Zolak & Bertrand: The coaching staff continues to put the blame on the players

On Thursday's edition of Zolak & Bertrand, the crew reacted to the Patriots' coaching staff continuing to put the blame on the players after Alex Van Pelt's latest comments.

Marc Bertrand: 

Work harder, rehab harder. Once again, the coaching staff is putting it on the players. 

Scott Zolak: 

Well, wait a minute. 

Marc Bertrand: 

They are. They continue to put it on the players. The problems with this team, you're not working hard enough. You're not rehabbing hard enough. That's what that message is.  

Scott Zolak: 

Does that mean you should be rehabbing more to get back out there quicker? So, we could have you? 

Marc Bertrand: 

That's what it sounds like. 

Scott Zolak: 

So, the receivers aren't hurt. Quarterbacks aren't hurt. I mean, Rhamondre Stevenson is banged up with the ankle. Tight ends are fine. I’d say offensive line. 

Marc Bertrand: 

That's the offensive line you're saying he's taking a shot at. 

Scott Zolak: 

Who's been in and out? 

Marc Bertrand: 

 It’s a group of guys that were put together last week again, because that's what they do every week. 

Scott Zolak: 

Part of the problem is, David Andrews ain't coming back.  

Marc Bertrand: 

Who's he criticizing there?  

Scott Zolak: 

Who's been in and out at left tackle? Vederian Lowe and your two rookies, with one on IR. 

Marc Bertrand: 

So, we're taking a shot at Vederian Lowe to rehab harder. Is that really the offense's problem? Like, that's the problem. They need to work harder and rehab harder? 

Scott Zolak:

I think work harder is your standard answer. 

Marc Bertrand: 

Well, yeah. I mean, everybody can afford to work harder no matter what it is you're doing, but it's like... that's the answer AVP? We need to have a team meeting to tell everyone to work harder. 

For the second year in a row, the New England Patriots return home from London facing more questions than answers. The team went across the pond this Sunday and after a strong start looked uncompetitive for 45 minutes in a 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Last year's game was later in the season, so naturally there were more questions about the future of the franchise at that point, with the team at 2-8. However, coming back at 1-6 this Patriots team once again has fans looking ahead to the offseason.

After last year's game, the head coach and quarterback roles were in the spotlight. This time around it seems - at least for now - like the answer to the quarterback position is in place. And while a one-and-done at head coach doesn't seem likely, there's plenty of speculation about the rest of the staff.

Accordingly, most of the questions in this week's Mailbag are looking ahead to the offseason. Sine that will be the bulk of things, let's start with a few that address this year...

There are a few more games on the Patriots' schedule that do fall into the 'winnable' category. That doesn't necessarily mean the Patriots will be favorited, but they should have a shot.

The first such game is in two weeks, when the Patriots visit the Tennessee Titans. Like the Patriots, the Titans are struggling the year after a coaching change and have gotten off to a 1-5 start. Will Levis certainly hasn't looked like the answer at quarterback. This may be the only team as bad as the Jaguars remaining on the Patriots' schedule - but it is a road game.

There are two more games that the Patriots should be competitive in, both coming in December. The first is another road game, against the Arizona Cardinals. Then in their second-to-last game of the season the Patriots host Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers, who have struggled historically coming to New England - especially late in the year.

None of that will matter though if the Patriots can't stop getting in their own way. Right now the Patriots' biggest opponent is themselves, so it's tough to pick them outright against just about any opponent.

As it relates to Javon Baker, it didn't look like the coaching staff trusted him early in the season. After a few weeks to work behind the scenes though it may be worth giving him another shot - especially with what is going on elsewhere at the wide receiver position.

Ja'Lynn Polk looks like he has the yips, and K.J. Osborn seems frustrated with his situation  and could be a candidate to move at the trade deadline. With Tyquan Thornton also reportedly a trade candidate, the Patriots may need another fourth receiver. After using a fourth-round pick on Baker in April, it's too early for them to quit entirely on him now.

At 1-6, it's looking more and more like the Patriots will be positioned to be sellers at the upcoming NFL trade deadline (Tuesday, Nov. 5). While a full teardown is probably too much to expect there are some veterans - most on expiring contracts - who have seen decreased usage in recent weeks as the coaching staff re-shuffles the lineup. Those players would be the most logical to move.

The three main candidates are K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, and Joshua Uche. All three are set to be free agents this upcoming offseason, and have been relegated to bench roles. Each may be worth just a Day 3 pick, but that future pick - either as a selection or a trade asset - is worth more to this team than eight or nine games from those players down the stretch this year.

One player a little more outside-the-box is guard Sidy Sow. Sow is in just his second year, has two more years left on his deal, and has shown progress. However he seems to have fallen out of favor with the coaching staff with Michael Jordan and Layden Robinson both getting opportunities ahead of him. With Mike Onwenu factoring in as well there's a bit of a logjam at the position. A promising young offensive lineman could get a decent return in a league that is facing a shortage of talented blockers.

For those who don't know, the Bill Belichick comments referred to here are what he said on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday, when asked about Jerod Mayo calling the team 'soft.'

"It's a lot of the same players from last year. I'm kinda hurt for those guys because to call them soft, they are not soft," Belichick said. "They were the best team in the league last year against the run. I feel bad for the defensive players on that one."

"They re-signed [Anfernee] Jennings, they re-signed [Jahlani] Tavai, they re-signed [Kyle] Dugger. Marcus Jones and [Christian] Gonzalez have been healthy," Belichick continued. "You got [Deatrich] Wise, you got [Davon] Godchaux, you got Keion White, you got [Marte] Mapu. It's a lot [of] the same players."

Many of those players defended Belichick last year, when questions about his job security were raised in-season. I'd assume they'll appreciate him 'returning the gesture.'

As for what it means for Mayo? Multiple players named there by Belichick vocally supported Mayo earlier this year. Some, like Tavai, echoed his comments after the game and didn't seem that offended by Mayo's description of the team. It will be interesting to see how other players react to it as the week/weeks go on though.

I'd say a new offensive coordinator, for two main reasons. First, Jerod Mayo is a defensive-minded coach so it would make more sense for him to look for more help on that side of the ball. Secondly, the defensive staff has more leeway in terms of injuries, having lost significant talent on that side of the ball. I wouldn't rule out either, but if I had to choose one change to be more likely I'm saying offense.

Fair question. Most people had the Patriots with only one or two wins to this point in the season (I had them beating the Seahawks and Jaguars). At the same time, the nature in which they're losing these games is more frustrating than expected. As mentioned in the first answer they're getting in their own way too often with things like penalties, bad decision-making, and poor fundamentals.

While Drake Maye has offered some hope for the future, it's hard to overlook some of the mistakes the team is making around him. Worry that those mistakes will continue may be offsetting the promise Maye is showing for some.

I'm with you in assuming Mayo's job is secure, but I think it makes more sense to look at the assistant coaching staff before the front office. Yes, this draft hasn't looked great, but in the NFL head coaches and GMs are strongly tied to their quarterbacks. A new GM may want to draft his own guy, regardless of what Maye has shown, which resets the whole process. Eliot Wolf and his group should get at least one more year to try to build this thing around Maye before having that conversation.