New England Sports Thread

[31to6]

any extant Pats fans?
If so, do you
a) fire Mayo if you can hire Vrabel
b) draft Hunter if he's there, or McMillan, or someone else? (Graham/Carter/Campbell/Banks)

me:
a) yes, tomorrow
b) idk that's why I'm hoping for an opinion or two. Based on measurables I like McMillan, but I don't know if I have the stomach for another bust at WR

I trust Mayo. I like Mayo. Scrutinizing him based on a single rebuilding season seems stupid, especially where he acquired existing issues.

Where is this idea coming from? Some random journalist? We could have hired Vrabel a year ago but we hired Mayo. Vrabel is currently a consultant for the Browns and can have a coordinator position if he wants.

Not too familiar with draft prospects off the top of my head, but will take a quick glance to address names mentioned.

It's cool that Hunter plays both sides of the ball, but does he truly stand to excel on either? He might, idk.

McMillan has been putting up some big numbers on a not so great team for two straight seasons. Granted last year's UA team wasn't so bad, guy accounted for 35% of his team's passing (receiving) yards at 20 y/o. This season he has accounted for more than 40% of his team's passing yards. I'd go McMillan over Hunter, I guess.

Of other names, Abdul Carter looks pretty good? But Will Campbell plays OL and we need that more.

Vrabel-for-Mayo proposed by Bill Simmons, and perhaps Curran. Reactionary, to be sure. It's also an open question of if the Pats have anyone to take the pulse of the locker room/facility on things like this.

[Parliament10]

any extant Pats fans?
If so, do you
a) fire Mayo if you can hire Vrabel
b) draft Hunter if he's there, or McMillan, or someone else? (Graham/Carter/Campbell/Banks)

me:
a) yes, tomorrow
b) idk that's why I'm hoping for an opinion or two. Based on measurables I like McMillan, but I don't know if I have the stomach for another bust at WR

I trust Mayo. I like Mayo. Scrutinizing him based on a single rebuilding season seems stupid, especially where he acquired existing issues.

Where is this idea coming from? Some random journalist? We could have hired Vrabel a year ago but we hired Mayo. Vrabel is currently a consultant for the Browns and can have a coordinator position if he wants.

Not too familiar with draft prospects off the top of my head, but will take a quick glance to address names mentioned.

It's cool that Hunter plays both sides of the ball, but does he truly stand to excel on either? He might, idk.

McMillan has been putting up some big numbers on a not so great team for two straight seasons. Granted last year's UA team wasn't so bad, guy accounted for 35% of his team's passing (receiving) yards at 20 y/o. This season he has accounted for more than 40% of his team's passing yards. I'd go McMillan over Hunter, I guess.

Of other names, Abdul Carter looks pretty good? But Will Campbell plays OL and we need that more.

Vrabel-for-Mayo proposed by Bill Simmons, and perhaps Curran. Reactionary, to be sure. It's also an open question of if the Pats have anyone to take the pulse of the locker room/facility on things like this.

Vrabel as a Coordinator on Mayo's Staff. That would work for me.
Remember when Belichick had those 2 Coordinators who were Head Coach level, themselves?

Edit:
Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis.

[Gurton Buster]

any extant Pats fans?
If so, do you
a) fire Mayo if you can hire Vrabel
b) draft Hunter if he's there, or McMillan, or someone else? (Graham/Carter/Campbell/Banks)

me:
a) yes, tomorrow
b) idk that's why I'm hoping for an opinion or two. Based on measurables I like McMillan, but I don't know if I have the stomach for another bust at WR

A) Mayo may be a problem but i thing a bigger problem lies within the overall talent of the roster and the rookie coordinators (avp has never been the playcaller before) atm along with a rookie coach. Firing Mayo after one year may be premature but only the owners and gm really know if mayo has been good behind the scenes or not so im not for or against it either way he hasn’t impressed me at all lol.

B) Travis Hunter all the way over TMac, TMac is a reach at top 3, Travis is a better prospect on both sides of the floor he’s generational. Especially in this draft when hes the best player if hes available i dont see why you dont draft him especially with our needs at wr. If not just draft the best freak athlete available we have needs all over the roster. The tackles seem like a reach at top 3 as well, I like carter and graham but prefer hunter.

[Fencer reregistered]

I always thought Vrabel would wind up as the head coach of Ohio State.

And it is said to be likely that that job will open up this offseason.

[31to6]

I trust Mayo. I like Mayo. Scrutinizing him based on a single rebuilding season seems stupid, especially where he acquired existing issues.

Where is this idea coming from? Some random journalist? We could have hired Vrabel a year ago but we hired Mayo. Vrabel is currently a consultant for the Browns and can have a coordinator position if he wants.

Not too familiar with draft prospects off the top of my head, but will take a quick glance to address names mentioned.

It's cool that Hunter plays both sides of the ball, but does he truly stand to excel on either? He might, idk.

McMillan has been putting up some big numbers on a not so great team for two straight seasons. Granted last year's UA team wasn't so bad, guy accounted for 35% of his team's passing (receiving) yards at 20 y/o. This season he has accounted for more than 40% of his team's passing yards. I'd go McMillan over Hunter, I guess.

Of other names, Abdul Carter looks pretty good? But Will Campbell plays OL and we need that more.

Vrabel-for-Mayo proposed by Bill Simmons, and perhaps Curran. Reactionary, to be sure. It's also an open question of if the Pats have anyone to take the pulse of the locker room/facility on things like this.

Vrabel as a Coordinator on Mayo's Staff. That would work for me.
Remember when Belichick had those 2 Coordinators who were Head Coach level, themselves?

Edit:
Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis.

do remember, and did like those days. But you need leadership at the top, and it's an open question as to whether or not Mayo can provide that. I've seen a lot of coaches, done a lot of coaching, I don't like to not give a guy a chance, but sometimes it makes sense to not give a guy much of a chance if you have things ripped down to the studs anyway.

In my mind, it's just situation-specific though: if Vrabel is bound for OSU anyway, forget it, honestly

[threrf23]

do remember, and did like those days. But you need leadership at the top, and it's an open question as to whether or not Mayo can provide that. I've seen a lot of coaches, done a lot of coaching, I don't like to not give a guy a chance, but sometimes it makes sense to not give a guy much of a chance if you have things ripped down to the studs anyway.

In my mind, it's just situation-specific though: if Vrabel is bound for OSU anyway, forget it, honestly

And what exactly makes people think that Mayo is a poor leader? What makes people think that Vrabel is a good leader. Not saying that Vrabel isn't a good leader, but...Titans finished 6-11 last season?

Mayo is one of those guys who seems incredibly well regarded by just about everyone who has crossed his path. And all things considered the Pats have looked good at times this season. It's just hot heads making hot takes rn...

[ParticleMan]

1. It's hard to make any judgements on coaching given the talent level of this roster. The coaching has been poor but I doubt they are telling OL's to hold every other play and tackles to let guys blow by them. Everyone thought the Pats would be one of the worst teams in the L, and guess what they are. The coaching has been part of the problem, but far from all of it.

2. For all that's gone wrong, one thing that has gone VERY right is Drake Maye. He has progressed faster and is better than most anyone thought he would be at this point. You can't discount the coaching staff's role in this. Maybe not Mayo directly, but the last thing you want to do is fire the coach and bring in a new guy who will hire his own staff, change the system etc. We can't afford to yank Drake Maye around like that. We've seen that movie before, it doesn't end well.

[31to6]

do remember, and did like those days. But you need leadership at the top, and it's an open question as to whether or not Mayo can provide that. I've seen a lot of coaches, done a lot of coaching, I don't like to not give a guy a chance, but sometimes it makes sense to not give a guy much of a chance if you have things ripped down to the studs anyway.

In my mind, it's just situation-specific though: if Vrabel is bound for OSU anyway, forget it, honestly

And what exactly makes people think that Mayo is a poor leader? What makes people think that Vrabel is a good leader. Not saying that Vrabel isn't a good leader, but...Titans finished 6-11 last season?

Mayo is one of those guys who seems incredibly well regarded by just about everyone who has crossed his path. And all things considered the Pats have looked good at times this season. It's just hot heads making hot takes rn...

3-10, poor defensive season, endless penalties, straight up blunders while talking with the media, and a complete absence of any players saying good things about him all season have me thinking Mayo *might be* a poor leader. I had a high opinion of him coming in, and can still believe in it working out for him as a HC here. I think the Krafts are very unlikely to pull the plug on him after just one season -- don't want that sort of negative press -- so the point is probably moot.

Vrabel may have won 'only' twice as many games in his last season with TEN as the Pats have won this season, but I think he clearly had the Titans overperforming for several seasons, including some high AFC seeds, so that is the evidence that makes me think he is a good leader.

I could be wrong. Curious what others think. It's one of few things to talk about the Pats right now.

[31to6]

1. It's hard to make any judgements on coaching given the talent level of this roster. The coaching has been poor but I doubt they are telling OL's to hold every other play and tackles to let guys blow by them. Everyone thought the Pats would be one of the worst teams in the L, and guess what they are. The coaching has been part of the problem, but far from all of it.

2. For all that's gone wrong, one thing that has gone VERY right is Drake Maye. He has progressed faster and is better than most anyone thought he would be at this point. You can't discount the coaching staff's role in this. Maybe not Mayo directly, but the last thing you want to do is fire the coach and bring in a new guy who will hire his own staff, change the system etc. We can't afford to yank Drake Maye around like that. We've seen that movie before, it doesn't end well.

Well said -- if I'm Johnathan Kraft I ask Maye what he thinks of his coaching staff and do exactly what he wants.

If I'm Robert Kraft I'd spend more time with my hot ophthalmologist wife and less time in NFL stadiums.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

If he plays Jaden Springer in the 4th, I'm out.

[cl2117]

Vrabel probably is the right choice.

Mayo's had a rough year. He's struggled with the "soft" skills of the job (throwing players/coordinators under the bus). Obviously the roster isn't up to scratch and that's not his fault, but it hasn't felt like coaching has been propping us up at all. I actually think he'll be a fine NFL coach, but there's clearly going to be teething problems as he gets acclimated. If ownership isn't going to ride with him through thick and thin for next 2-3 years they should just dump him now. You don't want Maye having a switch of coaching staffs going into year 3/4, just rip the band-aid off now and make the most of his rookie contract.

Vrabel's resume is strong. It's surprising he's even available. The Titans teams he had felt like they overperformed their talent level. Tannehill had a really good run but when he regressed/was injured they were mid. But they were never a basement level team. Give him a roster headlined by Drake Maye, a top 5 pick from this year and $40m worth of free agents and he might be able to give you the same kind of results if not better thanks to potentially better QB play.

Our roster is still trash, so it's not going to be an immediate turnaround whether it's Mayo or Vrabel or Vince Lombardi. If you're already considering throwing in the towel on Mayo, you might as well just do it.

[ConstableGeneva]

via PattonAnalytics:

Drake Maye is poised to be a MVP candidate in the near future

[ConstableGeneva]

via Mike Reiss:

From @ESPNStatsInfo: Drake Maye now has 3 touchdown passes this season of at least 35 or more air yards, the most such TD passes by a Patriots quarterback in a season since Tom Brady (3) in 2009.

Maye about to come after Tatum's King of New England crown if JT's not careful.

[cl2117]

If I'm Drake Maye I'm telling Mayo/Kraft to let me play and then ensuring that they lose this game to secure the #1 pick.

Can't risk handing the keys over to Jacoby or Joe Milton and having them do their version of Drew Lock's ridiculous week 17 performance that lost the Giants control over the #1 pick in the first place. Go out there and do what needs to be done, throwing as many easy pick 6's as you need to, at the end of the day everyone will love you for it.

This is the #1 overall pick we're talking about. You can stay put and pick the #1 overall prospect in Travis Hunter to pair with Maye (or Gonzalez on defense if you want to go that route). You can probably trade back to #3 and still get Hunter as well as an extra 2nd or two or even a 1st. You could trade back even further and pick up multiple 1sts while still getting a top 10 talent.

We're locked in at 4th overall regardless, but the swing from #4 to #1 is probably worth a first round pick if not more. There is no way in hell a week 18 win against a Bills team that's likely playing it's 2nd/3rd string guys is in any way, shape or form worth losing that pick.

For the love of god please don't **** this up.

[31to6]

Can Maye really go out there and lose the game, though? A lot of years of muscle memory making plays is tough to overcome.

Jacoby should be deep in mothballs. Milton is the one to worry about. Hopefully the coaching staff has given him enough reps to have a sense of "if you put him in, will he make plays?"

Start Maye and see how it's going. If you need to throttle back and think Milton will do that, sub him in whenever.

Sit Gonzalez. Feature Polk and Baker at WR from the opening kick. That probably does a lot to get you towards the loss you need.

[cl2117]

Can Maye really go out there and lose the game, though? A lot of years of muscle memory making plays is tough to overcome.

Jacoby should be deep in mothballs. Milton is the one to worry about. Hopefully the coaching staff has given him enough reps to have a sense of "if you put him in, will he make plays?"

Start Maye and see how it's going. If you need to throttle back and think Milton will do that, sub him in whenever.

Sit Gonzalez. Feature Polk and Baker at WR from the opening kick. That probably does a lot to get you towards the loss you need.

100% he can go out there and lose it. Doesn't even need to throw picks (although that'd help), just sail every pass into the 2nd row. 3 and outs on every drive and let us mercifully get to the offseason sitting pretty with the 1st overall pick.

Don't forget that the Bills are going to be sitting pretty much every key player of theirs after the first drive, so it's the kind of competition that the likes of Jacoby and Milton could genuinely beat. Again look at Drew Locke last week putting up 5 TDs despite being passed over for Tommy Cutlets after Daniel Jones got dumped.

Anything can happen, that's why I want the QB with the most to gain from landing the #1 pick at the helm. Jacoby and Milton are auditioning for jobs, Drake's got a chokehold on this job until his rookie deal runs out. He can afford to have a **** game on his resume if it means next year he has a new #1 option to throw to. That's his best path to a monster contract when that ends.

[31to6]

Can Maye really go out there and lose the game, though? A lot of years of muscle memory making plays is tough to overcome.

Jacoby should be deep in mothballs. Milton is the one to worry about. Hopefully the coaching staff has given him enough reps to have a sense of "if you put him in, will he make plays?"

Start Maye and see how it's going. If you need to throttle back and think Milton will do that, sub him in whenever.

Sit Gonzalez. Feature Polk and Baker at WR from the opening kick. That probably does a lot to get you towards the loss you need.

100% he can go out there and lose it. Doesn't even need to throw picks (although that'd help), just sail every pass into the 2nd row. 3 and outs on every drive and let us mercifully get to the offseason sitting pretty with the 1st overall pick.

Don't forget that the Bills are going to be sitting pretty much every key player of theirs after the first drive, so it's the kind of competition that the likes of Jacoby and Milton could genuinely beat. Again look at Drew Locke last week putting up 5 TDs despite being passed over for Tommy Cutlets after Daniel Jones got dumped.

Anything can happen, that's why I want the QB with the most to gain from landing the #1 pick at the helm. Jacoby and Milton are auditioning for jobs, Drake's got a chokehold on this job until his rookie deal runs out. He can afford to have a **** game on his resume if it means next year he has a new #1 option to throw to. That's his best path to a monster contract when that ends.

I appreciate your take. Will be curious to see how it unfolds. Looks like a ton of guys (aka almost everyone, including Polk! but not Maye) missed practice yesterday (Thursday) and were on the injury list.

[threrf23]

Joe Milton looks really good

[31to6]

If I'm Drake Maye I'm telling Mayo/Kraft to let me play and then ensuring that they lose this game to secure the #1 pick.

Can't risk handing the keys over to Jacoby or Joe Milton and having them do their version of Drew Lock's ridiculous week 17 performance that lost the Giants control over the #1 pick in the first place. Go out there and do what needs to be done, throwing as many easy pick 6's as you need to, at the end of the day everyone will love you for it.

This is the #1 overall pick we're talking about. You can stay put and pick the #1 overall prospect in Travis Hunter to pair with Maye (or Gonzalez on defense if you want to go that route). You can probably trade back to #3 and still get Hunter as well as an extra 2nd or two or even a 1st. You could trade back even further and pick up multiple 1sts while still getting a top 10 talent.

We're locked in at 4th overall regardless, but the swing from #4 to #1 is probably worth a first round pick if not more. There is no way in hell a week 18 win against a Bills team that's likely playing it's 2nd/3rd string guys is in any way, shape or form worth losing that pick.

For the love of god please don't **** this up.

You were on this early my guy: Milton 10-for-10 and just threw a 48y strike to put them up 14-7.
Hope the Bills backups give a **** and start playing some defense

[31to6]

This observation might not matter for beans, but Boutte is proving that LSU WRs in the NFL are kind of like Kentucky guards in the NBA: worth drafting

went from (I think) barely making the roster to looking like a piece worth keeping moving forward