New England Patriots: Why team won’t trade up for Trey Lance
Why will the New England Patriots likely not move up in the draft to select Trey Lance the dual-threat quarterback from North Dakota State who would be a fantastic addition?
Trading up for a top young arm like Lance whatever it may cost the Patriots in draft picks or players (after all, they can’t draft well anyway) would be worth the draft capital.
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Lance is a unique quarterback who fits the new NFL perfectly. He is a tremendously accurate passer. He can run like a running back (frankly, better than any on New England’s current roster).
And, he just wins.
In addition, New England couldn’t have anyone better from whom Lance can learn the way to be a great quarterback, a great leader, and a role model than current Patriots’ quarterback, Cam Newton. He’s the gold standard.
It’s arguably the perfect situation for both the team and the young player. It’s so perfect that it’s unlikely to happen.
And that’s because the Patriots have no idea how to utilize a quarterback like Lance, as was shown with their misuse and mismanagement of Newton in 2020.
Let’s explore this statement in a bit more detail.
The New England Patriots have no idea how to utilize a dual-threat quarterback
In 2020, the New England Patriots basically lucked into signing a terrific quarterback, former MVP, leader, and all-around great guy Newton.
How could this ineffective organization, that had just kicked the greatest quarterback in NFL history to the curb (while he was still performing at a high level, no less) have the perspicacity to sign a guy like Cam?
One and one didn’t seem to add up to two. And lo and behold, it didn’t. It was a fortuitous signing, indeed, but the clueless Patriots had no idea whatsoever to do with this fabulous talent.
And that, my friends, is the gist of this missive and why, because of that fact and because they really have no idea how to utilize such a talent, a trade-up to select Lance is a virtual impossibility.
Last season, after really miraculously securing the services of the former MVP and great quarterback (admittedly coming off an injury season) this writer was very enthused.
They had kicked Tom Brady to the curb. Bad move. Bad move indeed. But, at least as some recompense, they signed another former MVP to at least try to fill the spot.
On the surface it was good. The all-timer was gone, but they had at least signed a legitimate player to play the position. It was as good as it seemingly could get for 2020 in light of the major gaffe the club had just made.
Yet, even with Newton aboard, the Patriots’ offense, led by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels couldn’t get nearly as much out of this great talent as they should have. Blend that with a poor supporting complement thanks to the personnel operation and, voila! you have a 7-9 team.
Just how did McDaniels and the Patriots’ offense flub up having a really good dual-threat quarterback like Cam Newton?
First, and this won’t be belabored here, they failed to get him any weapons to assist. Second, and another major fly in the ointment, was that the play calling by New England failed to properly utilize Newton’s abilities. This is all on the coaches.
While Newton would have been limited anyway with the truly poor supporting cast, nevertheless proper utilization would have helped. In fact, it may have gotten the Patriots a playoff spot.
The real missed opportunity at the heart of why New England is not likely to draft a dual-threat quarterback like Lance is, they don’t understand the concept. Why is that?
They used Newton as a primary runner. Now, one might argue that he did fairly well in that role scoring 11 touchdowns on the ground. Fine, but the problem was communication.
Too often, Newton was slotted in as that primary ball carrier and it was telegraphed to defensive coordinators as if McDaniels had a megaphone shouting in their ears. “Here comes Cam!”
This was especially true when New England lost games trying to get Newton to carry the ball into the end zone when it was crystal clear that was the play all along. Too, too obvious.
The real flaw in how they utilized Newton’s talents was that his value in the offense should have been more of the threat of the run rather than the actual run. A read-option quarterback has to have options.
Again, Newton had few last season. Poor wide receivers who couldn’t get open. Terrible tight ends who couldn’t catch at all.
Yet, he did have decent running backs at least in Damien Harris, James White, and to some extent Sony Michel when he wasn’t sidelined with an injury.
Yet, on few occasions did they employ a true read-option approach even just with the backs to maximize the threat that Newton may run while he also could pitch the ball to a back.
It’s this history and lack of coaching ability that leads to the conclusion that Lance is an unlikely draftee of the Patriots should they move high up in the draft to select a young quarterback.
Somewhat logically, actually, they may actually realize that they can’t effectively utilize that type of talent so why should they go all-in on one in the draft.
As a Lance fan, it’s still the hope here that they somehow make the right decision if they do trade up and take Lance. If so, they can certainly bring in an assistant coach who knows how to use the read-option game. Can they not?
It’s possible. Anything is with the New England Patriots. But, as on many, many occasions in the past, their personnel decision-making has been lacking and they seldom do the right thing.
Yet, this season just may be different. The owner has uncharacteristically weighed in and is expecting a new young quarterback and solid results in the draft. For a change. In addition, they have a new personnel director in Dave Zeigler.
Next. Bill Belichick nearly powered his way out of New England. dark
So, maybe, just maybe they will do the right thing for once. We’ll all know in a week. Can’t wait.