He'll do this forever. He still thinks Carson Wentz is a high level starter. It's his schtick. No QB is ever at fault for anything (unless it's Zach Wilson).
The Michael McCorkle "Mac" Jones Thread
- Thread starter SeoulSoxFan
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I think it's safe to say that at this point Mac Jones might do well to find any sort of longevity as a career back up QB. That said and injuries aside, the team has certainly not put him in the best position to succeed when you look at the team's instability with the OC position since Jones was drafted and the receiving core he's had.
“I’m confident. I think that comes from years of experience and earning respect from people, and I think I've done that. But I’m trying to win every game I play in, and I’m not doing it. So I just really want to focus on, ‘How can I bring these guys with me? How can we clean up the little things?’” said Jones.
I for one appreciate Mac's concern for his teammates as he continues on his hero's journey.
I like that he’s already there, a lifelong winner. Now if he can only drag his teammates with him, it’ll be a return to glory for Mac and the Patriots.
Well, as he himself said, clearly a couple of guys coming in early and leaving late isn't enough. I'm sure everyone is thrilled by the constant affirmations that Mac's doing his part.
I have no clue if Mac has any trade value. I do think it's telling that the only scenario where he might is one where a playoff-contending team is down two or three QBs and needs a warm body to start a few weeks.
Ah you caught that too.
I really hate this guy on a personal level at this point. He simply doesn't get it. The only place he's bringing his teammates is down.
It's a perfectly reasonable position to take - I'll buy an argument that says Mac isn't the main problem with the offense. Impotent skill players, a disastrous offensive line and ineffective coaching are all taking pretty large slices of the blame pie. We can say that he might not be the main problem while acknowledging the obvious: He's definitely not the solution either.
My general take on Mac is that he takes any offense you build and lowers the ceiling of it. Now if you build a crazy offense that's fine.
And sure, the biggest problem with the offense this year is line play... but I think QB play is number 2, well ahead of passcatchers or playcalling. The passcatchers aren't that good, but I think Mac makes them look worse because he rarely makes top level throws. I watch enough other QBs hit guys with little separation with perfect zipped balls every week to not buy the "nowhere to throw" stuff that comes up.
I would not refer to repeatedly throwing across your body while on the run or DeVante Parker's fingertips as "little things" but to each their own.
I've always thought of Mac as a high floor, low ceiling guy, with the ceiling being limited only because of his physical tools, but I really didn't expect maturity to be an issue. Or at least a continuing issue. Figured his experiences on team with strong cultures under Saban and then BB would grow him up faster.
I think his NFL future is as a backup, so maybe that experience will humble him enough to look inward a bit more.
What he said, has me rethinking when he marched out on draft night. That look takes on an entirely different meaning. At this point he might just be Cray Cray.
This is where I’m at. He cannot hit tight windows with anything resembling the consistency required of a good starting QB. In particular, his subpar athleticism and arm strength necessitates that his accuracy, anticipation, and post snap reads be consistently elite, and they’re just not.
Debating whether he’s the biggest or only problem seems like a waste of time at the end of the day. And I think Orlovsky is hopelessly focused on taking up the mantle of unofficial QB advocate. I don’t understand what value he’s offering to the fan with that brand of advocacy; we all know Mac isn’t the only problem.
It's increasingly obvious that he cannot or rather has never worked through real adversity before. He was on a stacked team in college and his OL and WRs had huge physical advantages over their opponents. In the NFL it's clear that the physical advantage is much less if any, and when asked to elevate his game and improve himself and the team around him, Mac cannot do so. He thinks he can play hero ball and his physical skills don't allow it, and instead of adapting, he doubles down.
This dovetails nicely with his almost never winning when an underdog, or his total inability to lead comebacks. He's a massive frontrunner. It really speaks poorly of his character and maturity level. It's one thing to be a shitty QB; that doesn't automatically make someone lack character. But with Mac I think it does. While I thought some of the outrage over his "dirty" football plays was overblown, there was something to it that he was trying to kick people in the dick while sliding.
I need this guy off the team as soon as possible. I think he's dragging people down.
Hey, he earned a 4.0 GPA in Communication Studies at Alabama.
It's hard to divorce the suckitude around him from his own level of suck but I watch sports to be entertained and amazed, and I have just had enough of this guy. I watched a guy who for 20 years was a beloved teammate, no one is rallying around this guy. He is an idiot, how many times are we going to watch him turtle up, fumble, throw an interception, or take a stupid penalty in a tough moment? Whatever 'it' is, Mac Jones doesn't have it.
The thing you are missing is that good teams choose a backup and a third stringer in the off/preseason and by now they have a good idea what their backup can and can't do within their offense. I remember distinctly when Mahomes got hurt in the playoffs against the Jaguars and Chad Henne came in and let a perfectly competent TD drive, as a recent example. If Gabbert or K Allen have to start three-four games for KC / Buf they're not going to do what Mahomes / J Allen can do but the coaches aren't going to ask them to.
These teams have no idea if Jones can grasp what they want to do or if he'd really be any good at it -- or better than the guy who has been practicing with them all year. And they'd need at least a couple weeks of practice to figure it out. They're going to stick with what they have and the guy who's been practicing with the team in almost all cases other than complete desperation.
Besides the stupid interception, the Mac play that annoyed me the most was when the Patriots players were pushing the pile on a rush, and he stood there and then once the play was over he half-heartedly jumped in. As he ran towards the pile I thought he was going to get hit with a personal foul for another dirty play, but he ended up just looking like an idiot.
Somehow the announcers turned it into evidence of his commitment to leadership.
But really it was a sign that he has awful instincts and too often is just a step behind.
Somehow the announcers turned it into evidence of his commitment to leadership.
But really it was a sign that he has awful instincts and too often is just a step behind.
Your last sentence is my point. Desperation happens a lot in the NFL. Last season, the Rams started 4 different QB's. Now they were never really in contention, so picking up Mayfield off waivers and immediately throwing him into the game wasn't a big deal. But if they are still in contention and Stafford goes down, and they quickly realize that Brett Rypien or Stetson Bennett are not the answers (or if one of them gets hurt), are there a ton of better options out there?
Whereas when Justin Fields goes down again, like he did on Sunday, Chicago is going to be perfectly fine playing Tyson Bagent rather than give up any assets.
Like I've said a few times, I'm just pointing out the only situation where I can see Mac having any more trade value than like a 5th or 6th rounder. It's hypothetical, I'm not saying it will happen. Let's say Mahomes does get hurt, and Blaine Gabbert comes in and then he goes down or he completely sucks, which he's basically done his entire career, do the Chiefs just resign themselves to sucking, or do they make a move? Who knows, but it's the only way I see Mac generating trade value this season.
I mean, if it were true that all teams planned for their back up and 3rd stringer to be able to step in, what's that say about BB and the Pats QB options right now?
Your Chiefs example is similar to what the Jets are doing. The bottom two wildcard spots are there for the taking in the AFC, and the Jets seem quite content to ride Zach Wilson. If Wilson goes down, would they trade for Mac? I can't see it (and not just because they're division opponents). I can see teams grabbing someone due to desperation, I just can't imagine Mac's the guy they'd turn to. Not after the past 6 games.
And to your last point... I think Bill has utterly botched the backup QB position too (along with almost everything else on the offensive side of the ball). Zappe suuuuuuuucks. He shouldn't be on the roster. They should have brought in some scrap heap, vet backup in the summer and handed him the #2 job. That was there was (a) someone who could jump in if Mac was bad and play out the string, or (b) someone who could jump in if Mac was good and maybe hold down the fort for a few games. Can you imagine if we were 4-2 right now, Mac was playing really well, but got hurt and we had to turn to Zappe for 3 games? We'd be so so so screwed.
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Would this really have mattered?
They had a scrap heap vet backup QB here for years in Brian Hoyer, and fans didn't like that either.
If they have a young backup, we want a vet. If they have a vet, we want a prospect.
I think the backup QB is like the 26th biggest issue this year
Do the Titans want him? Once upon a time they turned this guy into a good player
View: https://twitter.com/jfowlerespn/status/1714056245747843314?s=46
View: https://twitter.com/jfowlerespn/status/1714056245747843314?s=46
Outside of the first half of his rookie year, has Mac ever played as well as Tannehill did for the Dolphins? (Not saying Tannehill was great, but I don't recall him being complete dog shit.)
View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1714037199954420052
When Mac Jones is your QB Mac Jones is your QB.
I do not get how people say receivers are not open - he just either doesnt see or cant make the throw...
When Mac Jones is your QB Mac Jones is your QB.
I do not get how people say receivers are not open - he just either doesnt see or cant make the throw...
It doesn't seem like that first highlighted receiver is anywhere near open? He's covered well underneath with a safety close by over the top. (I might just be out of touch with the modern NFL if that is considered open enough to deserve a "woof".)
Well we did have to turn to Zappe for a few games last year and we weren't screwed, so there's some real world data that doesn't rely just on imagination.
Or does see and make the throw, only to have the receiver complain that the ball hit him in the fingertips. The whole offense is a clusterfluffle, whether Mac throws deep to Mr. Butterfingers or checks down to a receiver wearing a defensive back like a shawl.
Is it me or was he very cautious in his rookie year. Small plays, quick hitters. Didn't take many risks (but made some really nice throws occasionally).
Was it the personnel he had that could do those quick hitters? Like if prime Edelman was here, would things be better? Bourne seems to be solid there, Meyers was too and was kind of his binky. But I feel like he's just got long, slow developing routes to work with and he doesn't have the time nor the eyesight/smarts to hit them.
Was it the personnel he had that could do those quick hitters? Like if prime Edelman was here, would things be better? Bourne seems to be solid there, Meyers was too and was kind of his binky. But I feel like he's just got long, slow developing routes to work with and he doesn't have the time nor the eyesight/smarts to hit them.
That was the offense - minimal mistakes, run it often, play good D and it worked most of the year and then fell apart at the end and in the playoffs. Year 2 was supposed to be about him pushing the ball down field, taking the lead on the offense, and yeah...
Is anybody else reconsidering that Matty P might not actually have been historically terrible and perhaps was just an average kind of bad? Because if he WAS historically terrible then what is BOB this year?
Right. But clearly that’s not working. Their D is still solid (less than it was game 1) so they could theoretically just play safer football no?
I could be vastly under thinking this.
That's why the first highlighted receiver was highlighted red. The second was green which I'm guessing indicates it should have been the correct read. The third was yellow meaning it was open but not the most desirable outcome.
Problem is they can’t run the ball. And they are falling behind immediately.
They did okay this week. And I believe held the 8 min drive to 3 points. Not terrible. But they came out and punted with under a minute used.
He really seems like a world class jackass who has no self-awareness. Dude, you’re not nearly good enough to be saying things like “bring these guys with me”
Lazar not impressed with Mac:
However, quarterback Mac Jones probably takes the brunt of my criticism for this game. Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien called a good game for Mac to get back on track, which he did in some ways. Jones showed better fundamentals in the pocket, got the ball out of his hands quickly (2.2-second average), and dropped a deep-ball dime on the final drive that was a bad drop by DaVante Parker. But there were still erratic decisions (two turnover-worthy plays), and Jones left plays on the field because he was locking into one receiver rather than reading the field to find the open guy.
The Pats kept quarterback Mac Jones mostly clean, allowing a season-low pressure rate of 29.7%, and all three sacks of Jones happened in over 3.2 seconds. There wasn't relentless pressure on the quarterback, and the Pats generated season-high efficiency marks in the run game: 5.0 expected yards per rush, 2.1 yards before contact, and a 70.6% success rate on the ground. A big part of that was O'Brien dialing up motion at the snap on a season-high 78.6% of the time, with the Pats averaging 5.5 yards per play, per NextGenStats. Without motion, the Pats only averaged 2.5 yards per play.
https://www.patriots.com/news/after-further-review-did-patriots-offense-find-something-to-build-on-vs-raiders
However, quarterback Mac Jones probably takes the brunt of my criticism for this game. Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien called a good game for Mac to get back on track, which he did in some ways. Jones showed better fundamentals in the pocket, got the ball out of his hands quickly (2.2-second average), and dropped a deep-ball dime on the final drive that was a bad drop by DaVante Parker. But there were still erratic decisions (two turnover-worthy plays), and Jones left plays on the field because he was locking into one receiver rather than reading the field to find the open guy.
The Pats kept quarterback Mac Jones mostly clean, allowing a season-low pressure rate of 29.7%, and all three sacks of Jones happened in over 3.2 seconds. There wasn't relentless pressure on the quarterback, and the Pats generated season-high efficiency marks in the run game: 5.0 expected yards per rush, 2.1 yards before contact, and a 70.6% success rate on the ground. A big part of that was O'Brien dialing up motion at the snap on a season-high 78.6% of the time, with the Pats averaging 5.5 yards per play, per NextGenStats. Without motion, the Pats only averaged 2.5 yards per play.
https://www.patriots.com/news/after-further-review-did-patriots-offense-find-something-to-build-on-vs-raiders
They are playing pretty safe football, just mac turns it over left andright. Hard to run the ball when you give up pick 6s and fumbles for tds.
2 games. It’s almost like sometimes a QB can have a good game or 2, before the book is written on him and he’s shut down. Like every chance he’s gotten to play since those 2 games.
You want to start Zappe?
I don’t actually watch press conferences so I might be wrong. But has Mac done anything to make anyone think he’s actually a world class jackass? He’s not a good QB. He’s thrown some fits on the sideline, as literally every single player does and only gets called out when they’re struggling. He’s had “dirty plays”, of which at least the shit with sauce and the tackle on the fumble against the panthers(?) were clearly not very dirty. He’s clearly trying to talk confidently, would you rather he just admit defeat?
I’m completely done with him, he’s made Sundays significantly less fun for two straight years, but, unless there’s a real reason that I’m missing, why attack the guys character. It’s a huge theme around here to the point where I feel like I must have missed the story where he did something
This is the question the entire “bench Mac now” brigade won’t answer. As I said above, if you wanna bench Mac because you wanna lose as much as possible, I get it, but anyone saying bench Mac because they want to win more is completely without a plan
It’s insane. Literally the **entire league** passed on Zappe two months ago. He sucks. He shouldn’t be on the roster. He is because Bill has failed miserably to build an offense.
But if he were to start and played poorly, you'd hear about how bad the line is and how the receivers can't make plays
The crazy thing to me is I understand wanting to see Malik instead because maybe we’ll be just as bad, but it might be more entertaining. We’ve seen Zappe, and he’s not only worse than Mac, he’s literally just as boring. I know nothing about Grier so idk but I assume he’d also be bad and boring
I feel very confident that Cunningham would be “interesting” for about 3 drives.
Yea i dont think for a second that he would do anything to turn the team around, i can just at least understand the hope that maybe he’ll bring some excitement. I genuinely can’t wrap my head around wanting to see Zappe or Grier, unless people for some reason think they are wayyyy better than they are. Zappe is horrible. Grier is a 28 year old with 2 career games, both in 2019. If you wanna bench Mac, or get him off the team immediately, as so many people say, explain any feasible alternative