It is a brief week. The Patriots are coping with a litany of accidents. However they’re making no excuses forward of Thursday’s matchup with the Jets at Gillette Stadium, with head coach Mike Vrabel calling the subsequent few days an “all-hands-on-deck” stretch for his squad.
The compressed week additionally means we’re opening our Mailbag a day early, and there is loads to get to on this version, from the narrative round Drake Maye to some bigger-picture assessments of the 8-2 Patriots.
Let’s dive proper in.
Editor’s Notice: Some questions have been calmly edited for readability.
How nice of a line is it between constructive criticism and nitpicking on Drake Maye’s performances this 12 months? I really feel like he’s at all times going to have this seesaw from individuals between the 2 after every recreation. – @kylemarsden441
That is simply the character of the beast, Kyle. You may quibble with how he scrambles, whether or not or not he protects himself effectively sufficient, or if he is a tad too aggressive in simply how a lot he trusts his arm power. However the traits that result in these criticisms are the identical traits that usually result in jaw-dropping performs.
I’ll say, I do not really feel as if a lot of Maye’s recreation has been nitpicked this 12 months. Actually there was loads to level to after the Vegas and Pittsburgh video games when it got here to his potential to guard the soccer. However, for essentially the most half, he needs to be among the many most widely-praised quarterbacks in soccer. He’s the front-runner for MVP. The nitpickers must be scarce.
Even when he isn’t at his finest, he is remarkably good for stretches. Take Sunday’s win in Tampa, for instance. He was dynamite on numerous throws.
Maye’s third-and-long bomb to Mack Hollins was dropped within the bucket. His earlier third-down throw to Hollins the place he needed to swim previous a defender — with two arms on the soccer — was spectacular. He beat the blitz with a dart to Kyle Williams that maximized his yards after the catch and resulted in a 72-yard landing. He had a giant play to DeMario Douglas and one other landing throw to Stefon Diggs on fourth right down to beat Bucs blitz makes an attempt.
It feels as if these Maye passes are garnering essentially the most consideration proper now, and rightfully so. Because the Patriots are successful, their quarterback’s potential to make performs each inside and out of doors of the pocket have been one of many main drivers for his or her success.
There may be the occasional lapse, nevertheless, and people performs deserve point out as effectively. This previous week it was a fourth-quarter decide in the long run zone that wiped three factors off the board. He additionally had some early-game throws that appeared to overlook their mark thanks partially to the rain at Raymond James Stadium, and he completed with an uncharacteristic completion proportion of only a shade over 50. These aren’t nitpicks a lot as they’re assessments of what is really occurring on the sphere.
In some methods, one of the vital exceptional parts of Maye’s season to this point is that, on the finish of some video games, it is not all that tough to search out an easily-correctable mistake or two. In different phrases, in addition to he is taking part in, it is sensible to anticipate that as he matures and develops a greater understanding of strategy sure conditions — whether or not it is throughout a red-zone second or a alternative between breaking the pocket and hanging in — he’ll be even higher.
Benefit from the journey. He is on a particular run, and it seems like it may proceed so long as he is capable of keep wholesome.
Hello Phil! You know the way I like me some tight ends… They’ve appeared a bit quieter these final couple of video games. Is it only a “spreading the ball round” state of affairs, or ought to I be involved? – @clazzyclare
I assumed they is likely to be a bit extra concerned this previous weekend, Clare. The Bucs have been one of the worst teams in the NFL at defending the middle of the field, and Maye usually has no difficulty ripping passes between the numbers to his big-bodied targets.
There are occasions when groups have carried out job of disguising their security obligations towards the Patriots, which has maybe led to some hesitancy on Maye’s finish. There was his decide towards the Falcons, you may keep in mind, the place it regarded like he and Hunter Henry noticed the Atlanta protection otherwise, and it led to a wayward throw.
I would not be too involved — though Austin Hooper did pop up on the damage report with a concussion on Monday — as a result of Maye trusts the gamers he has at that place, and he’ll lean on them shifting ahead in important moments.
Hello Phil! What would you describe the strengths and weaknesses of the staff proper now? And the way would you repair the weaknesses? – @puumalainen
The Patriots’ strengths and weaknesses are comparatively simply recognized, Setti.
On the constructive finish of the spectrum? They’re among the most explosive offensive attacks in football thanks largely to a quarterback who’s a strolling, speaking, passing “power.” Defensively, they continue to be — as they have been all 12 months — wonderful towards the run, permitting a league-best common of 79.2 rush yards per recreation.
Their most blatant weak point, for my part, is their incapacity to run the soccer persistently. TreVeyon Henderson’s home-run hitters on Sunday have been an enormous boon for the Patriots offense, however 12 of his carries went for simply 23 yards, persevering with a pattern the place the Patriots have problem grinding out yards on the bottom.
In fact, the rookie’s 55- and 69-yard landing runs bumped his staff’s general effectivity when handing off, however they continue to be one of many worst within the league when dashing, averaging 4.1 yards per rush (twenty second within the NFL), -0.09 EPA per rush (twenty fifth), and posting a 37.0 p.c success price when working (twenty ninth).
The Patriots have been lucky in that they have been capable of trot out the identical offensive line persistently all through the season, however higher connectivity on the line of scrimmage would possibly assist restrict a number of the stuffed runs they’ve skilled in current weeks. Additionally they may get a bit extra out of their backs, who’ve been one of many worst yards-after-contact teams within the NFL (2.69 common, twenty eighth).
That is likely to be remedied if the road and tight ends within the offensive huddle make sure that the primary defenders to contact their teammates within the backfield are the lightest tacklers on the sphere, the defensive backs. However blockers have carried out a reasonably good job of conserving Patriots backs clear, offering a median of 1.45 yards earlier than contact per carry.
On Drake Maye’s interception, I keep in mind him making that very same throw and finishing it up to now a couple of occasions. Can we simply should stay with generally it doesn’t work and we hope it does? – @Patsfan19838268
That is usually the place I land when contemplating that throw, Patsfan. And I feel Maye feels equally, telling reporters after the sport that he would not change his resolution at that second. As he defined, had he thrown that cross a bit wider — the place solely his receiver may catch it — the outcome would possibly’ve been completely different.
We have seen throws much like that one — keep in mind, he hit a number of throws working towards the sideline to tightly-covered targets in Buffalo earlier this season — which doubtless helped give him the boldness that he may make it work once more in Tampa.
I perceive the critiques of his resolution, and it sounded as if Mike Vrabel would’ve appreciated to see him make a unique alternative as a result of it wiped priceless factors off the board. However, as Vrabel stated after the win when requested about his aggressive teaching type, you may’t win with out pushing one thing into the center of the desk.
I think about Maye’s type of quarterbacking to be related. You are going to should take the great with the dangerous. His mindset can result in each, although there’s been rather more of 1 than the opposite this season.
Who’re notable upcoming free brokers on the Patriots’ roster? Any gamers unlikely to return for subsequent season? – @LereimTrygve
Some key names to remember, Trygve: Austin Hooper, Jaylinn Hawkins, Jack Gibbens, Khyiris Tonga and Okay’Lavon Chaisson are all set to hit free company within the offseason. All have performed key roles within the success of this 12 months’s staff, and it might come as little or no shock if the staff made strikes to maintain them throughout past this season.
Hawkins has been a starter from Day 1, and he made a game-saving play on fourth down within the fourth quarter on Sunday. Gibbens led the staff in tackles in Tampa and has been a staple each defensively and on the kicking staff.
Tonga has been one of many season’s largest surprises, dominating matchups within the trenches — notably towards the run — and in addition chipping in offensively as a fullback. (Tonga led the best way with a get-off-the-tracks-when-the-train’s-coming-through block on security Antoine Winfield to assist spring TreVeyon Henderson for his second landing towards the Bucs.) Chaisson has been the staff’s finest and most constant edge rusher.
Different free-agents-to-be embody cornerback Alex Austin, fullback Jack Westover and reserve quarterback Tommy DeVito.
Twice this season (vs. the Steelers and Bucs), Drake Maye threw a foul interception in the long run zone proper after a tough hit. Coincidence? (Sure, apprehensive in regards to the hits he takes.) – @CelticsPride86
Arduous to definitively hyperlink these when Maye wasn’t formally assessed for a concussion after both one, however I feel you are proper to be involved in regards to the variety of pictures Maye has taken this season. Goes with out saying that the Patriots will solely go so far as he can take them.
What’s their path to enhancing the goal-to-go conditions? Even when Rhamondre Stevenson is wholesome, they’ve struggled mightily when making an attempt to punch it in contained in the 5-yard line. – @JacobFrank4
The trail appears to be to place the ball in Maye’s arms and let him goal his most trusted pass-catchers. Over the couple of the previous few weeks, that has meant giving Stefon Diggs a chance on a quick-hitter. Maybe extra of these on early downs may make these low crimson zone journeys rather less furry.
Can we get a giant TreVeyon Henderson TD off a wheel route this season? – @proudblackmatt
That was one of many staff’s most explosive ideas over the course of the summer season. My guess is that they’ll get to it sooner or later, and it will result in an explosive play.
Which gamers may very well be lured out of retirement to supply some depth at RB and cornerback? Have you ever seen Stephon Gilmore flirting with the Patriots on his X? – @BrayallPatrick
Do not anticipate Stephon Gilmore to be again in Foxboro any time quickly, Pat. Yes, I saw the tweet. And sure, I reached out to him quickly after. Simply know he is loved watching them from afar. He has a number of respect for Christian Gonzalez and the best way he performs the place.
What’s the view on Craig Woodson? Not a lot speak about him (exterior of this weeks 3 down hit), which appears to point no blown coverages and fast adaption to a tricky place—ought to he get extra love? – @michael_labbee
I feel that is a good evaluation, Michael. To be on the sphere for over 90 p.c of the snaps, as a rookie, and to not be the explanation for any catastrophic lapses? Spectacular.
“I feel he is comfy,” Vrabel stated this week. “I feel he is been out there, which is de facto essential. Discovering some ball manufacturing, breaking passes up. They made a very good play on him yesterday in the long run zone, which was — I used to be asking, ‘Hey, did he look again? Did he go together with the unsuitable hand?’ Guys upstairs are like, ‘No, he did not look again. It was an ideal ball and it beat him in the long run zone.’
“However I feel you see him changing into extra comfy, keen to set off and tackling on this league, so important on the again finish to get rid of these large performs within the working recreation or brief passes. They’ve carried out job of that.”
Howdy Phil, any good sort out prospects within the draft on in free company for the offseason? I feel they’ll want to take a look at changing Morgan Moses quickly. – @EthanMurra45721
We have been monitoring every kind of sort out prospects on Next Pats this season, Ethan. Each week we do a “Who’s Subsequent?!” section and focus on potential draftees.
The tackles to date have included Alabama’s Kadyn Procter, Utah’s Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan.
Will the Patriots go 15-2? – @bcchuck22
I do not assume they will run the desk, Chuck. However! I may actually appear them successful this week and the subsequent two. That will put them at 11 wins with 4 to play, two extra wins than I had predicted previous to the beginning of the season. That made me a proponent of taking the “over” for the Patriots this season, and but I used to be nonetheless approach too low.
What a run they’re on. Goes to indicate how impactful Maye’s leap has been, how a lot Vrabel’s rent has meant, and the way vital the opposite rookie and free-agent additions have confirmed to be.
Ought to the dearth of playoff expertise with this younger roster be a priority? Can Milton Williams and Carlton Davis be leaders sharing their playoff expertise? – @TheMotleyOne
We’ll see, Motley One. In some methods, possibly their relative dearth of Tremendous Bowl winners — Milton Williams and Carlton Davis are those who’ve rings — makes them hungry for achievement late within the season.
It isn’t all about expertise at the moment of 12 months, although that may assist. It appears to be extra about well being, homefield benefit, and making the precise selections in important moments. Do not essentially have to have been there earlier than with a purpose to examine these packing containers.
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