I want the Pats to show great interest in Harrison and Daniels. I want them to take Daniels but see if ARI is willing to move up and tack on a second round pick to get Harrison.
Official Patriots 2024 Draft Pick Watch Thread (#3)
- Thread starter BigSoxFan
- Start date
Think it’s him over Evans? The QB tag is massive, and we’re talking about Baker Mayfield. Maybe the have to, I guess.
Probably yeah. Most likely they work out an extension then tag Evans, but if they have to they'll tag Mayfield and risk losing Evans rather than the other way around.
This is the same kid that meditates in plain view of the press before every game right?
Please, no.
Not that there’s anything wrong with meditating. I partake myself from time to time. But no one actually looking to clear their mind would ever for one second do it right in front of all the cameras unless they did it as sort of a PR stunt.
This will sound short and rude but after Mac’s breathing exercises between drives I think I just want a QB that is built right out of the gate to handle the pressure of playing in arguably the most visible, high-pressure position in American sports.
He might get tagged, he might decide to re-up with Tampa Bay. He might decide to go somewhere else. But since the free agency happens before the draft, if you have the cap spacing can convince him to come here then that changes our draft strategy, then you definitely go after Harrison and a tackle and shore up the offense.
It’s a possibility because all he does is cost you money and right now you know he can play the NFL and you know he can win a playoff game
It’s a possibility because all he does is cost you money and right now you know he can play the NFL and you know he can win a playoff game
None of what is written here is a legitimate argument against taking JJ McCarthy. Like you don't even address his athletic ability or the raft of other things we talk about when discussing QB prospects. What if he turns out to be the next great QB who just happens to meditate under goal posts? You are ok passing on a kid because they are figuring stuff out on a big stage? You would miss a lot of very talented athletes using this approach imo.
I mean... Brady is a weirdo who believes in concussion water and dubious diet stuff, Rodgers is a nutcase.... lots of the best QBs are weirdos in one way or another.
Or it could be just that he won't let the press dictate whether or not he follows an effective routine that helps him perform at his best.
I understand that but you stated that the reason you don't like McCarthy is that he was virtue meditating or something along those lines. My question is, what if he does that and adds in Mac Jones breathing exercises and then balls the hell out? Or is that impossible?
I simply don't see what meditating on the field has to do with ability, especially after the guy went out and won the national championship. I don't know if he will be a good NFL QB - I don't think anyone in the NFL knows for most of these players - but I sure as hell am not ruling him out versus a bunch of other flawed prospects because of his rituals.
As long as he hits like Casas in the second half, nobody will mind him meditating out in the field. It’s only weird when you’re losing or not performing.
Or it’s a PR stunt and a way to try to stand out amid coverage of dozens of other “high profile” college football quarterbacks. Which takes attention away from his team and puts it squarely on himself before every game.
Football stadiums have 1-2 MILLION square feet of empty space before games. But he decides to align his chakras below the field goal posts just when press access becomes available in the stadium.
I’m sure that’ll be a guy teams filled with players from inner cities that grew up experiencing all sorts of hardship will find relatable and rally behind.
Again, please just draft guys that are good teammates without baggage/drama/PR stunts.
No one said he won’t or can’t ball out. Save the strawman for another day.
It’s a selfish character flaw (doing that to grab the attention of the press prior to games) that only the most gullible buy into.
Isn't Fields in the last year of his rookie contract? If so, that means they get one "free" year then have to pay him on 2nd contract, somewhere in 20-25 mil range. Which seems like a massive overpay for a guy who is unlikely to ever be a top 15 QB. And if he doesn't work out, you've spent valuable draft capital, spun your wheels for another year, and passed up a shot at a possible star. Makes no sense to me.
There was no straw-man here - I asked a legitimate question which you answered.
You don't care if JJ McCarthy will be a good NFL QB - you just don't like him. And anyone who does or looks past his meditation or habits or whatever is gullible.
Yes, character and whether a guy tries to steal the spotlight from the team matters. You can think it’s harmless, while I will continue to think the average NFL player would see him do that, think he’s a clown, and cease to take him seriously unless he’s balling out like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, which has an incredibly low probability.
I’d rather just draft the guys that meditate at home or somewhere remote, in a quiet space, alone, as you’re generally instructed to when engaging in mindfulness activities, and focus on football when they step onto the field.
He’s building a brand and using pre-game coverage to do it, which, IMO, is not the kind of person I’d want to see “leading” a NFL team.
I wanted MJH badly, but saw enough of bad to mediocre QB play down the stretch of the regular season--and not just from Mac and Zappe--to be converted. It's QB or bust at #3. Having watched a lot of Michigan this year--my FiL bleeds blue--I also think McCarthy is a highly intriguing prospect. But (needless to say) he shouldn't be #3--and isn't worth the Pats taking MJH, Alt, or Fashanu at #3 to grab him late in the 1st via trade or in the 2nd. But he could also make a rival GM look pretty savvy in 3-4 years.
The thing is, I don't know JJ McCarthy or any of his teammates so I cannot speak to any of this. It would be interesting to understand how you arrived at the opinion that he is stealing someone else's spotlight (as every football fan knows from an early age, for better or worse the QB is the face of your team) or that contemporary NFL football players think that his pregame rituals are that of a clown.
Do you know professional players personally? Have you heard them discussing other players pregame routines?
I haven't, really but my understanding of serious athletes these days is that they start forming habits and routines as soon as youth sports - my sense is that for a kid playing a sport at a high level in 2024 anything goes for pregame rituals, habits and routines. And if they believe it helps them to perform, where is the harm? Aside from setting off your radar that they are likely going to be a failure.
I fail to see how meditating 2 hours before a game is stealing another player's spotlight. I think NFL players are pretty used to dealing with different quirks.
It also isn't that unusual to meditate in a public space. Many promote it as a good challenge. A way to calm oneself and relax in what might normally be a difficult environment.
It also isn't that unusual to meditate in a public space. Many promote it as a good challenge. A way to calm oneself and relax in what might normally be a difficult environment.
Look at this pregame, spotlight-stealing BS from Dak ... and right in front of the camera no less.
View: https://twitter.com/JoriEpstein/status/1615125434378633219
The point is many pro athletes engage in pregame routines they believe will optimize performance. Many of these involve visualization techniques that require the athlete to be on the playing field, in the arena, etc. Could JJ's meditation be all about PR? Sure, but goddamn that's a cynical take. He's been very open about his struggle with depression and how meditation has helped him.
View: https://twitter.com/JoriEpstein/status/1615125434378633219
The point is many pro athletes engage in pregame routines they believe will optimize performance. Many of these involve visualization techniques that require the athlete to be on the playing field, in the arena, etc. Could JJ's meditation be all about PR? Sure, but goddamn that's a cynical take. He's been very open about his struggle with depression and how meditation has helped him.
I mean with teammates that gullible it’s no wonder Michigan went nowhere this year.
It's not like he played in front of 100k fans every week though.
And sign me up for gullibility if it means winning the last game of the playoffs.
What a weird post, but now I’m curious.
Why do you think NFL rosters are filled with “inner city” kids that faced all sorts of hardship? And why do kids from inner cities, even ones that have faced hardships, find themselves unable to rally behind a person because they meditate, while people from other backgrounds don’t have that issue?
That's a weird take. The Florida Gators loved Tebow. The Pats loved Brady. I mean, maybe they didn't meditate, but still...
I remember when another QB from Michigan closed his eyes in front of his teammates (and then made sure the media knew about it) before a big game.
I apologize I offended so many of you.
Taoism between the goalposts, in front of the cameras, for all the world to see. Definitely not cultural appropriation or anything. Maybe we can get some meditating bobbleheads cooked up in time for draft day! #authenticity
Taoism between the goalposts, in front of the cameras, for all the world to see. Definitely not cultural appropriation or anything. Maybe we can get some meditating bobbleheads cooked up in time for draft day! #authenticity
What is going on in this thread?
many professional athletes crave attention, it doesn't generally seem to be an issue for teammates except when coupled with being an asshole
many professional athletes crave attention, it doesn't generally seem to be an issue for teammates except when coupled with being an asshole
There is also the 5th year option.
And I would not agree with the statement he's not likely to ever be a Top 15 QB. I think he already has been.
When has Fields ever been a top 15 QB? He’s been near the very bottom by most statistical measures.
This year, his best year, he was 29th in completion %, 23rd in INT%, 22nd in passer rating and 26th in ANY/A
which of these guys would you take Fields over in 2024:
Mahomes
Allen
Goff
Prescott
Stafford
Love
Burrow
Rodgers
Tua
Cousins
Hurts
Murray
Stroud
Lawrence
Herbert
Mayfield
Jackson
I can see maybe an argument for one or two. But Fields was a worse QB this year than all of the healthy guys above. He was also worse than Geno Smith, Derek Carr and Russell Wilson.
Unless you’re really low on guys like Hurts, Lawrence, Mayfield and Murray, I don’t see any time when Fields has shown he belongs in a top 15 conversation. He had 3 games this year out of 13 where he threw more TD than INT. His numbers this year were remarkably similar to last year’s despite the addition of Moore (in other words, there wasn’t much apparent growth or improvement to bank your hopes for 2024 on)
he’s talented, he’s flashed a little at times. But he’s still firmly below average as a passer. Maybe you’re factoring in his running as being so valuable as to overcome his deficiencies as a passer, but I still don’t think that puts him in the top 15 at any time in his career to this point.
I think we can put the speculation about a WR or OT to bed
View: https://twitter.com/mikekadlick/status/1747758593649074219
View: https://twitter.com/mikekadlick/status/1747758593649074219
here is the full interview as that one seems to have audio issues
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL9XZ_LAnII
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL9XZ_LAnII
Eh. He's either putting his cards on the table or making a market for the pick. And for all we know they think Penix or McCarthy are better than what's left after the first two picks.
I mean the thing is.... there is zero reason you pick anything other than QB at 3. If you aren't picking QB, someone will want to, and no other position has the value that getting the #1 player (WR, OT, even Edge) is worth more than the 2nd best option (or best at one of the others) and the value a QB tradeup adds.
They're unlikely to hire a GM at all, but I doubt they bring in someone before the draft who has final call, that pick will be whichever of Groh/Wolf is made final decision maker for draft matters
Right bc there’s no pressure arriving at Michigan as the savior after losing to Ohio st a billion years in a row
My takeaways from that little interview with Burton...
1. He very clearly has huge respect for Belichick.
2. But he also very clearly is his own man, even referencing some of the things he learned what NOT to do from Belichick. He's going to try to carry into his administration the positive things Belichick did, and ditch/change the negative things. He wasn't hiding the fact that as great as BB was/is, he didn't/doesn't do everything right (in Mayo's eyes, anyway).
3. He's well aware that QB is almost certainly the biggest on-field issue for the team. Seems like he thinks that a change in culture may be the biggest overall issue and he's already working on that. But yeah, they're taking one of Williams, Maye, or Daniels, unless they have some crazy idea about one of the other QBs.
4. At the risk of coming off racist (as a white guy can be, seen by some, when complimenting a black man's communication skills), he's so well spoken and (in Burton's words) sharp. He just seems to know what he's about and has a great way of getting it across. Much of BB's time here he was just not really communicative and open about so much (if you ask him about special teams he was), but already Mayo seems to be much more of an open book. It's refreshing. He seems very confident and comfortable in who he is and what he brings to the table. I can easily see why so many players appear to be so excited that he is the man in Foxboro now.
None of this means he can effectively coach the team to more wins. But it's a hell of a start. I'm fully on board #teammayo.
1. He very clearly has huge respect for Belichick.
2. But he also very clearly is his own man, even referencing some of the things he learned what NOT to do from Belichick. He's going to try to carry into his administration the positive things Belichick did, and ditch/change the negative things. He wasn't hiding the fact that as great as BB was/is, he didn't/doesn't do everything right (in Mayo's eyes, anyway).
3. He's well aware that QB is almost certainly the biggest on-field issue for the team. Seems like he thinks that a change in culture may be the biggest overall issue and he's already working on that. But yeah, they're taking one of Williams, Maye, or Daniels, unless they have some crazy idea about one of the other QBs.
4. At the risk of coming off racist (as a white guy can be, seen by some, when complimenting a black man's communication skills), he's so well spoken and (in Burton's words) sharp. He just seems to know what he's about and has a great way of getting it across. Much of BB's time here he was just not really communicative and open about so much (if you ask him about special teams he was), but already Mayo seems to be much more of an open book. It's refreshing. He seems very confident and comfortable in who he is and what he brings to the table. I can easily see why so many players appear to be so excited that he is the man in Foxboro now.
None of this means he can effectively coach the team to more wins. But it's a hell of a start. I'm fully on board #teammayo.
It IS a bit of a PR stunt bc he said he wants people to see the value of meditation, which has helped him a lot. It has NOTHING to do with being a distraction or putting the team number 2. This is a kid who threw the ball far less than his peers and never complained once - all about what’s right for the team. He didn’t throw the ball the whole second half vs Penn state and was as pumped as ever about getting the W
This is among the most absurd arguments I’ve seen on here in a long time. There are valid reasons to not want to draft JJ, but character is at the bottom of the list. This is a kid that used NIL money to donate to children’s hospitals near each road game- something not publicized much at all. Maybe that’s why he needs to meditate publicly to build more brand awareness!
Weird, I'm Catholic and I meditate. We get it, you hate JJ McCarthy. You really don't need to keep making up excuses for irrational hatred. Lots of Sox fans here, we all understand irrational hatred.
What a copout. The old sorry you were offended BS and doubling down on the snark.
I don't see anyone taking offense to your dislike of JJ. I see posters questioning your drafting thought process about meditation over football ability, dislike over football ability, and faux outrage about benign "PR Stunts" over football ability. The guy just won the National Championship. Now, there are plenty of football ability reasons to question JJ McCarthy and potentially drafting him, but save the nonsense for talk radio.
Mayo’s polish as a communicator has always struck me as an integral part of who he is—that is, he sees himself as a teacher and that effective communication is a critical part of that role. You could hear when he used to do Curran’s podcast. I always felt like I understood the game better after his segments because he was so good at offering clear cogent explanations. (He also had a great line in one episode about how Mark Sanchez would often misidentify the ‘mike’ as the Pats were lining up on defense.) You could tell the he had a cerebral take on the game and enjoyed discussing strategy, formations, adjustments, etc.
My guess is that he’s been, and will continue to be, far more expansive than Bill in setting expectations for players and helping them understand their respective roles. And that is huge going forward.
My guess is that he’s been, and will continue to be, far more expansive than Bill in setting expectations for players and helping them understand their respective roles. And that is huge going forward.
I felt remiss by not mentioning in my earlier post that Fields seems to be a model professional. There aren’t any leaks and “team sources” here comparing about Fields’ attitude ot work ethic. Everyone seems to really respect the guy and talk up his leadership, hard work, and dedication.
I think this an important piece of the puzzle because it suggests Fields has been working on his shortcomings and doing everything asked of him. So if an another team thinks they can fix Fields’ accuracy and pocket awareness issues, it’s either because his coaching has been bad so far (a possibility). If you think that he just isn’t up to NFL-caliber in these areas (also a possibility), then he just kind of is who he is until the punishment of running the ball saps that ability.
Unless you’re getting Fields for a 6th/7th round pick or signing him to a Baker Mayfield type deal, there’s just too much risk involved.