zappe have a chance of being starter?

No, we have enough RBs

That's what I mean. Similar situation with a much more established starter, and he made the decision to stick with the young guy - keeping bledsoe benched and cutting him after the season. I had high hopes for the last backup NE QB wearing number 4 though and that didnt work out well. I really think we could have something in zappe whereas i think, while Mac Jones will probably be a serviceable QB in the league, has a quite low ceiling. Kirk Cousins 2.0

What Bailey has done to this point is pretty incredible. When Brady started off he averaged about 7 yards per attempt, when Mahomes started off he had a ridic first game where he averaged 14 yards per attempt but after that he averaged under 8 for quite a while.

Bailey is over 9 yards per attempt at this early stage. He has a higher QBR that either of them had through their first three games. There's a whole lot of positives and very few negatives.

It might light a fire under Mac's backside too which would be no harm because he knows if he doesn't perform that the bench is waiting for him.

The Panthers being bad and now likely tanking is good news for the Patriots - we own their 3rd and 6th round picks next year.

Yep, just checked and we do have the Rams 4th. May yet be a much better pick than anticipated.

The Carolina pick was one we received so they could move up and draft Matt Corral. We dropped back, picked Zappe with their original pick and pocketed the 2023 3rd.

Mac back under center tonight with a fire lit under his backside. I'm hoping for big things.

This offense is taking shape quickly. Thornton breaking out last week, tight ends starting to look really good, Meyers, Parker and the double headed monster in the backfield back tonight. It's all about the QB and OL. Wynn inactive tonight.

Yeah and he really should be put in after what we've seen so far.