Patriots 2022 Season

[Phantom255x]

I will say though, not to say I expected Lamar would sign somewhere immediately, but it does feel a bit weird that there doesn't seem to be grand interest in him around the league. Even the teams that have a legit need at QB are either addressing it other ways, or through the draft if they have a high pick. Some teams early on even announced themselves that they wouldn't pursue him. I think there's a real chance Lamar stays with Baltimore

Even though he wants a ton of money, I also think teams are a bit hesitant to trade away two first rounders. Even for a guy of Lamar's talent, that's a hefty price without even considering the actual contract, plus organizations have probably seen how things can go badly (ex. Wilson and the Broncos)

[Donoghus]

I was speaking to Nick Wright.  The guy is 100% a hack and he's the homeless man's Skip Bayless.  Posting stuff from him is laughable.

In a world full of hateable talking heads, Wright might be the most loathable of them all.

Let's dive into Nick's "insight here". 

The Patriots should pursue Lamar because a) they should want to relevant again and b) Belichick wants to catch Shula's win record.

So everything out the window for relevance and Belichick's ego.  Not one iota about actual Xs & Os or any sort of organizational ramifications of acquiring him. 

That's the football insight he's offering here.  It's laughable.

[Donoghus]

In other news, Hightower officially retired.

Dont'a Hightower
@zeus30hightower
·
12m
It’s been a hell of a ride & a career beyond my wildest dreams. It’s time to hang em up, from the bottom of my heart - thank you to everyone who played a part.
@playerstribune
 #boomtower

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/thank-you-new-england-patriots-donta-hightower-nfl-football-retirement

[BitterJim]

I will say though, not to say I expected Lamar would sign somewhere immediately, but it does feel a bit weird that there doesn't seem to be grand interest in him around the league. Even the teams that have a legit need at QB are either addressing it other ways, or through the draft if they have a high pick. Some teams early on even announced themselves that they wouldn't pursue him. I think there's a real chance Lamar stays with Baltimore

Even though he wants a ton of money, I also think teams are a bit hesitant to trade away two first rounders. Even for a guy of Lamar's talent, that's a hefty price without even considering the actual contract, plus organizations have probably seen how things can go badly (ex. Wilson and the Broncos)

I also wonder if teams actually believe that the Ravens will let him go (short of a huge overpay on the contract). It's like RFA in the NBA, where teams don't want to tie up a huge chunk of their cap just to have the original team match it.

I don't really see any situation where Lamar ends up anywhere other than Baltimore next year

[Phantom255x]

DO IT PATS I AM BEGGING

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1638180009067290624?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

As the status of #AZCardinals star WR DeAndre Hopkins comes into focus, talks are ramping up among the interested teams, sources say. Similar to Brandin Cooks, a trade would likely mean an altered contract

[Moranis]

Nick Wright had the Patriots as the 3rd team on the list for best fits for Lamar behind the Niners and Lions.

LOL

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637928841606823943

resident Patriots fan on that show Kevin Wildes, is apparently all for Lamar

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637922564193255426

It's Nick freakin' Wright.    The guy is a hack & a joke.

so you don't think the Patriots would want Lamar?  That seems strange.  Lamar is a clear upgrade on Mac and would solve a whole heck of a lot of the Patriots issues. 

Jeremy Fowler said the Patriots were looking into Lamar as well.  Fowler isn't "a hack & a joke"

There's nothing strange about it when you have an understanding of Patriots track record.  In a vacuum, yes.  When you factor in things like cap, compensation, and the team having various other pressing needs, it's almost certainly no-go for the Patriots.  Mac Jones on a rookie contract on a rebuilding team is better than Lamar Jackson on ridiculous contract on a strapped team.

I was speaking to Nick Wright.  The guy is 100% a hack and he's the homeless man's Skip Bayless.  Posting stuff from him is laughable.

oh ge is a massively cap hit, but the Patriots have a good defense and solid running game.  Lamar would fix a lot of their receivers problems.  Bill is also old.  He doesn't have many years left, I could see him wanting to win

[SparzWizard]

In other news, Hightower officially retired.

Dont'a Hightower
@zeus30hightower
·
12m
It’s been a hell of a ride & a career beyond my wildest dreams. It’s time to hang em up, from the bottom of my heart - thank you to everyone who played a part.
@playerstribune
 #boomtower

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/thank-you-new-england-patriots-donta-hightower-nfl-football-retirement

Thanks for a helluva career. That strip sack fumble in Superbowl LI was legendary. That was a game-changing play.

[johnnygreen]

In Lamar Jackson's best season, he only threw for 3,127 yards. In his 5 seasons, it's his only 3,000 yard passing season. I'm sorry, but in this day and age, 3,000 yards should be the bare minimum for any average QB. Now I know Lamar is a dual threat, but his ability to run and take on the physical contact that he endures can only happen for so long, before it takes its toll.

In addition, I don't think Lamar did himself any favors by not coming back for Baltimore's playoff run. I can definitely see why teams would be hesitant to give him a fully guaranteed contract (and two first round picks).

[Goldstar88]

Nick Wright had the Patriots as the 3rd team on the list for best fits for Lamar behind the Niners and Lions.

LOL

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637928841606823943

resident Patriots fan on that show Kevin Wildes, is apparently all for Lamar

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637922564193255426

It's Nick freakin' Wright.    The guy is a hack & a joke.

so you don't think the Patriots would want Lamar?  That seems strange.  Lamar is a clear upgrade on Mac and would solve a whole heck of a lot of the Patriots issues. 

Jeremy Fowler said the Patriots were looking into Lamar as well.  Fowler isn't "a hack & a joke"

There's nothing strange about it when you have an understanding of Patriots track record.  In a vacuum, yes.  When you factor in things like cap, compensation, and the team having various other pressing needs, it's almost certainly no-go for the Patriots.  Mac Jones on a rookie contract on a rebuilding team is better than Lamar Jackson on ridiculous contract on a strapped team.

I was speaking to Nick Wright.  The guy is 100% a hack and he's the homeless man's Skip Bayless.  Posting stuff from him is laughable.

oh ge is a massively cap hit, but the Patriots have a good defense and solid running game.  Lamar would fix a lot of their receivers problems.  Bill is also old.  He doesn't have many years left, I could see him wanting to win

How do you figure that? Lamar was 26th in the league for completion percentage and he only had 17 passing TD’s last season. Also, the O-line was the biggest problem for the WR’s (and the whole offense for that matter) last year. Lamar ain’t fixing that.

[Neurotic Guy]

Nick Wright had the Patriots as the 3rd team on the list for best fits for Lamar behind the Niners and Lions.

LOL

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637928841606823943

resident Patriots fan on that show Kevin Wildes, is apparently all for Lamar

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637922564193255426

It's Nick freakin' Wright.    The guy is a hack & a joke.

so you don't think the Patriots would want Lamar?  That seems strange.  Lamar is a clear upgrade on Mac and would solve a whole heck of a lot of the Patriots issues. 

Jeremy Fowler said the Patriots were looking into Lamar as well.  Fowler isn't "a hack & a joke"

There's nothing strange about it when you have an understanding of Patriots track record.  In a vacuum, yes.  When you factor in things like cap, compensation, and the team having various other pressing needs, it's almost certainly no-go for the Patriots.  Mac Jones on a rookie contract on a rebuilding team is better than Lamar Jackson on ridiculous contract on a strapped team.

I was speaking to Nick Wright.  The guy is 100% a hack and he's the homeless man's Skip Bayless.  Posting stuff from him is laughable.

oh ge is a massively cap hit, but the Patriots have a good defense and solid running game.  Lamar would fix a lot of their receivers problems.  Bill is also old.  He doesn't have many years left, I could see him wanting to win

Is  Bill old?  I’d suggest 80 as the theshhold for ‘old’. And 80 is old but not necessarily done. If I were him I’d be thinking 9 years left. 
It’s likely that the 2 nominees for leader of the free world in 2024 will be octogenarians.  Head football coach - piece o’ cake by comparison.

[Donoghus]

Nick Wright had the Patriots as the 3rd team on the list for best fits for Lamar behind the Niners and Lions.

LOL

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637928841606823943

resident Patriots fan on that show Kevin Wildes, is apparently all for Lamar

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637922564193255426

It's Nick freakin' Wright.    The guy is a hack & a joke.

so you don't think the Patriots would want Lamar?  That seems strange.  Lamar is a clear upgrade on Mac and would solve a whole heck of a lot of the Patriots issues. 

Jeremy Fowler said the Patriots were looking into Lamar as well.  Fowler isn't "a hack & a joke"

There's nothing strange about it when you have an understanding of Patriots track record.  In a vacuum, yes.  When you factor in things like cap, compensation, and the team having various other pressing needs, it's almost certainly no-go for the Patriots.  Mac Jones on a rookie contract on a rebuilding team is better than Lamar Jackson on ridiculous contract on a strapped team.

I was speaking to Nick Wright.  The guy is 100% a hack and he's the homeless man's Skip Bayless.  Posting stuff from him is laughable.

oh ge is a massively cap hit, but the Patriots have a good defense and solid running game.  Lamar would fix a lot of their receivers problems.  Bill is also old.  He doesn't have many years left, I could see him wanting to win

Is  Bill old?  I’d suggest 80 as the theshhold for ‘old’. And 80 is old but not necessarily done. If I were him I’d be thinking 9 years left. 
It’s likely that the 2 nominees for leader of the free world in 2024 will be octogenarians.  Head football coach - piece o’ cake by comparison.

Well, he's not young.  He'll be 71 on opening day.   Even Shula & Landry stopped in their mid 60s.  Halas & Levy at 72.   I'd be mildly shocked if he's still coaching in 5 years although he certainly has the love of the game instilled in him.

Amazingly, Romeo Crennel actually holds the record for oldest head coach.

[Moranis]

Nick Wright had the Patriots as the 3rd team on the list for best fits for Lamar behind the Niners and Lions.

LOL

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637928841606823943

resident Patriots fan on that show Kevin Wildes, is apparently all for Lamar

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637922564193255426

It's Nick freakin' Wright.    The guy is a hack & a joke.

so you don't think the Patriots would want Lamar?  That seems strange.  Lamar is a clear upgrade on Mac and would solve a whole heck of a lot of the Patriots issues. 

Jeremy Fowler said the Patriots were looking into Lamar as well.  Fowler isn't "a hack & a joke"

There's nothing strange about it when you have an understanding of Patriots track record.  In a vacuum, yes.  When you factor in things like cap, compensation, and the team having various other pressing needs, it's almost certainly no-go for the Patriots.  Mac Jones on a rookie contract on a rebuilding team is better than Lamar Jackson on ridiculous contract on a strapped team.

I was speaking to Nick Wright.  The guy is 100% a hack and he's the homeless man's Skip Bayless.  Posting stuff from him is laughable.

oh ge is a massively cap hit, but the Patriots have a good defense and solid running game.  Lamar would fix a lot of their receivers problems.  Bill is also old.  He doesn't have many years left, I could see him wanting to win

How do you figure that? Lamar was 26th in the league for completion percentage and he only had 17 passing TD’s last season. Also, the O-line was the biggest problem for the WR’s (and the whole offense for that matter) last year. Lamar ain’t fixing that.

Lamar fixes it by it not being as necessary.  The Ravens have Andrews, but otherwise have a receiving core at roughly the same level as the Pats, but it doesn't matter.  The Ravens win at 70% or so with Lamar and score 10 more ppg with him than without him.  Lamar will unlock the offense because of what he can do with the ball in his hand.

[Neurotic Guy]

Nick Wright had the Patriots as the 3rd team on the list for best fits for Lamar behind the Niners and Lions.

LOL

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637928841606823943

resident Patriots fan on that show Kevin Wildes, is apparently all for Lamar

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637922564193255426

It's Nick freakin' Wright.    The guy is a hack & a joke.

so you don't think the Patriots would want Lamar?  That seems strange.  Lamar is a clear upgrade on Mac and would solve a whole heck of a lot of the Patriots issues. 

Jeremy Fowler said the Patriots were looking into Lamar as well.  Fowler isn't "a hack & a joke"

There's nothing strange about it when you have an understanding of Patriots track record.  In a vacuum, yes.  When you factor in things like cap, compensation, and the team having various other pressing needs, it's almost certainly no-go for the Patriots.  Mac Jones on a rookie contract on a rebuilding team is better than Lamar Jackson on ridiculous contract on a strapped team.

I was speaking to Nick Wright.  The guy is 100% a hack and he's the homeless man's Skip Bayless.  Posting stuff from him is laughable.

oh ge is a massively cap hit, but the Patriots have a good defense and solid running game.  Lamar would fix a lot of their receivers problems.  Bill is also old.  He doesn't have many years left, I could see him wanting to win

Is  Bill old?  I’d suggest 80 as the theshhold for ‘old’. And 80 is old but not necessarily done. If I were him I’d be thinking 9 years left. 
It’s likely that the 2 nominees for leader of the free world in 2024 will be octogenarians.  Head football coach - piece o’ cake by comparison.

Well, he's not young.  He'll be 71 on opening day.   Even Shula & Landry stopped in their mid 60s.  Halas & Levy at 72.   I'd be mildly shocked if he's still coaching in 5 years although he certainly has the love of the game instilled in him.

Amazingly, Romeo Crennel actually holds the record for oldest head coach.

I'm teasing a little -- I prefer not to think of 71 as old.  But yeah, if he's coaching past 75 it would be a surprise. Not impossible by any means -- and no doubt, as in all walks of life, Head Coaches will stick with the job longer now than in previous generations.

[Moranis]

Nick Wright had the Patriots as the 3rd team on the list for best fits for Lamar behind the Niners and Lions.

LOL

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637928841606823943

resident Patriots fan on that show Kevin Wildes, is apparently all for Lamar

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637922564193255426

It's Nick freakin' Wright.    The guy is a hack & a joke.

so you don't think the Patriots would want Lamar?  That seems strange.  Lamar is a clear upgrade on Mac and would solve a whole heck of a lot of the Patriots issues. 

Jeremy Fowler said the Patriots were looking into Lamar as well.  Fowler isn't "a hack & a joke"

There's nothing strange about it when you have an understanding of Patriots track record.  In a vacuum, yes.  When you factor in things like cap, compensation, and the team having various other pressing needs, it's almost certainly no-go for the Patriots.  Mac Jones on a rookie contract on a rebuilding team is better than Lamar Jackson on ridiculous contract on a strapped team.

I was speaking to Nick Wright.  The guy is 100% a hack and he's the homeless man's Skip Bayless.  Posting stuff from him is laughable.

oh ge is a massively cap hit, but the Patriots have a good defense and solid running game.  Lamar would fix a lot of their receivers problems.  Bill is also old.  He doesn't have many years left, I could see him wanting to win

Is  Bill old?  I’d suggest 80 as the theshhold for ‘old’. And 80 is old but not necessarily done. If I were him I’d be thinking 9 years left. 
It’s likely that the 2 nominees for leader of the free world in 2024 will be octogenarians.  Head football coach - piece o’ cake by comparison.

Well, he's not young.  He'll be 71 on opening day.   Even Shula & Landry stopped in their mid 60s.  Halas & Levy at 72.   I'd be mildly shocked if he's still coaching in 5 years although he certainly has the love of the game instilled in him.

Amazingly, Romeo Crennel actually holds the record for oldest head coach.

I'm teasing a little -- I prefer not to think of 71 as old.  But yeah, if he's coaching past 75 it would be a surprise. Not impossible by any means -- and no doubt, as in all walks of life, Head Coaches will stick with the job longer now than in previous generations.

Do you think he wants to spend those last 4 years coaching a very average Mac Jones with no real shot at post season success?

I have no idea if the Patriots are interested in Lamar, but I'd be surprised if they weren't one of the teams at least kicking the thought around their office.  26 year old former MVP's don't exactly come available all that often.  And unlike a team like the Colts with the 4th pick in the draft, it isn't like the Patriots would be giving up what you'd expect to be a HOF level player with either of the 2 1st rounders they'd have to give up (or whatever trade the teams work out).  I mean the Jets are probably giving up a 1st rounder for Rodgers who may just be a 1 year rental and who costs what Lamar does.  Lamar is certainly worth 2 mid to late 1st round picks.

[Neurotic Guy]

Nick Wright had the Patriots as the 3rd team on the list for best fits for Lamar behind the Niners and Lions.

LOL

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637928841606823943

resident Patriots fan on that show Kevin Wildes, is apparently all for Lamar

https://twitter.com/FTFonFS1/status/1637922564193255426

It's Nick freakin' Wright.    The guy is a hack & a joke.

so you don't think the Patriots would want Lamar?  That seems strange.  Lamar is a clear upgrade on Mac and would solve a whole heck of a lot of the Patriots issues. 

Jeremy Fowler said the Patriots were looking into Lamar as well.  Fowler isn't "a hack & a joke"

There's nothing strange about it when you have an understanding of Patriots track record.  In a vacuum, yes.  When you factor in things like cap, compensation, and the team having various other pressing needs, it's almost certainly no-go for the Patriots.  Mac Jones on a rookie contract on a rebuilding team is better than Lamar Jackson on ridiculous contract on a strapped team.

I was speaking to Nick Wright.  The guy is 100% a hack and he's the homeless man's Skip Bayless.  Posting stuff from him is laughable.

oh ge is a massively cap hit, but the Patriots have a good defense and solid running game.  Lamar would fix a lot of their receivers problems.  Bill is also old.  He doesn't have many years left, I could see him wanting to win

Is  Bill old?  I’d suggest 80 as the theshhold for ‘old’. And 80 is old but not necessarily done. If I were him I’d be thinking 9 years left. 
It’s likely that the 2 nominees for leader of the free world in 2024 will be octogenarians.  Head football coach - piece o’ cake by comparison.

Well, he's not young.  He'll be 71 on opening day.   Even Shula & Landry stopped in their mid 60s.  Halas & Levy at 72.   I'd be mildly shocked if he's still coaching in 5 years although he certainly has the love of the game instilled in him.

Amazingly, Romeo Crennel actually holds the record for oldest head coach.

I'm teasing a little -- I prefer not to think of 71 as old.  But yeah, if he's coaching past 75 it would be a surprise. Not impossible by any means -- and no doubt, as in all walks of life, Head Coaches will stick with the job longer now than in previous generations.

Do you think he wants to spend those last 4 years coaching a very average Mac Jones with no real shot at post season success?

I have no idea if the Patriots are interested in Lamar, but I'd be surprised if they weren't one of the teams at least kicking the thought around their office.  26 year old former MVP's don't exactly come available all that often.  And unlike a team like the Colts with the 4th pick in the draft, it isn't like the Patriots would be giving up what you'd expect to be a HOF level player with either of the 2 1st rounders they'd have to give up (or whatever trade the teams work out).  I mean the Jets are probably giving up a 1st rounder for Rodgers who may just be a 1 year rental and who costs what Lamar does.  Lamar is certainly worth 2 mid to late 1st round picks.

2 ways to respond:
1) Lamar sure looks to me like a better option for next season. Depending on how it impact BBs ability to fill out the roster, I’m all in on Lamar Jackson. Would be an injection of excitement to the fan base and increase the probability of Pats being a legit contender.

2) I’m not a skilled enough observer to be certain that Mac Jones’ ceiling is an average quarterback.  A season with an impactful o-line, a weapon-filled offense, and a competent offensive coordinator might lead me to think Mac has above average potential.  Obviously a way different QB than Lamar Jackson, but Mac is an accurate passer and needs to get practice in a world in which he has time for 2nd/3rd reads.  If you acknowledge that he wasn’t given a fair shot at success last year it’s hard to be certain that he’d be unsuccessful in a well-conceived offense with solid personnel.  If Pats add Hopkins, I think they only need to shore up the line to check the boxes. I don’t rule out that Mac could be a top 10-15 QB next season.  Is that Lamar’s ceiling? - no, but it may change the perception of what Mac is capable of.