The Michael McCorkle "Mac" Jones Thread

[NobodyInteresting]

I think the worrying thing is that he hasn't looked good despite a really unsustainably low pressure rate.

Last year Mac (per Football Reference) was pressured 18.4% of the time (3rd lowest rate in the league). If you regress ANY/A against pressure rates you'd expect him to have had an ANY/A about 0.5 higher than he actually achieved. Ok, so there's lots of noise there, and he's a rookie and blah blah blah. I don't think it was a particularly big deal last year and I think we were, appropriately, pretty happy with how he played - particularly when looking at what the other rookies did.

But through two games this year his pressure rate has been only 7% which is super low. Last year Brady led the league at 11.1%, a full 5 points lower than the next lowest rate, and the median was around 23%. This stat suggests that Mac has had the time to pick his passes this year and you'd want to see a corresponding step up in performance.

That hasn't been the case - his ANY/A has been 5.9 this year v 6.2 last year & to my amateur eyes at least the numbers have been a reasonable reflection of what we've seen. Some bad luck (TD interference game one), some good (how did he not catch that INT? Agholor's TD catch). I don't think it's unreasonable to be disappointed with how it's gone so far.

Obviously way too early to be writing him off, but I for one was hoping to see him step up from a roughly average guy last year to a (bottom of the) top 10 guy this year, and I didn't think that was crazy optimistic. So far so not the case.

 

[tims4wins]

I’m a Mac fan. I think he is a leader. I think he is tough. I think he is smart. I think he will be good to very good QB.

I thought he was below average yesterday though. The throw to Hunter Henry on the opening drive was just bad. He sailed one badly over the middle to Meyers, I believe. The pick was a bad read, the dropped pick a bad decision. Video above of Humphrey running free while Mac has time and just not seeing him.

Given the turnover on the line and coaching staff, as well as the very different game plan in week 2 vs 1, I’m definitely going to remain patient. It feels, right now, like they have almost too many different options on offense so they can’t quite figure out what they are good at / want to be good at / want to do. I am optimistic that things will be more clear for them after they have 4-5 games on tape, and I expect Mac to show good strides in October and November.

If he plays the next 15 games like he played the first two, I won’t be very optimistic about his future. While I’d still give him 2024 to prove himself - at least, a decent chunk of the season - the arrow would be pointing down for me.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

What if Jones winds up being more efficient? What if he winds up as a player whose elite vision and decision making skills more than compensates for his physical limitations?

It is the fact that that - elite vision and decision making, along with accuracy - is his path to success that makes the mistakes and the missed throws and the poor reads all the more worrisome.

 

[speedracer]

Actually, it looks to me like he's stationary. He's not stepping forward, he's planting off a foot that is already down. The balance on them is pretty good, and it's a quick release, but that is going to limit the zip and where he can throw on the field. It might explain why so many of his throws to the outside seem to float more than those over the middle. He's throwing against his body because he's not shifting his feet to face where he's throwing.

Kind of looks to me like he doesn't think he has time to step into some of those throws, even though he probably does on one or two of them. Unfortunately he's not a monster like Daunte Culpepper or Josh Allen who can generate massive torque just by twisting his hips.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

The more I think

It is the fact that that - elite vision and decision making, along with accuracy - is his path to success that makes the mistakes and the missed throws and the poor reads all the more worrisome.

He is just 24 years old (two weeks ago) and has played just over a season of NFL football. I am not Alfred E. Neuman but this won't be a concern for me for at least a few more years.

 

[E5 Yaz]

He is just 24 years old (two weeks ago) and has played just over a season of NFL football. I am not Alfred E. Neuman but this won't be a concern for me for at least a few more years.

You have the ears

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

You have the ears

So does Mac come to think of it.

Don't get me started about the time I got Don Martin's autograph at the Jersey shore. I don't think the much younger woman accompanying him was his wife.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Don't get me started about the time I got Don Martin's autograph at the Jersey shore. I don't think the much younger woman accompanying him was his wife.

I got one from Sergio Aragonés, but you can't read it because he wrote in tiny script on the edge of the paper

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Damn. You win. Next level.

Back to Mac, @Eddie Jurak, I get why you and others are concerned when Jones struggles. He isn't going to make plays with his feet or shiftiness so his bad throws might feel worse than they are.

Many QBs who play well enough to retain a starting role tend to improve in things like decision making over time. If Mac is getting snaps, I am ok betting that he will too.

 

[tims4wins]

#3 kind of sums it up for Mac right now: Pats are 9-0 when they win the turnover battle, 1-8 when they lose, and 1-1 when they're even

 

[8slim]

The more I think

He is just 24 years old (two weeks ago) and has played just over a season of NFL football. I am not Alfred E. Neuman but this won't be a concern for me for at least a few more years.

My concern is that Mac isn't getting anywhere near the proper coaching, so the development we're all banking on/hoping for will be slower in coming. I try not to be overly dramatic, but I'm really unsure how anyone can make a legitimate evaluation of Mac's progress when he is on the receiving end of inexperienced and multi-voiced coaching.

 

[Super Nomario]

Mac Jones was 14th in Y/A last year as a true rookie, compared to the GOAT being 23rd as a red shirt first year starter in the same category. Because we're ranking against their contemporaries, the passing era that Tom and Mac started in is normalized.

Of course, comparing anyone to the GOAT is nonsensical on its face, but if you give up on a guy after a year and a half you're missing the point. If you want to hang on Tom being sui generis, check out Drew Brees's first two years numbers as a starter compared against his peers. They're ghastly. Then in year four, as a 25yo, he had a great year, followed by a bit of a regression year at 26. Fast forward to 80K passing yards and 571TD.

Lose hope at your peril.

Brees is a pretty atypical career path. Most guys who suck for two years suck forever. The hard part is that most QBs don't really improve after two years, but almost all the relevant ones do. It's tough to know how much rope to give a guy with the hope he'll get better.

There are a few different discussions going on here I think:
1) It's too early to tell what Mac's future trajectory looks like. Progress is not necessarily linear.
2) The supporting talent (both on O and the defense) is probably worse than in 2021, having lost Shaq Mason and JC Jackson and without really any major adds, I guess with the exception of Parker. Building on last year will require growth from holdover players, especially Mac. So far, we're not getting it.

It's too soon to be pessimistic about Mac's future. It's probably a little too soon to be pessimistic about the offense in 2022, but it's fair to be concerned, especially after the preseason reports weren't exactly glowing.

 

[EvilEmpire]

To me, Mac looks like a younger, cheaper Jimmy G. With good coaching and enough talent around him, he can win plenty. Maybe he'll improve beyond what Jimmy G is right now and he'll be able to elevate a team when it lacks offensive talent and/or great offensive schemes. But even if he doesn't, he still looks like he will be solid, health permitting.

It's so early though.

 

[chilidawg]

Evan Lazar weighs in:

Although the narratives surrounding Jones's up-and-down play to start the season often take aim at his physical limitations, the more concerning trend is Mac's mental mistakes through two games. One of Jones's biggest strengths is his high football IQ and making smart decisions. But following two turnover-worthy plays in Sunday's win, we are seeing more head-scratching throws and processing errors than usual.

https://www.patriots.com/news/after-further-review-patriots-offense-attacks-man-coverage-in-win

 

[E5 Yaz]

Evan Lazar weighs in:

Although the narratives surrounding Jones's up-and-down play to start the season often take aim at his physical limitations, the more concerning trend is Mac's mental mistakes through two games. One of Jones's biggest strengths is his high football IQ and making smart decisions. But following two turnover-worthy plays in Sunday's win, we are seeing more head-scratching throws and processing errors than usual.

https://www.patriots.com/news/after-further-review-patriots-offense-attacks-man-coverage-in-win

While acknowledging it bears watching, Lazar also attributes that to the offense deploying a new system. Speaking of which, this nugget was telling:

But New England ranking dead-last in play-action attempts (seven) and motion at the snap rate (4.3%) is forcing their offense to win one-on-one battles across the board without as much aid from the scheme.

The absence of those type of plays certainly adds to the pressure Jones is under to identify which receivers are likely to be open.

 

[Rook05]

While acknowledging it bears watching, Lazar also attributes that to the offense deploying a new system. Speaking of which, this nugget was telling:

But New England ranking dead-last in play-action attempts (seven) and motion at the snap rate (4.3%) is forcing their offense to win one-on-one battles across the board without as much aid from the scheme.

The absence of those type of plays certainly adds to the pressure Jones is under to identify which receivers are likely to be open.

Totally agree, and I hope this becomes more of a focus of the offensive game planning. Good coordinators can scheme up a handful of plays that may decision making a lot easier. Feels like they should be able to work up more concepts at the line of scrimmage (screens, pick plays, etc.). Right now, it feels like they’re stuck focusing on the seams and sometimes deeper sideline vertical stuff.

And maybe throw it to a TE or two?

 

[Cellar-Door]

Evan Lazar weighs in:

Although the narratives surrounding Jones's up-and-down play to start the season often take aim at his physical limitations, the more concerning trend is Mac's mental mistakes through two games. One of Jones's biggest strengths is his high football IQ and making smart decisions. But following two turnover-worthy plays in Sunday's win, we are seeing more head-scratching throws and processing errors than usual.

https://www.patriots.com/news/after-further-review-patriots-offense-attacks-man-coverage-in-win

This has been my concern. I'm not concerned with Mac's physical limitations, I never expected him to significantly improve them, which is why I never expect him to be an elite QB, but if he improved a small amount and improved his mental attributes and decision making I thought he could slide into that good QB level just below. His physical limitations are what they are, even if reduced some, he's always going to have to succeed on reading the field making good decisions etc. He has less room for error

 

[Jimbodandy]

Totally agree, and I hope this becomes more of a focus of the offensive game planning. Good coordinators can scheme up a handful of plays that may decision making a lot easier. Feels like they should be able to work up more concepts at the line of scrimmage (screens, pick plays, etc.). Right now, it feels like they’re stuck focusing on the seams and sometimes deeper sideline vertical stuff.

And maybe throw it to a TE or two?

I don't get why they're not going to more formations at least. We should see better mixes of backs, TEs, and WRs. Split both Henry and Smith wide pre-snap. Try having two backs, split them out too. Get the defense thinking one thing and do another. It would be great if we could play Pittsburgh and Seattle every week, knowing exactly how they're likely to defend everything. But it would be nice if the defense was reacting more and having to improvise instead of Mac and his receivers having to win ever 1:1 battle. It's not like we have Randy Moss and Gronk out there running past guys or throwing them out of the club.

 

[DJnVa]

My concern is that Mac isn't getting anywhere near the proper coaching

There's no way you know this.

I don't get why they're not going to more formations at least.

I'm sure they will. The playbook we will have in week 16 is going to be much different. Like said above, Mac has made some mental mistakes, which isn't his game at all. I feel confident he clears those up and more and more gets added.

 

[8slim]

There's no way you know this.

(1) Note that I said it is my concern. (2) We literally don’t have anyone on staff with extensive QB coaching experience other than Belichick.

 

[Bowhemian]

(1) Note that I said it is my concern. (2) We literally don’t have anyone on staff with extensive QB coaching experience other than Belichick.

Re: (2), you don’t know that. You have no idea the background of many of the coaches or offensive staff.
I mean obviously you could be right. But I don’t know if you are, and neither do you.

 

[Shelterdog]

(1) Note that I said it is my concern. (2) We literally don’t have anyone on staff with extensive QB coaching experience other than Belichick.

I think a pretty big disconnect between fans and BB's vision of the coaching staff is how one looks at Patricia and Judge. I think it's very clear that BB thinks they're both very good NFL coaches who can ably handle complex offensive coaching jobs based on their intelligence/work ethic/experience; most Pats fans--or at least most of the ones who talk here--think they're both total dispshits, that Patricia was a terrible defensive coach who should have never been let back here, and that Judge is a wanna be tough guy giants coach of whom the less said the better.

I remain open minded to the idea that they can be very good offensive coaches as soon as this year.

 

[8slim]

Re: (2), you don’t know that. You have no idea the background of many of the coaches or offensive staff.
I mean obviously you could be right. But I don’t know if you are, and neither do you.

I read coaching bios, and spent months listening to discussion about the staff. Not one time did I hear a “Well, actually…” about how a member of the staff has QB coaching experience.

 

[8slim]

I think a pretty big disconnect between fans and BB's vision of the coaching staff is how one looks at Patricia and Judge. I think it's very clear that BB thinks they're both very good NFL coaches who can ably handle complex offensive coaching jobs based on their intelligence/work ethic/experience; most Pats fans--or at least most of the ones who talk here--think they're both total dispshits, that Patricia was a terrible defensive coach who should have never been let back here, and that Judge is a wanna be tough guy giants coach of whom the less said the better.

I remain open minded to the idea that they can be very good offensive coaches as soon as this year.

I didn’t say they’re dipshits. I said neither has direct QB coaching experience. And they don’t.

I think that’s a concern with a 2nd year QB. I guess others don’t.

 

[DJnVa]

Yeah, I mean, we will see, but I don't think a staff led by BB has any issues with making sure guys are coached sufficiently .

 

[Shelterdog]

I didn’t say they’re dipshits. I said neither has direct QB coaching experience. And they don’t.

I think that’s a concern with a 2nd year QB. I guess others don’t.

I didn’t say you do (although many fans have that view). The question is are the people coaching Mac (seemingly judge BB and Patricia) good at their jobs even if their resumes aren’t QB centric. I’m not so worried because I’m going to fall back in having a lot of faith in BB’s ability to get a good staff in place

 

[rodderick]

Yeah, I mean, we will see, but I don't think a staff led by BB has any issues with making sure guys are coached sufficiently .

So why pay Josh McDaniels top dollar for years and even entice him away from taking the Colts job instead of just going with someone younger and cheaper? Hell, apparently the guy wouldn't even need to have any meaningful experience coaching offense for it to work out.

 

[8slim]

Yeah, I mean, we will see, but I don't think a staff led by BB has any issues with making sure guys are coached sufficiently .

We’ll see. Seems strange to me that a guy who employed long timers like Dante Scarnecchia and Ivan Fears, and who brought McDaniels back and kept him around a long time, sees little value in experience. Head coaches in their 70s often start to value comfort and familiarity a lot. We’ll see.

 

[cornwalls@6]

So why pay Josh McDaniels top dollar for years and even entice him away from taking the Colts job instead of just going with someone younger and cheaper? Hell, apparently the guy wouldn't even need to have any meaningful experience coaching offense for it to work out.

Might the answer be somewhere in the middle? Bill would ideally prefer to have had an experienced, proven OC, but Josh finally saw an opportunity he had to take. And there weren't the kind of external options available that Bill thought was a fit. So, he's turning the reigns over to 2 experienced NFL coaches, neither with an extensive offensive background, whom he trusts, with the thought that a structure will emerge that he won't have to supervise as closely in 2023 and beyond. This year's arrangement has always felt situational to me, and not him bucking the traditional coaching structure out of arrogance, or spite, or whatever. If I'm questioning anything, it's that an experienced, ready to step in OC wasn't already on staff, given the inevitability of Josh taking another HC job at some point. But, for whatever reasons, it didn't play out that way.

 

[ehaz]

While acknowledging it bears watching, Lazar also attributes that to the offense deploying a new system. Speaking of which, this nugget was telling:

But New England ranking dead-last in play-action attempts (seven) and motion at the snap rate (4.3%) is forcing their offense to win one-on-one battles across the board without as much aid from the scheme.

The absence of those type of plays certainly adds to the pressure Jones is under to identify which receivers are likely to be open.

We’ve seen Belichick’s response to the lack of play-action. I’m curious what his response to the lack of motion would be, especially with all the recent success Kupp and Jefferson (when Kirk isn’t throwing directly to Slay) have had.

Is it simply that the Pats don’t have an alpha receiver worth consistently trying to scheme open?

On another note, I’d love to see Mac paired with a #1 receiver next year. Maybe someone like DJ Moore, Metcalf, or McLaurin becomes available. Perhaps it’s not the best way to construct a roster with scarce resources on paper, but after watching his former Alabama teammates’ year 3 performances with AJ Brown and Tyreek Hill, I’d like to see what it could do for Mac’s development to have a dynamic target that can consistently get open and make plays.

 

[Salva135]

Might the answer be somewhere in the middle? Bill would ideally prefer to have had an experienced, proven OC, but Josh finally saw an opportunity he had to take. And there weren't the kind of external options available that Bill thought was a fit. So, he's turning the reigns over to 2 experienced NFL coaches, neither with an extensive offensive background, whom he trusts, with the thought that a structure will emerge that he won't have to supervise as closely in 2023 and beyond. This year's arrangement has always felt situational to me, and not him bucking the traditional coaching structure out of arrogance, or spite, or whatever. If I'm questioning anything, it's that an experienced, ready to step in OC wasn't already on staff, given the inevitability of Josh taking another HC job at some point. But, for whatever reasons, it didn't play out that way.

Sorry, I don't buy this. I go back to a BB quote that I heard on the radio that he addressed this issue at the time as "coaching is coaching." There are tons of talented offensive coaches throughout the high levels of football that would give anything to coach the Pats offense under Belichick. He chose his own guys, because he feels he can work with them. He valued comfort over experience/expertise. This is his personal philosophy/gamble, and time will tell if it pays off.

 

[SMU_Sox]

View: https://twitter.com/tkyles39/status/1572262737581047813?s=20&t=1pM_uLcYvHvepyfGFPDgbg


We’re seeing RPOs. My guess is we will see more of them.

 

[Shelterdog]

Sorry, I don't buy this. I go back to a BB quote that I heard on the radio that he addressed this issue at the time as "coaching is coaching." There are tons of talented offensive coaches throughout the high levels of football that would give anything to coach the Pats offense under Belichick. He chose his own guys, because he feels he can work with them. He valued comfort over experience/expertise. This is his personal philosophy/gamble, and time will tell if it pays off.

Not sure that comfort v expertise is a fair way to characterize it. His faith in a person v experience, sure. Maybe he thinks that Patricia/Judge have more expertise at coaching the pats' offense for BB than, i don't know, mick lombardi or adam gaze, because of their experience, familiarity with the system, intelligence, etc.

 

[cornwalls@6]

Sorry, I don't buy this. I go back to a BB quote that I heard on the radio that he addressed this issue at the time as "coaching is coaching." There are tons of talented offensive coaches throughout the high levels of football that would give anything to coach the Pats offense under Belichick. He chose his own guys, because he feels he can work with them. He valued comfort over experience/expertise. This is his personal philosophy/gamble, and time will tell if it pays off.

I’m not sure there were as many external options as you do. O’Brien would’ve been an obvious choice, but he’s almost certainly getting another crack at being an NFL HC, or a very attractive college offer soon, probably for 2023. And by most accounts, BB didn’t want a short term fix, and also didn’t want to poach from Saban’s staff. As far as other available offensive coaches around football, few, if any of them, have experience in the Patriots system. Judge and Patricia at least have been in the building for several years, and have an understanding of how BB likes things to be done. My guess is he’s anticipating one of them will emerge as the clear cut OC, or that this structure buys time for someone like Nick Caley to eventually emerge. I’m not saying it’s necessarily the optimal situation for the development of a second year QB. Just that he had a legitimate, sound thought process behind it. We shall see if he was right.

 

[Salva135]

I’m not sure there were as many external options as you do. O’Brien would’ve been an obvious choice, but he’s almost certainly getting another crack at being an NFL HC, or a very attractive college offer soon, probably for 2023. And by most accounts, BB didn’t want a short term fix, and also didn’t want to poach from Saban’s staff. As far as other available offensive coaches around football, few, if any of them, have experience in the Patriots system. Judge and Patricia at least have been in the building for several years, and have an understanding of how BB likes things to be done. My guess is he’s anticipating one of them will emerge as the clear cut OC, or that this structure buys time for someone like Nick Caley to eventually emerge. I’m not saying it’s necessarily the optimal situation for the development of a second year QB. Just that he had a legitimate, sound thought process behind it. We shall see if he was right.

I haven't ready anything suggesting BB's plan is to convert one of these guys into a longer term OC, but I haven't followed every piece of team news. Either way, it doesn't instill a ton of confidence for me, and an open competition for OC between 2 coaches who aren't on that professional track just reinforces the idea that BB prefers comfort over expertise.

 

[tims4wins]

I have no idea how any of this will or will not work out, but just wanted to point out that Josh McDaniels had all of 1 year of experience on the offensive side of the ball (QB coach in 2004) prior to taking over as de facto OC in 2005. He had 4 total years of experience on the NE staff, as he began in 2001.

For whatever you want to say about Patricia and Judge, they have a shit ton more experience as NFL coaches (including coordinating other areas, AND being head coaches) than when McDaniels took over.

 

[Jimbodandy]

I have no idea how any of this will or will not work out, but just wanted to point out that Josh McDaniels had all of 1 year of experience on the offensive side of the ball (QB coach in 2004) prior to taking over as de facto OC in 2005. He had 4 total years of experience on the NE staff, as he began in 2001.

For whatever you want to say about Patricia and Judge, they have a shit ton more experience as NFL coaches (including coordinating other areas, AND being head coaches) than when McDaniels took over.

All of this comes down to whether you trust Belichick or not. Always does.

Bookended by two Super Bowl wins in LI and LIII, we had months worth of "Bill is an idiot for benching Malcolm" talk after LII. Good luck winning over those people.

 

[dynomite]

I have no idea how any of this will or will not work out, but just wanted to point out that Josh McDaniels had all of 1 year of experience on the offensive side of the ball (QB coach in 2004) prior to taking over as de facto OC in 2005. He had 4 total years of experience on the NE staff, as he began in 2001.

For whatever you want to say about Patricia and Judge, they have a shit ton more experience as NFL coaches (including coordinating other areas, AND being head coaches) than when McDaniels took over.

It's a good point. And seeing a shot of Judge sitting next to Mac on the bench reviewing tape makes me think he's functioning as a sort of QB Coach, whereas Patricia is functioning as more of an OC (even though it was McDaniels who I recall sitting next to Brady in those Do Your Job documentaries -- McDaniels I know early in his tenure was indeed called the QB Coach, so I wonder whether that was a holdover?).

Anyway, I wish Ben Volin would be more like Mike Reiss than Shaughnessy (I can do without some of his hot takez), but I do think he makes good observations on film.

This week he points out it would help if the O Line continued to improve -- they still had a number of difficult moments on Sunday. Still, at the same time Mac needs to improve his vision (as most young QBs do) -- on a few plays it seemed he missed an open receiver, including Meyers on the critical 3rd & 2 when he forced the ball to Jonnu:

 

[BaseballJones]

Now draw a line from Mac to Meyers. There's an OL and DL directly in line. Entirely possible that Mac simply COULDN'T see Meyers.

 

[dynomite]

Now draw a line from Mac to Meyers. There's an OL and DL directly in line. Entirely possible that Mac simply COULDN'T see Meyers.

Great point -- especially since the OL is Trent Brown, who as we know is roughly the size of a skyscraper.

Still, I'm hardly an expert on QB play and these details, but on a quick developing 3rd and 2 play I would hope Mac would be tracking the coverage and recognize his top possession WR in Meyers might be uncovered and get himself in position to see him and make the throw.

 

[Gash Prex]

One of my observations about Mac is that post snap processing is still an issue - pre-snap he can diagnose very well but when something happens that he doesn't expect based on pre-snap, he is still struggling to make the right read.

The Steelers showed a blitz with the pre-snap - and then faked the blitz and then dropped into coverage. I think that Mac thought it was a blitz with quick completion to Smith that would be open, and made the quick decision pre snap that didn't allow for the play to develop and... instead the linebacker was right there on Smith.

 

[Super Nomario]

It's a good point. And seeing a shot of Judge sitting next to Mac on the bench reviewing tape makes me think he's functioning as a sort of QB Coach, whereas Patricia is functioning as more of an OC (even though it was McDaniels who I recall sitting next to Brady in those Do Your Job documentaries -- McDaniels I know early in his tenure was indeed called the QB Coach, so I wonder whether that was a holdover?).

McDaniels was QB coach for his whole tenure as OC. Guys like Schuplinski, Lombardi, and Fisch were assistant QB coaches. Bill O'Brien also had both titles (OC and QB coach). (Charlie Weis was RB coach in addition to OC his first two years, until Fears kicked to RBs from WRs.)

 

[BigJimEd]

And seeing a shot of Judge sitting next to Mac on the bench reviewing tape makes me think he's functioning as a sort of QB Coach

That's exactly what he is. Judge's title is Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks.

 

[kartvelo]

It's a good point. And seeing a shot of Judge sitting next to Mac on the bench reviewing tape makes me think he's functioning as a sort of QB Coach, whereas Patricia is functioning as more of an OC (even though it was McDaniels who I recall sitting next to Brady in those Do Your Job documentaries -- McDaniels I know early in his tenure was indeed called the QB Coach, so I wonder whether that was a holdover?).

Anyway, I wish Ben Volin would be more like Mike Reiss than Shaughnessy (I can do without some of his hot takez), but I do think he makes good observations on film.

This week he points out it would help if the O Line continued to improve -- they still had a number of difficult moments on Sunday. Still, at the same time Mac needs to improve his vision (as most young QBs do) -- on a few plays it seemed he missed an open receiver, including Meyers on the critical 3rd & 2 when he forced the ball to Jonnu:

On the other hand, a pass caught by Smith while standing on the line is a first down. Throw it to Meyers, and he has to turn 180 degrees and head for the line two yards away, and (whoever that is right behind Smith) might be able to adjust in that time and stop him.

 

[Garshaparra]

That's exactly what he is. Judge's title is Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks.

While we're talking titles, I expect the reasoning for these unusual titles for Judge and Patricia is their former gigs. Their contracts with NYG and DET probably stipulate that they keep getting paid so long as they don't take a HC or coordinator job elsewhere. Whether that is actually a good thing for coaching the current roster, I don't buy it.

 

[dirtynine]

Now draw a line from Mac to Meyers. There's an OL and DL directly in line. Entirely possible that Mac simply COULDN'T see Meyers.

To this point, maybe Mac should be stepping up in the pocket a tiny bit more? He's 8 yards behind the LOS when he's ready to throw; I'd imagine needing to make a 10 yard completion to net 2 positive yards isn't ideal. I don't know anything, of course.

 

[tims4wins]

None of us know how this is all going to turn out for Mac. But you have to love his attitude and approach

View: https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1572697256536539137

 

[E5 Yaz]

But how's Mac going to win without Justin Herron?

 

[cornwalls@6]

But how's Mac going to win without Justin Herron?

And what if Bill never comments on the trade?? What then??

 

[dynomite]

McDaniels was QB coach for his whole tenure as OC. Guys like Schuplinski, Lombardi, and Fisch were assistant QB coaches. Bill O'Brien also had both titles (OC and QB coach). (Charlie Weis was RB coach in addition to OC his first two years, until Fears kicked to RBs from WRs.)

That's exactly what he is. Judge's title is Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks.

Yes, sorry I’m sort of taking for granted that titles don’t mean much on the Belichick staff, but I didn’t realize Judge officially had QB in his title.

To the point about McDaniels, I see he was “Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach” after ‘05 with the Pats (except 2020 according to Wikipedia when he was only Offensive Coordinator), and Bill O’Brien looks like was similarly listed as OC/QB in 2011.