New England Patriots: Highlighting a blueprint for winning success in 2020
Change the New England Patriots’ entire offensive philosophy
The New England Patriots employed basically a static offensive system for 20 years.
It made sense since it was hugely dependent on a basically static quarterback, the engine that makes the offense go.
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In Tom Brady, the team had a quarterback who was essentially bereft of running skills, immobile but very shifty and canny in the pocket with a lightning release that made up for his general immobility.
What became known as the Patriots’ dynasty built their offense around those attributes.
Now with No. 12 departing for Tampa, the Patriots need to entirely scrap that offensive system and construct a new system or systems based upon more flexibility and adaptability to the new NFL.
The new system as I have written before must be based on mobility. It thus will depend on a mobile quarterback to implement this strategy both in conventional and in a not so conventional format.
This strategy cannot be implemented by a pure drop-back quarterback or even a relatively mobile one. It needs a true multi-threat quarterback. I’ve suggested in the past (as has colleague Will Hyland) that Jalen Hurts is the preferred draftee. I wouldn’t wait and would select him in the first round of the draft on April 23. He would be the key
In a conventional offense, Hurts would able to use not only conventional plays but could carry out a host of unconventional plays from different formations from both under center and in the shotgun formation.
The inncreased mobility and running ability of Jalent Hurts will provide an instant challenge to any defense as could be seen emphatically by the Baltimore offense under the dynamic Lamar Jackson.
No one may be a shifty as Jackson, but Hurts can run for big yardage, something the Patriots’ successful offense in the past could never get from their former quarterback.
Hurts addition is only one piece of the offensive puzzle. I have charted out previously that additional pieces that fit the new system would have to add.
The New England Patriots already have one in place with the inimitable Julian Edelman. But they’d need one or maybe two more similar type multi-role, versatile offensive skill players to fill in the necessary roles. Run, catch, pass, throw options.
Players like Lynn Bowden II from Kentucky who can both catch, run and throw also fit that system. In short, this new offensive system will be defined by its unpredictability. Total unpredictability. Players with multi-role abilities like Hurts, Bowden and Edelman are essential to make this work.
The best place at this point in the offseason to secure those players is in the draft.
The New England Patriots No. 1 priority later this month should be to stock the offense with this type of player. And if it means letting go of current receivers and/or running backs, then go for it.