Welcome to 10 Patriots coaching camp questions!
Each day main as much as the beginning of camp, the Herald will discover one of many greatest questions going through the Pats this summer season. Several pertain to the protection, which misplaced longtime starters J.C. Jackson, Kyle Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower this offseason. Other questions cowl the offense and training employees, which underwent a serious makeover after Josh McDaniels left for Las Vegas.
Once the Patriots hit the apply area, right here’s what they have to be taught earlier than the season kicks off at Miami Sept. 11.
No. 10: Who are the highest breakout candidates?
No. 9: Who will lead the offensive teaching employees?
No. 8: Can Cole Strange dwell as much as his first-round billing?
No. 7: Which UDFAs are probably to make the roster?
No. 6: How can Bill Belichick repair his particular groups?
No. 5: Which rookies would possibly shock in Year 1?
No. 4: Who begins at OLB reverse Matt Judon?
No. 3: Can the Patriots discover two strong beginning corners?
No. 2: Who could possibly be a shock lower?
No. 1: Can Mac Jones elevate the offense in Year 2?
The deck certain looks as if it’s stacked in opposition to Mac Jones, doesn’t it?
While he had a promising rookie season, the coach who helped him get off on the correct foot is now not in New England.
Offensive coordinator, quarterback coach and play-calling guru Josh McDaniels is now in Las Vegas because the Raiders head coach.
His substitute?
Well, technically, there isn’t one.
There is not any offensive coordinator listed on the Patriots teaching employees.
Instead, Jones should attempt to take it to the subsequent stage primarily guided by Bill Belichick and his devoted lieutenants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, who’ve little to no expertise calling offensive performs, a lot much less grooming a quarterback.
Is that the most effective recipe for achievement?
It certain doesn’t seem to be it.
But even with all of the obstacles positioned in his path, that gained’t essentially bury Jones, and stop him from making the proverbial Year 2 leap.
Jones simply is perhaps ok to beat each Patricia and Judge’s shortcomings in terms of working an offense. He is perhaps so superior mentally, that he could make up for lower than perfect handlers.
At least, that’s one principle for the peculiar manner Belichick is dealing with a very powerful participant on the sphere. And given how a lot the Patriots head coach pumped up Jones throughout his video convention Tuesday, saying his second-year quarterback had already displayed “dramatic” enchancment, Belichick seems to consider in him and his capabilities, too.
Sirius XM NFL analyst Jim Miller, a former Patriots quarterback, backed that line of pondering when talking with the Herald just lately.
“I think players believe in (Jones). They see how hard he works, and he performs. Hey, it’s a lot to put on a second-year QB,” stated Miller. “But I think they’re doing it because they know he’s capable of doing it. Just like Tom (Brady) was.”
The solid round Jones isn’t horrible. While he doesn’t have a lot in the best way of game-changers, or top-end expertise round him, there’s sufficient there for him to not solely survive, however thrive.
In that manner, it falls again on Jones to ship and never solely take advantage of out of his weapons, however elevate the unit if the Patriots have any hopes of contending.
But can he? Is Jones ok to make everybody round him higher, whatever the teaching hand he’s been dealt? That’s the largest query surrounding the 2022 season.
The smartest thing Jones has going for him in that regard, is the arrogance of the gamers. As Miller identified, they consider in him.
Kendrick Bourne defined why throughout the early camps.
“He connects with all the players really well. I’m proud of that dude, because it’s not easy,” Bourne stated. “Going into his second year after having a year like that, it’s going to be a challenge, but he’s a guy that likes challenges, like all of us in that Patriot building.”
Defensive captain Devin McCourty additionally had excessive reward for Jones, whereas talking with the media Tuesday.
“He works so hard and he wants to do the right things, he wants to lead the group,” stated McCourty. “So I’m excited for him.”
Matthew Slater stated it was Jones’ staff now, and in loads of methods, it was going to tackle his character.
“I think the young man is fantastic. I think he’s demonstrated great leadership from the day he walked in this building and I think he’ll continue to do so,” stated Slater. “We’re all excited about what he’s going to be and what he’s going to provide not just as a player, but as a leader for this organization.”
Last season as a rookie, Jones led all first-year gamers in completion share (67.6%), passing yards (3,801), passing touchdowns (22), and passer ranking (92.5).
ESPN analyst Damien Woody didn’t dismiss the potential of Jones bettering, and lifting the staff within the course of, regardless of the circumstances round him on the sideline.
“Can he improve? Absolutely. Is the game still won from the neck up? Yup. Does accuracy matter? Yup,” he stated. “But the question is, how much improvement are we going to see from him. How much taller is his ceiling? To me, it’s like, how much juice can you squeeze out of Mac Jones?”
We’ll see if it’s sufficient to raise the offense, and make the unit a formidable pressure in 2022.
Source: www.bostonherald.com