Halfway through the season at 5-4, it's time to give out some grades....
Quarterbacks: C
I had higher hopes for Mac Jones coming into this year. He's made a few nice throws but has made a bunch of terrible ones. Seems skittish in the pocket. It's difficult to separate him from the O-line struggles, but either way, he hasn't been good this year. Credit goes to Bailey Zappe for being a rookie thrown into the fire, and he does give the team some energy. BUT...he really isn't that good at this point. Still, what more can you ask of a guy in his position?
Running backs: B
Damien Harris is a really solid NFL running back, but his absence has been noteworthy this year. Not running as well as he did last year, but he's still good. As for Rhamondre Stevenson, I consider him to be one of the better overall RBs in the NFL, he's having a terrific season in every way.
O-line: D
Really been a struggle for this unit. Penalties, penalties, penalties. Struggles against good defensive lines (though that shouldn't be surprising). There's some ability there but also they have a lot of trouble, especially with anchor David Andrews out. Easily, to me, the most disappointing aspect of the team.
Tight ends: C-
They've had their moments, which have been terrific. But too often there's just not much happening with these guys. Very little game impact so far this year.
Wide receivers: B-
I like this group. Each has had good moments. I still don't get why Bourne isn't playing much, because whenever he does play he seems to do something positive. Meyers is a solid pro. Parker had some great moments. I love Thornton's potential.
Defensive line: A
On the whole, this group has done really well. Edge rushers Wise, Judon, and Uche have really gotten after the QB. The fatties in the middle have for the most part held up nicely this year so far. Encouraging signs from this unit.
Linebackers: B-
Some good moments, and it's a heck of a lot faster unit than last year's group. But they still make a lot of mistakes. Nonetheless, on the whole, it's been a pretty good group.
Cornerbacks: A
Love this group. Not without mistakes, but man, it's been a good group. Love Jack Jones. Jonathan Jones has been really good when he's been out there. Mills is solid. Bryant isn't good but we knew that already.
Safeties: B
Duggar is fantastic unless he's asked to cover a really good receiver. McCourty has lost a step but is still a savvy veteran out there. Peppers is starting to really shine. I like this group.
Special teams: B
Strong A for Nick Folk, who continues to be a kicking machine. But Bailey has been pretty bad. Booms some, but then just really struggles a lot too. The returns of Marcus Jones give me hope in that aspect of the game.
Coaching: C
I just can't give them a better grade than this. On the one hand, they're doing wonders with a roster that MOST experts think is bereft of real NFL talent. On the other, they can't seem to do much in terms of offensive play calling (some might say their play calling is incredibly offensive), and they just can't seem to fix the offensive line struggles, which appear to be contributing to Mac's problems. I felt that mission #1 for this team was to help Mac take the next step of his development, and it appears to my untrained eye that it's gone the other way.
OVERALL GRADE: C+/B-
After all, they are 5-4 and are *thisclose* to a playoff spot. They're a slightly better than average team, which means they get a slightly better than average grade.
Quarterbacks: C
I had higher hopes for Mac Jones coming into this year. He's made a few nice throws but has made a bunch of terrible ones. Seems skittish in the pocket. It's difficult to separate him from the O-line struggles, but either way, he hasn't been good this year. Credit goes to Bailey Zappe for being a rookie thrown into the fire, and he does give the team some energy. BUT...he really isn't that good at this point. Still, what more can you ask of a guy in his position?
Running backs: B
Damien Harris is a really solid NFL running back, but his absence has been noteworthy this year. Not running as well as he did last year, but he's still good. As for Rhamondre Stevenson, I consider him to be one of the better overall RBs in the NFL, he's having a terrific season in every way.
O-line: D
Really been a struggle for this unit. Penalties, penalties, penalties. Struggles against good defensive lines (though that shouldn't be surprising). There's some ability there but also they have a lot of trouble, especially with anchor David Andrews out. Easily, to me, the most disappointing aspect of the team.
Tight ends: C-
They've had their moments, which have been terrific. But too often there's just not much happening with these guys. Very little game impact so far this year.
Wide receivers: B-
I like this group. Each has had good moments. I still don't get why Bourne isn't playing much, because whenever he does play he seems to do something positive. Meyers is a solid pro. Parker had some great moments. I love Thornton's potential.
Defensive line: A
On the whole, this group has done really well. Edge rushers Wise, Judon, and Uche have really gotten after the QB. The fatties in the middle have for the most part held up nicely this year so far. Encouraging signs from this unit.
Linebackers: B-
Some good moments, and it's a heck of a lot faster unit than last year's group. But they still make a lot of mistakes. Nonetheless, on the whole, it's been a pretty good group.
Cornerbacks: A
Love this group. Not without mistakes, but man, it's been a good group. Love Jack Jones. Jonathan Jones has been really good when he's been out there. Mills is solid. Bryant isn't good but we knew that already.
Safeties: B
Duggar is fantastic unless he's asked to cover a really good receiver. McCourty has lost a step but is still a savvy veteran out there. Peppers is starting to really shine. I like this group.
Special teams: B
Strong A for Nick Folk, who continues to be a kicking machine. But Bailey has been pretty bad. Booms some, but then just really struggles a lot too. The returns of Marcus Jones give me hope in that aspect of the game.
Coaching: C
I just can't give them a better grade than this. On the one hand, they're doing wonders with a roster that MOST experts think is bereft of real NFL talent. On the other, they can't seem to do much in terms of offensive play calling (some might say their play calling is incredibly offensive), and they just can't seem to fix the offensive line struggles, which appear to be contributing to Mac's problems. I felt that mission #1 for this team was to help Mac take the next step of his development, and it appears to my untrained eye that it's gone the other way.
OVERALL GRADE: C+/B-
After all, they are 5-4 and are *thisclose* to a playoff spot. They're a slightly better than average team, which means they get a slightly better than average grade.
