The New England Patriots enter Week 14 eliminated from the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years, so how did we get here? Obviously, the roster is talent-deficient, and the coaches are all first-time playcallers, coordinators, or both. It didn’t have to be this way, despite what fans and media people alike will try to tell you.
I hear fantastic analysts like Bert Breer or Mike Reiss say things like, “Well, there wasn’t a ton on the market last year,” “Fans have to give this front office time,” or “I don’t know what anyone else expected with Mayo as a rookie Head Coach.” All of this is paraphrased naturally, but that’s the spirit of what they were saying.
All offseason, I heard Patriots fans rejoice that we didn’t overpay for a guy like Calvin Ridley. It’s ridiculous; his contract is perfectly fine, and we would have at least two more wins with him on the roster because he is miles above what we have been competitive with. Also, it’s not your money; why do you care how much is saved? Should all fans want all the money being spent as much as possible?
Anyway, now that we are 3-10, some fans and reporters alike are trying to say there weren’t any game-changers on the market last offseason, or in an even scarier scenario, the Patriots felt comfortable with their front seven and offensive line. Granted, there wasn’t a grade-A tackle, but players like Robert Hunt, Andrew Van Ginkle, Lloyd Cushenberry, and Jordyn Brooks all would’ve been extremely valuable.
The Panther’s and Titans’ interior offensive lines both greatly improved by adding Hunt and Lloyd. Ginkle went to the Vikings and is now part of one of the most formidable defenses in the league. Instead of Ridley Hunt and Van Ginkle, the Patriots decided to cheap out on outside talent (with the most money in the league to spend after a 4-win season ) and sign Chuks Okafor (quit 8 days in), KJ Osborn (7/57/1 in 7 games played) and Sione Takitaki (two tackles on the season).
It’s not that there wasn’t talent out there. It’s just that Elliot Wolf and company continued to fumble the bag.
The front office guys have been here for a few years now. Understandably, they were behind Belichick in the pecking order, but they were at least in the room when some of these decisions were being made. Decisions like taking Tyquan Thorton instead of George Pickens, or how about instead of taking Trent McDuffie (one of the better CBs in the league and a Super Bowl Winner), they traded back and took Cole F’ing Strange. Sean McVay laughed at the Patriots on national TV. This was with Belichick.
I also don’t want to hear about him selecting Drake Maye; that was the easiest decision to make, trading back again to take Ja’Lynn Polk (more penalties than catches) instead of Ladd McConkey (second in rookie receiving yards with 815). With players like Dominic Puni or Brandon Coleman playing well and Layden Robinson being benched every other game, it just looks like there are more misses at essential positions.
The offensive line is so offensive at blocking that Wolf needs to be fired on that alone. Such a big deal was made over weaponizing the offense, and they could barely even upgrade its protection, knowing damn well it was an issue. They had the most money, were among the top five picks in each round, and had been in the room already.
The kicker is that there were plenty of players to be had if they were better at their jobs. Harsh, I know, but playtime is over. We have the next Quarterback. We need to build this on his rookie deal.
I was a Jerod Mayo believer; I am not anymore, but everyone knows he isn’t going anywhere, including Mayo himself. Therein lies one of the problems, but we can get to that momentarily. I knew there would be growing pains, and obviously, he wasn’t going to come in and be a master at this or a tactical play-caller, but the job he’s doing with the defense is fireable.
This is something I had believed he would at least be serviceable at. However, he and Demarcus Convingtons’ game plans are a joke, and they have continually let the other team go to their best player or play with no resistance.
Convington is in over his head. I’m sure he will be a solid coordinator, but this stuff just doesn’t work; they need to bring in a veteran defensive mind to stabilize that side of the ball. Whether that is with Demarcus or not, something has to change with the staff’s level of experience. One would think that Mayo would be that mind, but it seems as if he wants to be this CEO HC role.
His situational game management is non-existent. He gave the Seahawks three free points at the half in a game that went to OT. They did not go for two after that miracle play by Drake Maye in the Titans game. Come on, man. Read the room, understand your team, and get that win. Have we seen any growth in this area? I haven’t. He got out-coached in close games by Sean McVay and Shane Stechian, which was sandwiched by being embarrassed in Miami again.
Do you see anyone playing particularly hard? Or getting up for a big moment? I’m not saying he’s the worst motivator, but with the preconceived notions that he would be a work in progress on game management or tactical play-calling. We thought being organized, playing hard, and playing clean football were what we would get.
The only thing I can say he hasn’t done is lose the team, but I don’t sense an identity like we did when the Lions went 3-13. While it was refreshing at first, Mayo has also been a mess in the media. He says stuff that contradicts himself and his staff, which makes him come off even worse.
“Once those guys cross the white lines, there’s nothing I can do for them,” he said. “There’s nothing any coach can do for them once they cross the white line. It’s my job to continue to prepare not only them but our coaches to go out here and play better football.”
Jerod Mayo
That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in a football conversation; if I were the owner, that would’ve gotten him fired, if I am being honest. My interpretation of it would be that he is literally not doing his job.
On the offensive side of the coaching staff, while I don’t hate AVP as much as others, he at least has done some good things. However, he has no consistency, and he also struggles to adjust. However, he’s probably the most experienced and capable coach on the entire staff, not just the offense, and that’s how we got to be 3-10.
This side of the ball has been doing its job by developing Drake Maye even around the trash heap of a line and a slightly below-average group of pass catchers. The defense at least has a couple of players to build around, but nah, just let Anthony Richardson run 20 plays and score 8 points to beat you in your own house.
They come into games looking okay throughout their script, but the staff needs to adjust once we get into the game. I see no capability of doing it on either side of the ball; once something beats them, they accept it. That mentality can only be changed by your head coach, and it’s scary that it’s not happening yet.
Drake Maye deserves an actual operation, but this just isn’t it. I don’t want people to think I’m a hater, but the season’s results are what they are. Going into next season with the same operation is completely unacceptable. Thank you for coming to my Patriots TED talk.
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