Where was JuJu Smith-Schuster in crunch time? Phil Perry explains
Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston joins Zolak and Bertrand to look back on the Patriots Week 1 loss to the Eagles. Among the most perplexing storylines was the decision not to have JuJu Smith Schuster on the field in crunch time. Phil weighs in on why the high-priced free agent receiver was nowhere to be found at an important time in the game.
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) tackles New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Perry is confused by the usage of JuJu Smith-Schuster in Week 1
This is still confounding for me. This guy’s your highest paid receiver. He’s your big name offseason acquisition. He is essentially your replacement for the guy who was Mr. Dependability in this offense for multiple years. And the explanation for why he’s not on the field at the end of the game is he’s just not part of the two-minute package. When you’re going receiver and you’re throwing the football?
And I understand, you know, maybe this is a roles thing. So Kayshon Boutte comes in because Devante Parker’s out. Boutte is a better X-receiver I guess maybe than JuJu Smith-Schuster. That’s that’s a stunner to me. JuJu Smith-Schuster was a guy who played quite a bit on the outside in Kansas City last year. Yes, he’s played the vast majority of his career in the slot. He played a lot in Kansas City on the outside and when they signed him they thought he’d be able to do the same thing here. They thought he would be versatile. So already he’s not as good on the outside as the sixth-round rookie who had a good camp.
Did JuJu run the wrong route on 4th-and-3 with 9:39 left?
I asked receivers coach Ross Douglas about that play. Asked him if he ran the right route. Basically, what Ross said was he did the right thing, but it could have been much better. I do think it was an out route, but I think the way it was run where you try to sell it inside, maybe get the defensive back to bite inside and then go outside. The defensive back probably can tell that he’s running an out-route because he doesn’t sell the in-cut at all. And so I wonder if that kind of thing, even if it’s the right route, but it’s not run to your liking if you’re Bill Belichick or your Bill O’Brien. Is that the kind of thing that could get you benched?
LISTEN: Phil Perry on the Patriots Week 1 loss to the Eagles
Belichick vs Vic Fangio features unique moments from Patriots dynasty
Bill Belichick versus Vic Fangio…well it’s not actually Bill Belichick versus Vic Fangio. It’s more like Charlie Weis, Josh McDaniels and Bill O’Brien versus Vic Fangio. It’s also Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Michael Bishop (yes…Michael, Bishop), Julian Edelman, David Patten, and even punter Lee Johnson versus Vic Fangio. The Belichick versus Fangio matchup has featured some of the most unique moments from the New England Patriots dynasty.
From pulling your franchise quarterback and putting in a backup to throw a Hail Mary, to having your punter throw a pass, to kicking off a dynasty with a new quarterback starting in his very first game, to a legendary four touchdown game from a little known wide receiver, to a game pushed back a week because of Covid.
Bill Belichick and Vic Fangio
Bill Belichick’s Patriots teams have faced Vic Fangio’s defensive units a total of eight times over the last 23 seasons with number nine coming up this Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Belichick’s squads are 5-3 against Fangio defenses racking up an average of 29.5 points per game (32 ppg if you eliminate Covid game) and 127 yards rushing per game in the eight contests.
Despite those numbers, Belichick spoke highly of Fangio during his weekly Wednesday press availability: “I have a ton of respect for Vic as a coach and what he’s done in the multiple times we’ve faced him and just watching his teams over the years, very disciplined, sound and extremely well-coached, well-prepared defense.”
Belichick added, “I think Vic’s one of the best defensive coaches in the league. He has his style, his defensive philosophy and system, and he’s had a lot of success with it.”
Patriots players that have had success against the Fangio defense aren’t necessarily the players you might expect. It’s been guys like Kenjon Barner, Josh Gordon, Brandon Lloyd, Bethel Johnson, JR Redmond and the aforementioned Michael Bishop.
2000: J.R. Redmond’s Career Game
Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James and the high flying Colts pulled off a 30-23 win despite trailing by 9 entering the 4th quarter. The Pats took that lead on the back of Running Back J.R. Redmond, who finished with 132 yards and a touchdown on 27 touches.
Rick Stewart /Allsport
2003: Tony Banks’ Texans almost snap streak
The Patriots had ripped off 6 wins in a row and were on their way to 21 straight wins when they almost fell to a bad Houston team. Bethel Johnson had 65 yards and a touchdown and Tom Brady found Daniel Graham with only 40 seconds left to tie the game. Adam Vinatieri would win it in overtime.
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
2020: Covid Scheduling Change
A Covid outbreak with the Patriots moved the Week 5 game against the Broncos to Monday afternoon and eventually to Week 6 after a controversial schedule shuffle by the NFL. The Pats would eventually come out and play one of the worst games in the Belichick era in the 18-12 Week 6 loss. Brandon McManus kicked 6 Field Goals in the win for Denver.
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
