It’s an interesting week for the New England Patriots. They’re coming off of their much-needed first win in a 15-10 victory over the New York Jets. At the same time, that win left a lot to be desired as the team moves forward and tries to return to the postseason.
Given that, it’s not surprising to see the majority of this week’s mailbag questions be about the long-term outlook of the season rather than this Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys (another team that is in a weird spot, after losing by double-digits to a tanking Arizona Cardinals team last week).
READ MORE:
—The Cowboys are changing their offense as they prepare for the Patriots
—An unfortunate injury update on the defensive line
—Rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez keeps passing tests
Many of the questions this week are about changes the Patriots can make to their personnel moving forward. That includes external additions, as well as changing the way players currently on the roster are used.
Let’s start with some of those internal moves as we get into this week’s questions…
Fitzzy01 on Twitter: "Do you think it's time for a fullback to help out the run game because of the troubles on the offensive line? / Twitter"
Do you think it's time for a fullback to help out the run game because of the troubles on the offensive line?
Adding a fullback to the run scheme not only would help, it has helped. The Patriots employed tight end Pharaoh Brown as a fullback against the Jets, and it appeared to make a difference on traditional run calls. It’s a look the Patriots shouldn’t be afraid to go back to in the future.
Forgotten Patriots on Twitter: "With the reports that Ekuale is out long term, do you see a Carl Davis reunion or more snaps for someone like Sam Roberts? / Twitter"
With the reports that Ekuale is out long term, do you see a Carl Davis reunion or more snaps for someone like Sam Roberts?
So, there’s two things at play here when we talk about Daniel Ekuale missing time. The first is the impact he makes as an interior pass rusher. To fill those snaps, Sam Roberts could get some looks but it’s a role that would suit Keion White as well, especially in pure pass situations (ex. 3rd & long, end of game).
However, Ekuale had also been the Patriots best interior run defender through three games. In terms of finding a player for that role, the Patriots don’t have many options – especially if Davon Godchaux misses time as well. Beyond Jeremiah Pharms on the practice squad, the team doesn’t really have another nose tackle. A reunion with Carl Davis would make sense, but the team has yet to reach out to Davis, according to Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald.
Clint on Twitter: "What happened to Matt Ioannidis? Would he be a possible replacement for DE? Or could we look at a big NT? ie. Like a Tyler Shelvin (6'2" 350) / Twitter"
What happened to Matt Ioannidis? Would he be a possible replacement for DE? Or could we look at a big NT? ie. Like a Tyler Shelvin (6'2" 350)
Both Ioannidis and Shelvin are currently free agents. While both would give the Patriots some needed depth on the interior, there’s usually a reason players with their experience (especially in Ioannidis’ case) are unsigned at this point in the season).
Andrew Caraway on Twitter: "Would bringing in a pass catching RB like Kenyan Drake make sense? Especially if Ty Montgomery is MIA. / Twitter"
Would bringing in a pass catching RB like Kenyan Drake make sense? Especially if Ty Montgomery is MIA.
I was all for the Patriots signing Kenyan Drake back in the offseason, but he has since signed with the Ravens. Signing a similar kind of back might help, but most have signed by now. Leonard Fournette would probably be the top option if this is the route the Patriots want to go.
Ken on Twitter: "@RealAlexBarth if the patriots win to the cowboys and or come very close to winning but it is still glaring he needs a number one. Could they/will they go after Jerry Juedy on a trade?? I feel they are a guard and a receiver a way to winning these games/putting games away / Twitter"
@RealAlexBarth if the patriots win to the cowboys and or come very close to winning but it is still glaring he needs a number one. Could they/will they go after Jerry Juedy on a trade??
I don’t think this one game will make or break the Patriots’ outlook for the season. But there certainly is a conversation to be had about them adding a wide receiver if they win a few more games between now and the trade deadline at the end of October.
If/when we get to that point, Jerry Jeudy is certainly a name to know. The Broncos look like a disaster, and still need to recoup draft capital from the Russell Wilson trade. If the Patriots feel they have a shot at the playoffs, they should explore moving a Day 2 pick for Jeudy or a comparable player.
Jason Brassard on Twitter: "Would trading Uche potentially for a WR that is also coming into free agency be an option to pickup a number One WR? / Twitter"
Would trading Uche potentially for a WR that is also coming into free agency be an option to pickup a number One WR?
As much as it would help the Patriots to add a wide receiver mid-season, moving Josh Uche would be a steep price. The Patriots’ pass rush is one of their biggest strengths, and Uche is a key part of it. While they do have the depth to replace him in theory, it would come with a step down as well as tremendous risk if somebody gets hurt.
Plus, mid-season wide receiver additions – while helpful – aren’t always a guarantee. It’s a lot to pick up a playbook and build chemistry with a quarterback starting in November. If there was a time to trade Uche for a wide receiver, it was back in the spring.
Michael Daly on Twitter: "People are turning on Bill O'Brien as Mac Jones keeps being a subpar quarterback. Why can't people just say Jones has to be benched? / Twitter"
People are turning on Bill O'Brien as Mac Jones keeps being a subpar quarterback. Why can't people just say Jones has to be benched?
I’m going to need to see the evidence on Mac Jones being ‘a subpar quarterback’ so far in 2023. He currently ranks top 10 in the NFL in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completion percentage (min. 100 pass attempts).
Could Jones be better? Of course. But calling for him to be bench is incredibly short-sighted and feel more like the continuation of a predetermined, prior dislike of the player take rather than the result of objectively watching the games. Not only has Jones shown promise this year, but his would-be replacement Bailey Zappe, struggled throughout the summer to the point that the team was O.K. risking losing him during roster cuts.
In terms of the issues with the Patriots’ offense, neither Jones nor Bill O’Brien look like the biggest issues right now. The lack of production seem to be driven mostly by the struggles of the offensive line, followed by a limited group of playmakers.
Mark Cleland on Twitter: "Rhamondre Stevenson has gone away from what made him have a successful season last year and that's being a North/South runner. Do you think he will return to that style and who can get in his ear to make sure it happens? / Twitter"
Rhamondre Stevenson has gone away from what made him have a successful season last year and that's being a North/South runner. Do you think he will return to that style and who can get in his ear to make sure it happens?
If the Patriots identify these issues with Rhamondre Stevenson on film, it would be running backs coach Vinnie Sunseri that would likely be tasked with working with him to find a fix. That being said, it hasn’t looked easy to run behind the offensive line. The best thing the Patriots can do for Stevenson at this point is get him more of a push up front. If Stevenson doesn’t have to do as much to find rushing lanes as often as he has through three games, I think you’ll see him start to look like a more determined ball carrier.
How would you be happy with the season playing out at this point forward?
— Collin St.John (@CollinStjohn) September 27, 2023Making the playoffs is still the bar this team needs to hit. Missing out two years in a row after making the postseason with a rookie quarterback would be noticeably significant regression.
Agro on Twitter: "For everyone who was banging the table for DeAndre Hopkins... do you think he's doing for Tennessee what everyone projected he'd do for the Patriots? / Twitter"
For everyone who was banging the table for DeAndre Hopkins... do you think he's doing for Tennessee what everyone projected he'd do for the Patriots?
Playing in an offense that’s worse than the Patriots’, and that throws the ball less, Hopkins still has as many catches (14) and more yards (153) than any current Patriots receiver. It’s tough to say whether he’d hit the ‘projections’ people had for him in New England since there was such a wide range, but early on it does look like he would have improved the offense to some extent.
Will Tyquan have an impact on this team? Even if he's not a WR1 I feel like they're lacking high end speed to take the top off the defense and open things up underneath. Thoughts?
— PatsFanKev (@PatsFanKev) September 27, 2023The second point Kev makes here is absolutely correct. A vertical element would definitely help the Patriots’ offense be more effective both throwing the ball underneath and make things easier on the run game as well. Can Tyquan Thornton be that guy?
That role is about more than being fast. If he can’t get open/earn targets/catch the ball, teams will still probably be comfortable covering him one-on-one. If he starts making plays deep, that’s when things will change.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
