With Patriots coaching camp opening up in lower than every week, we opened up the mailbag for questions on Twitter. Here’s what Patriots followers need to know:
@yuruhwizzrd
Good to have you ever again Doug!! I’m to know, what are your expectations for Mac and the offense this season? #MailDoug
Thank you! It’s nice to be again on the beat.
To reply your query: higher. How a lot better is the true query as a result of it will be troublesome to be as dangerous or worse than the unit performed in 2022 with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge on the helm.
The aim must be to be extra improved than the Patriots’ offense performed in 2021 when Mac Jones was a rookie and Josh McDaniels was offensive coordinator. The crew’s offense ranked tenth in EPA per play (a metric that tries to outline what number of factors a play is price) in 2021. It was twenty fourth in 2022
Jones ought to see a leap with an skilled chief like Bill O’Brien taking up as offensive coordinator. The passing assault has extra upside with the additions of large receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight finish Mike Gesicki changing Jakobi Meyers and Jonnu Smith.
Jones was one of many NFL’s worst quarterbacks underneath stress, nonetheless, final season. So the Patriots’ seemingly shaky depth at offensive sort out is a priority.
@Falvitus
Will the Patriots ever show retired numbers within the stadium particularly given they’ve extra actual property now with the renovations?
This is simply my opinion, however I feel they must revamp their system for retiring numbers to extra publicly acknowledge them. It simply feels a little bit bit odd that Gino Cappelletti, Mike Haynes, Andre Tippett, Steve Nelson, John Hannah, Bruce Armstrong, Jim Lee Hunt and Bob Dee have retired numbers however, for instance, Ty Law, Richard Seymour and Rob Gronkowski don’t. We’ll discover out Week 1 what plans the Patriots have for Tom Brady when he’s honored within the crew’s season opener.
New England is in a center floor the place they both want to start out over from scratch, wipe the slate clear and never have any retired numbers or begin including extra retired numbers. Because No. 12 ought to by no means be again in circulation, however gamers like Law and Seymour are precise Pro Football Hall of Famers with Super Bowl wins on their resume whereas a number of gamers whose numbers are presently retired have been neither Pro Football Hall of Famers nor Super Bowl champs.
It creates an ungainly dynamic.
@FTtocs9914
Why haven’t the Pats signed their first 2 draft selections ? Rookie camp begins tomorrow.
I wouldn’t be overly involved. Those offers ought to get completed quickly. Deadlines can spur motion. There’s additionally this price contemplating: The participant drafted instantly earlier than Patriots first-round decide Christian Gonzalez, Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, stays unsigned. The participant drafted earlier than Forbes, New York Jets edge defender Will McDonald, simply agreed to his contract on Thursday morning. It would possibly take Forbes to comply with his deal earlier than the Patriots get one thing finalized with Gonzalez.
Similarly, the participant drafted instantly forward of Patriots second-round decide Keion White, Detroit Lions security Brian Branch, solely agreed to his rookie contract on Tuesday. Sometimes these different signings have to fit in first.
There’s additionally no actual thriller concerned in what Gonzalez and White’s contracts will seem like since there’s a rookie wage scale.
@NiickCrampton
Is there a world the place Douglas or Boutte could make a 12 months 1 influence (excluding STs)? Do you suppose Tyquan will make a 12 months two leap in manufacturing?
In an excellent world, rookie large receivers Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas would take a backseat to the veteran choices — Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, and 2022 second-round decide Tyquan Thornton — this season. Boutte and Douglas didn’t appear near overtaking any of these choices on the depth chart throughout spring practices, however it’s not utterly out of the realm of chance that they may stand out sufficient in coaching camp and preseason to make an influence in Year 1. Injuries clearly might play an element, as nicely.
Boutte is extraordinarily proficient however has to show he’s absolutely wholesome and may be reliable off the sphere. Douglas confirmed spectacular quicks in spring practices however is undersized and comes from a smaller faculty.
As for Thornton, to not sound like a damaged report, however he too has to show he can keep off the damage report. He was banged up final spring and missed 4 video games through the common season. Then he was current for one open observe this spring earlier than lacking the remainder of the classes. Thornton did bulk up from 182 kilos to 185 kilos this offseason.
@PatsFanKev
Do you anticipate any inner extensions previous to the season beginning? Obvious candidates being Uche, Onwenu, and Dugger, but in addition interested by Judon, Henry, or any others?
The Patriots have already got prolonged DeVante Parker and Ja’Whaun Bentley.
It would make a ton of sense for the crew to increase Josh Uche, Mike Onwenu and Kyle Dugger. The Patriots have an overabundance of cap house heading into the 2024 and 2025 seasons. It’s higher spent on their very own gamers than free company who could be unknown commodities on this system.
@Heatmiser32
Given the unknown standing of Jack Jones and the quantity of cap house out there, would it not be price buying and selling for a legit CB? If so, anybody out there? The Free agent market doesn’t present a lot assist
Maybe I’m being overly optimistic, however I feel the Patriots could be tremendous at cornerback even when Jack Jones isn’t out there after being charged with 9 gun fees after two loaded firearms have been allegedly present in his carry-on bag.
There are nonetheless three starting-caliber choices in Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones, plus Jalen Mills might all the time transfer again over from security. He’s not a fan favourite, however slot cornerback Myles Bryant additionally performed practically 61 % of snaps final season on one of many NFL’s finest models.
Email your inquiries to [email protected] or tweet them at @DougKyed.
Source: www.bostonherald.com