The Patriots have arrived on the halfway level of the season, with Sunday’s matchup towards the Chicago Bears unofficially kickstarting the second half of their schedule.
It’s considerably stunning that they’ve really made it this far… however they’ve!
New England has handled a litany of points on the sphere, within the locker room and on the podium over the previous few months, however in an effort of equity, we wish to spotlight all of their experiences. It’s time to speak in regards to the good, unhealthy and ugly from the primary half of an odd season at One Patriot Place:
GOOD: YOU FOUND A QB
Drake Maye is rattling good, and we didn’t even want to observe him convert on probably the most insane play in franchise historical past to come back to that conclusion.
The Patriots had one actual want getting into this season, and regardless of the entire negatives we’ll get into surrounding govt vice chairman of participant personnel Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo, they delivered. New England undoubtedly has the kind of participant you would construct a winner round, and whereas there’s loads of pause concerning whether or not that may really occur, the 22-year-old has produced hope.
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GOOD: DEVELOPING TALENT
Christian Elliss is rarely going to be a famous person, however he’s developed right into a good sub-package linebacker. Vederian Lowe in all probability can’t be trusted to start out a whole season on the left aspect, however he can be a rattling good swing sort out. Marte Mapu could be a foundational piece on the again finish of a protection. Kayshon Boutte is an actual one that clearly has change into a reliable depth large receiver. Maye is freakin’ sick.
The Patriots haven’t turned coal into diamonds, however they’ve discovered items for the long run.
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BAD: MAYE ON THE MEND
Maye’s emergence has been an enormous story, however two fast accidents have solid a small cloud over his rookie season — and confirmed lots of the worries individuals had about beginning him behind a makeshift offensive line.
New England noticed him undergo a knee damage in his first begin towards the Houston Texans, which was simply two weeks earlier than he was knocked out of an eventual win over the New York Jets with a concussion. The Patriots can’t afford to see fixed bumps and bruises — particularly those on his mind — take their toll.
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BAD: LOSING… A LOT
Did we anticipate this staff to truly win quite a lot of video games? No, however shut losses to the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans served as not-so-gentile reminders of how far they need to go.
BAD: ALEX VAN PELT
Van Pelt has obtained an unbelievable quantity of criticism for his play-calling, scheme and skill to make in-game changes — and rightfully so. The Patriots have been put in disadvantageous conditions by their offensive coordinator all through the season. Whether or not that is because of scheme or teaching, it has proven up on a week-to-week foundation in the way in which receivers are working routes and offensive linemen are whiffing on blocks.
You can’t win like this.
BAD: THE HOSPITAL PATRIOTS
The Patriots at present have offensive linemen David Andrews, Caedan Wallace and Cole Unusual, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, security Jabrill Peppers and defensive sort out Christian Barmore on reserve lists — a bunch that features 4 first- or second-round picks, three Tremendous Bowl rings and 380 video games within the NFL.
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We aren’t even counting the fellows which have already returned, both.
No Bueno.
UGLY: MAYO’S MUCH-MALIGNED MEDIA MESSAGING
Mayo didn’t earn a ton of followers together with his “smooth” remark following the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars a couple of weeks in the past, however these weren’t his solely public feedback to get an increase out of individuals.
The Patriots spent weeks strolling again earlier feedback made by possession, the entrance workplace and the teaching employees, and though that has slowed significantly, there nonetheless have been some “Huh!?!?” moments over the previous few weeks.
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UGLY: MUSICAL CHAIRS UPFRONT
The Patriots have began eight completely different offensive line groupings via 9 weeks and made 15 completely different modifications. U-Ga-Lee!
UGLY: WOLF ISN’T SO HUNGRY
New England had a possibility to make strikes on the margins previous to the traded deadline, however Wolf ended up whiffing on the entire. It’s one thing he’s struggled with via his first few months on the job — not hanging whereas the iron’s sizzling — and must be improved upon transferring ahead.
