As far as efficiency goes, the Patriots landed firmly on the naughty checklist this vacation season.
They’re 3-11. They had been eradicated from the playoffs over every week in the past. They’ve been out-played and out-coached regularly, whereas enduring some poor harm luck alongside the way in which.
Speculation about Bill Belichick’s future has swirled for weeks. Aside from a number of extra wins, what would the Pats want for this yr?
Start right here:
1. A top-2 draft choose
The Patriots are at the moment monitoring to clinch the No. 2 general choose in subsequent yr’s draft, however making that choice is not any assure.
What would assist their odds is one other Carolina win — the Panthers (2-12) nonetheless maintain the No. 1 general choose after beating the Falcons final weekend — and powerful showings by the Broncos and Bills of their upcoming video games. The Pats is not going to lie down, however so as to choose themselves again up once more and contend, they may want a brand new quarterback. And the one dependable place to discover a franchise quarterback stays the highest 10 of the draft.
At least with a top-2 choose, the Patriots may choose between projected high prospects Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, or commerce again and add a number of extra belongings.
2. Coaching readability
Belichick’s future has been the supply of a lot hypothesis and conflicting reporting over the previous few weeks, even months. Only Robert Kraft is aware of whether or not Belichick will return or not, however within the meantime, it could do the remainder of the franchise some good in the event that they knew had been they stood transferring ahead.
Several gamers and assistants are closing in on the top of their contracts, but none know what the longer term holds in New England. Must all of them simply hurry up and wait?
3. Strong finishes from the rookies
Despite struggling two concussions, Demario Douglas leads the Patriots in receiving yards. Marte Mapu simply grabbed his first profession interception. Rookie guards Sidy Sow and Atonio Mafi proceed so as to add expertise.
If the Patriots can get extra from rookies like second-round defensive lineman Keion White and sixth-round receiver Kayshon Boutte, it bodes effectively for his or her upcoming rebuild.
4. Good well being
The Pats misplaced a number of gamers in final Sunday’s loss to Kansas City, together with left guard Cole Strange who has since been positioned on injured reserve. Tight finish Hunter Henry left with a knee harm and took important punishment all through the sport. On protection, cornerback Jonathan Jones and Anfernee Jennings additionally missed some snaps.
Before the sport, vast receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and left sort out Trent Brown had been dominated out. Cornerback J.C. Jackson additionally grew to become unavailable attributable to psychological well being causes No veteran deserves to go down preventing or undergo extra throughout an already misplaced season.
Here’s to good soccer and higher well being.
5. Contract extensions
The Patriots can transfer to increase 2020 draft picks like security Kyle Dugger, exterior linebacker Josh Uche and proper guard/sort out Mike Onwenu at any time. All gamers are on expiring contracts, and Onwenu and Dugger are each multi-year starters who may very well be a part of a younger core transferring ahead.
Soon, the Pats may also strategy 2021 draft picks, like operating again Rhamondre Stevenson and defensive sort out, about extending their rookie contracts. Barmore has emerged as arguably the staff’s finest defender over the previous two months and notched a sack, one hurry and two runs stuffs in opposition to the Chiefs final weekend.
6. Hope for the fan base
It’s been a protracted 4 years since Tom Brady left; between the shedding document, one playoff look and 0 postseason wins. However the Patriots end this yr, or transfer ahead this offseason, followers deserve a glimmer of hope because the franchise heads into yet one more new period.
7. A win over the Jets
Provided it doesn’t considerably damage their odds of touchdown a top-2 choose, there’s by no means a nasty time to beat the Jets. The Pats haven’t misplaced to Gang Green since 2015, and can host them in a shared regular-season finale on the primary weekend of January. Losing to the Jets could be no technique to begin the New Year.
Source: www.bostonherald.com