Readers have been clamoring for more of the mailbag, and because we got so many great questions, we decided to roll out a second one this week. We’ve got thoughts on the grading system, the last game of the regular season, and much more. Let’s get to it.
In his press conference, owner Robert Kraft said, “We’ve changed our grading system.’’ What does that mean, specifically for offensive linemen and wide receivers? Those two positions are our areas of deepest need, and their track record for acquiring players for them has been less than stellar. Will this new “grading system’’ change that?
— Patrick Halley, Bartow, Fla., via email
Last offseason, Eliot Wolf imported the player grading system used for years in Green Bay, one that focuses on a player’s skill set as opposed to the role-based approach the Patriots had for many years under Bill Belichick. Not to broad-brush it too much, but the Packers’ style is more about identifying who they think is the best available player at an area of need, as opposed to the player who fits an established scheme.
At the same time, you can clearly see where the Patriots whiffed on that last year. The two areas of need last year (outside of quarterback) were offensive line and wide receiver, and while they drafted two offensive linemen and two receivers early in the fourth round or higher (and signed free agents at those positions) they thought were the best available at those positions, all four were inconsistent this season.
Ultimately, the best path forward is probably somewhere in the middle. If Wolf maintains control of the draft board and free agency, it’ll be interesting to see how much of that philosophy might be tweaked this offseason.
With the news of Mayo’s firing, what’s your thought on him winning that game? Was it pride? Sticking it to the Krafts/organization because he knew he would get fired? Or just general incompetence? (I wish there was as softer word — that seems harsh.)
— Adam King, via email
Watching the game again, I’d be inclined to say pride. Not so much when it came to Mayo, but the younger players. I think they might have underestimated the youngsters. Many said they saw the game as an opportunity to play, and they were going to seize the chance to put a solid performance on film, regardless of draft positioning.
I keep coming back to something Joe Milton said after the game: “We’ve got to handle how we handle our program as it is right now … Today, the main focus was to win.’’
Agree with your assessment of the Patriots’ receiver draft. What I want to know is why so many of their receivers seem to do much better with other teams? Jonnu Smith, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Nelson Agholor, and Mike Gesecki all seem to have hooked up with other teams and do fairly well. What’s up with that?
— Rick Magnani, via email
Keeping in mind that “fairly well’’ is a relative term, I’d agree with you on the tight ends. Smith (76 catches, 802 yards) had a career year in the Dolphins’ high-octane offense. And Gesicki (65 catches, 665 yards) also had a heck of a year with the Bengals. The other two were relatively pedestrian.
I’d submit two thoughts: 1. The guys you mentioned played with elite quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes (Smith-Schuster), Lamar Jackson (Agholor), Tua Tagovailoa (Smith), and Joe Burrow (Gesicki). 2. I’d submit that for every Jonnu Smith, there’s a Tyquan Thornton, K.J. Osborn, or Jalen Reagor. The Patriots’ misses at receiver have drawn far more attention than the hits, at least in recent years.
The Saints and Browns are significantly over the cap. Does it make sense to trade with them (provided they would entertain a deal) before free agency to get a wide receiver like Jerry Jeudy or Chris Olave, or an offensive tackle or other positions of need? It will make free agency and the draft that much more flexible for us.
— Arjun Garikipati, Newton, via email
Love the outside-the-box thinking, but teams can’t trade players between the trade deadline and the start of the new league year. (In this case, that means no trades can be executed between Nov. 5, 2024, and March 12, 2025.) Teams such as New Orleans and Cleveland can’t trade players to shed cap space, at least at this time of year. Instead, I’d look for restructures or cuts between now and then so they can be cap compliant by the start of the new league year, as is the rule.
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him @cpriceglobe.
