As the NFL trade deadline approaches at 4 p.m., what would be looking for if you were the Patriots?
- Maybe a cornerback, since you traded your best one and lost another starter to injury.
- A game-breaking receiver because, God knows, every NFL fan (especially in New England) thinks their team is one receiver away from being the 2007 Patriots.
- An offensive tackle, since the Patriots have a revolving door there?
- A speedy slot to give the Patriots what they had with Wes Welker and Julian Edelman?
Those all sound reasonable. And maybe they will find one.
We'll give you a few notes on our initial all-22 viewing from the Chargers game in a second, but according to league sources who are familiar with what the Patriots are looking for at the trade deadline, New England is trying to land a combination (run/pass) defensive end.
Of course they are. Just like we all expected.
I've been told it's not just a pass rusher ... they want someone good against the run too. I do not have any names for you at this time.
What does this mean?
I would say it doesn't mean that Byron Cowart is expected back anytime soon. Maybe he had a setback and they want more coverage there.
Hopefully, it means less of Deatrich Wise at 3-4 end after he was again exposed against the Chargers. If that happens, there will be much rejoicing (he's still a fine subpackage player).
But it does make some sense. They are a bit thin there with just Wise, Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore and Carl Davis as 3-4 linemen against the run and Wise isn't really a 3-4 end. That's a pretty thin group if they sustain an injury and Cowart isn't coming back. Carl Davis looks like he got hurt against the Chargers and he could be on the shelf, furthering the need for a depth trade like this.
Initial film notes/thoughts to get you through the day:
Things I feel good about
- Damien Harris has developed into an outstanding back. Had him for 12 plus plays in this game. Even some of his short runs are impressive. His vision and burst is just outstanding.
- Looks like they got back to their offensive identity back in the second half after being way too pass-happy in the first half.
- Mac Jones made some subtly nice plays with playaction in the second, throwing with anticipation (N'Keal Harry sideline play, 2-point conversion).
- They grinded through this offensively. Give Chargers credit. They cover really well, disguise some stuff. Fast defense. Wasn't anyone's best day outside of Harris and found a way to scrape enough with big help from defense/STs. Every offense has days like this. Can you play winning football? The answer was yes.
Things I'm worried about
- On Jones ... yeah, he got sped up a bit, made more poor reads than normal. Not sure why he was sped up. Pressure wasn't a huge issue but I think it was a combination of coverage, pressure and Chargers speed. He was just a half-second too quick with everything.
- Nelson Agholor has started to be a chronic complainer after incomplete passes, or when he's open and not getting the ball. The play with 28 seconds left in the first half, he basically threw a tantrum after it. And he's still running crappy routes at times. He needs to settle down.
- Jakob Johnson ... they should start to look for better at this position. He's decidedly average after a promising start to his career.
- Isaiah Wynn ... they have to be regretting his fifth-year option. Barely showed up to anything in offseaon, and he's not good. Wouldnt be surprised if they try to move him in the offseason. Texans? Put Trent Brown in if he ever returns healthy.
Other thoughts:
- The Patriots did to Herbert exactly what the Ravens did. He has a real issue with different looks and pressures. The league is figuring him out. This victory may not look very good a month from now.
- The timeouts were a joke. And the review, that had to be Matt Patricia. Don't want to blame a guy you're not paying.
- I don't expect them to do anything at the trade deadline. Said STs LB last week, and then went and signed a STs LB. They could trade for one still. NFL sources said not to expect anything.
- If they want a CB, they can't give up more than what they got for Stephon Gilmore, which is nothing. I was told Gilmore asked the Panthers coaches to cover rookie TE Kyle Pitts. Result: 3 passes, 1 completion for 2 yards, 1 game-clinching interception.