Patriots 2023 Season Thread

From now on we're not desperate for a win, we're desperate for a loss. Never thought I would ever say that. I wonder what the Krafts are thinking today. Do they discuss "going in another direction" with BB? Who would take his place? Wipe out the entire coaching staff and start anew? Whatever they do, they have to about the middle of January to figure it out. Knowing Kraft, it's going to be big.

How do you even start over when everything has been revolving around one guy for so long? Offense, Defense, Personnel. There's literally and figuratively his family woven into everything. Does Kraft even have relationships with people outside the BB circle? Is he gonna find a hired gun after all this?

I have to say, it's kind of incredible how good the defense has been. Even without their 2 best players they've been pretty solid and have made hard games winnable, which was the best path to success this season. A functional offense and special teams would have put us in the mix for  a decent playoff spot, since AFC is running on fumes all around. 

As frustrated as I am about everything this year, BB is not DONE as a coach. But I don't see a scenario where he really cedes personnel and offense and settles for some Rah Rah coaching while driving the defense, at least while staying with the Patriots. Too much pride to take 2/3 of his responsibility off his plate here.

I like Mayo but not sure the closeness to BB and track record of assistants is gonna do it for Kraft. This year was supposed to be the Come to Jesus and Do it Different year for BB, and what a wreck.

What is some people issues with Zappe? It's last year all over again! Looking at the positives of your backup QB isn't crazy. Guy had two 20 yard passes, two more that could have been caught. Mac Jones has made like two nice deep throws that were dropped all year to Parker and Reagor. It's exactly what he should be doing. He made some great throws yesterday. He escaped on a bunch of plays Mac Jones either takes a sack or throws a pass he shouldn't that likely gets picked off. Heck even watching our QB just throw the ball away was nice. All with the worst OL play on passing downs we've seen in a while, down multiple WR and our top RB. He's our backup QB and he's playing to secure that next year.

QBs can play well and get bad results, Mac Jones did that to start the year. Jones issue is he gets worse every year, not better as the season goes along. Besides seeing if Zappe should be our backup next year, one big worry for me is that Zappe gets better over the remaining games. Which he did last year. I'm darn excited to see him play with the two rookie WR. Players need to adjust, Zappe moves around to throw, Mac Jones when he leaves the pocket usually takes off and runs. Going to take time for players to adjust and gain chemistry.

There was a long piece on Michigan QB McCarthy in The Athletic from the Bears' perspective. Harbaugh is over-the-top effusive to the point the writer wonders if an NFL team wants JH -- is it a package deal?

The writer traces back to his his high school career in Chicago and seems to be working out the argument NFL teams will be having as we get closer to draft time -- just how good is this guy?

I was a trade down and take Daniels guy (a fluid position) but now I'm leaning towards becoming a trade down and take McCarthy guy. This kid sounds like another Michigan QB we had a nice 20 years with and so why not?

theathletic.com/5109078/2023/12/04/bears-michigan-qb-jj-mccarthy/

I use the same excuse for Herbert that I've been using for Zappe, the drops were atrocious. It was probably worse for the Chargers. If the game was played today I could see this being a loss in the ballpark of 13-28. Thorton is an NFL receiver and should have gotten that, but maybe he does when the rain isn't whipping his face and the ball isn't wet.

Meanwhile, some J E T S jets jets jets drama:

Gonna admittedly be really easy to build off of 0 points against a bad defense, so there’s that positive! Quite literally the only way to go is up.

Do you think the Patriots D is bad? They are about equal in point per game. 4 common opponents, the Chargers D allowed less points to 3 out of the 4 teams,  with the Patriots only doing better versus Dolphins, worse against Jets, Raiders and Cowboys. We haven't faced teams like Chiefs or Lions either. We've have literally watched the best Tom Brady offense get shutdown by a great pass rush versus Giants. I don't think our D is bad at all, I guess you do?

They’re 31st against the pass, just behind the Jags who got shredded by Jake Browning. Do you think that’s good?

Zappe is trash. It is what it is. If you guys want to point out positives on offense when they didn’t score and never saw the red zone then do what makes you happy I suppose, I just don’t see it

It might make you giddy but it’s a pretty dumb plan to go into a draft with. If you don’t like one of the top QBs then fine pass on them but don’t do it because your plan is to get the guy you love at 34. If you love him, you should never expect them to be there at 34

OK, let me rephrase. In all likelihood here are your first round QB selections:
Williams
Maye
Daniels
And either Nix, McCarthy, or Penix

That means one of Nix, McCarthy, Penix and possibly Beck and Sanders are avaialble in round 2.

It is widely expected that up to 8 WR will go in the first round.

So now you need to decide where is the bigger gap. Do you have a bigger fall off between Harrison and the 7th, 8th, or 9th receiver. Or between Maye and Nix, McCarthy or Penix. I would argue that you get better overall value going receiver in round 1 and then QB given the way this will fall out.

(And yes, I am quite familiar with New England's success rate with first round receivers - or lack of success.)

It is not about "loving" a particular player, it is about maximizing the value of a #2 pick.