New England Patriots: 3 key early objectives entering camp
New England Patriots have 3 key objectives to deal with entering camp.
When the New England Patriots begin training (not sure it’s camp at this point) they will have to deal with several key challenges if they are to be successful in the 2020 season.
The 2020 offseason has been a disappointment in player acquisitions but things sometimes have a way of working out if you have some luck and unanticipated good fortune. Here are three key objectives that will have to be met if they are to be successful in 2020.
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First, the New England Patriots have to establish a starting quarterback
Find a quarterback. This is not a revelation, to anyone. They lost the best in the business and basically did little or nothing to replace him on the roster. They are depending on an untested, essentially rookie quarterback, Jarrett Stidham.
New England didn’t even bother to draft a quarterback to either take the reins or at least provide competition for Stidham. Neither did they sign a legitimate free agent like former league MVP Cam Newton to compete to replace Tom Brady.
Seemingly, they just handed Stidham the job. Now, he may turn out great, but as a modus operandi, I think their actions, or rather non-actions here leave a lot to be desired.
In addition, they neglected to even draft a wide receiver in a reportedly wide-receiver heavy draft. No one. With the production or lack thereof, last season, this was seen to be imperative by most observers and probably fans too. They punted. This isn’t going to help Stidham.
Second, the New England Patriots need to establish a running game
Assuming that their passing attack will not be as great as it was under Brady (2019 excepted, since he had Jules and James White a bunch of no-names to throw to), the Patriots need to run the ball.
Who will do it? Their backs are uninspiring. In fact, they are a mediocre room. Sony Michel has been average for two years. Rex Burkhead is a decent back, but too often injured. White is not used too often as running back. (But he is one of the best pass-catching backs in the league, thank you.)
Then there is Damien Harris who saw very few snaps in 2019 as a third-round pick, even while his fellow running backs were doing little. Not a good sign. They brought in an undrafted free agent back whom I like, J.J. Taylor. We’ll see how he does.
Summing up the current running back room, it’s not inspiring.
Third, the New England Patriots need to replace several good players on defense
Free agency was not kind to the Patriots. In addition to their all-time great quarterback, the team also lost significant players on defense. Two linebackers, one starter, the significantly underrated Kyle Van Noy, and a serviceable backup inside linebacker, Elandon Roberts.
They also traded a very valuable depth safety in Duron Harmon. A big-play player. In addition, they lost a very good nose tackle in Danny Shelton. Shelton had underperformed in his first year in New England. But upon re-signing, he excelled.
Shelton had a very good year in 2019. He logged 61 tackles and 3 sacks. That’s top production for a nose tackle.
He has ostensibly been replaced by Beau Allen signed from Tampa Bay. He logged 10 tackles and .5 sacks for Tampa Bay in 2019. Not exactly a like-for-like replacement.
An interesting factoid about the defensive players mentioned above who decided to leave New England, they all left for teams coached by former Patriots defensive coordinators.
It looks like they perhaps were OK with the system and the system’s coordinator, but maybe not with the system’s overall supervisor.
So those are 3 objectives the Patriots will have to deal with upon entering camp in 2020 whenever that may be. They are not insignificant, not at all.
Next. Marcus Cannon is Mr. Reliable at right tackle. dark
How they are dealt with will likely determine the team’s success or lack thereof in 2020. It’s going to be interesting to watch.