Bedard's Breakdown (Offense): Mac Jones outstanding - what it means, and knee issue

Upon further review, Mac Jones was really good against the Eagles.

Like really good.

Cam Newton played fine in his 17 snaps, but Jones was outstanding in his 42 — after his first pass attempt was nearly picked off.

Newton, despite having the advantage of playing with the Patriots starters against Eagles backups, had two plus plays — both throws to Jakobi Meyers — but also two minus plays: the poor throw to James White after scrambling, and a late throw and decision on 3rd down to White.

Jones' competition was more apples to apples. He played with backups against backups. Should he still excel in that situation? Yes. Did he? Absolutely.

We had Jones for nine plus plays against one minus decision — that near interception where he didn't see the linebacker reading his eyes (Jones will need to improve in this area).

At this point, the only thing he has left to prove, in this setting, is doing that against NFL starters. It remains to be seen whether or not Bill Belichick will give him that opportunity in the final week of prep before the team disappears behind closed doors for two weeks until the season opener.

But there's one thing that happened against the Eagles that gave me pause, and it may be the reason why Belichick keeps Jones in the garage when the regular season starts.

The left knee.

This isn't normal. To take a beat before getting up without contact, and to purposely avoid using your left knee to get off the ground ... something isn't right.

Jones suffered an injury in the national championship game but stayed in.

"I had a really bad bone bruise, which I don't know, they thought maybe something worse had happened," Jones said at the time. "We did the x-rays and stuff and everything is good. I'll probably be really sore, black and blue, but just happy to be able to finish out the game."

While Jones would have been pored over NFL doctors during the draft process, it's not usual for an NFL prospect to put off getting injuries fixed in the run-up to the draft. Don't want to hurt that draft stock and guaranteed money.

Who knows what this injury is and where it came from. Jones got dinged a little against Washington, showed up with a knee brace and told us it was just precautionary. OK... Now this.

If Belichick's main concern coming into this season was Jones' ability to last 17-plus NFL games as a rookie with a body that needs a serious makeover if he's going to be a franchise quarterback — Mike Lombardi commented on that after the Patriots drafted Jones — then this would basically solidify that Jones is going to have to come off the bench at some point. 

I don't think it's a bad plan. I think Jones is ready to be an NFL starter right now, but I'm not sure he can last the season until he has a full offseason to get his body NFL-ready. If the Patriots think they can win games with Newton, I think it would be wise for the Patriots to delay his ascension until at least the middle of the season, if fortunes allow (a 1-3 start or of the like might not). If you start him in November, that's still nine games left plus playoffs. If the Patriots are successful with Newton, a switch could wait until the Dec. 12 bye week. At that point, the Patriots will have seen Newton against everyone in the division (first Bills matchup is Dec. 6) and know if Newton can beat them (Patriots will have played the Browns, Titans and Bills in a four-week stretch). Inserting Jones then would give him games against the Colts, Bills, Jaguars and Dolphins.

Jones was slinging the ball all over the field against the Eagles, some with unexpected heat. While he has much to learn, Jones' accuracy is off the charts. He can operate the two minute and lift up any unit he works with. He has touch on deep balls. He can fit the ball into tight windows. He's starting to looking off safeties more. He can get the Patriots in and out of good plays. He doesn't bat an eye being put in 1st and 20 about 10 times. 

He was one small thing that opened up my eyes. 

First play of the second half, the Patriots don't have the right personnel on the field and run Gunner Olszewski out late. The umpire correctly stands over the ball to give the Eagles time to sub. The playclock is ticking down under 8 seconds. The umpire doesn't back away until there are 3 seconds left on the playclock.

Does Jones panic? Not in the slightest. He's ready to go, the ball is snapped with 1 second left and he rips a hitch to Kristian Wilkerson. 

Jones will be the Patriots' starter for some time. The only question is when, and that may have more to do with physical questions than anything. 

Here are the positional ratings against the Eagles:

OFFENSE

Quarterback (4 out of 5)

Newton looked more comfortable and he's getting better at the little things (like playaction), but I wouldn't write home about it. It was literally men vs. boys out there with the Patriots' first-team offense. ... The old Newton showed on the first third down. Not only would it have been wiser to throw backshoulder to Nelson Agholor, but he came back to White late and caused the interception. ... On Jones' first third down conversion of the game, 19 yards to Harry on 3rd and 13, Jones used a slight shoulder fake to the flat to open up space for the throw. Newton also did that once. Seemed to be a point of emphasis for Josh McDaniels this week against the Eagles' zone coverage and the QBs executed.

Running backs (5 out of 5)

Patriots really have something in Rhamondre Stevenson and JJ Taylor. Both look more and more confident with every passing week. You just wonder, like Jones, when the Patriots will feel comfortable giving them the snaps for Sony Michel and James White. ... Yes, Stevenson had the fumble but we had him for five broken tackles. That's a huge number. ... Sony Michel continues to run hard and quicker. ... Didn't love Damien Harris in this game as he hesitated a few times. Want to see him get back on track.

Receivers (2 out of 5)

Drops for Kendrick Bourne, N'Keal Harry (who did not sustain damage to his left shoulder but will be out for an unknown amount of time), Devin Ross and Devin Asiasi. Not good enough. Both the Bourne and Asiasi drops were due to poor hand work. ... Asiasi's was like Day 1 of TE school. He HAS to be better than that. ... Another great day for Jakobi Meyers. ... Are the Patriots going to try to get Nelson Agholor the ball at some point, or are is he just touring the preseason?

Offensive line (4 out of 5)

Really good job all around by everyone on the line, but have to say this: Yodny Cajuste was awesome in this game as he continues to hold the backup left tackle spot. Go watch the big Sony Michel run on 2nd and 10 with 3:53 left in the first quarter. Cajuste absolutely flies down the field to the second level. WOW. Had him for four plus blocks in this game, which is outstanding. 

THREE UP

Mac Jones: Please Bill, for all that is holy, get him real reps against starters this week. He's your guy. Find out all you can right now, but that smile up top says it all.

JJ Taylor/Rhamondre Stevenson: Both were outstanding. I can't choose.

Yodny Cajuste: Becoming a real standout in his first training camp.

THREE DOWN

Marcus Martin: Slim pickings and he's solid, but a hurry and stuff/holding penalty.

N'Keal Harry: Was horrible blocking on a toss play to Harris, and dropped a touchdown. This might be the end. He could milk this shoulder for a while.

Nelson Agholor: Had a nice run block in a TD, but he's here to catch passes. Are we going to see him do that?