I've devised an original idea for this season that will probably take your breath away and leave you amazed. Ready for it? I'm calling it "Mike's Musings." I mean, how awesome is that?! Sometimes, the way my brain produces these game-changing segments floors me. You should all tell Greg I need a raise, a substantial one. I suspect people will be ripping this off as soon as physically possible.
The reality is that this column will appear here every week during the season, and I will have my final say on the previous week's game and any other burning thoughts I have that will surely change everything for everybody.
1. Can these guys coach?
Even before I get to the overall talent level that this roster has (or doesn't, as it were), I enter this season completely unsure whether this staff can handle their duties. Can Jerod Mayo handle the task given to him? Is Alex Van Pelt a good playcaller, and does he call plays that set up other plays? Or is he just picking off the "Cheesecake" menu? Are there too many voices (Van Pelt, Ben McAdoo, T.C. McCartney, and Evan Rothstein) whispering in Drake Maye's ear? Look, Belichick had lost the pulse of this team over his last couple of seasons, and having the Patricia/Judge bleep show was indicative of that and undercut any of the good feelings coming out of the 2021-22 season. But this? How the hell can I reasonably predict what these newcomers will do with massive role changes (and don't let Van Pelt tell you he's done this before. 2009 doesn't count)? This is new territory for all of them and, therefore, us. It's easier to measure player growth because the tape rarely lies, but to judge coaches, especially with a subpar roster, is going to be one of the biggest challenges for me this season and, more importantly, for the folks in the building (Eliot Wolf, the Krafts, Robyn Glaser) evaluating the hires. The follow-up question to that becomes, who evaluates the evaluators?
2. Safety first
I polled a dozen of my various NFL sources (coaches, execs, scouts, and one former Patriot). Ten responded in time for this piece. I asked multiple questions, including what those folks thought was the Pats' best position group. The overwhelming answer? Safety. As I mentioned on my new podcast (All 32, for those asking), a member of the Ravens organization said of Jabril Peppers and Kyle Dugger, "They'll hit the shit out of you." An assistant coach added, "They add a dimension to that defense beyond physicality. You don't know who's lining up where." Neither qualifies as a blue chip player, but Peppers is coming off a career year, and Dugger's ability (and willingness) to take on bigger men in the run game allows the Pats to get away with lighter boxes and more coverage players on the field.
For those asking, the linebacker duo of Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai were second in votes received (it went 5-3, with two others receiving votes). "Both really solid football players. Physical. Tough. Smart," said one assistant. "High IQ guys, but with an edge," added a scout.
3. Run to win?
Okay, this isn't 1984, but the Pats started to come together as a run-blocking unit on the offensive line during the back half of training camp. I'm not saying it's perfect. Far from it (It would be nice to know who the best five were, say, two weeks ago...), but there was progress made, even during that Commanders' game (5.1 yards per carry, albeit vs. subs). I believe in Michael Onwenu when the Pats keep the ball on the ground — Ditto for David Andrews and Sidy Sow. Chuks Okorafor's history says he is also pretty good at that aspect, and Layden Robinson and Caedan Wallace's college tape displays the same (Robinson during preseason games as well). So, while there's still the question of left tackle remains (that they're hoping Vedarian Lowe is going to be ready for Sunday says a lot), I'm impressed with the work Scott Peters and Robert Kugler are putting in, and I think we'll see that pay off perhaps as soon as Sunday.
As an aside, it was impressive to watch Peters and Kugler drill the group Monday with them literally 7 or 8 feet in front of me. The coaches are giving the players a bunch of answers to the test. Can they ace it on game day? It remains to be seen, but the teaching appears to be there (let's save pass protection for another day).
4. Believe in Brissett?
So, look, most fans want nothing to do with Jacoby Brissett. I get it. You have a shiny new toy in Maye and can't wait to unwrap it. I may or may not remind you of that when he blows a bunny for an easy touchdown or is flinging balls over dudes heads. But I think Brissett has gotten a raw deal these last two weeks. He fell into a bit of a rut in practice, but the game tape was so limited and vanilla that it removed any opportunity for flow (see Maye in weeks two and three and Joe Milton that first week). He's a captain, and it's not some BS thing. He's done an excellent job mentoring QBs in different situations, dealing with a receiver room that's still trying to establish itself, and an offensive line that damn near ended his season before it began in the preseason finale. I admit I was wrong in saying he's the 20th-best quarterback in the league. I have seen the flaws. But I think he can help keep the Pats semi-competitive until Maye is ready to go, and he has the support of the guys that matter in that locker room, at least for now. That is worth $8 million in this landscape.
5. Positive vibes.
One thing struck me Monday: milling about the locker room and seeing 35 minutes or so of practice (regular season limitations are now in effect) - this team has a lot of energy. Perhaps it's because they believe in themselves even if no one else does. Or maybe it's just the excitement of week one? But I went back over my notes from a year ago, and this sort of enthusiasm was lacking. Belichick's approach and his choice of motivation (fear) certainly fueled that, but the players may have been telling us even before we knew they were doomed from the start. This one may be in for the same fate, but at least there was an infectious enthusiasm and maybe even a little swagger that the 2023-24 group was devoid of. It might mean nothing, but I thought it was worth sharing as we prepare for 18 weeks of football.