Let me get this straight ... there are people who actually think Mac Jones has underachieved so far this season?
And, for full transparency, I heard this for the first time on Felger & Mazz on Friday with Chris Gasper, who basically insinuated the Patriots aren't happy with Jones and could deal him in the offseason, and thinks Jones has not done enough to elevate the team.
As to the former, there is absolutely no truth that is being talked about within the Patriots. Gasper is very plugged in and I respect him immensely, so I checked. Someone could have told him that, absolutely. Never hurts to doublecheck.
I was met with pretty much laughter across the board. The Patriots are very excited where Jones is, and for his future.
You know why?
BECAUSE HE'S PLAYED FOUR FREAKING NFL GAMES.
Do you know what Gasper's demigod/man crush, Tom Brady, was doing four games into his NFL career? At best, he was carrying a clipboard in street clothes at Pro Player Stadium as the Patriots lost 10-3 to the Dolphins. At worst, he was at home back in New England watching on television.
Brady was inactive for the game, right alongside Michael Bishop. John Friesz was Drew Bledsoe's backup, meaning Brady was either third or fourth on the depth chart (likely fourth since Bishop was in his second season — btw, Bishop was awesome at Kansas State).
Let's stick with Brady for a second.
Jones just made his fourth NFL start, with a team that had 10 wins in its previous 25 games, in only the biggest Patriots regular-season game arguably ever. Tom Freaking Brady was on the other sideline ... and Jones went toe to toe with him, especially in the final quarter. Let's leave out the fact that most rookies would have leaked down their leg in that environment. Jones should take heat ... because a third-down pass that probably would have ended the game, was tipped on a great play by Lavonte David? And because Belichick thought the best option was to allow an injured and old kicker to attempt a kick he hadn't made in a decade in a rainstorm?
If the Patriots found a way to win that game, what would the narrative be about Jones and the team at 2-2? A few inches, a different Belichick decision, perhaps J.J. Taylor not fumbling ... that's enough to change the entire narrative on a QB?
I mean, sweet fancy Moses, would nothing short of walking on water through four games be good enough?
Look, was it likely the Patriots' preference to start Jones as a rookie? Probably not. While some QBs can have success as rookies (lest we remind you there are 13 games remaining), team success with a rookie QB is fleeting — no rookie QB has led his team to the Super Bowl. But, as with other positions in recent years, this is the mess Bill Belichick has made for himself. It was Cam Newton or Jones. It has nothing to do with Jones.
Starting from Day 1 as a rookie is not easy. Some certainly have some personal and team success very early. No rookie QB started 4-0 in the first four games of his career in the last decade. Carson Wentz, Dak Prescott and, wait for it, Drew Lock are the only rookie QBs to start 3-1.
Rookie QBs who started 4 first games (Stathead.com)
Gasper said Jones, at 1-3, has not elevated his team enough. He could be right, but let's also keep in mind that Jones got this jalopy of a team to the verge of victory against the Dolphins (Damien Harris fumble) and Brady and the Bucs (tipped pass). Didn't work out, but that's football.
Lock, though, he obviously elevated the Broncos, right?
Justin Herbert is terrific, and was as a rookie, has the stats to back that up. But he started 0-4 on his way to being named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROTY). Do we then say he didn't elevate the Chargers?
Cam Newton was NFL OROTY as well ... he started 1-3 and trailed Jones in most passing stats. Did he make the Panthers immediately better?
Kyler Murray is a pretty special talent and NFL OROTY ... started 0-3-1. Did he elevate?
Andrew Luck was a generational talent at QB. He started 2-2 while completing 54 percent, had a lower passer rating than Jones and threw one more pick.
Derek Carr ... 0-4.
Russell Wilson was 2-2 to start his career and his passer rating was 11 points lower than Jones and he completed 60 of his passes.
Ryan Tannehill and Jared Goff brought up the rear.
The point here, is that it is extremely unfair to judge a rookie starter after four games and draw any conclusions. Yes, they could be Prescott, where the stats match the record starting the first four games and predict the future.
They could also be Lock.
Wilson, if you remember, was very mediocre through the first five games of his career (3-2, 63 completion percentage, 5 TDs, 6 INTs, 75.2 rating). When the Seahawks trailed the Patriots 17-10 at halftime at home, some wondered if they lost to fall to 3-3, might it be time to go to Matt Flynn? Everything changed in the second half, and Seattle's comeback win started the ascension of Wilson and the Seahawks on their way to becoming World Champions.
Wilson and the Seahawks are a perfect example of how with young players and teams that struggle out of the gates, that it only takes one moment for things to change. Suddenly, everything clicks. It was Week 6 for them. When, if ever, will it happen for Jones and the Patriots?
That's why trying to discern what a rookie QB is or isn't after four games is, let's be honest, ludicrous.
And to put Jones under the microscope like this when it's blatantly obvious to anyone who has watched the games that Jones is about the 153rd thing not optimal with this squad through four games, is disingenuous.
Let's just say this about Jones to this point: Considering what is going on around him, Jones has played very well. It hasn't been perfect, especially against the Saints, but it's been pretty good. He's made some very good plays, and he's left some on the field (Hunter Henry in the end zone vs. Bucs). We don't know what his future holds, but I believe, after watching QBs for 20 years, that he is going to be a franchise quarterback at some point soon. Will that happen? Who knows? I've been wrong before. I'll be wrong again.
Heck, I watched Aaron Rodgers, after sitting three seasons, play mediocre football (6-10 with a team that was coming off the NFC Championship Game) with some pretty good stats (he started 2-3 that year, by the way). When the Bucs lost to a terrible Bucs team in 2009 to drop to 4-4 (10-14 as a starter), Packers fans wanted everyone fired, including Rodgers. That was a turning point. Green Bay won seven of eight to close the season and quality for the postseason, lost in OT but that set the stage for a Super Bowl victory in 2010.
I know most around here are used to the Patriots just winning all the time. That's just not how most great teams and quarterbacks start, need I remind you how the Patriots' run started.
The Patriots did not draft Jones to carry the team on his back, certainly as a rookie. They know they have to play a certain way for this team to be successful, and that hasn't come close to happening yet.
The much bigger issues:
Offensive line: Everyone knows this has not been good enough, both in pass protection and the running game. Jones has been under siege with a pressure rate of 36 percent. Anything over 30 is a serious issue for a pocket quarterback. Jones has been hit 42 times or a rate of 23 percent — basically one out of every four times he drops back, Jones is getting blasted. A stuff percentage of nearly 40 percent is flat-out embarrassing and it was 89 percent against the Bucs!
For comparison's sake, I went back to the first four games of 2019 to see what stood out. Not exactly an offensive juggernaut that group, and it also had some serious issues on the line, with Marshall Newhouse and Ted Karras playing a lot, and Shaq Mason having an off year.
Brady was pressured 29 percent in the first four games — not great, but not terrible — and he was hit 24 times (14.9 percent). The stuff percentage was 29.2 percent.
Jones and Josh McDaniels simply have not had the time to get more dangerous on the passing game. Would they like to? Hell yeah, but that's very hard to do when you're designing help for both tackles on every possible shot play.
And the run blocking has been a disaster with all involved, including the receivers and tight ends.
What's the issue this season, aside from Trent Brown's balky calf, which should be able to be navigated better than it has?
The players are on the spot here. They have to get better. Things have changed a lot. There's no offseason anymore. The days of players like Dan Connolly or Ryan Wendell being around the facility all offseason to get stronger and better are long gone. Several of the Patriots' offensive linemen either weren't around all offseason, were part-timers or couldn't do much due to issues (Brown). Players today have to have a certain mentality to put the work in, or else they're behind. The Patriots are way, way behind. And until that group collectively busts its ass to get better, it won't. Hopefully it's better in the near future, but will that be too late?
Slow offensive personnel: Nelson Agholor has some speed on the outside, but it's not top end and the Patriots had to overpay for it because they had no other options. Kendrick Bourne has really come on and the feeling is that he's going to bust out very soon (if the line gives Jones time; good luck this week with Mike Onwenu and Isaiah Wynn expected to be out on Covid protocols), and he gives some juice, but he's really like the third receiver. Jakobi Meyers is a really good football player, he's just slow. The Patriots and Jones could really benefit from a speedy slot receiver, ala Wes Welker and Julian Edelman, who can get open consistently and quickly for Jones. The tight ends have not proven to be difference-makers as well.
When Brady and the Patriots didn't have great years in like 2002 (85.7 rating), 2013 (87.3), 2019 (88.0) — and Brady was still certainly productive due to his experience — did people blame Brady? No, they rightfully looked at what was lacking around him.
Defense slow out of the gates: The defense certainly played better against the Buccaneers, although some of that was due to unforced errors from Brady, but let's be honest, they have underachieved to this point as well. I mean, Tua Tagovailoa and Jameis Winston both drove the field against them when a stop was needed to give themselves a chance to win the game. A stop against Brady after Jones had given the Patriots the lead twice in the fourth quarter also could have won the game.
Speed is an issue for that unit too. Dont'a Hightower and Kyle Van Noy look like shells of their former selves to the point the Patriots had to bring back Jamie Collins. Matthew Judon has, really, been the only consistent playmaker on defense.
Special teams: This unit has not been near it's usual level thanks to penalties and punter Jake Bailey. The Patriots are ranked 21st to far by FootballOutsiders.com after finishing first last season.
Look, the Patriots have not been good enough in any area of the game to this point, that's why they are 1-3 and on the brink of their season collapsing earlier than last season.
To peg any of that on Jones, knowing what we know about this team and after four freaking games, is just completely wrong.
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Here are the positional ratings against the Bucs (apologies for the delay ... got backed up with the Sox and Gilmore ... getting caught up. Thanks for your patience):
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3.5 out of 5)
Thought Jones played well in this game overall. Even the interception was under an incredible rush, and Nelson Agholor could have fought a bit harder for the ball; it could have been caught. .... Had him for 10 plus throws in this game and six were with pressure in his face. Had him for five minus plays, including three decisions in the second half. The biggest was not throwing to Hunter Henry in the end zone before he threw across his body.
Third down batted pass
Running backs (1 out of 5)
If the first game after James White is any indication, this could get rough. Not only did Taylor fumble in a huge spot that cost the team three points, but five QB pressures allowed, including Brandon Bolden on the interception. .... The run blocking was awful and the Bucs are really good, so I'm not overly worried about that.
Receivers (2.5 out of 5)
Everyone had some positive plays, including Henry's broken tackle on the touchdown, but there were several breakdowns as well, including just terrible run blocking at times. ... Meyers had a great game in many respects, but he also fumbled (lucky), had 1.5 run stuffs and a drop.
Offensive line (1 out of 5)
Just terrible technique by David Andrews against Vita Vea that led to the first sack on the opening drive. Stopped his feet and reached, was way over his skis. Like rookie stuff. What is going on with this line? ... Wynn really needs to get going. He is getting beat way too much. .... Yes, he had two penalties but I didn't see anything else that warranted Mike Onwenu to get benched in the game. Perhaps it was injury or illness (now in Covid protocols. ... Shaq Mason had a nice bounceback game. ... Order of effectiveness: Mason, Andrews, Onwenu/Karras, Wynn, Herron/Durant.
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DEFENSE
Defensive line (3.5 out of 5)
A better week for this group, although there were still some major breakdowns (seven blown gaps, one edge). ... Matthew Judon basically put the defense on his back with eight impactful plays. Christian Barmore had four, and Lawrence Guy four, all in the second half. ... Chase Winovich and Josh Uche were completely invisible. ... Deatrich Wise met his quota of one impactful play. Now Cris Collinsworth can keep calling him the best player on defense.
Linebackers (0.5 out of 5)
Just nothing out of this group. Hightower had a hurry and that was it. There were eight minus plays in this group, including four by Van Noy. ... Van Noy had a huge fail on his tackle of attempt on Brady on a third down scramble in the fourth quarter. Led with his shoulder and didn't hit him square. He could have stopped Brady and missed.
Secondary (3.5 out of 5)
Not perfect out of this group, but pretty good to hold Brady and Co. Patriots used a lot of Cover 1 man coverage and changed things up occasionally. They saved their best matchups for the high red zone area where Tampa likes to do its best work. Patriots were a bit lucky Brady was off and got basically nothing out of the tight ends without Gronk. Kind of went that way for Brady here too.
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THREE UP
Matt Judon: Eight impactful plays was basically carrying this defense. Seems to love the bright lights and brings an attitude. This unit needs it.
Mac Jones: 11 plus plays and five minus plays is a good ratio in any game, and it's even better when you're getting hit 14 times and have no running game to hold the defending Super Bowl champions at bay. And Brady was watching.
Jalen Mills: Got some help, especially when Chris Godwin released inside from the slot, but good work against Brady's best option.
THREE DOWN
Isaiah Wynn: He got whipped by a rookie, Joe Tryon. Can you imagine if Jason Pierre-Paul was getting in the mix too?
The right tackles: Probably worse than Wynn collectively.
J.J. Taylor: Just a brutal fumble.