New Year’s Resolutions for the New England Patriots

New Year’s Resolutions for the Patriots

4. Rearrange the Rest of the Coaching Staff – Getting an offensive-minded coach as offensive coordinator (wild that even needs to be said) should be the top priority for the 2023 Patriots coaching staff, but it should not be the only one. Patricia is obviously well-trusted by Bill, so keeping him around isn’t a bad idea, even if the idea of him continuing to call plays is unacceptable.

Although Matty P. is the de facto OC for the Pats this season, his actual job title is “Senior Football Advisor / Offensive Line Coach.” Senior football advisor is a fine role for Patricia, serving similarly to what Ernie Adams did for so long in New England.

But the Patriots need a dedicated offensive line coach who has no other obligations (again, wild that even needs to be said). The defensive side of the ball appears to be in excellent shape, although Jerod Mayo exiting after the year is a real possibility.

The third facet of the game, special teams, needs some help. It is still being determined how much blame Cameron Achord deserves for the sloppy play of this unit, though likely less than he has received. But it is widely known how much Belichick values special teams, and that unit needs to be carrying their weight.

Whether it has been foolish penalties or underperforming specialists, this unit needs to be cleaned up, and perhaps simply shifting Joe Judge over there, where he was very successful before leaving to become head coach of the New York Giants, is both the best and easiest solution. And, to address the issue, replacing Bill Belichick as HC of the NEP should not be a consideration. The day he announces his retirement will be the day to begin thinking about replacing BB, and not a day sooner.

5. Better Body Language – This resolution begins with the player who plays the most important position on the field: QB Mac Jones. Quarterback is also the most scrutinized position on the field, so it’s not just their play that needs to be on point; it is virtually every aspect of what they do and how they conduct themselves. Whether that is fair or not is irrelevant at this point; it is what it is (don’t feel too bad for NFL QBs, there are some perks too).

Fans love that Mac cares so much. Fans love that Mac seems to share their opinion on Matty P’s performance as offensive coordinator. However, fans do not love that when Mac shows how much he cares, he often appears to be on the verge of tears.

Sure, Tom Brady lost control plenty of times too, but there is a big difference, visually, from seeing your franchise QB want to rip somebody’s head off or seeing them want to have a good cry for themselves. Jones was named a team captain this season, and Belichick raved about how hard he worked in the offseason, but with the added responsibility of being a team leader, especially as a QB, is the ability to make teammates want to run through a brick wall for you, not run and get you a box of tissues.

Peyton Manning often had similar frustrated/whiny body language, especially early in his career, and it was one of the many reasons why it was always so easy for Patriots fans to root against him. However, recently Patriots legends Vince Wilfork and Julian Edelman each chimed in with less-than-flattering feedback about Jones’ body language and facial expressions.

If Mac can find a way to keep his competitive fire without having it come across as a mere temper tantrum, it would certainly help him win over some Patriots fans, as well as be good for his confidence and the confidence of his teammates in him.