The Patriots are about to open a can of worms
We are going to see a lot more of that Patriots defense we got last Sunday. And it’s going to suck.
Last year with Billy O and Mac Jones, and even the year before with the walking nut sack of Patricia and Judge Bill Belichick knew what he had. And he knew it sucked. So he mitigated the losses on the scoreboard. He could afford to do that because he could pull a Super Bowl ring out of his ass every time someone questioned what he was doing. Jerod Mayo and offensive head coach Alex Van Pelt do not have that luxury. They have to compete, and at least try to win. Neither of them have a lick of experience whatsoever. Their resume is blank. They don't know how to win. And they're trying to learn with arguably the worst roster in the league, but here comes Drake Maye.
Drake Maye. The third overall pick. The tall dashing quarterback. The savior. A guy who can actually decide to throw the foot ball in under half an hour. He can throw it far and at time even accurately. We are full mast for Maye. But, what is this kid about to do to the Patriots defense? No longer will we see teams pack it in after a two possession game. No longer will we grind down to a fine mineral by the time that last whistle blows. No, Maye bring excitement. “Fun losing” as most of you dinks have been calling for. Well, guess what? That style of getting your ass kicked is about to expose the defense in ways we haven’t seen since the 2011 days of secondary shredding.
This defense sneaky stinks. The only reason they have landed in the top 12-15 the past couple seasons is because of the above mentioned style of play and lack of any threat at all the Patriots could muster on offense. From the line out, here’s how it looks.
Defensive line - Can’t stop the run. Can’t pressure the quarterback. Pretty important tenants of defensive football. Your best player on the line as been Gaudcheaux contrary to popular believe who want to talk about Keon White. Gaudcheaux has been solid in his nose tackle position even adding some much needed QB pressures at times. But, the nose tackle just doesn’t impact the game the way they used to. Keon White is the closes thing you have to a pass rusher, but refuses to set an edge and get owned any time he tries in run defense. He is an undiciplined wild card and she be relegated to 3rd down pass rush duty, but they already have that stiff in Josh Uche.
The line backers - Once Bently went down, oof. Bently has molded himself into a classic Patriot and a player we all like and respect. But, he’s no play maker or world beater. And he’s the best they had. By far. Tavai and Taki Taki just are not good enough and I can’t even name you another guy in that LB room. The middle of the field is a problem.
Not just because of the Linebackers, but because this team does not roster a true free safety. They do not roster a man in the safety position who can play in coverage. Kyle Dugger is good for blown coverage TD once a game. He is the newest rendition of Patrick Chung and again he is the best they have in that position. It’s simply not good enough. Peppers coked and choked his way out of town. Marte Mapu can’t stay healthy and is too small. Something called Hawkins most noticeable play this year was jumping off sides on the kick off, WHERE YOU CANT MOVE UNTIL the Ball is caught. Suck.
Corner back is the only position of true talent with Christian Gonzalez holding down the left side or best WR across the field. This position group as a whole should be defined as over rated. I like Gonzalez, but he’s not in Canton yet. We’re still in a holding pattern on his ceiling. Is he best in the league good, or just really good? That’s a huge difference maker when talking pass defense. Because from their, Sounds of Silence aka Jonathan Jones is simply mis used as an outside #2 corner. When matched up against talent, he loses in that role. I’m sorry to say it. Marcus Jones should be your 4th or 5th guy not the #1 slot. They are just short a #2 corner. (Which we screamed for in the off season with a ton of affordable options out there that Elliot and the Wolf Pack decided was not neccesary.) The corners are the least of our problems, but still. Just average.
So, now when the game gets out of hand instead of packing it in continuing to run the ball, control time of possession, diminish the margin of defeat as Belichick has done the last couple years, offensive head coach AVP is going open up that playbook and watch his quarterback and get annihilated over and over and over and over again while putting up some hollow points as the defense back pedals to to blow central .
A glimmer of hope:
Their opponents need a decent offense. Drake Maye has opened up the possibility of beating a team with an equally anemic offense which simply was not the case with Mac Jones or Jacoby Brissett. But, against good offensive talent and scheme they simply do not have the roster to compete. And they don't have the coaching cachet, experience, knowledge, or balls to keep it close and swallow the loss. At least it will be fun losing!
Spend your Friday’s keeping things simple. Stay in touch and get it all in one place and JOIN THE NEWS LETTER