Pats offense: Ongoing discussion

SMU_Sox

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There is a good article behind the PFF pay wall that goes into their recent passing funk the last 4 games (which is really 3 games because Bills1 was 3 attempts). It’s a small sample size.

The gist of it is that Mac is taking longer to throw, throwing into more tight windows, receivers are not getting as much separation vs man coverage (so same issues as in 2018, 2019, 2020), and Mac’s effectiveness on passes greater than 10 yards has diminished. He has gone from being one of the highest graded PFF QBs from weeks 1-12 to a bottom 5 performer the last 4 weeks against the Titans, Bills, and Colts.
It is a copycat league so you would expect competent teams to play him with more man coverage. The Dolphins are either the highest or among the highest of teams that play man coverage.

Edit: I know the sample size is small but it does describe what happened to Mac and the passing offense the last 4 games.
 
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SMU_Sox

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On vacation so been thinking more about the offense. Pardon more Patriots offensive thoughts.

While the Patriots have spread the ball around this year their leading receiver, Meyers, has 723 receiving yards. I did a quick look around the NFL for teams whose leading receiver had 724 or more yards. 24/32 clubs have at least one guy above 723 yards. Only 8 clubs do not including the Patriots of course: 1) Patriots, 2) Giants, 3) Jets, 4) Lions, 5) Jaguars, 6) Saints, 7) Browns, 8) Broncos. So what? Well to me the reason this matters at all is because typically having a really good option helps the entire offense. Having a guy the opposition has to dedicate scheme and player resources to helps open things up. It also matters because typically great receivers are your best option against man coverage. The majority of plays you’re going to your first (1) 2 options. So the better your option is the more likely the play is successful. No DC is staying up all night fretting about Jakobi Meyers.

When I think what they could really use in the passing game it is two things: 1) A more dynamic X receiver. Agholor has had issues with route running and while he is an ok X he isn’t anything special. He has great speed but he’s not a premiere guy by any means. Ideally their X could also play inside and he would have size and speed. Being a plus blocker would help too. Cincinnati’s Alec Pierce fits the bill there in the draft.
They could also use a prolific slot guy - someone who would combine Bourne’s quickness and RAC ability with Meyer’s route running. What would that player look like? Well the high end version of that is Cooper Kupp. I haven’t looked at enough slots in the draft class to have a name there.
You might also argue they need a twitcher slot route runner than Meyers like a Hunter Renfrow. I wouldn’t argue with you. Those are the three archetypes though I see to add.

This is in addition to potentially finding an in-line tight end if Jonnu continues to suck
year 2.
 

snowmanny

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Appreciate all your thoughts.

I hope they spend whatever they can to upgrade their WR through FA or trade. Actually drafting a WR in round 1 or 2? No faith.
 

Mystic Merlin

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Appreciate all your thoughts.

I hope they spend whatever they can to upgrade their WR through FA or trade. Actually drafting a WR in round 1 or 2? No faith.
I don’t give a shit what round they draft the position. Harry was round one, Branch round 2, Edelman late rounds, Chad Jackson round 2, Givens middle rounds, etc.
 

SMU_Sox

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The draft is a crapshoot. You don’t invest in a position and you expose yourself more to that risk. I think for the draft you could argue offensively they could use OT, receiving RB, X receiver, slot receiver (either or both of those guys with return experience is a huge plus), and in-line TE. Depending on who they sign another OG/OC could be in order too. And that’s just offense. Defense is perhaps more pressing though at corner, safety, ILB, and DT/NT. Hell if their edges don’t pan out you could argue for another edge too to pair with Judon when KVN ages out or leaves.
 

jsinger121

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The draft is a crapshoot. You don’t invest in a position and you expose yourself more to that risk. I think for the draft you could argue offensively they could use OT, receiving RB, X receiver, slot receiver (either or both of those guys with return experience is a huge plus), and in-line TE. Depending on who they sign another OG/OC could be in order too. And that’s just offense. Defense is perhaps more pressing though at corner, safety, ILB, and DT/NT. Hell if their edges don’t pan out you could argue for another edge too to pair with Judon when KVN ages out or leaves.
Which makes the coaching job BB did this year even more impressive. There is still a ton of holes on this roster in a lot of key spots but they are still on the cusp of a playoff spot.
 

Super Nomario

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Which makes the coaching job BB did this year even more impressive. There is still a ton of holes on this roster in a lot of key spots but they are still on the cusp of a playoff spot.
A lot of the offseason holes aren't holes now. Trent Brown, Devin McCourty, Dont'a Hightower, and J.C. Jackson are all free agents (along with some other key players like Ted Karras, Ja'Whaun Bentley, and Adrian Phillips), so it's less about plugging holes that we're seeing on Sundays and more about figuring out how to maintain production out of some spots where they're likely to lose talent come spring.

On vacation so been thinking more about the offense. Pardon more Patriots offensive thoughts.

While the Patriots have spread the ball around this year their leading receiver, Meyers, has 723 receiving yards. I did a quick look around the NFL for teams whose leading receiver had 724 or more yards. 24/32 clubs have at least one guy above 723 yards. Only 8 clubs do not including the Patriots of course: 1) Patriots, 2) Giants, 3) Jets, 4) Lions, 5) Jaguars, 6) Saints, 7) Browns, 8) Broncos. So what? Well to me the reason this matters at all is because typically having a really good option helps the entire offense. Having a guy the opposition has to dedicate scheme and player resources to helps open things up. It also matters because typically great receivers are your best option against man coverage. The majority of plays you’re going to your first (1) 2 options. So the better your option is the more likely the play is successful. No DC is staying up all night fretting about Jakobi Meyers.

When I think what they could really use in the passing game it is two things: 1) A more dynamic X receiver. Agholor has had issues with route running and while he is an ok X he isn’t anything special. He has great speed but he’s not a premiere guy by any means. Ideally their X could also play inside and he would have size and speed. Being a plus blocker would help too. Cincinnati’s Alec Pierce fits the bill there in the draft.
They could also use a prolific slot guy - someone who would combine Bourne’s quickness and RAC ability with Meyer’s route running. What would that player look like? Well the high end version of that is Cooper Kupp. I haven’t looked at enough slots in the draft class to have a name there.
You might also argue they need a twitcher slot route runner than Meyers like a Hunter Renfrow. I wouldn’t argue with you. Those are the three archetypes though I see to add.

This is in addition to potentially finding an in-line tight end if Jonnu continues to suck
year 2.
At least some of this is by design. They invested money in four different pass catchers this offseason rather than chase one premier guy, presumably with the idea that multiple options is harder to defend. Meyers or Bourne would probably be on the cusp of a 1,000 yard season if the other wasn't here, but obviously they're a more dangerous offense with both of them.

They definitely could use a second guy with speed behind Agholor, and they're facing an uncertain future with Agholor, Harry, Meyers, and Gunner all facing free agency after 2022 (assuming the latter two are big on RFA tenders). So I do think a fairly high draft pick makes sense for the future. In terms of the on-the-field group, it's OK. I'm not really a believer in a dominant X opening up the whole offense. It's certainly nice to have though. :)
 

Euclis20

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Harry is a healthy scratch today, even with Agholor out again. This shows the value of a good blocking WR, if he runs like he's underwater and has hands of stone.
 

k-factory

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Harry is a healthy scratch today, even with Agholor out again. This shows the value of a good blocking WR, if he runs like he's underwater and has hands of stone.
He fills the speed niche vacated by Agholor. Will be interesting to see what BB does when Agholor is back - presumably this week.
Harry’s problem ironically - for a big physical receiver - is he just gets hurt a lot. Still, against heavier defensive fronts they have faced and will face he has provided value that the tight ends (Jonnu!) or other receivers have not. BB has always been matchup oriented. The reality is Harry has drifted down to a matchup based player.
 

tims4wins

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He fills the speed niche vacated by Agholor. Will be interesting to see what BB does when Agholor is back - presumably this week.
Harry’s problem ironically - for a big physical receiver - is he just gets hurt a lot. Still, against heavier defensive fronts they have faced and will face he has provided value that the tight ends (Jonnu!) or other receivers have not. BB has always been matchup oriented. The reality is Harry has drifted down to a matchup based player.
BB on the decision

View: https://twitter.com/ZackCoxNESN/status/1478001859105275904/photo/1
 

Cellar-Door

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What are they going to do about Jonnu? His playing time has gone down. He’s played 21 and 17 snaps the last 2 weeks. Some of that is his role. He plays more as a blocker than anything else so when they have to pass he doesn’t see the field. The issue is he sucks as a blocker. The Pats use him against edges and have left him on islands vs guys like Cam Jordan and, last week, Jerry Hughes. Jerry Hughes is a fine player. He plays roughly 50% of snaps for the Bills and is a 10 or 11 year veteran. Jerry Hughes put Jonnu on skates on that flea flicker. Blew him up. He has struggled to hold up to edges all year. He seems like a guy who you can scheme up a tight end screen for but he lacks skill as a route runner. It’s no surprise that Henry gets the reps in 11 when they are looking to pass. It could be adjusting to life as a more traditional in-line guy and needing to add some weight to play here but he’s not a huge guy at 6’3” 248 so how much can he put on his frame? It’s possible the Pats paid out the nose for two tight ends and still don’t have a good solution for in-line blocking.
If they want to run they are better off using 21 personnel because Jakob is much better as a blocker. That’s why they started using more of that 4-5 games in. If they want to pass Henry, Meyers, Agholor, and Bourne are all better options and his pass blocking isn’t all that good anyway.
At some point I’d like to see if Asiasi can handle the blocking better. He’s the same height as Jonnu but plays about 10 pounds heavier. He’s been buried all year though and after one year with him they signed both these guys so that might tell me all I need to know about their faith in him. Regardless of Asiasi though the future looks grim for Jonnu. Maybe it’s a combination of missing camp, perhaps not being fully healthy, being on a new team, and the Patriots gambling he could be even better/misevaluated him that has impacted him year 1. Or maybe it’s mostly they misevaluated him, he kind of sucks, and he’s going to eat a lot of cap space until 2023 when he’s easier to cut. What say you SOSH?

Quick edit: with 21 I think he is the tight end but not always. But 21 means at least one of Henry and Jonnu are off the field for a budget guy in Jakob.
Played his most snaps since week 8 this week, which is a promising sign.
Only 1 target, but did well with it, also got a carry and did decently. I thought his blocking looked good, but admitedly I wasn't that focused on him... also we were stomping the Jags so everyone looked good.
 

Cellar-Door

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Interesting note about the current WR (minus Nelson who is out) is that they are all undrafted FA

View: https://mobile.twitter.com/ezlazar/status/1478128843105972231
can I just say... this tweet is garbage... practice squad guys who are wide open are going to produce more EPA than 1st round picks who are covered, it isn't some magic of the QB that made them productive.

Also.... Bourne and Meyers are established pros, proven better over several seasons than guys picked ahead of them, going back to their draft placement is just a guy reaching for a bad point. I mean, was it amazing that the mid-2000s Chargers could throw the ball so well with an UDFA TE and a 12th round WR?

Would Mac have been a worse QB if he put up those same stats with N'Keal Harry and Phillip Dorsett at WR? I think we all would say no.
 

BaseballJones

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^^^ Exactly. It’s like downgrading a QB for throwing a pick to JC Jackson or Jonathan Jones *because they’re UDFAs*, as opposed to throwing a pick to a CB drafted in the third round.
 

DJnVa

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can I just say... this tweet is garbage... practice squad guys who are wide open are going to produce more EPA than 1st round picks who are covered, it isn't some magic of the QB that made them productive.

Also.... Bourne and Meyers are established pros, proven better over several seasons than guys picked ahead of them, going back to their draft placement is just a guy reaching for a bad point. I mean, was it amazing that the mid-2000s Chargers could throw the ball so well with an UDFA TE and a 12th round WR?

Would Mac have been a worse QB if he put up those same stats with N'Keal Harry and Phillip Dorsett at WR? I think we all would say no.
I think you're reading too much into it. I think he's simply saying that Mac didn't have a lot of "weapons" (as the NFL defines it) out there and had a good game. We've talked for 20 years here about Brady's receivers, etc. This was simply saying he had a good game without big names catching the ball coupled with the fact that coming into the season people wondered how he'd do without Bama's WR corps.
 
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Cellar-Door

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I think you're reading too much into it. I think he's simply saying that Mac didn't have a lot of "weapons" (as the NFL defines it) out there and had a good game. We've talked for 20 years here about Brady's receivers, etc. This was simply saying he had a good game without big names catching the ball coupled with the fact that coming into the season people wondered how he'd do without Bama's WR corps.
Nah, it's a pattern with Lazar, which is fine, he's a hack and he's playing to the LCD twitter follower, but I think we should have higher standards than that.

Edit- and as I pointed out, it's not really about weapons, because why reference the draft status of guys who are on their second contract? Also... they have 2 high priced FA TEs. It's creating an artificial narrative by using spurious information. The EPA is neither more nor less impressive because of the draft status of 3 of the 5 main passcatchers, they aren't related at all, tying them together is basically only there to try to infer something that isn't true.

I mean... wow what a year Chris Hogan had in 2018, almost 15 yards per touch with a 6th round QB!
 

Cellar-Door

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Lazar is a hack? He puts in a ton of work with film. Volin is a hack.
yeah Hack is probably strong.... he's a guy who makes a lot of really bad tweets to push narrative about players he likes (particularly Mac) is more accurate, his non-twitter work is better.
 

SMU_Sox

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Once you prove you can play in the NFL your draft status should be irrelevant. If teams knew how solid/good/adjective Bourne and Meyers would be they would have been taken earlier. It's almost insulting to me to refer to Bourne or Meyers as UDFA receivers because that implies something that isn't true.

Lazar is interesting. He's bright and he knows a lot about the game. But he draws some conclusions I think are inappropriate and can be kind of hot-takey. He also tends to have strong opinions. I prefer more thoughtful and nuanced takes which is why I like Mark so much for example. The above tweet struck me as inappropriate for the reasons I specified. He can be very narrative driven too which is weird because his analysis doesn't always logically support his conclusions. I read his stuff. I like his film review. I question sometimes why he frames things a certain way or concludes what he does or why he advances misleading narratives. I think part of that is media/click-bait stuff and it's par for the course.
 

tims4wins

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Once you prove you can play in the NFL your draft status should be irrelevant.
It should, but it isn't, and it is one of the rarely discussed aspects of the "Patriot Way" that has led to success over the last 20 years. It's far easier said than done, but BB is the clear leader in the NFL in this department.
 

Gash Prex

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I didn't realize pointing out that all 3 WR for the Pats were UDFA would cause such a uproar over Lazar. I still think its an interesting point that the Pats were (and have been) so successful with undrafted WRs ... which usually (not always) have a limited physical tool set. The Pats offense is built more to timing and option routes, than pure speed and athletic ability - and I think the Pats success over the years have demonstrated that - Moss and Gronk nothwithstanding. And it does reflect somewhat on Mac - if Lawrence was given a set of UDFA, I certainly don't he could process the information and Pats offense like Mac.
 

Cellar-Door

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I didn't realize pointing out that all 3 WR for the Pats were UDFA would cause such a uproar over Lazar. I still think its an interesting point that the Pats were (and have been) so successful with undrafted WRs ... which usually (not always) have a limited physical tool set. The Pats offense is built more to timing and option routes, than pure speed and athletic ability - and I think the Pats success over the years have demonstrated that - Moss and Gronk nothwithstanding. And it does reflect somewhat on Mac - if Lawrence was given a set of UDFA, I certainly don't he could process the information and Pats offense like Mac.
I think that Trevor Lawrence would trade LaQuan Treadwell (a 1st rounder who runs the wrong route constantly) for Kendrick Bourne (who runs good routes) in a milisecond as would any team in the NFL. Good WRs are good WRs, highly drafted WRs are highly drafted, the two are not always correlated. I mean, you only need to look at our WR history to see that highly drafted has no impact on ability to get open or run good routes.
The idea that we should credit a QB for throwing the ball to WRs who get open because it's some genius move because they weren't as well thought of several years ago is ridiculous.
 

CreightonGubanich

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I didn't realize pointing out that all 3 WR for the Pats were UDFA would cause such a uproar over Lazar. I still think its an interesting point that the Pats were (and have been) so successful with undrafted WRs ... which usually (not always) have a limited physical tool set. The Pats offense is built more to timing and option routes, than pure speed and athletic ability - and I think the Pats success over the years have demonstrated that - Moss and Gronk nothwithstanding. And it does reflect somewhat on Mac - if Lawrence was given a set of UDFA, I certainly don't he could process the information and Pats offense like Mac.
It's an interesting fact, and nothing wrong with pointing it out. What people are taking issue with is Lazar's contention that it tells you anything about Mac Jones. Meyers and Bourne are proven NFL receivers. Mac doesn't get more points for throwing it to them, any more than he gets less credit for completing passes to N'Keal Harry because he's a first rounder.
 

Gash Prex

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I think that Trevor Lawrence would trade LaQuan Treadwell (a 1st rounder who runs the wrong route constantly) for Kendrick Bourne (who runs good routes) in a milisecond as would any team in the NFL. Good WRs are good WRs, highly drafted WRs are highly drafted, the two are not always correlated. I mean, you only need to look at our WR history to see that highly drafted has no impact on ability to get open or run good routes.
The idea that we should credit a QB for throwing the ball to WRs who get open because it's some genius move because they weren't as well thought of several years ago is ridiculous.
So, if what Mac and the Pats do is so easy, why doesn't every team replicate it? I constantly hear its the system and coaching...yet I watch these supposed amazing talents like Lawrence fall flat on their face in the NFL because they cannot process a defense quickly enough.
 

Cellar-Door

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It's an interesting fact, and nothing wrong with pointing it out. What people are taking issue with is Lazar's contention that it tells you anything about Mac Jones. Meyers and Bourne are proven NFL receivers. Mac doesn't get more points for throwing it to them, any more than he gets less credit for completing passes to N'Keal Harry because he's a first rounder.
yep.
If he wanted to point out that we have a lot of UDFA WRs doing well, sure interesting fact. Using the past draft status of 2 guys who were established NFL WRs when Mac was still in college as if it somehow is Mac's accomplishment is both weird and an insult to guys who worked hard and established themselves in the league.

So, if what Mac and the Pats do is so easy, why doesn't every team replicate it? I constantly hear its the system and coaching...yet I watch these supposed amazing talents like Lawrence fall flat on their face in the NFL because they cannot process a defense quickly enough.
I mean... lots of teams do? What is the argument here, that because Lawrence is having a poor rookie year on a terrible team the Patriots are some unique special flower?
Kendrick Bourne was a FA signing for us, he was in SF before that, where he played well with CJ Beathard and Nick Mullens throwing him the ball. Victor Cruz in NY, Doug Baldwin in SEA, Adam Theilen in MIN. The league is littered with successful UDFA WRs, it isn't some unique situation in NE. If anything.... we have more low drafted WRs because we miss on our early round WR picks more often.

Edit- also... yeah coaching is important, it's why we've had a ton of success and done well with backup QBs generally, and it's one reason guys fail elsewhere. Coaching isn't just game day, yes play calls help, design helps, but also part of recognition and processing is hours and hours of coaching and repetition, film study, seeing complex looks in practice, etc.
 

Saints Rest

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It would be interesting to see how many UDFA's are in the league total as a percentage of total players, and then to compare that to the same ratios on a team-by-team or position-by-position basis. Even more so if you could somehow exclude guys who are ST only? (Seems like that type oe player needs an acronym kit LOOGY. STOGY?)
 

Saints Rest

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I read this stat on The Athletic today:
Stevenson is facing eight or more defenders in the box at the sixth-highest rate (54.3 percent) in the NFL this season, according to TruMedia. Harris is second (57.1). As a team, 50.4 percent of their runs have come against eight or more defenders in the box, second most behind the Browns (50.7). That teams know the Patriots want to run, commit to stopping it and still often can’t is a testament to the way Harris and Stevenson have played this season and the way the offensive line has blocked.
As both DH and RS seem to have shown some decent chops catching the ball, I'd love to see Josh incorporate more variety in the run/pass mix when any of the RBs (even Bolden) are out there.
 

Euclis20

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I read this stat on The Athletic today:

As both DH and RS seem to have shown some decent chops catching the ball, I'd love to see Josh incorporate more variety in the run/pass mix when any of the RBs (even Bolden) are out there.
Considering that:

-we've looked like a solid playoff team for awhile now and
-the 1 seed was always going to be a hard get with KC picking it up midseason and Tennessee getting healthy

I'm really hoping we've been holding back a bit on the offensive play calling.
 

DJnVa

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Out of 1696 players (53 * 32) presumably.
That's a ratio of 28.65%.
Put another way that's almost 16 players per team.
That seems high to me. I would have guessed something closer to 5-6 players per team or about 10%.
Perhaps that 486 number included PS guys??
The link said 486 made the opening day 53 man rosters.

Article about Chiefs roster week 1--they have 14 UDFA on it: Exploring How the Current Kansas City Chiefs Roster Was Built - Sports Illustrated Kansas City Chiefs News, Analysis and More
 
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BigJimEd

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It would be interesting to see how many UDFA's are in the league total as a percentage of total players, and then to compare that to the same ratios on a team-by-team or position-by-position basis. Even more so if you could somehow exclude guys who are ST only? (Seems like that type oe player needs an acronym kit LOOGY. STOGY?)
Here's a column from 2017 looking at "regular" contributors across the league:
Believe it or not, in 2017 there were more UDFAs playing at least 40-percent of offensive or defensive snaps than any other group except for first round draft picks.

Seems like 25-30% of rosters are made up of UDFA every year.
 

BaseballJones

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I read this stat on The Athletic today:

As both DH and RS seem to have shown some decent chops catching the ball, I'd love to see Josh incorporate more variety in the run/pass mix when any of the RBs (even Bolden) are out there.
How many of those were in the first Bills game though? Seemed like every play that's how Buffalo was defending the Pats. That's gotta impact the overall number.

Of course, when Buffalo did that, they still had a hard time stopping it.

In fact, in the two games the Pats have played against the Bills this year...

G1: 46 att, 222 yds, 4.8 y/a
G2: 27 att, 149 yds, 5.5 y/a
TOT: 73 att, 371 yds, 5.1 y/a

So this year the Pats have absolutely chewed up the Bills on the ground. If they play again, I don't see any reason to think that Buffalo can do any better the third time around.
 

Saints Rest

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So to wrap up the 2021 season discussion, who do we feel deserves to be back next year?

My take:
QB: Yes to Mac obv. I'd like to see a new vet backup to replace Hoyer and a new developmental QB drafted late to replace Stidham.
RBs: Bring them all back. Maybe a 3rd day draftee to challenge JJ or BB for 3rd down back. I'd be a bit shocked if White re-signs here, but would be happy to have him.
O-Line: Yes to Mason, Andrews, Herron, Onwenu, Brown, and Karras. I know the latter two are FA's, but I'd be pleased to see either back at salaries similar to this year. I think we are stuck with Wynn at $10.5M on his 5th year option. But I'm not happy about it. Maybe if they move him to LG with a new LT (Brown?).
TEs: Yes to Henry and Jonnu. I fully expect Jonnu to be a better player next year. I don't really care about any of the other TEs on the depth chart and would be fine if they brought in someone new. OTOH, Asiasi and Keene may still be salvaged.
WRs: Yes to Agholor, Bourne, Meyers. No to Harry. I know many are sour on Agholor, but I think he'd be much improved if they could somehow figure out a way I'd love to add a #1 somehow but it will be hard to do unless they can find someone on a pillow contract (OBJ? Ridley?), or they get lucky in the draft (which seems a pipe dream based on past experience at this position).
 

BaseballJones

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I think Wynn has been fine for the most part, besides the injuries. Obviously big miss at WR. Ridley is terrific and if they could add him that would be fantastic.
 

Mystic Merlin

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You can construct Pro Bowl rosters playing that game.

It sucks when there are a few misses in a row at key positions, of course. They’ve come up mostly empty at WR/TE in the draft for half a decade plus.
 

RedOctober3829

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If Atlanta is interested in Wynn, a trade of Wynn-for-Ridley would be nearly identical in terms of salary. I'm sure you could put in a mid to late round pick swap and get something done. Atlanta then could move on from Jake Matthews as a post-June 1 cut or trade which would net them $26.5 million in cap savings over the next 2 years.

From the Pats perspective, if Trent Brown was interested in coming back you could make him the left tackle next year and try to find a RT in the draft or play Onwenu there.
 

Saints Rest

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If Atlanta is interested in Wynn, a trade of Wynn-for-Ridley would be nearly identical in terms of salary. I'm sure you could put in a mid to late round pick swap and get something done. Atlanta then could move on from Jake Matthews as a post-June 1 cut or trade which would net them $26.5 million in cap savings over the next 2 years.

From the Pats perspective, if Trent Brown was interested in coming back you could make him the left tackle next year and try to find a RT in the draft or play Onwenu there.
How does that work for the respective caps? Since each is theoretically on a 5th year, guaranteed option, is it a straight 1-for-1 swap where all of Wynn goes to ATL cap and all of Ridley goes to ours?
 

Rico Guapo

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2,150
New England's Rising Star
How does that work for the respective caps? Since each is theoretically on a 5th year, guaranteed option, is it a straight 1-for-1 swap where all of Wynn goes to ATL cap and all of Ridley goes to ours?
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/calvin-ridley-25121/
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/isaiah-wynn-25118/

Looks like there is zero dead cap hit for both teams if they make the proposed Wynn for Ridley trade, saves the Falcons $703k on their cap while costing the Pats the same amount.