The NFL held its fall owners meetings, one of four quarterly get-togethers for the billionaire boys club. The latest happened in New York this week. Patriots boss Robert Kraft and son Jonathan were there, and the expectation - as it always is at these things - was that at least one of them would speak. No dice. Both played dip, duck, and dodge, escaping the media. I get it. I really do. But in choosing to remain silent, they may have told us all we need to know about the situation with the current state of their team. As mom said all those many years ago - if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
You know the team’s record right now and that a legendary coach is presiding over all. Bill Belichick’s resume is what it is. When applying for jobs, they tell you to condense your work history and honors to one page (sadly, I know this all too well this past year). For Belichick, that would be impossible. He’d need a couple of reams of paper to capture his nearly 50 years in professional football. What he’s meant to the game, and especially this organization, will never be forgotten, nor should it be. But right now, it’s difficult to reconcile his past successes with his current failure.
The roster is subpar (how many guys would you say are untouchable? One? Two?). How many players are playing at or above their expected level (maybe a handful)? The message from Belichick is either stale or falling on deaf ears. How else can you explain “starting over” last week and still being plagued by the same kind of mental mistakes in Las Vegas?
Even with the injuries, the Pats should not be getting outscored 93-20 during this three-game losing streak, and the idea that they’re a 9.5-point underdog at home to the Buffalo Bills was unthinkable just a couple of years ago. But everything is on the table in 2023, including the unthinkable - Belichick coaching for his job. And even if he somehow gets this team on more even footing, that still might not be enough, nor should it be, considering you’re likely looking at three losing seasons out of the last four.
A RARE ONE
I don't know what Mike McDaniel will be long-term, but at the moment, he's the best thing that's happened to Miami since Don Shula, Dan Marino and Gloria Estefan.
The second-year head coach has the Fins at 5-1, and his offense leaves everyone in their wake. Miami is averaging just over 100 yards more per game than number two on that list, who happens to be their opponent Sunday night, the Philadelphia Eagles (498 to 395). The Dolphins also are tops in scoring (and isn't that the object of the game?), piling up 223 points. Only four teams in NFL history have gotten off to faster starts in that category - 2013 Denver Broncos (265), 2000 Rams (262), 2009 Saints (238) and 2007 Patriots (230).
Then there's the triggerman for this entire operation, Tua Tagovailoa. Much has been made, said, and written of him over the last several years - from health to arm strength to being a system quarterback. But since being embraced by McDaniel and having a scheme that enhances his talents and those around him (a novel concept), Tua has shined. He's currently on pace to lead the NFL in yards and TDs, which, if that continues, we make him only the seventh QB in the last 40 years to be number one in those categories while also piloting the top scoring and total offense team in football. Sorry, but even I, who isn't wowed by the signal caller's physical gifts, have to admit that's damn impressive (and no, I don't think Mac Jones would be putting up a similar number if he was the man in Miami).
Earlier this week, McDaniel was asked about the narrative that damn near any QB could do what Tua is doing in this offense. The answer (while lengthy) speaks volumes about why the Dolphins are one of the best teams in the league and why Tagovailoa is reaching new heights.
"My answer to that would be, 'who the f cares' because it is a team," said McDaniel. "We're working together, and I know one thing. I've coached stuff a long time. I haven't seen people do what our guys do, and I mean, in a lot of experiences, to their credit, to their ability and their commitment to their craft; I know as a teammate, we're all dependent on each other, and I'm not in any hurry to prove myself without those guys because those are part of who we are and to try to say it's this person or that person is kind of missing the point. It is a team working together, people working together, and myself, Tyreek Hill, Tua, cool but what if no one's blocking anyone? You know what I mean? Like we're all connected in that way.
"That's why I think a lot of the guys Tua's success is their success. Tyreek's success, Waddle's, Raheem's, etc. We're all tied together; it's a journey that we're experiencing together. Somebody will get the statistics from it, but none of those statistics are worth anything if you don't have full support from your players across the board, all 11, and then it goes down to the organization and all those things combined. But I know this: our players run a lot of plays that I have a lot of history with, and it looks different, and that's because of hard work and unbelievable ability. So don't try me on other players. I'm not trying to prove that."
Sign me up. I'd work for that dude any day.
THEY LISTENED
Over the last couple of weeks, I've written about the Chiefs wide receiver issue. Two weeks ago, I opined that GM Brett Veach would let Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes figure it out. After watching them scuffle on Sunday night football, I changed my tune and said get help. They did, making a deal to reunite with Mecole Hardman. This was the easy option at a low cost (5th rounder). At his best, Hardman is a poor, poor, poor man's Tyreek Hill. In 2021, he had a career-best 59 catches for a skosh less than 700 yards and two touchdowns. Hardly a world-beater and a bit of a dupe as his physical size mirrors Kadarius Toney, Hardman can plug and play right away. Considering KC's offense's bogged down, the mere threat of his elite speed loosens things up for Travis Kelce and youngsters Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore.
But there's more.
Here's Mahomes, who, despite all gnashing of teeth, is completing a career-high 68% of his passes: "I said that after the game, and even watching the film, you see it even more. It's just the little stuff that we're not executing at a high enough level. It's not everybody, and it's different people every play, including myself."
In the meantime, despite having the worst offensive DVOA of the Mahomes era, the Chiefs' defense and special teams are firmly in the top 10, and KC is 5th overall. So even if they aren't themselves, they're better than just about every team in the league.
MIXED MESSAGES
Davante Adams is one of the best receivers in football. It's an inarguable fact. He's a player that defensive coordinators stay up at night worrying about and must have a plan to deal with. But Adams is getting restless despite the Raiders winning back-to-back games to get to .500 on the season.
During this stretch, the wideout has seen just nine targets and caught six passes.
"I have extremely high standards for myself and this offense," said Adams Wednesday. "I'm sure people are thinking, 'Well, they won the game (against the Pats) and they won the Packers game. Why is there an issue?' You see why it's an issue. … When you're a player like me, mentally, my benchmark is not wins and losses; it's greatness."
This behavior is standard operating procedure for the league's best wide receivers. Winning is only sometimes the priority, though generally if you have a great one, you'll win more than you lose. But it shows you the fine line Josh McDaniels is walking in Las Vegas. They gave up a ton for Adams in terms of capital and cash. On the field, he's been worth it so far. He constantly sees double coverage, making life easier for Jakobi Meyers, Michael Mayer, Tre Tucker, and the other skill players.
"I think that's more about us just making sure we're doing all the right things so that he can impact the game the way that he needs to and should and deserves to, whether that's through the scheme and/or the execution of the play," said McDaniels. "There's a balance between being very smart with the ball and seeing the defense and not doing enough to put the ball in his hands."
That last part gets to the heart of the matter for Adams. Even at 3-3, the Raiders offense could be better (duh). They just cracked 20 points for the first time in a game Sunday, and they crossed that threshold because of a late safety. Adams believes if he gets more touches, points will follow. Maybe they will or won't, but it's up to McDaniels to figure it out. Or there will be more noise, more sulking on the bench, and more problems for the coach.
One final note - keep this in mind about how the Pats should approach the position. If they can get one, do it and figure out the personality and ego afterward.
NERD NUMBERS
- 12 PPG is the fewest PPG in a season by the Pats since 1990 (11.3 PPG, finished with 1-15 W-L).
- T.J. Watt has eight sacks through 5 games in 2023 (T-most in NFL). The Steeler star has 15 QB hits (2nd), 2 FF (T-3rd), and three opp. fumble recoveries (T-most) in 2023. He's also the only player with 5.0+ sacks & 4+ passes defended in 2023. In a word - stud.
- The Vikings are the first team in NFL history with 14+ pass TDs and 0 rush TDs through 6 games. Only the 1992 Falcons and 1990 Niners threw 15 pass TD before their 1st rush TD. That's in NFL history! The Vikings have two more defensive TDs (2) than rushing TDs (0). I hope you don't have their RBs in fantasy football.