Invoice Belichick, or no matter is left of him, has had a nominal curiosity in opening up the New England offense for years now. His curiosity within the offensive facet is merely a cursory obligation. The principles require Belichick to subject a quarterback beneath middle however because the day Tom Brady minimize ties with him, The Hoodie pushed the passing assault right into a nook and went all in on manufacturing the dullest offense attainable. Each offseason, he picks up a burly, fringe Professional Bowl tight finish after which chases linemen and cornerbacks.
When was the final time you watched a Patriots offensive collection and felt your adrenaline dashing? I’ve seen highschool offenses which are extra high-octane. It seems to be like Belichick hasn’t given his offense something greater than a cursory look in years. In his quest to show he can win with one hand tied behind his again, Belichick has demoralized his signature unit. Final yr, he appointed his former defensive coordinator to function chief govt of his offense. That went in addition to Elon Musk working Twitter.
Invoice O’Brien’s returned to animate Mac Jones, however he’s working with inadequate instruments. Jones is throwing to the league’s least intimidating, most mediocre receiving corps and the offensive line is beneath Belichick’s requirements. Consequently, for the second consecutive week, the Patriots offense performed possum in opposition to a suboptimal opponent. After getting pantsed 38-3 by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, New England was fileted 34-0 by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Each losses have been the worst of Belichick’s profession.
The Saints loss harm extra. Not solely did it come on the heels of a humiliating defeat to the Cowboys, however the Saints are a .500 crew. Belichick’s defenses don’t deserve the blame, although. When Jones is scoring extra factors for the opposing protection than for his personal offense and repeatedly burns out after three downs, what’s the protection speculated to do? The 1-3 Jets, 1-4 Giants and the 2-2 Browns defenses are emblematic of how even essentially the most well-coached defenses can get crushed into submission.
Up to now two video games, Jones has thrown for 260 yards, donated 4 interceptions to needy defenses, together with a pair of pick-sixes, in addition to a fumble returned for six, and engineered just one scoring drive. New England’s quagmire raises a risk that was beforehand unthinkable. How for much longer can the Patriots dwell with a cussed Belichick eschewing explosive ability place gamers or a franchise quarterback?
Rigor mortis hasn’t set in but, as a result of the offense is DOA. Jones has been terrible since his rookie season. But it surely’s not possible to discern whether or not his regression is a rooster or an egg scenario. Is Jones holding again an offense affected by a ability deficit or his water pistol arm is suppressing an offense that has slimmer room for error than virtually some other unit within the NFL? No matter the reason being, the Patriots ought to have seen sufficient to know that he’s not the elixir for New England’s anemic offense.
Tom Brady’s peerless effectivity allowed the Pats to get away with a scarcity of creativeness. Nonetheless, he was additionally throwing to Rob Gronkowski and an assortment of slot receivers like Julius Edelmen or Wes Welker for a majority of his profession. Belichick has at all times tried to chop corners on offense. Whether or not it was working 4 tight finish units or having a corps of targets composed of receivers who measured in beneath six-feet tall.
The one group extra secure than New England’s for the previous twenty years have been the San Antonio Spurs. Like Belichick, Gregg Popovich misplaced extra video games than each coach apart from Dwane Casey. Nonetheless, San Antonio’s religion in Popovich has been renewed within the months because the Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama.
Theoretically, Belichick can nonetheless mildew expertise, however he must not less than be keen to improve his roster, particularly at quarterback, and discover his personal Wembanyama. It doesn’t essentially should be a generational expertise like Caleb Williams, however a quarterback who can really stretch the sphere could be a begin.
The whispers about Belichick’s job safety are morphing into murmurs. However Jones ought to hit the highway earlier than an eight-time Tremendous Bowl champion who’s gained six as a head coach. The 2024 Draft is projected to be wealthy with sign callers and the Patriots must be within the combine if Belichick follows by way of on his promise to stay with Jones as his starter shifting ahead.
Belichick has earned the good thing about the doubt. He’s essentially the most completed coach in league historical past and some seasons away from eclipsing Don Shula in profession wins. He’s additionally a prideful man who’s ashamed to confess failure. Nonetheless, he additionally must be humbled. Belichick in all probability believes he can carry out some DIY fixes on Jones, however don’t let him overthink it. Belichick can’t Geppetto this offense to life.
This is likely one of the worst offensive models within the AFC due to that very same mindset they usually lack a sturdy nucleus to construct round. The very best factor that would occur to Belichick’s legacy is for this season to snowball in order that this crew can transfer on from Jones within the offseason, assemble a purposeful offense and gauge whether or not Belichick nonetheless has what it takes to prepare dinner up one other contender.
Observe DJ Dunson on X: @cerebralsportex
