Patriots: Savage Mac Jones story shows he’s got a little Brady in him
By Jerry Trotta
The New England Patriots’ draft plans might have been flipped upside down following the first wave of draft movement, which saw the San Francisco 49ers move up nine spots to No. 3 overall to presumably draft their quarterback of the future.
This further emphasizes the notion that several teams — including the Jaguars, Jets, Falcons, Panthers, Lions, Vikings and Broncos — could justify drafting a QB early on in the first round.
The Patriots have expressed interest in Alabama star Mac Jones for several months, but the chances of him falling to them at No. 15 shrunk significantly following that mega deal.
The latest buzz suggests New England is still intent on trading up to draft a quarterback (even after the blockbuster) but their intentions could wane once they realize how much they’d have to give up just to move inside the top eight or nine.
At the same time, however, don’t discount the Belichick-Nick Saban connection. And the Patriots could absolutely still be interested in Jones, especially if they’ve read this savage story about him absolutely carving up Alabama’s first-team defense during practice one day.
Not only did Jones refuse to let up, but he also had a few choice words for Saban in a story that should sound straight out of the Patriots’ playbook.
Reading up on Bama QB Mac Jones, fascinating background. As a scout team QB in one prax he kept throwing TD bombs against the 1st team D. Saban told him to cut it out. His response? “ Tell your defense to stop it”
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 27, 2021
The Patriots might be further incentivized to draft Alabama QB Mac Jones after this eye-opening story.
Not many players have the stones to stick up to Saban, who’s one of the most respected football coaches of all time, and that further proves that Jones has a little Tom Brady in him. Projected mid-rounder who elevated himself? Game manager who clearly transcends the form? Yeah, we’ve seen this before.
The young QB was playing a dangerous game clapping back at Saban like this, and that confidence will no doubt translate to the NFL, though he probably needs to earn the trust and respect of his eventual new teammates before he challenges one of his coaches.
Given their respective intangibles — like strong pocket poise, decision making, suspect athleticism, and average arm strength, etc. — it’s no coincidence that so many analysts have linked the 22-year-old quarterback to Brady.
However, the fact that Jones evidently boasts a similar killer instinct to that of the Patriots legend (especially during practice) speaks volumes as to why so many analysts think he’d be a perfect fit with head coach Bill Belichick in New England.
Again, it remains to be seen whether the Patriots will draft Jones, but he proved in his lone season as the starter in 2020 that he’s capable of handling monster expectations. Not only that, but he spent three year’s under Saban’s tutelage, so he shouldn’t have much trouble at all adjusting to Belichick’s cutthroat coaching style.
