Patriots Mailbag: Building on the win over the Bears

• Murph on X (formerly Twitter): "How much of Sunday's success on the ground was due to the fact the bears can't stop the run as opposed to the pats On-line playing well? Why are we playing WR who isn't under contract next year over Bourne ? What's your fave lunch ? / X"

  How much of Sunday's success on the ground was due to the fact the bears can't stop the run as opposed to the pats On-line playing well? Why are we playing WR who isn't under contract next year over Bourne ? What's your fave lunch ?

  1. It certainly played a factor. The Patriots will play better run defenses and will need to continue to improve, but you can only play who is on your schedule and that felt like a game the unit can build on moving forwards. For what it’s worth, I think the biggest example of ‘the Bears are just bad’ from Sunday was the jump in production from the defensive front – especially in the pass rush.

  2. I assume this is referring to the decision to the decision to play K.J. Osborn over Kendrick Bourne on Sunday. It’s a great question Murph, and I honestly can’t think of many reasons beyond the team wanting to make sure Osborn stays engaged after not getting moved at the deadline (he had played just 31 total offensive snaps over the prior five games, including three games where he didn’t play at all).

  Still, Bourne is a better receiver and would give Drake Maye more opportunities. It would be one thing sitting Bourne down to give rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker more opportunities – work on developing the kids. But for Osborn, who is 27 and on an expiring contract, it’s tough to see the benefit unless the team is considering keeping him around beyond this year.

  3. Nothing like a good sandwich for lunch to carry you through the day. I usually go turkey with veggies and some sort of chipotle something on it. Hits the spot.

• David Jacobs on X (formerly Twitter): "Do you believe they will actually keep the O-line as it is or are there changes coming again? / X"

  Do you believe they will actually keep the O-line as it is or are there changes coming again?

  Let’s start here – I believe that the Patriots’ coaching staff should keep the current offensive line grouping (left to right – Vederian Lowe, Michael Jordan, Ben Brown, Mike Onwenu, Demontrey Jacobs) in place pending an injury or somebody’s level of play sharply falling off over multiple weeks. This group is starting to build chemistry and continuity, and as far as this season goes has looked as good as any offensive line the Patriots have put out there.

  That’s what I think they should do. Will they? There are two players that could drive them to do so. It’s just about how strongly they feel about each one getting on the field.

  The first is rookie guard Layden Robinson. Robinson has already started six games for the Patriots this year. While he’s shown promise as a run blocker, his pass blocking isn’t at the level it needs to be. He can continue developing behind the scenes, but will the ‘play the kids’ mentality get him back on the field? The last offensive line change – as well as the change the team seemed to be experimenting with in practice this week – both seemed geared towards getting him in the lineup.

  Then there’s the whole Cole Strange situation. Strange is reportedly nearing a return from IR, as he’s worked his way back from a severe knee injury he suffered late last year. In addition to being a potential guard option, the team has also said they plan to work him at center. He’ll be a good option to have if Jordan or Brown really start to struggle, but right now there shouldn’t be a rush to get him in the lineup.

• Matt Urban on X (formerly Twitter): "What do you see from Tavai that is improved from 3 weeks ago? / X"

  What do you see from Tavai that is improved from 3 weeks ago?

  The biggest thing that stands out to me with Jahlani Tavai is that he’s playing much faster and more instinctive than he was immediately following Ja’Whaun Bentley’s injury. Tavai has mostly played on the edge during his time with the Patriots, and adjusting to a more off-ball-heavy role took some time. Now that he’s been in that role for a few weeks, he looks more comfortable.

  We’ll see if Tavai can keep it up. But he’s been better – especially against the run – each of the last three weeks. That’s crucial in the Patriots’ run defense improving overall.

• Geoffrey_Locket on X (formerly Twitter): "After watching bears yesterday, can you put a reminder come February to April to watch that game tape when fans start screaming to draft a WR in the 1st round instead of a LT? In fact, we may want to just grab a RT also in the 2nd. / X"

  After watching bears yesterday, can you put a reminder come February to April to watch that game tape when fans start screaming to draft a WR in the 1st round instead of a LT? In fact, we may want to just grab a RT also in the 2nd.

  That game was certainly a good reminder of why offensive line play is important. It is worth nothing though that the Bears did use a first-round pick – 10th overall – on an offensive tackle just last year when they took Darnell Wright out of Tennessee (a player some people liked for the Patriots). Wright was out on Sunday with an injury, so perhaps the real lesson is that as important as investing in top-end offensive line talent is, building solid depth is equally important at such a physical position.

• After The Huddle on X (formerly Twitter): "Outside of OT and WR in your mind what other positions are of need. Maybe a big physical CB to pair with Gonzo like when Browner and Revis played for us. / X"

  Outside of OT and WR in your mind what other positions are of need. Maybe a big physical CB to pair with Gonzo like when Browner and Revis played for us.

  Along with tackle and receiver, pass rusher is shaping up to be the third of the ‘big three’ needs for the Patriots this offseason. Beyond Keion White the Patriots haven’t done much to address that role in the draft over the last three years, and don’t have many prospects at the position (or total players, for that matter). They need to be better at getting after the quarterback, something that should arguably be their biggest defensive priority this offseason.

  Beyond that, a second boundary cornerback with size is certainly a need. I would also add (in no particular order) a running back to spell with Rhamondre Stevenson, a developmental tight end and center, an athletic off-ball linebacker, and true free/deep safety.

• Ed Helinski 🇺🇸🇵🇱 on X (formerly Twitter): "What's your thoughts on this year's kickoff rules? Might it get changed to something that doesn't look hokey and dopey like this version? / X"

  What's your thoughts on this year's kickoff rules? Might it get changed to something that doesn't look hokey and dopey like this version?

  Regardless of how it looks – and I think the reason it looks gimmicky to people is because they’re so used to the old setup – I think this kickoff format has been good for the NFL. It creates more exciting plays and adds more strategy than the old kickoff had. That being said I think it still can and should be tweaks – namely moving the touchback up further – but given the other alternative was likely removing kickoffs all together I’d say it’s worked out alright.

• Kevin Maggiore on X (formerly Twitter): "If every NFL team could dress one animal in the lineup each week what animal would you choose for the Patriots to utilize in the lineup? Also, it can't be an animal from a team in the league with an animal nickname. / X"

  If every NFL team could dress one animal in the lineup each week what animal would you choose for the Patriots to utilize in the lineup? Also, it can't be an animal from a team in the league with an animal nickname.

  Missed this one last week but wanted to make sure I answered it. As we already talked about, pass rush is a big need for the Patriots right now. So give me like a bull or rhinoceros or warthog  (do the Bills rule out a Buffalo?). Something that’s just going to put its head down and charge forward until it gets to the QB.