Super Bowl LVII supplied a transparent and emphatic illustration of what immediately’s NFL is all about.
The Chiefs beat the Eagles 38-35 largely as a result of they’re masters at transferring the soccer, and have the perfect quarterback within the sport in Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs can put up factors in a rush, rating on each possession if essential to get the job accomplished, and are available from behind dealing with any type of deficit.
That was once a long-held distinction of the Patriots’ championship groups with Tom Brady on the helm. Only now, that’s a far cry from what the group has proven on offense, and obviously so final season.
They weren’t in the least explosive, scoring 30 factors simply as soon as through the yr. And there was no such factor as being able to make a comeback, particularly in opposition to any of the great groups. If an opposing group hit 25, or had a late lead, the Patriots had been most probably toast.
Watching each the Chiefs and Eagles run their respective offenses, it merely re-emphasized the hole that now exists between them and the Patriots.
Will new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien assist shut that hole? Given his credentials, it’s arduous to think about he gained’t.
O’Brien will convey again competency and creativity. He’ll make the most of an offense that higher fits Mac Jones and his skillset, to not point out the personnel across the quarterback. The Patriots, nonetheless, nonetheless fall brief in so many different important offensive areas each the Chiefs and Eagles excel, specifically quarterback, offensive line and receiving weapons.
Mahomes is a generational expertise. He led the Chiefs to 3 touchdowns and a game-winning discipline objective on the group’s 4 second-half possessions, going 13-of-14 with two passing touchdowns. Jalen Hurts, in the meantime, proved he’s going to be a drive to be reckoned with given his otherworldly efficiency (27 of 38 for 304 yards, 4 general TDs) on the NFL’s greatest stage.
Jones?
He’s now a third-year quarterback attempting to get well from a misplaced yr the place all of the promise on show from his rookie yr disappeared in a heap of dangerous teaching and poor play.
But let’s say O’Brien will get Jones again on monitor, and again to using what Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner would name Jones’ “super powers;” specifically his potential to rapidly decipher defenses, to throw the ball precisely, and his intelligence.
That can be a begin towards one thing higher, and shutting the hole. But it doesn’t completely resolve the issue. There are different points, beginning with the offensive line.
The Chiefs’ O-line, led by former Patriots guard Joe Thuney, saved a gimpy Mahomes clear all night time. While the Eagles had been touted as having the perfect defensive position in soccer, Mahomes wasn’t sacked within the Super Bowl. He was not often hurried when he dropped again to go.
Give Mahomes a clear pocket, and he’s lethal.
Jones must expertise the identical kind of safety, as a result of when he was dealing with a go rush this previous season, which was typically, he became a puddle. The Patriots have introduced in a brand new offensive line coach in Adrian Klemm. Former offensive line legend Dante Scarnecchia is excessive on him, in order that’s a plus.
Klemm, nonetheless, nonetheless wants expertise to make it work, and make Jones a little bit safer within the pocket. It begins at sort out. Whether through free company or the draft – Klemm ought to have a superb deal with on the faculty expertise having spent most of his time teaching at that degree – the road can now not specialise in getting the quarterback killed and giving him pleased ft.
Robert Kraft talks Bill O’Brien rent, Mac Jones and probably promoting the Patriots
Obviously, it will additionally assist if the Patriots went with a blocking scheme that suited the personnel, as an alternative of attempting to drive an out of doors zone operating scheme that did not jive with lots of its gamers. But you get the image.
As for higher weapons, that’s been a relentless grievance lately.
Maybe Brady in his day, or Mahomes within the current day, don’t have to have a group of elite receivers to excel and win as a result of they’ve the power to raise these round them, however it will definitely assist Jones.
It’s been a lift to Hurts, and others, who’ve hit one other degree due to having a bevy of receiving expertise. The Patriots’ present group is first rate, nevertheless it’s nonetheless missing game-changing expertise.
Perhaps Tyquan Thornton improves in Year 2, Kendrick Bourne appears to be like extra just like the Bourne of 2021 and the tight ends grow to be extra of a menace with O’Brien operating the offense. But shedding Jakobi Meyers in free company gained’t assist the trigger.
And even when they re-sign Meyers, they nonetheless want extra.
Like Klemm, maybe O’Brien may have enter within the draft, given he has a fairly good beat on school receivers, particularly these within the SEC after teaching at Alabama the previous two years. Or perhaps, Bill Belichick will dip into free company or make a commerce for a high gun who truly scares a protection.
Whatever the case, it must be apparent to Belichick what the NFL has grow to be, and what he must do to as soon as once more compete.
The Chiefs truly resembled many Patriots championship groups with their profitable formulation Sunday night time: elite quarterback play, stellar halftime changes by the teaching workers, eager situational consciousness by the gamers and a key particular groups contribution.
While the Pats may not be capable to replicate life with Brady, they will enhance and have already got began to make modifications.
In reality, Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft, showing on a FOX enterprise present Friday, appeared fairly happy with the offseason so far, one he’s had a hand in shaping.
“I feel bringing in Bill O’Brien has been a giant plus for our franchise,” he said. “I’m very enthusiastic about our group for subsequent yr.”
He could also be excited, however after watching the Super Bowl, he clearly wants greater than O’Brien to get the offense on the identical aggressive taking part in discipline with the league’s most interesting. The Patriots’ work is barely getting began.
Source: www.bostonherald.com