Every practice and, now, every game gives us more information about the Patriots under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. So what did we learn about them last night after that 17-3 barnburner of a victory over the Panthers? I'm glad you asked.
1. Kid gloves for the kid QB
The Pats are taking what can best be described as a patient approach with Drake Maye. It's overly cautious. But with the specter of the Mac Jones' development disaster looming, the coaching staff has decided it's better to be safe than sorry. Time will tell if that's the right idea, but for now, Mayo says this is how it's going to go.
"Each one of these quarterbacks have an individual development plan that I've gone over with AVP (Alex Van Pelt) and the rest of his staff," said Mayo Friday morning. "And you know, we're sticking to that plan until it's time to change."
1a. Offensive line bears some of that responsibility
Greg and I have been writing about the uncertainty upfront since the spring. That's stayed the same here in early August. Mayo's decision to give Maye just one series Thursday after one series from starter Jacoby Brissett was tied heavily to this rag-tag bunch, one that is still looking for reinforcements (they're bringing in players for workouts Friday)
"I mean, they're still under construction, the offensive line," said Mayo. "And I've said it since day one, we're going to play the best five, whatever that combination looks like. We're always trying to get better."
As for the Vederian Lowe at left tackle experiment, a team source insists he's been their most consistent tackle in training camp, at least to this point. Gulp.
2. Flyboys
I loved the energy the Pats defense played with last night, and as I review my notes, I've scribbled it in ink after several practices recently. That signals comfort in the system, with the coaches, and overall excitement about the scheme. I don't know about being a top-5 unit when you consider the quality of opponents and the likely absence of Christian Barmore, but the top 10 is definitely within their sights.
3. Potential in those pass catchers
Ja'Lynn Polk is solid, if not spectacular, and you saw it against the Panthers. He does all the little things that have already allowed him to climb into the trust tree with several of these quarterbacks. He shows his numbers squarely to the QB, attacks the ball with his hands, and uses his body to block out defenders, a critical piece for someone who won't generate massive amounts of separation. Javon Baker would be wise to study up on his classmate in these regards. Then there's Kayshon Boutte, who had flashes but also had a pair of passes clang off his hands. It was a mixed bag for someone in a fight for a roster spot.
"I feel like everywhere is competition, but I just feel like you have to make the best of your opportunities," he said. "You can't complain; you can't worry about the next guy. I just feel like you've got to worry about yourself, and everything will handle itself."
4. Intriguing
I know Volin is taking a victory lap this morning. I don't blame him. However, his assessment of Joe Milton at the start of training camp lacked context. Now? Milton has my attention. I say this knowing that he made plays against a bunch of dudes who'll be driving for Amazon in a month (not that there's anything wrong with that). But a couple of subtle plays Bazooka Joe made that showed some development as a thinking man's quarterback piqued my interest. In particular, the TD pass to JaQuae Jackson, where he moved the safety with his eyes, allowing Jackson the necessary space on his out-and-up. He also put the ball on Jackson quickly, which erases any hope of recovery by the corner. It was a smart play from start to finish. He needs that to become the norm, not the aberration, but it's noteworthy.
"We know he has a big arm," said Mayo after the game. "He has the athleticism. He’s getting better with his reads every single day. He has natural leadership ability. But once again, it’s not just about one game; it’s about the full body of work. You can come out here and play well, but you also have to do it on a day-to-day basis, in practice, and you’ve got to gain the confidence of not only the coaches but also your teammates. And this was a step forward for him."
QUEEN CITY DRAMA
It is fair to say the Cincinnati Bengals have championship aspirations. Joe Burrow is healthy, and they made a concerted effort to correct what ailed them defensively a season ago — the secondary was a mess. They're undoubtedly unafraid of the reigning champion Chiefs, having beaten them once already in an AFC title game and taking them to overtime in another. But all is not perfect in the Queen City.
Two of the Bengals' best players remain in search of new contracts. Ja'Marr Chase has been attending practice, but he's not participating. That's not ideal. Meanwhile, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson just ended his hold-in, but he, too, believes he's vastly underpaid, going so far as to request a trade back in May. Owner Mike Brown has not been able to find common ground with either, and that threatens to upset what should be a compelling season.
Hendrickson is under contract through the 2025 season but has no guaranteed money left on the deal (think Davon Godchaux before his extension). He's coming off a season where he recorded a career-high 17.5 sacks, He's 25 QB hits, 16 TFLs, and forced three fumbles. According to Next Gen Stats, Hendrickson's pass-rushing pressure percentage was second in the entire league, trailing only Micah Parsons.
Nick Bosa in San Francisco is currently the highest-paid edge rusher in football ($34.1 million AAV), and he finished with seven fewer sacks and a lower pressure percentage. Yet Bosa makes 13 million more than Hendrickson. You can see how that might rub a man wrong.
As for Chase, Brown said contract talks were over once the season started (posturing perhaps), pointing out that the star pass catcher is under contract this year and next (they picked up his fifth-year option). That didn't move Chase off his stance, although head coach Zac Taylor said that Chase watching practice and not participating was "a plan that Ja'Marr and I have."
Chase is looking for Justin Jefferson money ($87 million guaranteed), and rightfully so. In the Super Bowl era, the former LSU star is third all-time in receiving yards over the first three seasons, with over 4,300 yards. That trails only Jefferson (4.872) and Randy Moss (4,765). He's also coming off a career-high 100-catch campaign.
No doubt he'll suit up come week one - Hendrickson, too - why would they forfeit good money? - but what's the conditioning level, especially for Chase, and are they more susceptible to injury because of their lack of work thus far? Certainly, it is something that bears watching in the coming weeks (and I didn't even mention Tee Higgins playing on the franchise tag).
THAT EXPLAINS IT
Multiple reports over the last week or so have detailed last year's fractured relationship between Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts. It's no wonder a team that entered 2023-24 with Super Bowl aspirations cratered after a 10-1 start.
At the heart of the matter was the direction of the offense. Sirianni exercised more control over first-year offensive coordinator Brian Johnson as the season progressed, eventually demoting Johnson from the job.
"When Brian got (promoted), I think he (Hurts) thought, 'I could do "he thing that I've wanted to do,'" a member of the Eagles told ESPN. "That didn't happen."
In fact, sources said the relationship got so bad they believed Hurts was "tuning out" the head coach, which is about as dysfunctional as possible.
Instead of becoming a top-5 quarterback (I'll admit, I thought that's where he was headed), Hurts struggled mightily, throwing 15 interceptions and playing "hero ball."
One of the major revelations in the ESPN piece was that Hurts called former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale after their regular season finale to better understand how defenses were defending a now impotent Eagles offense.
"I've been doing this for 40 years, and it's the first time I've had an opposing quarterback call me up," Martindale told ESPN. "I thought it was pretty cool that the guy called. It shows you what kind of pro he really is. He's just looking at every angle that he can to get better. … what we did, it was effective, and he knew it, and he just wanted to know why we did certain things that we did. Then he went to work on that."
Martindale explained to Hurts that the Eagles only paid lip service to the run game, making it much easier to defend their offense. That tutorial did not impact Philly's playoff loss to Tampa Bay (a 32-9 drubbing).
This summer, Sirianni and Hurts have been more communicative and were even seen driving around the practice facility in a golf cart together (photo op, anyone?). Still, with Bill Belichick having gotten some consideration to replace Sirianni in the offseason, it's clear that the affable but cocky young coach better solve his Hurts' problem, or else.
ZEKE SPEAKS
Count Ezekiel Elliott as someone who believes the contract uncertainty surrounding Dak Prescott can be a good thing.
"I think a guy like Dak who's been through so much adversity in his life, and every time, he steps up to the plate and answers the call," Elliott said Tuesday. "So I don't think it will affect him at all. He's just such a strong person mentally. I don't think it will affect him. I think honestly, it might bring the best out of him, which I know that's going to give us his best anyway. But you get what I'm saying."
Prescott has had an excellent camp despite missing his best wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who is holding out and taking the fine (40K a day). He also has a revolving door of running backs, including Elliott, behind him (Tony Pollard left via free agency). The calm with which Prescott talks about the upcoming season and his future shows a player who believes the bag will be there, whether it's to stay in Dallas or go elsewhere.
"I'm not worried about the talk," Prescott said a week ago. "I've got a great team, and I'm confident in getting something done. Confident in the front office here, and I don't really think about it, to be honest with you. As I said the first day, I'm under contract right now, so all I need to do is be the best I can be for my job and this year. Whatever happens, whether it's in a couple weeks, who knows when it is? If it does happen, it will happen. I'm not worried about that."
Prescott has reason to have confidence in himself and his team. He endured a prolonged negotiation in 2020-21 before he signed his last contract, and that was during the season he grotesquely broke his leg and missed all but five games. Prescott still got $160 million over four years, which was then the richest contract in NFL history. He's seen the quarterback market go bonkers since, especially over the last few months. I'd wait until I got my price, too.