The New England Patriots are headed home as they welcome the Cleveland Browns to Gillette Stadium after a three game road trip. New England will also look for their fifth straight win to further their lead
atop the AFC East.
So before kickoff, let’s get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
Do you think the early game defensive struggles are due to scheme or the players or both? The D has been more or less lights out in the second half and even about mid 2nd quarter after getting spanked early in every game. That leads me to think it’s a play calling issue but the tale of two a defenses is annoying to see. Eventually it’s gonna put the Pats in a hole that they can’t climb out of, likely at the worst time, especially if they somehow defy all preseason expectations and find themselves in the playoffs. – ThunderMonkee
The Patriots have allowed points on opponent’s first drives in five of seven games to start this season. Through opponent’s first three drives, New England ranks 30th in EPA/play and dead last in success rate.
As for what’s going wrong, Mike Vrabel and players have noted how opponents’ scripts have hurt them. Schematically, New England seems to keep things pretty basic through the early drives — outside of trying to make a play out of the gate with a corner blitz against New Orleans that backfired as they allowed a 50-plus yard explosive — which likely plays a role.
The positive news is that after they allow the game to declare, the switch is flipped. Following an opponent’s first three drives, New England ranks third in EPA per play (-0.17) and tenth in play success rate (41.6%). While the slow starts have not hurt them yet with the offense playing well and the defense ultimately buckling down, it is a trend worth pointing out and remembering against better offenses coming up on the schedule that could put the Patriots in an early hole.
The other issue on defense that has allowed teams to move the ball is their man coverage success. New England is playing man coverage much differently than they have in the past with no robber or hole defender to help cornerbacks in the middle of the field. Instead, they are playing plenty on man-free (single-high safety) and bringing extra rushers from the second level.
Despite having a group of talented man coverage corners, the structure of the system is forcing them to truly play on islands (a hard ask for anyone). While New England has dropped their man coverage rates the last two weeks, teams are taking advantage of the middle of the field when they do play man as the Patriots rank last in EPA per drop-back in man coverage (+0.39).
With Vrabel spending last year with the Browns as a consultant and having the inside scoop about how the team operates, what, if any, advantages would that provide going into this Sunday?
Also, is this a mini-revenge game after the Browns went 3-14 last year and did not offer Vrabel an interview? – DarthVrabel
Not sure about a revenge game like it was last week, but Vrabel’s experience absolutely helps. Patriots outside linebackers coach Mike Smith explained why on Thursday:
“Absolutely [it helps], not just with the offensive line — that as well — but just with the scheme and what they’re thinking and down and distance and situational football. Just today, before practice, he came in, and we’re just talking about a certain situation and what he thought about this, and if this could come up. And so that is a huge benefit of him being there for a year, and it always is. I mean, for me, he played this position, OLB, and so I bounce a lot of things off of him, and just his knowledge of football.”
Die hard PATS fan here. Even though I don’t think the pats will go very far in the playoffs, this has been a season thus far for the team and fans to be excited about. With this being said, I know there has been much discussion on the pats adding an RB, WR, CB, or an LB. What I have not seen or talked about much is the high number of sacks Drake Maye has taken this year thus far. I think he is tied at second most in the league with 22 sacks. Wouldn’t it be smart to upgrade the O-line (if possible) vice adding a WR or a RB? I would think an upgrade will not only help protect the QB, but it could potentially help the run game. – ABCarpenter
While Maye has take 22 sacks, five have come from him outside the pocket either running out of bounds or giving himself up. He also has the lost the lowest amount of yards per sack (3.5 yards) and has the sixth-highest time to sack (5.11 seconds). So while the offensive line has not been perfect there is some context needed with the sack total.
As for making changes, the only switch I would currently consider is Ben Brown in for rookie Jared Wilson at left guard. While I’m still high on Wilson’s future, it likely is at center as he’s a bit undersized at guard. There’s still high-level flashes on film so they could let Wilson work through the rookie moments for the high ceiling, but Brown could provide a higher level on consistency. As of now, seems like sticking with Wilson is the plan.
With the Pats seemingly ahead of “schedule” might be a good time to add to the team. Despite RB being a hot topic, what do we think about adding to the TE room? Hooper & Henry have been solid but if either goes down the depth for the TE room is non-existent. Also, on a non football note. If we’re choosing the best movie sequal of all time: Empire Strikes Back or Terminator Two? Thanks! – Plain Old Chad
Mike Vrabel has discussed taking a long-term approach when it comes to the trade deadline. With Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper both over 30 and how much the position is used/targeted by Josh McDaniels and Drake Maye, I would be in-store for an addition.
Players like Kyle Pitts and David Njoku are in the final years of their contracts and would bring more juice as pass catchers. But if New England opts for more short-term depth elsewhere at the deadline with Henry and Hooper playing well, I could see an early addition in the draft (depending how the class looks) or in free agency.
Why on Earth would the Pats spend draft picks and money on a receiver right now? Culture and chemistry are being built and the receiver room is blossoming before our eyes, and Vrabel ain’t monkeying with that, right? – ed.liebfried
I’m with you, Ed. The receiver group has been awesome on and off the field to start the year. While we likely will revisit acquiring a true alpha in the offseason (unless one of those long-term fixes actually becomes available), just acquiring another body is low on my current list of needs.
Do you think the Patriots will trade for a RB or stick with what they have? – Mike337
As of now I believe they’ll stick with what they have, but it comes down to their trust levels with TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings behind Rhamondre Stevenson — as they cannot overload the veteran back.
Mike Vrabel shared praise for Jennings outside the locker room in Tennessee, while the coaching staff continues to acknowledge that Henderson will be a large part of what they do as the season progresses. But, if the low playing time continues for the rookie then Patriots should be in the market for another body (not resetting the depth chart with a player like Derrick Henry or Alvin Kamara).
I miss the good old wheel route. Don’t you think Josh could dial it up with Henderson? I’m sure Maye could nail it. And we’d all love to see Henderson not crashing into a defensive tackle again and again. – Ricky Hot Pants
Speaking of Henderson, this was a staple route for him in training camp and the preseason as he looked set to be one of the team’s best vertical threats. He had a 70-yard touchdown on this route during a two-minute drill in joint practices against the Vikings. But, he’s ran that route just once this regular season (Rhamondre has ran it twice). Defenses have been aligning overtop of New England’s running backs at times, but the lack of downfield routes have been surprising.
What happened to all the “experts” that said Joe Milton should be QB1? – NewEnglandWhalers
The only QB1 talk here was Drake Maye being QB1 in the 2024 draft. I’ve enjoyed the start to the season.
Hi, Brian, its Brian. I have two questions, but I’ll disguise it as a two-parter: (1) Is there a reason that Drake Maye and Kyle Williams seem to have such a hard time getting on the same page? Is it just the need for more reps, or do you see some other issue? And (2) my wife and I are coming into town (from Arkansas, believe it or not) for the Falcons game. Any recommended places to grab lunch or brunch before the game? – Brian, the Arkie Patriots fan
Hey Brian, nice name. As for Kyle Williams I would say lack of reps together. They seemed to be on a good page early in training camp but Williams then missed a week late in the summer with a head injury and now spends some time on scout team in season.
As for food, it might be best to park and eat in Pats Place to make sure you get in the stadium before kickoff (most places I like in the area don’t open until 11:30 a.m. — The Gavel in Wrentham being a good one, and David Andrews recommended). Plenty of good options and variety in there. Have fun and enjoy the game! And we’ll ask for any more recommendations from the people in the comments.
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.
