It’s unknown whether or not or not Jerod Mayo will return for an additional season with the Patriots, however there’s little question wholesale modifications are coming to One Patriot Place.
There’s an argument to be made the complete workers ought to be cleared out. On the very least some 4 or 5 coaches could possibly be proven the door on NFL’s “Black Monday.” Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington, Mayo, amongst others, all have come below hearth for failing at their respective duties. It’s why every part is on the desk in New England.
However one particular under-the-radar assistant, who has confirmed to be in over his head all 12 months lengthy, ought to be the primary coach to go. That’s none aside from Patriots extensive receivers coach Tyler Hughes.
Hughes was accountable for arguably probably the most underwhelming place group on the crew — and that’s saying one thing. It was a bunch with no No. 1 wideout, however nonetheless had some degree of depth and expertise. Put it this manner: It wasn’t made up of waiver-wire provides just like the offensive line.
The degree of dysfunction within the receiver room had individuals across the league taking discover.
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“I believe a part of it’s most likely having a place coach who’s as inexperienced as (Hughes) is,” Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentioned on NBC Sports activities Boston in November. “It’s not a very good state of affairs.”
On the time, Boston Sports activities Journal’s Greg Bedard referred to the receiver group as a “risky combine.”
It didn’t get any higher throughout the last two months of the season both.
The shortage of improvement by second-round rookie Ja’Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker was obvious. Polk, who noticed a noticeable decline in taking part in time since Week 7, hasn’t caught a go in 4 video games. He has two catches for 9 yards (!) in that timeframe. In the meantime, Baker hasn’t caught a single go all season. He hasn’t performed greater than 11 offensive snaps in a single recreation with quite a lot of wholesome scratches on gameday.
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It wasn’t simply the rookies, although.
Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne will end with much less catches and yards in 2024 than in 2023, regardless of taking part in extra video games and people video games coming with Drake Maye throwing him the ball moderately than Mac Jones. If Bourne was the lone instance, certain, there could possibly be an argument about recovering from damage, however he wasn’t.
DeMario Douglas, who entered his second season with excessive expectations given his chain-moving skillset, ought to conclude with 60-plus catches and 600-plus yards. However he’ll nonetheless end behind tight finish Hunter Henry in yards, not precisely the form of manufacturing you need out of your main wideout. Actually, Henry and fellow tight finish Austin Hooper rank first and fourth in receiving yards on the crew.
Veteran Ok.J. Osborn by no means materialized into something with the Patriots earlier than he was launched. Kayshon Boutte referred to as out coaches along with his postgame feedback, too.
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It’s honest to place among the lack of receiver manufacturing on the woeful offensive line. Maye didn’t have a ton of time behind middle. And it’s not as if Hughes is or ought to be held accountable for every part that goes incorrect on that facet of the ball. Van Pelt ought to catch extra flack for that. However Van Pelt did develop the rookie he was most accountable for, not like Hughes.
The truth is the inexperienced Hughes did nothing to solidify his standing with the Patriots. So with the Patriots set to bear some main modifications on the teaching workers, Hughes ought to be one of many first to go.
