How the "new" Patriots' offense could provide a winning formula

The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator (OC) in Alex Van Pelt. That change, accompanying a new Head Coach, as in New England, will signal a new offensive scheme. Since the offense the past two years was a disaster under a couple of former OCs, this is a welcome change.

The former system used for 20 years under Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels worked brilliantly while they had the best quarterback ever, Tom Brady, slinging the rock. Frankly, Brady would have excelled in any system, as he is the GOAT, after all.

With a new quarterback and OC taking the reins this season, the new system may provide an opportunity to succeed, aka win. However, several key positions have bewilderingly still not been filled. Let’s explore how AVP’s new system, correctly designed, might create a winning formula.

The Patriots have a young quarterback who is adaptable to any system

Big-money quarterback free agent signing Jacoby Brissett is familiar with Alex Van Pelt’s (AVP) offensive system. While that suits the team if he's backup, he’s not the answer to making that system, or any system, for that matter, win for this Patriots team.

It will take brilliant and versatile quarterback play to get this offense in gear, especially with two major deficiencies evident. There is no true left tackle and no WR1 or X wide receiver on hand. The keys then are rookie third-pick overall, Drake Maye, and AVPs designing a system that fits him to a tee.

Maye’s versatility is a gold mine for any offensive coordinator. If AVP is astute enough to customize his system to suit Maye’s skillset, the system and the QB can come together to create a
winning formula. This can occur despite the other offensive shortcomings.

This isn’t rocket science, just basic football logic and analysis. If you lack certain skills or players in your system, then you adapt it to the players you have and improvise. Trying to fit players who aren't adaptable into your system is a fool’s errand.

How a well-crafted system can make the Patriots a winner

AVP's offensive design must fully consider these factors. Without a left tackle, Maye will have to be fitted with scripted rollouts to avoid the expected overwhelming pass rush from his left side. This is no problem. Maye has superb mobility. Designed pass plays that have him roll out right will be a breeze for him to implement.

Maye can also throw deftly on the move, going both right and left if flushed from the pocket. That’s not something every quarterback can do. This will be useful if his left tackle and offensive line are as porous as projected.

The rookie can also scramble, turning broken plays into big gainers and touchdowns with his feet. His flat-out solid running ability lends to his use as a runner (on occasion only) to mix things up. We may even see programmed quarterback draws, a seldom-seen play call in New England for ages. Any scripted QB running plays add another dimension to the defense's preparation, even if they’re seldom actually utilized.

For all these reasons and more, e.g., play action due to his rocket arm, Drake Maye is Alex Van Pelt's and any OC's dream. He can do everything and compensate for many deficiencies on an offense that has a bevy of them.

The key is for AVP to fashion his new offense to capitalize on his young quarterback's brimming arsenal of skills and the other talent he has available. If he does, Maye and company, unlike the past two seasons, may score enough points on offense to give the Patriots a chance. With the defense they have, it may just be a winning combination.

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