A review of the scenarios that will be presented to the Pats in the coming months
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Some quick thoughts and notes on the New England Patriots and the NFL:
1. On the move: One of the fascinating aspects about the quarterback position in the Patriots, is how a move by any team could create an unexpected opportunity for them. Call it, the Domino Darnold Effect.
Adam Schefter, de ESPN, Reported on Sunday that the New York Jets have answered many calls from many teams expressing interest in Sam Darnold. The Jets, following Schefter, have not dismissed interest, but have also not made a firm decision on the future of the quarterback (they have the 2nd selection in the 2021 draft).
Regardless of how the Jets proceed, it should have some impact on the Patriots.
For example, could Darnold be interesting to the San Francisco 49ers, making Jimmy Garoppolo a choice for New England? Or, conversely, if the Jets stay with Darnold, this would create interest on the part of teams in need of a QB, in their second pick, altering the draft board and who will be available for the Patriots ( 15 selection).
These are the scenarios that coach Bill Belichick and his team have begun to dissect.
A veteran NFL executive pointed to the correspondent of ESPN for Jets, Ric Cimini, Who could imagine a low first-round pick or second-round pick, by Darnold, who is entering his final year of contract as a rookie – on May 3 they have to decide on the expensive fifth-year option.
All of this leads to another question: Would the Patriots consider going for Darnold?
This seems very unlikely, as Jets general manager Joe Douglas needs some sort of ‘tax’ on AFC East rivals just to consider it, but these scenarios fuel what could be a low season full of movements in the position of marshal.
2. Mariota flexibility: Last week the possibility of Marcus Mariota for Patriots was explored, and here’s more: with the projected cost to acquire- (low round selection) and his salary ($ 10.6 million) reasonable, it would mean that New England have the flexibility to add another QB if the opportunity presents itself later in the low season (e.g. Garoppolo or a draft recruit) .But at least initially, Mariota would provide a combination of experience (61 games started ), the opportunity for a functional air game, and a space buffet at the salary cap to put some important piece in the QB position. Mariota would be a solid plan B IF Garoppolo is not initially available.
3. The QBs landscape: The draft analyst of ESPN, Todd McShay, Projects five field marshals recruited with the top 12 teams in their latest draft rehearsal, creating a scenario that leaves out the Patriots, who have selection 15. In their first podcast heading to the draft , McShay i Porter Mel Jr., Opined that there are six players with projection to be starters, with Kyle Trask of Florida as sixth and Jamie Newman of Wake Forest as a possible wildcard – and then a notable drop for those who would be substitutes.
4. The connection with Gase: Former Dolphins and Jets coach Adam Gase has developed a connection to Belichick over the past two years, and one effect of that would be the addition of Bo Hardegree to Belichick’s coaching staff this year. Hardegree, 36, has been with Gase as an offensive assistant. He played as a quarterback at the University of Tennessee, and recently met with Patriots staff.
5. The tagging game: February 23 marks the start of the 15-day window in which teams can assign franchise tags, and after surprising many last year by tagging Joe Thuney (probably Thuney himself), the hunch is that the Patriots won’t they will use it. Then, the interesting thing for New England, which has big gaps to fill in the receiver body, closed wing-seven defensive linemen, will be to see how many top-tier players will be labeled and will not be able to be chased.
6. Watt’s up: JJ Watt and the Houston Texans reached an agreement to part ways, and ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler asked people in the league what Watt’s options would be, with the Patriots in the top five. The Pats have urgent needs on the defensive line, and Watt has a lot to offer, but there is one important issue that needs to be addressed and that is important to Watt — the opportunity to play for a championship.
7. Slater’s gesture: When the Patriots transported 76 health workers to the Super Bowl last Sunday on the team’s plane, veteran captain Matthew Slater was here early to express his gratitude to those workers on behalf of the players. and the organization, along with team president Jonathan Kraft and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, among others. A very classy gesture by one of Pats’ most classy players.
8. Potential in the Draft: Remember when the Patriots selected defensive tackle Richard Seymour with the third overall pick in 2001, and there were concerns about his performance, (1.5 catches in his last season in Georgia)? That went well, and there could be a potential example this year, only deeper in the draft. Georgia’s closed wing Tre’McKitty totaled 6 receptions in 2020 after being transferred from Florida State, but “made a lot of money” in the Senior Bowl with his physical features and athletics, according to McShay and Kiper. Six-foot, 5-inch McKitty with 245 pounds, is projected for medium rounds.
9. Drew’s Birthday: For many years 49, Drew Bledsoe. It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since induction into the Bledsoe Hall of Fame. One of the beautiful parts of the last decade was Crib Bledsoe reappeared in the Patriots scene and how well received he was.
10. Did they know what: The Patriots will play the Texans in 2021 and it will be their seventh straight year against each other. Since 2002, it is the longest showdown in the NFL of teams that are not from the same division. The longest is 10 -Patriots vs. Colts and 2003-2012.