Patriots news
- Thread starter LordSensei1958
- Start date
a coaching decision that cost Brady his 8th ring
eagles didnt punt once... butler would have absolutely made a difference in stopping them once or twice
still painful to think about
Ice_Ice_Brady
the executioner’s face is always well hidden
She’s franchising
captain stone
Well-known member
Should've been more... Much, MUCH more.
Rapoport: Drake Maye has a bit of a ‘mythical reputation' in NFL
How is Drake Maye perceived around the league? Patriots fans will love NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport's response.
sports.yahoo.com
The New England Patriots struggled again in 2024, finishing with a disappointing 4-13 record for the second consecutive season. The last time the Patriots won four or fewer games in back-to-back seasons came in 1967-70.
But despite all of the lackluster play, there was one bright spot for the franchise:rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
The No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft played quite well despite having arguably the worst group of wide receivers in the league and an offensive line that struggled with pass protection and penalties. Maye made believers out of skeptics, and his fantastic potential is one reason to feel excited about the Patriots in the near- and long-term.
How is Maye perceived around the league?
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport talked to NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry on the Next Pats Podcast at Super Bowl Radio Row in New Orleans to discuss that topic and more.
“Drake Maye in the NFL has a little bit of like a mythical reputation,” Rapoport said, as seen in the video player above. “He was the guy everybody wanted in the draft. It was Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and everybody wanted Drake Maye. Everyone tried to trade up for him, and the Patriots, you know, I thought, and was kind of being told, that they were considering trade options. And then you look back on it, and I don’t get the sense they considered basically anything. I mean, they considered it, but like, not actually. I don’t think they were about to do anything.“I think it was like, ‘We’re going to have to get our socks knocked off to trade this guy.’ And then he went out and played with a not good team, without great talent, with an offensive line that should be talented but really was not very good, and receivers that were not very good except for maybe a couple or one. And he looked good.
“I think there were a lot of reasons why this Patriots (head coach) job — which I think was always probably going to go to (Mike) Vrabel — a lot of reasons this job was desirable. Drake Maye is at the top of the list.”
Keeping the No. 3 pick and taking Maye was a smart decision by the Patriots. The question now is whether Maye, after a strong rookie campaign, can be enough of a draw to attract free agents in the offseason.
The Patriots have more salary cap space than any team — around $120 million — but they’re not ready to compete for a conference title next season. Maye being good, however, does make the Patriots a more attractive destination than they were last year at this time.
“It’s tough, because I know they tried last year, took a lot of big swings in free agency — Calvin Ridley and just a lot of them,” Rapoport said. “And I don’t know that they got particularly close. I think (Brandon) Aiyuk they were in on if I remember correctly. Nobody knew (what Maye would be), and nobody wants to go to a bad team without a quarterback.
“Well, now they’ve got a quarterback. Are they a great team? No, they’re probably still a year away. Although, as we’ve learned from the Commanders, if you’ve got a guy and you surround him with a really good group of middle-class free agents, you can make your roster better quickly. I think it’ll be a better spot in free agency.
“I think they’ll spend. They have to spend. But I don’t know if it’ll be top, top, top of the market. I could sort of see if it was like the Commanders last year where you’re like, ‘We have so many holes to fill; we’re going to spend $10 million (each) on like six guys,’ instead of $60 million on two guys.”
A case could be made for the Patriots following the Commanders’ blueprint from a year ago and signing a bunch of solid free agents instead of targeting one or two very expensive additions. One difference is that the Commanders already had a true No. 1 wide receiver in Terry McLaurin, and that player does not exist on the Patriots roster right now.
Either way, the Patriots have to spend money and be aggressive this offseason to surround Maye with as much talent as possible. Doing so would give Maye the best chance to reach his amazing potential.
View: https://youtu.be/_fFd8l8EJnY
captain stone
Well-known member
ItsGonnaBeMaye
Well-known member
After surveying the AFC, I do not see a single team who will be able to compete with us with Vrabel as our HC and Drake Maye taking the 2nd year leap with the most accomplished OC in the history of the sport.
This is a Super Bowl team in 2025.
This is a Super Bowl team in 2025.
Ice_Ice_Brady
the executioner’s face is always well hidden
Although I know this isn’t serious, I do think the Patriots can take a huge leap next year. Maye going into year 2, most cap space in league, good draft position. You look at most of these teams with good young QBs and it only took a year or two for them to go from a top draft pick to playoff contender. Texans two years ago, Redskins this year, are two recent examples.
It's a lot of the same needs as last year, which is both concerning and a cause for a bit of hope.
Still need two OTs and, probably, an OG
Still need 2 WRs
Still need another TE
Still need another RB
Still need an upgrade at DT
Still need 2 edge rushers
Still need at least 2 LBs
Still need a free safety
Still need 1-2 CBs
Question at K
Concerning because of last year's failing to fix those problems. Cause for a bit of hope because there's a boatload of cash to be spent, the highest draft pick does not need to be spent on a QB, and some of last year's choices will have a chance to improve in year 2 (particularly along the OL, with Robinson and Wallace).
