A big win in Miami has the New England Patriots feeling good as they return to Gillette Stadium for consecutive home games. But, improvements must be made in order for the team to secure their first win streak since 2022.
So before kickoff with the Steelers, let’s get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
Is it too early to be concerned about the linebacker play? If there is no improvement, then what might be the team’s solution? – coolbeanz
Considering it was identified as a potential weakness
entering the season, absolutely not. The biggest disappointment through two weeks has been Robert Spillane missing a league-high eight tackles (while Christian Elliss is tied for second with six). The hope is that after Spillane missed just 10 tackles all of last season (6.0% miss tackle rate) that the number corrects itself with more in-game reps.
The coverage, however, has also been an issue — although covering De’Von Achane in man is a tough task for any linebacker. The wonder is if they lean more on Marte Mapu on later downs, while Jahlani Tavai is also eligible to be activated off injured reserve soon to and could have an early down role waiting for him in place of Elliss if the tackling does not improve.
Is it the safety play that’s been bad or is it the absence of Gonzalez and poor corner play that’s putting pressure on the safeties? – bullseye759
The coverage as a whole has not been strong enough which has led to the defense allowing a league-high 677 passing yards through two weeks. Without Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots have not been able to hold up in man coverage (especially with their safeties in one-on-ones and the aforementioned coverage linebacker issues) and the Dolphins were then able to pick apart their zone coverages particularly outside the numbers.
Gonzalez’s return should be a major boost. Beyond his talent, his availability will let the defense play their ideal brand of ‘cat on cat’ coverage with the All-Pro and Carlton Davis.
What player on the Steelers scares you the most? – NewEnglandWhalers
While D.K. Metcalf is the most dangerous threat, running back Jaylen Warren is not one to gloss over with the Patriots struggles covering running backs. Warren has been a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers to start the season with six catches for over 100 yards — including a 65-yard catch-and-run last week — in the first two weeks.
I have a question about offensive scheme. Are you noticing the Patriots doing anything differently in the red zone? Anything stand out to you in general so far?
Scheme wise, the game plan from Josh McDaniels was beautiful against Miami. Compared to Week 1, McDaniels lowered their shotgun and spread rate while increasing the usage of motion and run actions. He also took advantage of Maye’s mobility with a handful of moving pockets — one leading to a touchdown to Mack Hollins in the red zone — building off more outside zone runs early in the game before getting to McDaniels’ usually downhill run game.
Pairing that with an improved performance in the ground game resulted in the best game of Drake Maye’s career. McDaniels will remain a game plan coordinator, but that could become a baseline for the offense moving forward.
When do we get to see Chism on the field and since he was the darling in training camp why are they holding him back? – Patriotpower
I’m sure everyone is chomping on the bit to get a look at Chism. He seems, from the outside looking in, to be doing everything right to get a shot. Is it primarily just the pecking order keeping him inactive? Guys with more experience ahead of him. If you have a similar desire to see him play…which active player would you swap him with? – PatsHowYouDoIt
I would not say they are holding Chism back, just that a handful of veterans remain on the depth chart in front of him. He’s currently working to be more versatile in the offense beyond the slot as wide receivers 4/5 on the active roster need to be able to play each position in case of emergency.
It still feels like it will take an injury to see him on the active roster, unless DeMario Douglas’ production remains minimal.
Has how Kyle Williams been in his action? – Steve g.
Williams has played just 17 offensive snaps through two weeks where his vertical speed has largely been used downfield to clear out defenders. Although, New England’s first drop back against Miami was a designed deep shot to the rookie which was open if Maye had not been sacked on a long developing play.
We’ll call our shot here: watching the Steelers get beat on the same Yankee concept (post/over route) in each of their first two games, Williams gets on the board with an explosive in Week 3.
I have a question about sample size. There was a pretty legit kicker competition in camp, with neither option clearly separating themself. They went with the drafted option…but I’m left wondering why they make such an important decision between two close competitors on the basis of what feels like maybe 3-4 kicks per practice? Maybe a little more, sometimes less? Why not have these guys kicking 40-50 monitored and scored field goals per practice? Does that happen behind the scenes and count in evaluations or are they really limiting themselves to a small handful of kicks to make such a big decision? – Wilforkin
Workload is definitely under consideration when it comes to these kicker competition — even leading to some days off for each kicker this summer with an alternating schedule. It was noteworthy that both Mike Vrabel and special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer noted the entirety of the offseason when commentating on the kicker decision as Andy Borregales had a much stronger spring than Parker Romo.
Between the spring, summer, joint practices, preseason games, and even kickoffs this year, they had more than enough of an evolution period.
Most of the O line talk has been the rookies on left side and unfortunately about Moses on the right side with some mental errors but I haven’t heard Mike Onwenu’s name spoken in the last two games. Is that good or bad? I have yet to see any PFF numbers on him yet… – KPGI
As for the PFF numbers, Onwenu has surrendered four total pressures. ESPN metrics, however, has him tied for first with a 100 percent pass block win rate. Through my rewatches, I’d side slightly more with PFF as Onwenu has been beat a few times on stunts although the chemistry with Morgan Moses appeared to grow from Week 1 to 2.
His work out as an athletic run blocker on outside zone or as a puller — where he struggled at time in Week 1 — could remain up-and-down as a bigger guard.
Caeden Wallace is the only backup guard listed on the Pats’ website. Brown seems to be next in line, but he’s the backup center as well. Who is next up at guard with Wallace inactive (which he has been both games)?? Seems they’ve been lucky the starters have not gotten hurt . . . – ed.liebfried
Ben Brown saw a good portion of work at left guard this summer making him the top interior backup at all three positions. If they lose both Jared Wilson and Garrett Bradbury in the same game, however, they would need to get creative with their tackles and hold on for dear life.
Who do you feel will be the starting Right Tackle if Moses can’t go on Sunday? – PatsHowYouDoIt
Moses has been a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday which sets the stage for him to play on Sunday. If he can’t go, rookie Marcus Bryant would be up at left tackle. Would expect to see some of Bryant, anyway, in heavy personnel packages.
I know we’re only heading into week 3, but Morgan Moses had a 55.4 pass block grade last week (by far the worst on the team) to go with 3 penalties. He’s also going to be 35 next year. Who are some RT prospects to watch out for next year? – SomeRandomPatsFan
We are certainly not throwing in the towel on Morgan Moses yet, although the reality is at 34 years old the Patriots will add a tackle at some point in the draft (unless they are happy with the devleopment of Marcus Bryant). But, we always like talking draft and two of the top tackle prospects align on the right side: Spencer Fano (Utah) and Francis Mauigoa (Miami).
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.
