Eye on Sunday: Patriots need to protect Mac Jones better vs Jets

There are a number of ways to protect a rookie quarterback, whether from opponents or himself. But pass protection always starts up front, at the most fundamental level. Keep your QB upright, especially a rookie who’s adjusting to NFL speed.

Along the Patriots’ offensive line, there’s a level of dissatisfaction.

The Miami Dolphins hit Jones nine times in their 17-16 win in Week 1. Zero sacks, but Elandon Roberts nearly had one if not for a roughing the passer flag after tackling Jones too low. By the Patriots’ standards for what should be one of their best positional groups, the rookie took a beating.

On Sunday, they face a New York Jets defense helmed by new head coach Robert Saleh, a unit that hit Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold eight times in Week 1. Keeping Jones clean in the pocket is among the areas of greatest urgency for Week 2.

“I definitely think our quarterback got hit too much [against Miami],” center David Andrews told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand on Wednesday. “[Jones] did a good job of staying in there and making those throws. But as an offensive lineman, you never want your quarterback to take those hits.”

According to Evan Lazar of CLNS Media, Patriots offensive linemen collectively allowed 13 total pressures to the Dolphins, seven hits and six hurries. The only clean sheets were for starting right tackle Trent Brown, who only played seven snaps before injuring his calf, and fill-in right tackle Yasir Durant (23 snaps).

• Standing Tall

  The high number of hits reflected the Dolphins’ effectiveness in dialing up the pressure. But it also illustrates Jones’ willingness to stand in the pocket and take a hit in order to make a play.

  “I was really proud of him and how he handled it,” said tight end Hunter Henry. “He had a lot of poise, and obviously delivered the ball really well, sat in there in the pocket, even when the pocket was coming down. He made some big-time throws that sometimes a lot of other guys aren’t going to make, just standing in the pocket and taking hits and different things like that. That shows a lot to us as guys, a guy that’s going to stand in there no matter what and deliver the ball.”

  Ideally, Jones will be able to throw more balls without a 300-pound man-beast smashing into him. But his overall performance in his rookie debut (102.6 passer rating), particularly how he played under pressure, bodes well for how he’ll look in a clean pocket.

  “First of all, you don’t want him to get hit. But, obviously, he’s gonna do what he can do to make the play go,” said left guard Mike Onwenu. “So that’s a good feeling, getting behind him as a leader as our quarterback. That’s a good feeling.”

• Right Tackle Trouble

  Trent Brown has his right calf wrapped up pic.twitter.com/0mV46iMgjB

  — Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) September 12, 2021

  A rash of injuries has hit the tackle spot to start the season. Brown sat out the rest of the Patriots’ loss to Miami after hurting his calf on the opening drive. But Brown’s 6-foot-8 presence standing on the sideline, calf heavily taped, indicated that the injury is relatively minor.

  The Patriots’ starting right tackle missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but returned in a limited capacity Friday and is listed as “Questionable” for Sunday at the Jets. Durant came over from the Chiefs just before the start of the season, but seems to be the next man up, particularly if Yodny Cajuste (questionable, hamstring) still isn’t ready to play.

  “At the end of the day, it’s being asked to play football,” Durant said Friday. “Everything is not going to be the same everywhere. My part is to get adjusted and to get caught up as fast as I can.”

  Update: Brown has been downgraded to OUT for Sunday’s game against the Jets. Durant was spotted practicing at right tackle during practice this week, so keeping him at right tackle seems to be the plan.

• Defending Davis

  

  CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 12: Corey Davis #84 of the New York Jets runs to the endzone after a eight yard touchdown reception against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

  An old Patriots nemesis is taking the field in a new uniform on Sunday. Corey Davis may not have quite lived up to his draft stock as the fifth overall pick in 2017, but he’s had a pair of big-time games against the Pats. Now he looks to replicate the good games with the Jets.

  Big difference this time: Davis is likely to see a lot of J.C. Jackson on Sunday, after mainly going against Stephon Gilmore and making more plays than most receivers do against him. Gilmore certainly had some learning experiences coming out Davis’ performances in the 2017 divisional round (five catches, 63 yards, two touchdowns) and Week 10 in 2018 (seven catches, 125 yards, one touchdown). Jackson credited the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year with helping him get ready for Davis.

  “He’s a pretty good receiver. He’s their go-to guy,” Jackson said Friday. “He’s a playmaker, man. I can’t wait to guard him this week. And of course I have been talking to Stephon Gilmore about how he played him, what’s his favorite routes and stuff like that. So I try to add some of those tips to my game.”

  The Patriots hope that Davis posts number closer to the 2019 Wild Card game against the Pats (no catches on two targets). Then again, Titans receivers combined for four catches for 14 yards in a run-heavy game, and Davis is now with a new team and quarterback. He’ll have a new opposing corner to worry about, too, and Jackson vs. Davis will be on of the key matchups to monitor throughout the game.

• Gone 'Till November

  

  Patriots kicker Quinn Nordin kicks a field goal during warmups before a preseason game against the Washington Football Team at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Syndication: The Providence Journal)

  Fire up the Wyclef Jean for Patriots rookie kicker Quinn Nordin. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Patriots hope that Nordin will be back by November after going on injured reserve. It’s an unfortunate start to the season for the rookie, who made the Patriots’ 53-man roster out of training camp.

  However, Nordin seems to have been more of a developmental insurance policy than someone Bill Belichick was ready to name the No. 1 kicker. Veteran Nick Folk was elevated from the practice squad to the main roster for Week 1, and he’ll be elevated again for the Jets. It’s likely Folk will stay this time, opening up a spot for the scout teams.

• Reinforcements at Receiver

  On the New York side of things, the team activated wide receiver Jamison Crowder from the reserve/COVID-19 list after he missed Week 1. Keelan Cole played Week 1, but has been limited in practice with a knee injury. Crowder was also limited with a groin issue.

  Getting both receivers in the active lineup would certainly present further matchup questions for the Patriots’ secondary, who allowed a combined eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown to Miami wideouts DeVante Parker and Jaylen Waddle in Week 1.