The New England Patriots have ended their offseason program and now break until training camp in late July. While players are out of the facility, plenty remains to break down.
So, let’s get into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
Hey Brian. Two part question today…
Do you see Maye taking his game to another level this season, and if he does, does the offense have to bail the defense out of a few games this year?
The second part of the question is more due to my concern for the Edge position as it currently
stands. – Pat in Agawam
I do believe Maye has another level he can reach this season. I’m not sure what that looks like from a statistical or accolade standpoint — the only way up from being the MVP runner-up is winning the award — but he will still be just 24 years old entering his third NFL season.
I think the biggest area of growth will come on the mental side of his game. The Patriots challenged him this spring by occasionally sending him to the line of scrimmage without a play call, forcing him to get the offense into the right look. Sharpening that aspect of his game — while also expanding what is then available to him on the play sheet — should help eliminate negative plays, which quietly piled up at times last season. The Patriots were often able to overcome those mistakes until they ran into trouble in the playoffs and Super Bowl.
To your second point, another way you could see the growth could be Maye winning the team games in shootouts. Being at his best when it matters most and adding a few comeback or fourth-quarter victories to his résumé would be another step forward. I’d imagine the experience he gained during last year’s playoff run and Super Bowl appearance should help him in those moments.
There was talk after the super bowl that the Seahawks knew our signals or somehow knew what plays we were going to run. That story seemed to die off and I haven’t heard anything about it since. Has there been an assessment of that claim? Was it true? Has anyone with the team addressed this? – kwizzer
My takeaway from Seattle’s comments was that New England’s offense became pretty predictable down the stretch with a lot of young players operating in Year 1 of the same system together. That was especially true in their pass-protection plan, which Seattle took advantage of by attacking vulnerable points with extra rushers.
Like we discussed with Maye, another year for everyone in the system should lead to more answers at the line of scrimmage, more options offensively, and ultimately better results.
How is Doubs looking this spring?
After so much fanfare about his signing, there’s been relatively little reporting on his performance as compared to, say AJ Brown, Chism, Boutte, and Douglas, though he’s likely a much more important player than 3 of those 4.
And a quick follow up: based on the admittedly little the public has seen of practices so far, suppose AJ Brown was out for a few games with injury. How do you think Doubs would fair as WR 1? – fdsafdsa
I wasn’t overly impressed by Doubs this spring. He caught half of his targets from Maye all in the underneath area of the field as he struggled to generate many explosive plays in red zone or full-field work. While Doubs in general projects to be a more steady than flashy player, perhaps the big plays come with more reps later this summer or just on Sundays.
With the crowded/deep WR room , How many do we carry on the active roster 6, 7 or is there a real chance of Boutte getting traded or a surprise camp cut? – knucklehead1709
I’m still under the belief that Kayshon Boutte will be traded. Ultimately, I think it comes down to him wanting a fresh start with more opportunities in a contract year. I would then say they carry six: A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, Efton Chism III, and DeMario Douglas.
Who do you feel is the most underrated player on the team and why? – XGhost-PepperX
He definitely started to get more respect down the stretch last season but I would still go Rhamondre Stevenson. He’s truly a complete back who can impact the game as a rusher, receiver, and pass blocker.
What are your top 3 stregnths and top 3 weaknesses for the current team? Are there any moves you might make to change this, such as patching up a weakness or trading an extra stregnth for assets? – Sportzballer
The biggest strengths are quarterback, cornerback, and wide receiver. Weaknesses fall along the edge and at linebacker plus tight end behind Robert Spillane and Hunter Henry.
With wide receiver being a strength, perhaps the Kayshon Boutte trade is a player-for-player swap at a position of weakness.
With our need at TE, why aren’t there any reports of calling about available players before the team returns? Getting them in and learning the playbook would be huge. I immediately think of Kmet in CHI, young but experienced TE with blocking and receiving upside who is at best TE2 with Loveland there – JAS7
I would imagine a potential trade comes later this summer if a younger option/veteran addition does not claim the top role behind Hunter Henry. Kmet would be a strong fit, but it sounds like Chicago currently has plans for all three of their tight ends in the offense this season.
I’m still watching the Rams after they spent back-to-back second-round picks on Terrance Ferguson and Max Klare while they still have Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee on the roster. Jacksonville too after drafting two tight ends this season, perhaps making a depth option like Hunter Long available.
How come we have this LB group with only one really proved guy Spillane ? I am really worried …. – 7i165
As we discussed above, it’s definitely one of the weaker groups on the roster. But, Christian Elliss played really good football down the stretch last season and K.J. Britt and Chad Muma had promising springs. The team also drafted Namdi Obiazor late in the draft. You certainly need Spillane healthy, but it should be enough to get through the season.
What position would Drake Maye play if he were on the USMNT squad? – RonFrancis10
I get the striker appeal, but I could see him at center back. He has the size to defend against headers, can read the whole field like a QB and show off his long ball still.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following @iambrianhines and @PatsPulpit as well.
