An overview of the scenarios that will be presented to the Pats in the coming months
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Some Thoughts and Brief Notes on the New England Patriots and the NFL:
1. On the way: One of the fascinating aspects of Patriots’ quarterback position is how a team’s move can create an unexpected opportunity for them. Call this the Darnold Domino effect.
Adam Schefter, from ESPN, reported on Sunday that the New York Jets have received quite a few calls from many teams expressing interest in Sam Darnold. The Jets, echoing Schefter, did not turn down interest, but neither did they make a final decision about the quarterback’s future (they have the second choice in the 2021 draft).
Regardless of how the Jets proceed, it should have some impact on the Patriots.
For example, could Darnold be of interest to the San Francisco 49ers, making Jimmy Garoppolo an option for New England? Or instead, if the Jets stick with Darnold, that would spark the interest of teams needing a QB in their second pick, changing the draft board, and who will be available to the Patriots (15th pick).
These are the scenarios that Coach Bill Belichick and his team have begun to dissect.
An experienced NFL director pointed out the ESPN by Jets, Rich Cimini, who could envision a low first-round pick or a high second for Darnold, entering his final contract year 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?
That seems highly unlikely, given that Joe Douglas, general manager of Jets, would need some sort of ‘tax’ on AFC East rivals to even consider, but such scenarios fuel what could be a full off-season move in the quarterback position.
2. Mariota’s flexibility: Marcus Mariota was scouted out for the Patriots last week, and here’s more: With the expected cost of acquiring him (low-round pick) and his reasonable salary ($ 10.6 million), this would mean New England will have the has flexibility to add one more. QB if the opportunity arises later in the off-season (eg Garoppolo or a design choice). Initially, however, Mariota would offer a combination of experience (61 games started), the ability for a functional ongoing game, and plenty of room in the salary cap to put an important piece in the QB position. Mariota would be a solid plan B IF Garoppolo isn’t available at first.
3. The landscape of QBs: The concept analyst of ESPN Todd McShay, projects five quarterbacks lined up with the top 12 picks during their final draft trial, creating a scenario that disregards the needy patriots who have the 15th pick. On their first podcast Towards the Concept, McShay en Mel Keeper Jr.They believed there would be six scheduled players to start, with Florida Kyle Trask sixth and Wake Forest’s Jamie Newman a possible wildcard – and a noticeable drop after that for those who would be substitutes.
4. The connection with Gase: Former Dolphins and Jets coach Adam Gase has developed a relationship with Belichick over the past two years, one consequence of which is the addition of Bo Hardegree to Belichick’s coaching staff this year. Hardegree, 36, has been with Gase as an offensive assistant. He played quarterback at the University of Tennessee and recently met with the Patriots staff.
5. The Tagging Game: February 23 marks the beginning 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), it is suspected that the Patriots won’t be using that. So the interesting thing for New England, which has big gaps to fill in the receiving corps, tight end, and seven defensive linemen, will be seeing how many top players are tagged and can’t be chased.
6. Watt is on: JJ Watt and the Houston Texans reached an agreement on Friday to part their paths, 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 for the defense line, and Watt has a lot going for it, but there is one major issue that matters to Watt – the ability to play for a championship.
7. Slater’s gesture: When the Patriots transported 76 health workers to the Super Bowl on the team plane last Sunday, veteran captain Matthew Slater was early to express his gratitude on behalf of the players and the organization, along with team chairman Jonathan Kraft. workers. and, among others, the Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker. A very classy gesture from one of Pats most stylish players.
8. Potential in the design: Remember when the patriots defended Richard Seymour with sixth pick overall in 2001, and there were concerns about his performance (1.5 sack in his last season with Georgia)? That went well, and there could be a potential preview this year, just deeper into the design. Georgia tightly ended Tre’McKitty a total of six receptions in 2020 after being transferred from the state of Florida, but “made a lot of money” in the Senior Bowl with his physical attributes and athleticism, according to McShay and Kiper. 6ft McKitty is projected for medium sized rounds.
9. Drew’s Birthday: Happy 49th birthday, Drew Bledsoe. It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed since the inception of Bledsoe’s Hall of Fame. One of the cool things about the past decade was when Bledsoe was re-emerging on the Patriots scene and how well he was received.
10. Did you know what: The Patriots will play against the Texans in 2021 and it will be the seventh year in a row that they will face each other. Since 2002, it has been the longest gathering in the NFL of teams not from the same division. The longest is 10 – Patriots vs. Colts from 2003 to 2012.