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Mac Jones & Belichick's Poor Coaching

Mab Sidam

Mac Jones of the New England Patriots is one of the most controversial QB's in the NFL. The supporters see an ascending star, the critics see a floundering average QB. 

Mac Jones is commonly mis-profiled as a pocket passer, in the mold of Tom Brady. A quick look at his Alabama tape reveals he can throw darts but does his best damage down-the-field on designed routes. Jones led Alabama to an undefeated 2020 season with the following stats:

  • 77.4% (311/402) completion rate
  • 4,500 Passing Yards
  • 11.2 Yards per pass
  • 41 Passing TDs
  • 4 Interceptions 

Jones has a great arm on short and intermediate throws, but he doesn't have the kind of cannon other passers have to let it rip at will. The majority of his deep passes must be on designed routes to exceptionally threatening playmakers.

Jones is a statue in the pocket. Across 14 games last season, Jones only surpassed 10 rushing yards in 4 games.

Furthermore to have any semblance of the success he had in college, Jones desperately needs an exceptional o-Line and a play caller who gets it out his hands fast.

Under these circumstances, Jones is not the primary playmaker. It was DaVonte Smith of Alabama, not Mac Jones, that won the Heisman. Mac Jones is only a complimentary piece.

Coach/GM of the New England Patriots Bill Belichick was supposed to be the ideal destination for Mac Jones. Belichick's coaching reputation was such that many thought Jones would be molded into the next Tom Brady. Sadly, this has not been the case. The Patriots offense has been highlighted the last few years by miscommunications with wide receivers, no chemistry with tight ends, a stable offensive line and a borderline effective running game. This Patriots offense is mediocre at best and no defense is afraid.

At Alabama Mac Jones experienced the inverse of this setup. The connection Mac Jones had with DaVonte Smith could be described as telepathic. Outstanding John Metchie and Jaylen Waddle were Jones's #2 and #3 receivers. Unanimous All American Najee Harris rotating with current Washington Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. made Alabama's offense like a chainsaw. Every defense in its wake was shredded.

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The Belichick-led Patriot's offense pales in comparison:

WR unit 2023:

  • DeVante Parker (#1)
  • JuJu Smith-Schuster (#7)
  • Kendrick Bourne (#84)
  • Kayshon Boutte (#80)
  • Demario Douglas (#81)
  • Matthew Slater (#18)

There is no real speed here. Nor are there any high level playmakers. DaVonte Smith was setting records. None of these WRs are capable of that.

DeVante Parker/Juju Smith-Schuster are great for possession routes but are not yards after catch threats like the Alabama track team of 2020. Bourne doesn't have the speed to compliment Mac Jones. Both Douglas and Boutte are recent 6th round flyers and any production from them should be considered a surprise.

The receiver set the Patriots have now are good for a dink-and-dunk passing offense that Brady could pull off. Belichick is trying to mold Mac Jones into a dink-and-dunk passer, but Jones never will be that guy. Belichick is missing the obvious.

 

RB unit 2023:

  • Rhamondre Stevenson (#38)
  • Ezekiel Elliott (#15)
  • Ty Montgomery (#14)

Alabama's Najee Harris was an all-world back performing heroics week in and week out. None of these RBs can do that. This pushes the playmaker burden in the backfield to Mac Jones, but he is not a capable playmaker. 

Alabama's coach, Steve Sarkisian, designed their scheme that consistently got wide receivers open, the receivers used their outrageous speed and combined playmaking threat to overwhelm defenses, and Najee Harris was a threat to run or catch at all times. Mac Jones had a buffet of options at Alabama. As a Patriot New England is essentially a desert wasteland of playmakers.

As a long time Patriot's supporter it's sad to see where the project currently stands. The Patriots offense has been an extraordinary waste of free agent spending and draft picks. All that investment has failed to breath life into a terrible offense.

How many of these names do you know?

Offensive 2021 draft picks:

  • Mac Jones, QB - 1st round
  • Rhamondre Stevenson, RB - 4th round
  • Tre Nixon, WR - 7th round 

Offensive 2022 draft picks: 

  • Cole Strange, LG - 1st round
  • Tyquan Thornton, WR - 2nd round
  • Pierre Strong, RB - 4th round (currently with the Cleveland Browns)
  • Bailey Zapper, QB - 5th round
  • Kevin Harris, RB - 6th round
  • Chasen Hines, G - 6th round (currently with the Miami Dolphins)
  • Andrew Stueber, G - 7th round

Offensive 2023 draft picks:

  • Jake Andrews, C/RG - 4th round
  • Sidy Sow, RG/RT - 4th round
  • Atonio Mafi, LG - 5th round
  • Kayshon Boutte, WR - 6th round
  • Demario Douglas, WR - 6th round