The Patriots are heading right into a essential time.
The NFL’s Scouting Combine is on faucet in Indianapolis this week, adopted by free company just a few weeks later in mid-March. Then as free company begins to die down, everybody kicks it into gear for the NFL Draft in late April.
So if the Patriots have a plan to assist get them again to contending for championships past what they’ve performed with the teaching employees, it’s about to unfold.
More to the purpose: we’re going to see how way more group proprietor Robert Kraft elements into the group’s decision-making and what different strings he could also be prepared to tug.
Already, the offensive teaching employees acquired a little bit of a face raise with Bill O’Brien employed as the brand new coordinator. Adrian Klemm was introduced in to assist mend the offensive line, whereas Will Lawing, an offensive analyst who labored with O’Brien at Alabama and with the Texans, will doubtless take over as tight ends coach following the departure of Nick Caley. The transfer away from Matt Patricia and Joe Judge – each Belichick guys – has Kraft’s fingerprints throughout it.
So does conserving Jerod Mayo in New England on employees, to not point out saying his contract negotiations. Kraft additionally despatched out a pointed letter to season ticket holders, and even met with native reporters on the Super Bowl for an off-the-record chat ostensibly to attempt to re-steer the narrative. He’s been out entrance, making an attempt to spin positivity on the current strikes, hinting at extra to return.
Clearly, the Patriots proprietor wasn’t pleased concerning the product on the sector final season. And that shouldn’t come as a shock given how a whole season was wasted when it comes to Mac Jones’ growth.
He additionally couldn’t have been happy that the Patriots have slipped when it comes to their aggressive stature within the league, particularly for the reason that slippage coincides with Tom Brady’s departure.
Former Patriot Damien Woody, an ESPN analyst, understands the dynamic at work on the subject of Kraft stepping in to assist proper the ship, and regain the followers’ belief, however believes the work isn’t performed.
“I know this has to be eating Mr. Kraft up, that the Patriots are basically irrelevant,” Woody stated when reached Thursday. “I know it has to. So go out there and make a couple of splash moves. Bring some spice and some relevance back to the Patriots. Make it interesting.”
Unlike Red Sox proprietor John Henry, Kraft will get it. He cares about sustaining relevance and placing out a aggressive product. Mediocrity or worse, isn’t in his DNA. So it is going to be fascinating to see the way it performs out from right here, and if Kraft has extra up his sleeve, and might proceed to push the envelope with Belichick.
For the Patriots to get their mojo again, they should construct a extra proficient roster, particularly on offense.
They need to do issues they haven’t been prepared to do, prioritize positions that haven’t been priorities and that begins with both spending on a reputable No. 1 receiver and game-changer, or having the heart to strive once more with a receiver within the first spherical of the draft.
Woody agreed.
“I think they made a step in the right direction bringing Billy O back, because that was madness what they were doing last year,” stated Woody. “So I’m glad they got a guy who knows what he’s doing. But they need weapons. They need difference makers on offense. It’s not good enough just getting Billy O’Brien back. They need actual guys on the field that will make a difference.”
So we’ll see if the Patriots will likely be prepared to commerce for Tee Higgins, DeAndre Hopkins, Jerry Jeudy, and even Chris Godwin, if any of the above show to be accessible.
As for the notion of buying and selling Jones, hypothesis that gained some traction final week, that doesn’t make loads of sense. Jones remains to be on a rookie deal, and after final season’s debacle with Patricia and Judge calling the photographs, the Patriots have to see how he develops with a coach who truly is aware of what he’s doing.
They have to see what he’s finally going to be, what stage he can attain.
“This is exactly what Mac needs,” stated Woody. “He embraces this type of coaching that’s coming from Billy O. He’s had that his whole career. He needs people who know what the hell they’re doing.”
Would Belichick need to commerce Jones due to how he disrespected the coaches by whining and flipping his arms within the air throughout just a few video games, and making some not-so-subtle jabs throughout press conferences?
Maybe. It positive appeared like Belichick soured on his quarterback because the season performed out. It’s additionally doable Belichick has already seen sufficient and doesn’t assume Jones is able to getting them to the promised land.
It’s simply onerous imagining Belichick giving up on a first-round draft choose after one promising rookie season, and a disastrous season that largely wasn’t his fault. If there are questions on Jones, then dip again into the draft with a developmental quarterback, very like the Eagles did with Jalen Hurts after they weren’t sure about Carson Wentz. As talked about right here final week, that’s the way in which to go.
Plus, Kraft stays a champion of Jones at this stage. And proper now, with Kraft exerting some affect, that’s what counts probably the most.
So the quarterback isn’t going anyplace, and this yr ought to really inform the story of Jones, particularly if he’s surrounded by a greater solid.
“All that trade Mac nonsense? Stop it. That’s just crazy,” stated Woody. “Get the man some legit weapons on the outside. Mac’s on his rookie deal. Make some splash moves.”
With Kraft seemingly extra concerned, and motivated to get his group again within the circle of elite groups, there’s actually an expectation for the Patriots making greater, bolder strikes within the days forward.
At the very least, there’s greater than just a little curiosity to see how the Patriots spend their cash in free company, and what they really have up their sleeve to enhance the group going ahead.
And make them related as soon as once more.
Combine recollections
The scouting mix begins Tuesday (Feb. 28-March 6). It’s at all times good to listen to some former Patriots gamers inform their favourite tales from the occasion.
Former Patriot nice Ted Johnson, now an area sports activities radio and TV persona, enjoys telling one story specifically.
As a rookie in 1995, there was one explicit head coach who was sizzling on his path through the mix.
“One head coach grabbed me in the lobby and secretly pulled me into the stairwell to interview me,” Johnson stated through textual content. “He grilled me on what my responsibilities were in Cover 2. It was the HC of the Cleveland Browns.”
While it was Bill Parcells who finally drafted the extremely touted Colorado linebacker within the second spherical for the Patriots, Bill Belichick, then the top coach of the Browns, additionally had Johnson on his radar.
Johnson stated Belichick “always respected my game.”
After all, Belichick did win his first three championships as head coach of the Patriots with Johnson as his beginning center linebacker.
Jeremiah not excessive on receiver class
NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah did a convention name Friday, and in contrast to the previous few years, stated this receiver class was removed from loaded.
He gushed concerning the tight finish class, saying 11 might go within the first three rounds, which is a “ridiculous” quantity. He additionally indicated the cornerback class was higher than the receivers, saying it wasn’t a “great receiver draft.”
Asked particularly concerning the Patriots probably drafting a wideout at No. 14 to enrich the group they’ve, Jeremiah stated he’d go along with the very best receiver accessible, versus a complement.
“I don’t think there’s anybody, in my opinion, that’s dominant or good enough in that group,” he stated. “You’d have to play off their skillset. So I think you’d want the best one.”
Who would he go along with at No. 14?
USC’s Jordan Addison.
“If you’re looking for high volume, catches and productivity, you could make a case for (Ohio State’s) Jaxon Smith-Njigba because he’s just got a really good feel,” stated Jeremiah. “He works actually good in the midst of the sector. We know the success they’ve had with guys like that. That one would make sense to me.
“I would just want the best overall guy, and that, in my opinion, is Jordan Addison. I just think he’s a complete route-runner. I think he gives you burst and explosiveness to make plays over the top. And I think he’s got outstanding hands. That to me, would be the place to go.”
Hopkins’ future
The way forward for DeAndre Hopkins stays a sizzling subject in Arizona.
The star receiver, who missed the beginning of final season because of a suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug coverage, has been the topic of commerce rumors for the reason that season ended, and even earlier than.
New Cardinals normal supervisor Monti Ossenfort, who has ties to the Patriots, appeared on the Bickley & Marotta podcast Thursday and maintained the membership was conserving all of its choices open with respect to Hopkins.
“I had a great talk with D-Hop a couple weeks ago,” Ossenfort stated, through the group’s web site. “I defined to him what my philosophy was. It was an ideal dialog. D-Hop has been an ideal participant on this league for a very long time. I’m excited to work with him. I feel any roster selections like that, we’re within the very early phases proper now.
“From afar, I’ve had to compete against — not me personally, but I’ve (worked) for teams that have to compete against D-Hop, I know what a problem and a stress he puts on defenses. I’m excited to have D-Hop on the team. Whether it’s D-Hop’s situation or anyone’s situation, we are in the stages of evaluating that.”
This previous season, Hopkins led the Cardinals with 717 receiving yards and added three TDs, regardless of enjoying in simply 9 video games. If Ossenfort opts to commerce Hopkins, it’s doubtless the Patriots will likely be within the combine.
Another crack at Wagner?
Just like final yr, All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner has been turned unfastened. Last yr, the Seahawks launched him. This yr, the Rams, who signed him to a five-year, $50 million deal, let him go after only one season.
Will the Patriots have an interest?
Given Belichick’s love for this participant, together with having a little bit of cap area this yr, versus final, they only would possibly kick the tires. The Pats didn’t attain out final yr, but it surely wouldn’t be shocking in the event that they did this yr. They might use assist at linebacker, even when Wagner’s 32.
“I didn’t talk to Bill,” Wagner stated on “The Rich Eisen Show” final yr after his free-agent tour. “I have so much respect for Bill, though. I think it’s mutual.”
Belichick, in the meantime, waxed poetic about Wagner in 2020 earlier than the Patriots confronted the Seahawks that yr.
“Bobby’s a great football player. Super productive. He’s got a great nose for the ball, very instinctive. He runs well. He anticipates plays well. There’s just no price that you can put on that – knowing what’s going to happen – or anticipate what’s going to happen, and then being able to get there and make the play right in the middle,” stated Belichick. “He almost plays like a safety around a line of scrimmage and some of the things that they do. … It’s a very difficult position to play in that defense. He’s exceptional.”
Judo coaching for Tua
Tua Tagovailoa, who had three documented head accidents through the 2022 season, just lately appeared on the “Up & Adams” podcast and stated he’s studying martial arts in an effort to guard his mind.
The Dolphins quarterback stated the plan was for weekly judo coaching to assist him discover ways to fall higher.
All of the accidents Tua sustained concerned the again of Tagovailoa’s head bouncing off the turf.
“We’ve got a plan set up,” Tagovailoa stated. “I’ll be doing judo on Fridays just so that I can kind of figure out understanding my body and how to fall. … Just trying to help myself.”
Given the 24-year-old quarterback’s worrisome concussion historical past simply three years into his NFL profession, Tagovailoa appears prepared to strive something.
Source: www.bostonherald.com