A series of bad coaching and personnel decisions could have the 2021 New England Patriots on the brink of disaster after only five weeks of the season.
After a very uncharacteristically promising offseason (more on that later) and finally, a solid draft, things positive for the 2021 Patriots after a dismal 7-9, 2020 season.
Optimism ran high in this space and elsewhere not only in the comfortable confines of New England but nationally, as well. No doubt, things seemed to be looking up.
Now some truly awful coaching and personnel decision-making are threatening to derail the season before their sixth game.
Poor coaching and personnel decisions could wreck the New England Patriots season early
While some of these bad decisions have been touched upon here and elsewhere, let’s take a look at a few key ones and see why things are going poorly for the once-mighty franchise.
The first and most obvious has been beaten like a dusty rug over and over and now it’s crystal clear even to those who may have thought otherwise.
New England Patriots dusting-off of the GOAT is their worst move ever
The Tom Brady brush-off in 2019 is one of the worst executive and coaching decisions in the history of the NFL and other tops pro sports leagues, as well.
One commentator, Nick Wright compared it to the Babe Ruth trade. It may wind up to be almost as bad if Brady continues to play to age fifty plus.
This amazing player certainly looks like he can do just that as he defies Father Time each and every week. This move remains a complete and utter disaster in every way imaginable.
Owner Robert Kraft and Head of Football Operations Bill Belichick co-equally share the blame for this debacle. Enough said here about that historically bad mistake.
New England Patriots poor drafting has also helped send them to the bottom of the AFC East
The Patriots drafting except under Chuck Fairbanks years ago and to some extent, Bill Parcells has been a disaster.
Put just their second-round gaffes under the microscope and the scene isn’t pretty. Their track record is horrendous.
Most recently, the Patriots had two first-round picks in 2018. One went on an offensive tackle, Isaiah Wynn, and the other on running back, Sony Michel.
Wynn has been a constant injury worry but previously had looked good when he played. Now, for whatever reasons (he is now on the Covid list), he hasn’t played well at all this season.
Unfortunately, rookie phenom Mac Jones has paid the price for his linemates’ poor performances in the way of multiple sacks.
In Michel’s case, first, his fifth-year option wasn’t picked up by the team and then he was sent packing for a mediocre return to the LA Rams.
On those two first-round picks, let’s also recall two facts that make those choices even more stinging.
Baltimore’s fabulous Lamar Jackson and Cleveland’s outstanding running back Nick Chubb were both available and the Patriots could have had both with those picks
The aforementioned pass on Nick Chubb, Michel’s Georgia teammate really stings now. Chubb is far and away the better back and he has the statistics to prove it.
Chubb has 31 touchdowns to date in his three-plus years in the league. He’s a big strong, tough, and speedy back. He plays for Cleveland, not New England where he should be playing.
As for Lamar Jackson, well, he’s just an amazing dual-threat quarterback but the sting of not picking him has been ameliorated by the lucky grab of Mac Jones. Enough said about that.
New England Patriots offseason omissions are coming home to roost
The Patriots also flubbed the offseason in a couple of key positions. They failed to bring in quality (not waiver-wire types) types at offensive tackle either in the draft or in, free agency, or in trades since.
There’s still time to make these moves (if they don’t lose to Houston), but does anyone think they’ll do what’s required? Not hardly.
Their offensive line which drives the entire team effort is now in complete shambles due to injury and lack of depth.
In addition, the one solution they had/have in-house for the offensive line, through poor coaching hasn’t been utilized at all by the team.
That would be using Michael Onwenu (now out for Covid also) at right tackle and bringing in free agent Ted Karras a quality player to play left-guard. This is sheer coaching folly.
They also whiffed on getting a top, read 90-catch and 10 touchdowns or so receiver. That would have been a tremendous asset to young Mac Jones if/when he’s actually on his feet.
So those are just a few of the terrible decisions by the coaches and the personnel staff that have led directly to a 1-3 start and a lost season if they fall to the hapless Houston Texans on Sunday.
And lest we forget, selling off a top NFL cornerback, Stephon Gilmore for nothing has to also rate as another monster faux pas by the Patriots.
So again, it has to be asked who the heck is making these decisions that even to the untrained NFL fan’s eye are so obviously bad ones?
The New England Patriots spent a guaranteed $159M of owner Robert Kraft’s money in the offseason and are now on the verge of a possibly lost season after only five games.
They are trending to be even worse than the 2020 version if this continues. If it does, some tough questions are going to be asked by the owner. Of that, we can be certain.
He’s poured out a barrel-full of his dough, and someone is going to have to answer for why this 2021 product to date is at the bottom of the AFC East. Stay tuned.