FOXBORO — No one is aware of what the Patriots’ offense will seem like once they take the sector for a sport that issues in September, and that features the coaches.
That’s not essentially a nasty factor.
New offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt plans to place a system collectively that performs to his gamers’ strengths. So, till the Patriots are executed including much-needed expertise via free company, the draft and potential trades, it’s too early to find out what the 2024 offense will seem like.
“There’s definitely some pieces of the puzzle that aren’t put in place yet,” Van Pelt stated Wednesday when he was launched to the media by new head coach Jerod Mayo. “That’s our job. At the tip of the day after we get all the pieces established, see who we’re, see who we have now obtainable to us, after which we’ll put that puzzle along with the items we have now.
“I think you always have to play to the strengths of your players regardless of the position. So, we’ll put those guys, whoever they are, in the best position to be successful. At the same time understanding where they’re deficient in some areas and guard against those deficiencies.”
Van Pelt would say the offense he plans to run will likely be “similar” to the Browns’ system, which Van Pelt got here from, below head coach Kevin Stefanski, however not the “same.”
That might imply a balanced strategy that depends closely on play motion.
“I’ve taken pieces of a lot of different offense in my time and kind of melded those together for what’s best for us in that time,” Van Pelt stated.
The greatest puzzle piece the Patriots nonetheless want to search out is at quarterback. Van Pelt stated he’s met with Mac Jones at Gillette Stadium and didn’t write off the likelihood that the 2021 first-round choose might begin subsequent season regardless of his struggles over the previous two years.
“Really, right now, everything is on the table. As we go through this process, these last couple weeks, 10 days have just been diving into who are. Trying to evaluate our guys,” Van Pelt stated. “We’re trying to understand who we have here as well as looking at other players out there.”
The Patriots personal the No. 3 total choose within the 2024 NFL Draft, and there appears to be a transparent line between the highest three QB prospects – USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s Jayden Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye – and the entire relaxation.
Van Pelt described what he appears to be like for in a QB prospect.
“Decision-making, accuracy, the fundamentals, mechanics, if the guy’s sound,” Van Pelt stated. “Big one is leadership. Was he a three-year captain? Why wasn’t he a captain? All of that really plays in together. The big piece for me is the leadership, the toughness, the accuracy and the decision making. You can switch them around. All four are super important.”
The choices are extra restricted in free company, however Baker Mayfield is slated to be obtainable subsequent month. Patriots de-facto GM Eliot Wolf and front-office govt Alonzo Highsmith have been in Cleveland when Mayfield was drafted. Van Pelt served as Mayfield’s offensive coordinator for 2 seasons, and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney was on the Browns’ offensive employees on the time.
Jones and Bailey Zappe are nonetheless below contract with the Patriots. Nathan Rourke is an exclusive-rights free agent.
How the Patriots’ offense performs will possible be decided by who’s enjoying quarterback.
“The good news is I’ve done it a ton of different ways. I’ve been under center at times. I’ve been in shotgun a ton. I’ve had issues with personnel in certain areas and been able to adjust and adapt to that. … There’s a lot of different schemes out there. The best ones put the players in position to be successful,” Van Pelt stated.
Van Pelt will likely be calling performs in a full-time foundation for the primary time since 2009.
He was the Bills’ offensive play-caller that season and crammed in for Stefanski for 2 video games with the Browns in 2020. He received his first likelihood as a play-caller for the Frankfurt Galaxy again in 2005.
“It’s definitely different,” Van Pelt stated. “Obviously the extra accountability you will have for calling the performs. I’m enthusiastic about doing it. I’ve had alternatives to do it previously at completely different ranges. I received to name an entire season in NFL Europe, which was a blast. Cut my tooth there and received to discover ways to do it. Made a ton of errors and nobody cared. Really, they only wished to see you kick the ball, which is superior. Numerous cheering.
“That was a great experience for me and then I got thrown into it in Buffalo in 2009 and our opening game was here unfortunately against the Patriots on a Monday night. Felt like we had them on the ropes until the very end. Gained a lot of experience in that season, as well, and then had a chance to call a few games during the COVID season. I think I’ve just gotten more experience and feel way more comfortable than I did in that Monday night here. Excited about the opportunity. It’s a collaborative effort. It’s not just going to be me.”
Patriots senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo has referred to as performs previously and can assist Mayo along with his head teaching expertise.
The NFL season begins in simply over six months, however the Patriots’ employees is working time beyond regulation with the scouting mix and free company on the horizon to find out what the offense will really resemble in 2024.
Source: www.bostonherald.com