The Patriots confirmed a willingness to make a transfer to enhance the present state of their roster this week by reacquiring cornerback J.C. Jackson through commerce.
Will they do extra to attempt to make a playoff push? That’s one of many prime questions on this week’s mailbag.
@k_mcfarland
What has to occur for the offense to work? Can’t even say “back on track” because it hasn’t began but
Something that Bill Belichick stated on WEEI this week caught with me.
“We’ve played four games,” Belichick stated Monday. “Three games we turned the ball over and lost. One game we didn’t turn the ball over and didn’t get sacked and won. I think we know what the formula is. We just have to do a better job of it.”
So, given the expertise degree, the Patriots principally should play flawless offensive soccer in the event that they wish to win. That’s not an important formulation.
They’re going to show the ball over. They’re going to surrender sacks.
I don’t know if there’s a variety of hope, actually. Even if Riley Reiff will get inserted at proper sort out and Cole Strange will get wholesome at left guard, I don’t see the offensive line making an enormous turnaround. The Patriots ought to attempt to get rookie huge receiver Demario Douglas extra concerned, however he’s a 5-foot-8 sixth-round decide. He’s most likely not going to turn into Tyreek Hill swiftly.
The working sport ought to enhance, nevertheless it hasn’t via 4 weeks. That goes again to the struggles of the offensive line, and starter Rhamondre Stevenson does appear to be enjoying a unique model of soccer this season.
Ultimately, Mac Jones does have to play significantly better. He can’t be throwing a pick-six and getting strip sacked for a scoop and rating. He can’t be throwing lateral passes throughout the size of the sphere believing that defensive again isn’t going to leap the route for a game-breaking interception.
But this workforce does nonetheless lack explosive playmakers, and I believe that’s the largest flaw.
@ashley1992__
Hi Doug, Do you see the Patriots being patrons or sellers on the commerce deadline and are there any gamers that you would see them buying and selling for or doubtlessly bringing in?
I’m undecided what the Patriots would be capable to do on the commerce deadline, however I genuinely consider they need to be in on each single participant who comes accessible. The Broncos are chopping Randy Gregory? Add him and see if he can substitute Matthew Judon’s pass-rushing snaps. The Bears are chopping Chase Claypool? See if he can add some juice to the offense. La’el Collins is on the market? Slot him in at proper sort out and see if he can play higher than Calvin Anderson and Vederian Lowe.
Gregory may be price prohibitive, however different helpful gamers who’re or will quickly be accessible will come low-cost. Similar to buying and selling for J.C. Jackson, there’s actually no hurt in taking a flier on these guys. The Patriots want expertise.
@byanruckley
How lengthy is the leash for Jones? If he performs unhealthy this weekend, do they make a QB swap?
I don’t assume they’ll. The Patriots lower Bailey Zappe out of coaching camp. You can’t lower a quarterback and make him accessible to the opposite 31 groups after which bench your starter for that very same man.
The Patriots basically dedicated to Mac Jones over Zappe once they made that transfer. It was partially on account of efficiency. So, how do you clarify to your workforce {that a} participant was unhealthy sufficient over the summer season to be straight up lower and now adequate to steer the workforce.
I believe issues turn into extra attention-grabbing if Will Grier can go Zappe on the depth chart, nonetheless. Because there’s not that very same stigma hooked up with benching Jones for Grier.
@MRyan_10
Where is La’ell Collins and why is he not on this roster
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reported Thursday that Collins “got medical clearance from his ACL and MCL surgery two weeks ago.” Schultz expects Collins to take free agent visits “in the near future.”
So, it’s nonetheless attainable that the Patriots may very well be in on Collins. He’s Belichick’s kind: large identify who may come low-cost.
The strikes the Patriots made at proper sort out haven’t labored out to this point.
@johndunphy68
Pats haven’t taken benefit of getting a rookie QB contract and surrounding him with excessive priced weapons. Any probability that occurs once more this offseason by drafting a QB and utilizing your cap area to encompass him with some expertise?
If it involves that, then sure.
The Patriots have 13 extra video games to determine in the event that they wish to decide up Jones’ fifth-year choice first. Four weeks into the season, my reply on that will be no. Jones has actually not improved from final season to this point this yr. There have been glimmers of enchancment. But general, Jones is making unhealthy choices and shedding his workforce video games.
If the Patriots picked up Jones’ fifth-year choice, it could price them round $23.25 million in 2025, and that will be totally assured. So, Jones would play out his fourth season after which be locked into making $23.25 million the subsequent yr.
That would really feel too dangerous primarily based on what Jones has proven to this point.
If Jones continues on his present trajectory, then it could make sense to draft a quarterback subsequent yr. The Patriots have oodles of wage cap area in 2024 and past, they’d be arrange nicely to spend across the rookie QB contract.
