Looking at the Patriots 2023
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Roberto71
Well-known member
Damn. I hate seeing this.
Yay
Yes, it would unless Tee Higgins becomes available by trade.
www.sportsblog.com
Would Trading for DeAndre Hopkins Make Sense for the Patriots?
Read Would Trading for DeAndre Hopkins Make Sense for the Patriots? on SportsBlog.com.
www.sportsblog.com
aloyouis
at least generally aware
Yes, it would unless Tee Higgins becomes available by trade.
Would Trading for DeAndre Hopkins Make Sense for the Patriots?
Read Would Trading for DeAndre Hopkins Make Sense for the Patriots? on SportsBlog.com.
A 3rd/5th for Hopkins? Yes, please.
I'd rather this than a Higgins rental with a potential payday after the season.Yes, it would unless Tee Higgins becomes available by trade.
Would Trading for DeAndre Hopkins Make Sense for the Patriots?
Read Would Trading for DeAndre Hopkins Make Sense for the Patriots? on SportsBlog.com.
Yes, it wouldunless Tee Higgins becomes available by trade.
Would Trading for DeAndre Hopkins Make Sense for the Patriots?
Read Would Trading for DeAndre Hopkins Make Sense for the Patriots? on SportsBlog.com.
I've fixed my post.
I've changed my mind after studying Higgins closer.
Tee Higgins is a fine player but he's not the workhorse over-the-middle player who will make Mac a more successful QB now.
DHop is better for Mac's offense. For that matter, Jakobi Meyers, Parker and Bourne are also better for Mac right now.
That doesn't mean that 1 day in the future a Higgins kind of WR won't suit Mac. It's like the Brady to Moss thing. In 2001, Brady wouldn't have been the same with Moss.
Shawn Jefferson has been an NFL WRs coach for several different teams since 2006. He played 4 yrs for the Patriots and made the Pats' All-'90s team.
www.patspulpit.com
Shawn Jefferson, who interviewed with Patriots earlier this offseason, set to leave Cardinals
Jefferson will reportedly not be back in Arizona under new head coach Jonathan Gannon.
www.patspulpit.com
Flagg the Wanderer
Mourning Algernon
Patriots waived LeBryan Ray yesterday? That's an interesting one. He's essentially free to keep, cap-wise, so what's the benefit of waiving him now? For guys like him and Wilkerson, are these as much favors to them to give them all the time they need to find teams, or what?
nfltraderumors.co
Patriots Waive DL LaBryan Ray
The New England Patriots announced Friday that they've placed DL LaBryan Ray on waivers. Ray, 25, wound up going undrafted out of Alabama back in May of last year. He signed a three-year, $2.6 million
nfltraderumors.co
aloyouis
at least generally aware
Patriots waived LeBryan Ray yesterday? That's an interesting one. He's essentially free to keep, cap-wise, so what's the benefit of waiving him now? For guys like him and Wilkerson, are these as much favors to them to give them all the time they need to find teams, or what?
Patriots Waive DL LaBryan Ray
The New England Patriots announced Friday that they've placed DL LaBryan Ray on waivers. Ray, 25, wound up going undrafted out of Alabama back in May of last year. He signed a three-year, $2.6 million
Yes.
Steve1
Well-known member
I'm Very happy that Matthew Slater is playing another season. He's been a great Patriot, all the years he's played for us. He was fine last season. He can help teach any players what is important for winning. Good job, Patriots!
Steve1
Well-known member
I remember how good he was for the Patriots, in the 90's. He helped them make the playoffs, different seasons. I'm glad he was interviewed. He was one of Drew Bledsoe's most prolific receivers
So Pats didn't even make the playoffs yet the brain drain continues?
That's really annoying.
DarnSyd
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Looks like the Cards hired Nick Rallis for the DC position, so no brain drainage yet.
aloyouis
at least generally aware
NFL Notes: Should the Patriots draft a quarterback this year?
On the surface, the Patriots are pretty much set when it comes to the quarterback position. They have three quarterbacks on the roster, including 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones and 2022 fourth-rou…
www.bostonherald.com
(There is more to this article on other subjects than I copied here. I kept to the Mac portion only)
On the surface, the Patriots are pretty much set when it comes to the quarterback position.
They have three quarterbacks on the roster, including 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones and 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe.
They also have veteran Brian Hoyer under contract for another season. So with new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, the bases appear to be covered at the NFL’s most important position.
That said, is there any reason to dip into the draft again?
Given other needs, the guess here is the Patriots won’t feel compelled. They’ll likely pass on drafting a quarterback prospect this year, although it shouldn’t completely be dismissed given Bill Belichick has been known to draw up a draft day surprise or two.
Or maybe O’Brien will want to add to the quarterback room.
Me?
It’s not a priority, but I’d still take a flier on a developmental prospect.
Why?
It’s good business to bring quarterbacks in every year, or every other year to ensure having a rich stable, especially if you don’t have a bonafide superstar in his prime (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow) leading the show.
Jones is young, and headed into the third season of his rookie deal. With O’Brien guiding him, he could turn out to be a very good quarterback, one capable of leading the Patriots back to contender status, assuming they put the necessary weapons around him.
Add an improved offensive line, which is a must, and the Patriots should be back in business offensively.
But what if Jones doesn’t hit the desired mark? What if he turns out to be just so-so, and the Patriots don’t extend his fifth-year option?
Do they go to Zappe Fever II in 2024?
Even though Zappe had a fun three-game run, and became the life of the party in New England, it’s still hard imagining him being the top gun and future at the position.
That’s why taking a quarterback this year isn’t such a bad idea. At best, he provides insurance with the hope of more – see Brock Purdy for details. At worst, he might fetch a draft pick in a trade down the road.
All of which brings us back to the 2023 NFL draft.
The Patriots are loaded with picks in the fourth and sixth rounds. Again, it wouldn’t be crazy to gobble up a quarterback who could be stashed on the practice squad, find his way to a red-shirt year, or even push for a roster spot behind Jones.
It’s good business to do so, especially in an offense- and quarterback-driven league.
And how about drafting one that would qualify as a change-up?
Essentially the Patriots have three drop-back, pocket passers in their arsenal. On many levels, that makes sense. Continuity of style is important.
But with a league that has shifted more toward having dual-threat quarterbacks, it wouldn’t hurt to draft one with some raw tools who doesn’t necessarily fit with the style of the quarterbacks in-house.
O’Brien coached Deshaun Watson in Houston. The past two seasons, he coached Bryce Young. Both are mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks, so it’s not like O’Brien wouldn’t know what to do with him.
Jones has some mobility, but he’s not in the same league as Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields or Allen when it comes to using his legs.
Now, the definition of developmental means this isn’t a first-, second-, or even third-round prospect. It’s fourth and beyond, where the Patriots, as mentioned, have an excess of picks.
Drafting another Zappe is redundant. That’s why dual-threat should be the go-to in the later rounds.
The possibilities?
Of course, the Patriots will be linked to system fits such as Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell and Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan. Both were at the Shrine Bowl, which was coached by the Patriots staff. So O’Brien got a good look at them early in the week, and while it makes sense to line them up with the Patriots, going against type is the way to go.
In the dual-threat category, BYU’s Jaren Hall and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker are a couple of possibilities.
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter called Hall a “wizard on the move.” He was a two-year starter for the Cougars, and again, this is more about having someone in the system who better fits with today’s NFL.
Then there’s Hooker, who tore his ACL during his senior season with Tennessee. Prior to the injury, he was one of the better quarterbacks in college football. The injury, suffered in November, will likely drop his draft stock, given the unknowns about his availability to practice and play.
He’s 6-4, 218 pounds and how far he drops is anyone’s guess. But if he sinks low enough, he would be the perfect pickup. He still needs work, but given a likely redshirt first season, would fit in with the timeline for the Patriots to decide on Jones, and Zappe for that matter.
UCLA’s Dorian Thompson Robinson, another quarterback O’Brien spent time with during Shrine Bowl practices, is another in the dual-threat category.
Interestingly, the top four quarterback prospects this year, Alabama’s Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson, all have the ability to run.
That doesn’t mean pocket passers (Burrow, Justin Herbert) are extinct, and can’t win. That doesn’t mean the Patriots can’t, and won’t win with Jones if he hits a level most of us believe is still in the cards.
But it’s tough to ignore that the league is being overtaken by mobile quarterbacks.
It wouldn’t hurt for the Patriots to land one in this draft, or even in next year’s draft just to have that base covered, too.
NFL Notes: Should the Patriots draft a quarterback this year?
On the surface, the Patriots are pretty much set when it comes to the quarterback position. They have three quarterbacks on the roster, including 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones and 2022 fourth-rou…
(There is more to this article on other subjects than I copied here. I kept to the Mac portion only)
On the surface, the Patriots are pretty much set when it comes to the quarterback position.
They have three quarterbacks on the roster, including 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones and 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe.
They also have veteran Brian Hoyer under contract for another season. So with new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, the bases appear to be covered at the NFL’s most important position.
That said, is there any reason to dip into the draft again?
Given other needs, the guess here is the Patriots won’t feel compelled. They’ll likely pass on drafting a quarterback prospect this year, although it shouldn’t completely be dismissed given Bill Belichick has been known to draw up a draft day surprise or two.
Or maybe O’Brien will want to add to the quarterback room.
Me?
It’s not a priority, but I’d still take a flier on a developmental prospect.
Why?
It’s good business to bring quarterbacks in every year, or every other year to ensure having a rich stable, especially if you don’t have a bonafide superstar in his prime (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow) leading the show.
Jones is young, and headed into the third season of his rookie deal. With O’Brien guiding him, he could turn out to be a very good quarterback, one capable of leading the Patriots back to contender status, assuming they put the necessary weapons around him.
Add an improved offensive line, which is a must, and the Patriots should be back in business offensively.
But what if Jones doesn’t hit the desired mark? What if he turns out to be just so-so, and the Patriots don’t extend his fifth-year option?
Do they go to Zappe Fever II in 2024?
Even though Zappe had a fun three-game run, and became the life of the party in New England, it’s still hard imagining him being the top gun and future at the position.
That’s why taking a quarterback this year isn’t such a bad idea. At best, he provides insurance with the hope of more – see Brock Purdy for details. At worst, he might fetch a draft pick in a trade down the road.
All of which brings us back to the 2023 NFL draft.
The Patriots are loaded with picks in the fourth and sixth rounds. Again, it wouldn’t be crazy to gobble up a quarterback who could be stashed on the practice squad, find his way to a red-shirt year, or even push for a roster spot behind Jones.
It’s good business to do so, especially in an offense- and quarterback-driven league.
And how about drafting one that would qualify as a change-up?
Essentially the Patriots have three drop-back, pocket passers in their arsenal. On many levels, that makes sense. Continuity of style is important.
But with a league that has shifted more toward having dual-threat quarterbacks, it wouldn’t hurt to draft one with some raw tools who doesn’t necessarily fit with the style of the quarterbacks in-house.
O’Brien coached Deshaun Watson in Houston. The past two seasons, he coached Bryce Young. Both are mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks, so it’s not like O’Brien wouldn’t know what to do with him.
Jones has some mobility, but he’s not in the same league as Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields or Allen when it comes to using his legs.
Now, the definition of developmental means this isn’t a first-, second-, or even third-round prospect. It’s fourth and beyond, where the Patriots, as mentioned, have an excess of picks.
Drafting another Zappe is redundant. That’s why dual-threat should be the go-to in the later rounds.
The possibilities?
Of course, the Patriots will be linked to system fits such as Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell and Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan. Both were at the Shrine Bowl, which was coached by the Patriots staff. So O’Brien got a good look at them early in the week, and while it makes sense to line them up with the Patriots, going against type is the way to go.
In the dual-threat category, BYU’s Jaren Hall and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker are a couple of possibilities.
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter called Hall a “wizard on the move.” He was a two-year starter for the Cougars, and again, this is more about having someone in the system who better fits with today’s NFL.
Then there’s Hooker, who tore his ACL during his senior season with Tennessee. Prior to the injury, he was one of the better quarterbacks in college football. The injury, suffered in November, will likely drop his draft stock, given the unknowns about his availability to practice and play.
He’s 6-4, 218 pounds and how far he drops is anyone’s guess. But if he sinks low enough, he would be the perfect pickup. He still needs work, but given a likely redshirt first season, would fit in with the timeline for the Patriots to decide on Jones, and Zappe for that matter.
UCLA’s Dorian Thompson Robinson, another quarterback O’Brien spent time with during Shrine Bowl practices, is another in the dual-threat category.
Interestingly, the top four quarterback prospects this year, Alabama’s Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson, all have the ability to run.
That doesn’t mean pocket passers (Burrow, Justin Herbert) are extinct, and can’t win. That doesn’t mean the Patriots can’t, and won’t win with Jones if he hits a level most of us believe is still in the cards.
But it’s tough to ignore that the league is being overtaken by mobile quarterbacks.
It wouldn’t hurt for the Patriots to land one in this draft, or even in next year’s draft just to have that base covered, too.
A little to the point about my like of Lamar Jackson.
Flagg the Wanderer
Mourning Algernon
I love Hooker as a combo developmental prospect and scout team guy if he's sliding on Day 3. Kid has got potential for days, and seems to have that clutch gene.NFL Notes: Should the Patriots draft a quarterback this year?
On the surface, the Patriots are pretty much set when it comes to the quarterback position. They have three quarterbacks on the roster, including 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones and 2022 fourth-rou…
(There is more to this article on other subjects than I copied here. I kept to the Mac portion only)
On the surface, the Patriots are pretty much set when it comes to the quarterback position.
They have three quarterbacks on the roster, including 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones and 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe.
They also have veteran Brian Hoyer under contract for another season. So with new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, the bases appear to be covered at the NFL’s most important position.
That said, is there any reason to dip into the draft again?
Given other needs, the guess here is the Patriots won’t feel compelled. They’ll likely pass on drafting a quarterback prospect this year, although it shouldn’t completely be dismissed given Bill Belichick has been known to draw up a draft day surprise or two.
Or maybe O’Brien will want to add to the quarterback room.
Me?
It’s not a priority, but I’d still take a flier on a developmental prospect.
Why?
It’s good business to bring quarterbacks in every year, or every other year to ensure having a rich stable, especially if you don’t have a bonafide superstar in his prime (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow) leading the show.
Jones is young, and headed into the third season of his rookie deal. With O’Brien guiding him, he could turn out to be a very good quarterback, one capable of leading the Patriots back to contender status, assuming they put the necessary weapons around him.
Add an improved offensive line, which is a must, and the Patriots should be back in business offensively.
But what if Jones doesn’t hit the desired mark? What if he turns out to be just so-so, and the Patriots don’t extend his fifth-year option?
Do they go to Zappe Fever II in 2024?
Even though Zappe had a fun three-game run, and became the life of the party in New England, it’s still hard imagining him being the top gun and future at the position.
That’s why taking a quarterback this year isn’t such a bad idea. At best, he provides insurance with the hope of more – see Brock Purdy for details. At worst, he might fetch a draft pick in a trade down the road.
All of which brings us back to the 2023 NFL draft.
The Patriots are loaded with picks in the fourth and sixth rounds. Again, it wouldn’t be crazy to gobble up a quarterback who could be stashed on the practice squad, find his way to a red-shirt year, or even push for a roster spot behind Jones.
It’s good business to do so, especially in an offense- and quarterback-driven league.
And how about drafting one that would qualify as a change-up?
Essentially the Patriots have three drop-back, pocket passers in their arsenal. On many levels, that makes sense. Continuity of style is important.
But with a league that has shifted more toward having dual-threat quarterbacks, it wouldn’t hurt to draft one with some raw tools who doesn’t necessarily fit with the style of the quarterbacks in-house.
O’Brien coached Deshaun Watson in Houston. The past two seasons, he coached Bryce Young. Both are mobile, dual-threat quarterbacks, so it’s not like O’Brien wouldn’t know what to do with him.
Jones has some mobility, but he’s not in the same league as Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields or Allen when it comes to using his legs.
Now, the definition of developmental means this isn’t a first-, second-, or even third-round prospect. It’s fourth and beyond, where the Patriots, as mentioned, have an excess of picks.
Drafting another Zappe is redundant. That’s why dual-threat should be the go-to in the later rounds.
The possibilities?
Of course, the Patriots will be linked to system fits such as Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell and Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan. Both were at the Shrine Bowl, which was coached by the Patriots staff. So O’Brien got a good look at them early in the week, and while it makes sense to line them up with the Patriots, going against type is the way to go.
In the dual-threat category, BYU’s Jaren Hall and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker are a couple of possibilities.
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter called Hall a “wizard on the move.” He was a two-year starter for the Cougars, and again, this is more about having someone in the system who better fits with today’s NFL.
Then there’s Hooker, who tore his ACL during his senior season with Tennessee. Prior to the injury, he was one of the better quarterbacks in college football. The injury, suffered in November, will likely drop his draft stock, given the unknowns about his availability to practice and play.
He’s 6-4, 218 pounds and how far he drops is anyone’s guess. But if he sinks low enough, he would be the perfect pickup. He still needs work, but given a likely redshirt first season, would fit in with the timeline for the Patriots to decide on Jones, and Zappe for that matter.
UCLA’s Dorian Thompson Robinson, another quarterback O’Brien spent time with during Shrine Bowl practices, is another in the dual-threat category.
Interestingly, the top four quarterback prospects this year, Alabama’s Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson, all have the ability to run.
That doesn’t mean pocket passers (Burrow, Justin Herbert) are extinct, and can’t win. That doesn’t mean the Patriots can’t, and won’t win with Jones if he hits a level most of us believe is still in the cards.
But it’s tough to ignore that the league is being overtaken by mobile quarterbacks.
It wouldn’t hurt for the Patriots to land one in this draft, or even in next year’s draft just to have that base covered, too.
I don't dislike running QBs. Not a fan of Jackson's game, but it's worth a shot. This draft is just deep, and there will be a decent percentage of Day 3 guys that will be contributors over the next few years...