Patriots: Haters whining about Mac Jones’ lack of downfield throws are misinformed
![EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks to hand off the ball against the New York Jets in the first half of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks to hand off the ball against the New York Jets in the first half of the game at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a532ddd1534667fa04dac996a1be2eb2f8785e2d3ecd00f53bd424f1ebdd9284.jpg)
Man, we didn’t know non-fans of the New England Patriots were so in tune to … the New England Patriots? Looks like Bill Belichick still has that rent-free stake in so many brains out there, even without Tom Brady.
Why? Because all of a sudden everyone is concerned about rookie quarterback Mac Jones’ usage in the Patriots’ offense.
Ohhh … we know why. It’s because the haters can’t stand hearing about Jones being the most successful first-year signal caller from this year’s draft class through the first two weeks.
And in order to invalidate those claims, you simply need to have the contrarians grasping for straws to “prove” why Jones actually isn’t that good.
Don’t you DARE take any statistics through Week 2 at face value because Jones is the “checkdown king,” according to the haters.
Guess we’re forced to believe the haters — oh, wait, nope.
Mac Jones through two weeks:
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 21, 2021
🔹84.1% adjusted completion percentage (1st)
🔹6.8% big-time throw percentage (7th)
🔹84.3 @PFF clean pocket grade (9th)
🔹2.55s average time to throw (9th)
🔹63.2% accurate percentage (9th)
🔹70.2 overall passing grade (16th)
🔹6.2 ADOT (28th)
Stop whining about Mac Jones if you’re not a Patriots fan, OK?
Let’s hear it. That adjusted completion percentage isn’t legit because most of Jones’ passes have been of the shorter variety. We’re truly sorry the Patriots coaching staff game-planned in a manner to put Jones in the best position possible … only to watch him succeed.
Belichick and the Patriots, over the last two-plus decades, have the least amount of experience grooming young quarterbacks … yet they’re taking an incredibly nuanced approach in the post-Tom Brady era to ensure the next decade of football in New England is a success.
Perhaps other franchises should learn from this? How many times have we seen rookie QBs crash and burn from being thrown into the fire too early and being tasked to shoulder an impossible load?
Mac Jones on lack of downfield throws: It's about taking what the defense gives you. https://t.co/2qpwY2DqPg
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 21, 2021
If you watched the Patriots-Jets game on Sunday, you’d understand. The Jets couldn’t protect Zach Wilson, and there was hardly a plan to get the ball out of the former BYU star’s hands. Four interceptions later, and New York loses 25-6. But we guess it was “cooler” that Wilson was allowed to be “unleashed” by slinging the ball into triple coverage down the field?
Thanks, but no thanks. We’ll take Jones easing into the offense, going through his reads, and getting a feel for the NFL, which is an entirely different beast than the NCAA … even the SEC.
You ever met a 28-year old who still orders chicken fingers at every restaurant? That’s what the Patriots are setting Mac Jones up for. https://t.co/tlpXQEr7HV
— nick wright (@getnickwright) September 20, 2021
We’re sure Jones is happy with chicken fingers, too, Mr. Wright. Who isn’t? The filet mignon can wait, there’s no rush.
If Damien Harris didn’t spill Jones’ ketchup late in the fourth quarter of Week 1, then the Patriots are 2-0. Don’t forget that. When the rookie needs to unleash deep throws (which we’ve seen plenty of in his first two career games), he’ll be ready for the task. Don’t fault the Patriots for being smart and understanding the best approach against their early opponents.