## Patriots Mailbag: Defensive Woes, Quarterback Development, and Roster Needs **News Title:** Patriots Mailbag: Do Pats’ defensive issues stem from scheme or personnel? **Report Provider:** NBC Sports Boston **Author:** Phil Perry **Date/Time Period Covered:** Week 3 of the NFL season (leading up to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers) **Relevant News Identifiers:** This content is presented as a mailbag segment addressing fan questions. --- This mailbag segment from NBC Sports Boston, featuring reporter Phil Perry, delves into critical questions surrounding the New England Patriots as they prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The discussion focuses on the progress of second-year quarterback Drake Maye, the underlying causes of the team's defensive struggles, and potential avenues for roster improvement. ### Key Information and Analysis #### 1. Drake Maye's Development and Offensive Strategy * **Week-to-Week Improvement:** Drake Maye demonstrated a significant rebound in Week 2 after a "shaky performance" in Week 1. The central question for Week 3 is which iteration of Maye will appear against the Steelers. * **Reduced Passing Attempts:** Maye's passing attempts were **cut in half** from Week 1 to Week 2. This reduction was enabled by a more effective rushing attack, particularly through zone runs and bootleg actions off play-action plays. * **Lightened Offensive Load:** The offensive strategy in Week 2 aimed to simplify Maye's reads, effectively "cutting the field in half" and allowing him to identify open receivers while on the move. However, he was still actively directing pre-snap adjustments at the line of scrimmage. * **Impact of Rushing Attack:** The ability to establish a strong run game, as evidenced in their Miami performance, is identified as a crucial factor in easing the quarterback's responsibilities. #### 2. Defensive Issues: Scheme vs. Personnel * **Susceptibility to Explosive Pass Plays:** The Patriots' defense has been vulnerable to long passing plays. The potential return of cornerback **Christian Gonzalez** is highlighted as a key factor. If explosive plays diminish with Gonzalez on the field, it would strongly suggest a personnel issue. * **Scheme Concerns:** Scheme is also implicated as a contributing factor, with "head-scratching looks" leading to significant plays for opponents. Specific examples cited include: * A **zero-blitz** call that resulted in the first touchdown allowed this season, with defensive linemen Milton Williams and Christian Barmore dropping into coverage. * De\\\'Von Achane\\\'s touchdown, where he was matched up in **1-on-1 coverage** by linebacker **Robert Spillane**. * **Tackling Deficiencies:** Missed tackles from the "back seven" are characterized as a "technique problem" rather than purely a personnel issue. The urgency to improve tackling is emphasized ahead of facing skilled ball-carriers such as **Jaylen Warren, Jonnu Smith, DK Metcalf, and Calvin Austin III**. * **Mike Vrabel's Statement:** Head Coach Mike Vrabel underscored the importance of improved tackling, stating, "We\'ll have to tackle much better... We\'ll have to tackle [Jaylen] Warren, Jonnu [Smith], [DK] Metcalf, [Calvin] Austin [III]. So, that\'s the focus. That will be a critical part of this game plan." #### 3. Roster and Player Evaluations * **Keion White:** White is currently sidelined by an **illness** and missed Wednesday\'s practice. Upon his return, he will need to "clean up the little details of playing the position" to enhance his effectiveness. Despite his talent, he is likely to remain in a reserve role unless he demonstrates more polish as a pass-rusher, with **Harold Landry** and **K\\\'Lavon Chaisson** currently considered starting-caliber. * **Wide Receiver Rotation:** * **Kyle Williams:** The article suggests increasing the usage of Kyle Williams to inject more speed into the receiving corps. However, he needs to earn the trust of the coaching staff to see increased playing time. He has accumulated only **17 total snaps** through the first two games. * **Pop Douglas:** His limited playing time in Miami was attributed to game-plan decisions that favored larger blockers in two-tight-end sets during running plays. Coaches have communicated these reasons to him. He is expected to be more involved in games that feature a higher volume of passing. In Week 1 against the Raiders, he played **45 snaps** and was targeted **five times**, including two targets in the end zone. * **Efton Chism:** Could potentially see playing time if Douglas continues to struggle with effectiveness. * **Kayshon Boutte:** Is noted as being positioned at his "natural position opposite X." * **Linebacker Depth:** * **Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss:** While Elliss is described as a "good story," he does not appear to be a "true starter." Spillane is considered too experienced and a proven tackler to not eventually find his footing, but the team may still seek additional help at the position. * **Marte Mapu and Jack Gibbens:** These players are the backups at off-the-ball linebacker and could see increased opportunities. * **Steelers' Move:** The article notes that the Steelers have added physical inside linebacker **Ja\\\'Whaun Bentley** to their practice squad. * **Trade Targets:** The Patriots are advised to explore potential additions in the following areas: * **Offensive Line:** Quality offensive linemen are difficult to acquire mid-season, but deficiencies in this area can be detrimental. * **Edge Defender:** * **Linebacker:** * **Note:** Any acquisitions at the NFL trade deadline are likely to be depth pieces rather than "big-time contributors" due to the cost of acquiring game-changing talent. #### 4. Other Mentions * **Nick Caley and the Texans:** A question regarding former Patriots OC Nick Caley not returning to New England is addressed. The article suggests it is too early to make a definitive judgment, noting the Texans\' offensive line is widely considered one of the worst in the league, while Caley is viewed as an emerging offensive mind. * **Dane Brugler's Podcast:** The "Building the Beast" podcast by Dane Brugler, which focuses on college football prospects heading to the NFL, is recommended for draft enthusiasts. ### Key Takeaways and Outlook The New England Patriots are grappling with significant questions surrounding their defense and the ongoing development of their young quarterback, Drake Maye. While Maye showed encouraging signs in Week 2, the team's defensive shortcomings, which appear to be a combination of scheme and personnel issues, remain a primary concern. The imperative to improve tackling is paramount. The Patriots may also need to consider bolstering their roster through trades, particularly along the offensive line, at edge defender, and at linebacker, to address current weaknesses. The upcoming game against the Steelers will serve as a critical test to determine if the team can build upon its Week 2 momentum and effectively address its defensive vulnerabilities.
Patriots Mailbag: Do Pats’ defensive issues stem from scheme or personnel?
Read original at NBC Sports Boston →A lot can change in the NFL on a week-to-week basis. That's certainly true for the New England Patriots and second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who rebounded from a shaky performance in Week 1 by delivering one of his best games as a pro in Miami in Week 2. Which version of Maye will we see this Sunday against the Steelers -- and will the end result be a second straight win?
That depends on multiple factors, which we'll dive into in our Week 3 mailbag: Does Maye have "it" and is there too much on his plate? - @DavidFallon954 Feels like a sarcastic one, David! And that's OK. The Patriots took a lot off his plate in Week 2 just based purely on the amount he was asked to throw.
He was able to cut his number of passing attempts from Week 1 to Week 2 in half -- not to mention increase his percentage of play-action attempts -- thanks to a more efficient rushing attack. They found something with their zone runs and bootleg actions off those play-actions that also might have lightened the load for Maye from a read-the-defense perspective, cutting the field in half and allowing him to find the open guy while on the move.
I don't think they took anything off "his plate" from a pre-snap perspective, though. He was directing a lot of traffic at the line, even ahead of rushing attempts. Will be interesting to see how they handle the offense this week. If they can run the ball as they did in Miami, that'll always make the quarterback's life easier.
With the D getting gashed on long passes, how much do (you) attribute this to scheme vs. personnel? - @jmlinfl I guess we'll find out this week, JML. Looks like there's a real chance that Christian Gonzalez plays. If their opponents' explosive pass plays suddenly evaporate with Gonzalez out there, then perhaps it was primarily a personnel issue.
I think scheme has at times been a part of their issue, too. They've had some big plays that have resulted from head-scratching looks. The first touchdown they allowed this season came on a zero-blitz call with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore dropping into coverage. De'Von Achane's score last weekend came when he was checked in 1-on-1 coverage by linebacker Robert Spillane.
Not sure either of those calls truly put Patriots players in the best position to succeed. What do the underlying numbers say about the leaky coverage from the secondary and missed tackling from the back seven? Feel like these problems won’t let up until Gonzalez returns at full strength. - @jhlatzko94 I'm not sure their tackling problems are a personnel issue as much as they are a technique problem.
They've had far too many missed through two weeks, and if they don't get it cleaned up before Sunday, it could cost them against a team with some hard-to-tackle ball-carriers. "We'll have to tackle much better," Mike Vrabel said on Wednesday. "We'll have to tackle [Jaylen] Warren, Jonnu [Smith], [DK] Metcalf, [Calvin] Austin [III].
So, that's the focus. That will be a critical part of this game plan. "Those guys are great with the ball in their hands. They run very hard, they're skilled, they're big and present a challenge." MORE PATRIOTS What do you project for Keion White for the rest of the year? He has too much talent not to play but shouldn't play over any of the current starters, and while we could have him be a sub rusher inside on passing downs that means (Christian) Barmore or Milt(on Williams) comes off - quite the pickle - @boom80517 White is dealing with an illness right now, Boom, and he missed Wednesday's practice because of it.
We'll see if he's able to come back and play against Pittsburgh, but whenever he's back, I think he'll have to clean up the little details of playing the position in order to be more effective. His position coach Mike Smith said during camp that he's benefited from not bouncing around on the line of scrimmage too much, allowing him to focus all his effort on playing on the edge.
But even late in camp, it seemed like he was still lacking polish as a pass-rusher, getting stuck on blocks in competitive periods. Until he shows he can make quarterbacks uncomfortable, he'll likely be limited to more of a reserve role with guys like Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson showing they are starting-caliber pass-rushers.
Expanding on Kyle Williams, he is the X, (Stefon) Diggs goes Inside sharing snaps with (DeMario) Douglas to withstand the grind of a Josh (McDaniels) slot WR position helping their availability for the year. Pop must step up or (Efton) Chism steps in. (Kayshon) Boutte is finally at his natural position opposite X.
Thoughts? - @PatsSTH1969 It would make sense for the Patriots, who could use a little more speed in their receiving corps, to incorporate more of Kyle Williams. But he has to develop the trust of his coaches, then see more playing time, before he's going to move the needle for Josh McDaniels' attack.
Williams has played just 17 total snaps through two games. If Pop Douglas continues down the road of ineffectiveness, at what point do we get a look at Chism? - @Soxnation0613 My understanding of the Douglas situation is that his lack of playing time was due to game-plan choices made in Miami. When they're running the football, especially with two tight ends on the field, that's not exactly Douglas' strength.
In those situations, bigger bodies -- like Mack Hollins, for instance -- are going to be called upon to block. Douglas' coaches have communicated with him as to why he wasn't out there as often as he might have expected against the Dolphins, and he's remained level-headed about the circumstances. In a game that calls for more passing, I'm assuming Douglas will be utilized more frequently.
When he has been out there, he's felt good about how he's run his routes and the feedback he's gotten from coaches about his performance. Just might need more of a pass-happy day to get going. He played 45 snaps and was targeted five times -- including twice in the end zone -- in Week 1 against the Raiders.
The overall numbers weren't there for him that day, but if he continues to see targets, the statistics will follow. Do you see us adding some linebacker depth? Bob Spillane seemed great in camp, but hasn’t lived up to expectations and (Christian) Elliss is a good story but doesn’t seem like a true starter.
Hopefully they both prove me wrong, but we are paper thin at linebacker - @SamKruse11 It was interesting to see Marte Mapu out on the field late in Miami. He and Jack Gibbens are the backups at off-the-ball linebacker, and perhaps they'll both see more time if Vrabel and his staff don't like what they've seen from Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss.
I think Spillane is too good -- he has a proven track record as a tackler -- not to figure things out. But maybe they'll have an eye out for more help at that position. Found it interesting that the Steelers -- who have struggled to play with physicality on defense -- picked up physical inside linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley for their practice squad this week.
Based on very early returns what do you see as the top three positional trade targets heading towards the deadline? - @chrisdvt71 There aren't many quality offensive linemen available to acquire mid-season, but they should always be on the prowl for help there. Those guys tend to get hurt, and if you're lacking there, it can doom you.
I'd say edge defender and linebacker would be spots worthy of consideration here, too. Keep in mind, it's hard to find game-changing talent without giving up something of real value at the NFL deadline, so any additions here would likely be more along the lines of depth pieces than big-time contributors.
This question is Patriots adjacent; not long ago some Pats fans were upset that Houston OC Nick Caley didn’t come back to New England. How’s that working out for the 0-2 Texans? - @darkstorm0000 I'd give that one some time, Dark Storm. It's been a couple of games, and that Texans offensive line is widely regarded as one of the worst in football.
Caley, meanwhile, is widely considered an up-and-coming offensive mind. Will be a challenge to hide what's happening there in the trenches, but I wouldn't write him off after two weeks. Are you following friend of Next Pats Dane Brugler on "Building the Beast" podcast which focuses on College football prospects which are heading to the NFL and recapping last year's picks?
It’s dynamite for those with the draft sickness. - @qualitysmoke Dane is the best. Friend of the Next Pats Podcast. Love following his work throughout the season before he unleashes The Beast on all of us ahead of the draft. We'll be tracking college players ourselves during Next Pats throughout the year on our Who's Next?!?
segment.
