FOXBORO — Over the previous two weeks, Mac Jones has tried the fewest variety of deep passes within the NFL.
One.
The Patriots, amid flashes of offensive progress, have boxed themselves right into a dink-and-dunk operation that lives totally inside 20 yards of the road of scrimmage. Of late, it’s been extra dink-and-dink.
The Pats are averaging 14.8 factors per recreation, second-fewest within the league. Jones has accomplished three passes that carried 20-plus yards within the air over the previous 5 weeks mixed. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien confirmed this week defenses are enjoying downhill in opposition to their most popular fast passing performs, unafraid of receivers getting behind them for explosive features.
“Yeah, absolutely,” O’Brien mentioned. “We should proceed to attempt to get the ball down the sphere, and we did do this in Miami. Even although the ball wasn’t thrown down the sphere, there have been performs that have been referred to as that had parts of downfield throws, and one thing else occurred on the play.
“So, it’s the playing, it’s the coaching, it’s the design, it’s the execution, everything goes into it. And we have to do a better job.”
Against the Dolphins, Jones missed a number of open targets downfield. He additionally admitted to holding the ball too lengthy earlier than his three sacks. When Jones was prepared to fireplace, his receivers often ran routes with poor spacing, separation or typically each.
Change is coming at receiver. Having misplaced Kendrick Bourne for the season to a torn ACL, the Patriots, particularly at 2-6, are incentivized to play rookies Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, in addition to 2022 second-rounder Tyquan Thornton. They could haven’t any different alternative.
Veteran starter DeVante Parker missed Wednesday’s follow with the concussion he suffered in Miami. No Patriots participant who suffered a mid-game concussion this season has recovered in time to play the subsequent week. Last Sunday, after he missed two video games, JuJu Smith-Schuster recovered from a concussion to seek out himself slotted fifth on the depth chart.
The solely receivers Smith-Schuster performed forward of have been two wholesome scratches: Thornton and Boutte. If Parker is out Sunday, all three ought to discover the sphere Sunday round Demario Douglas and practice-squad alum Jalen Reagor.
“I think this week of practice will be really good to see who wants it, who wants to go out there and compete and who wants to pay attention to the details and work to get on the same page,” Jones mentioned Wednesday. “The spacing, the depth, the splits and all that stuff.”
Like Thornton, Reagor and Douglas are armed with uncommon deep velocity the Pats have but to completely weaponize. Douglas leads the Patriots’ wholesome receivers with 222 yards, however has primarily been used beneath as a yards-after-catch menace. Might the Pats lastly ship him lengthy?
The Commanders’ deep move protection is terribly welcoming.
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According to Sports Info. Solutions, Washington has allowed essentially the most completions with 20-plus air yards within the NFL. Against these deep throws, the Commanders rank lifeless final by yards allowed per move try and Expected Points Added (EPA). Considering they traded their two greatest move rushers Tuesday, the cracks in Washington’s move protection might deepen Sunday.
The downside, in fact, is the Patriots’ reluctance and incapacity to stretch opponents downfield. Their offense ranks final in deep passing by completion share, yards per try and EPA. But, if Jones has time and is prepared to face within the pocket, he expects to seek out alternatives the crew has ignored the final couple weeks.
“Really, for me, it’s just keeping my eyes up and making sure I’m seeing everything with open vision,” Jones mentioned. “That’s important as a quarterback, is try to see a lot but not too much, too. Keep my eyes up, read the play out how it’s supposed to be read.”
Then, it comes right down to the children. Thornton provides essentially the most untapped potential, a 6-foot-2 goal with 4.3 velocity. He has simply two catches for eight yards this season. O’Brien insisted Thornton has labored arduous behind the scenes after overcoming a shoulder damage that sidelined him for the primary 5 video games of the season.
“I do believe that he’s worked at it. And he’s a guy that has a lot of skills that we look for in a receiver,” O’Bren mentioned. “Let’s see what happens as we head into the second half of the season.”
As for Boutte, O’Brien chalked his stalled growth to a steep studying curve. The sixth-rounder out of LSU hasn’t performed because the season opener, when he did not safe any of his 4 targets.
“I have always said that (with) a rookie receiver, it’s very difficult transitioning; especially on the perimeter. Because in college football, you’re not always seeing the same type of coverages that you see in professional football. It’s just the way it is,” O’Brien mentioned.
“And so, sometimes the transition to pro football is a little bit tougher, takes a little bit longer. But Kayshon’s worked very hard, and he showed glimpses of what he can be. And I believe in him, and I believe he’s got a good future.”
Might that future begin Sunday?
The Patriots can solely hope. Or possibly even pray, beginning with a Hail Mary.
Source: www.bostonherald.com