New England Patriots: 3 intriguing storylines to watch vs Chargers
Bill Belichick vs Los Angeles Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Hebert
Can Bill Belichick find a way to rattle rookie quarterback Justin Hebert?
The New England Patriots head coach does have an impressive track record against young quarterbacks, but with the lack of depth in key areas on defense, going up against the impressive rookie certainly is not a guarantee victory for the Patriots, especially given the targets Hebert has to throw to.
More from New England Patriots
- 3 Patriots on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
- Former Patriot Stevan Ridley Put Kevin Hart in a Wheelchair
- 3 Patriots Who Can Clinch a Roster Spot in Final Preseason Game
- Patriots Get Win Over Division Rivals Before Season Even Begins
- New Massachusetts Sportsbook Promos: $450 Bonus to Bet on Your Patriots at Caesars + DraftKings
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Belichick spoke highly of the young quarterback who the Patriots were rumored to have interest in prior to the 2020 NFL Draft.
"“Yeah, he’s impressive – very talented player, tall, sees things well, has a good arm, can certainly make all the throws,” Belichick said, via Patriots.com. “He’s athletic, can escape the pocket, smart. They do a number of things at the line of scrimmage – you’ve seen him check plays, audible against pressure, change plays against check-with-me type situations. So, it looks like he’s going to be a good quarterback for a long time, a lot to work with and I know he’s a smart, hard-working kid that likes football and I’m sure he will continue to get better, as he has this year throughout the course of the season.”"
With big targets like Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry to throw to, Justin Hebert could be a problem for the New England Patriots defense if they cannot put pressure on him. Given his athleticism, he also presents a problem on that front.
Belichick’s defenses do have some issues against mobile quarterbacks. Hebert is not Deshaun Watson or Kyler Murray, but he is not a quarterback who is just going to sit in the pocket.
Next. New England Patriots: 5 players destined for big games vs Chargers. dark
So, can Bill Belichick find a way to confuse the young Chargers quarterback? There is not better coach at it than the genius and knowing that one of his former coaches, Brian Flores, had success with the Amoeba defense, look for Belichick to rip a page out of that book.
But, does he have the personnel to be successful?