Boston
Footballguy
I can totally understand that although I really don't see Vrabel as part of the BB tree...and if he comes in Kraft knows he is bringing in an alpha-personality that is not here to play footsies with ownership.
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Indefinite New England Patriots Thread (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter captain_amazing
- Start date
I can totally understand that although I really don't see Vrabel as part of the BB tree...and if he comes in Kraft knows he is bringing in an alpha-personality that is not here to play footsies with ownership.
Hopefully this is just a matter of time.
Boston
Footballguy
Hopefully this is just a matter of time.
It would be complete idiocy...and quite honestly not fair to just make Mayo the scape goat in this debacle.
Only other guy I'd consider is Ben Johnson, but I'd personally lean Vrabel.
Hu-Tang Clan
Footballguy
Maybe Vrabel says he's in but only with Wolf being out 
Boston
Footballguy
Yeah...Johnson has to be near the top of the list of any team that has an opening.
fruity pebbles
Footballguy
If Wolf stays I hope they change his duties a bit and hire a true GM. He was never officially the GM but instead vice president of player personnel yada yada so maybe an easy transition into something else with someone else running the teams operations.
Hu-Tang Clan
Footballguy
Did they ask where all of the other rookie QB's would be if they were in the draft this year too?
Behind Penix.
fruity pebbles
Footballguy
Makes me think they’re in on Vrabel
Encyclopedia Brown
Footballguy
A Bears reporter has said that Johnson wants to bring along his own front office guy or if not that then he wants veto power over personnel.
From what I have read in this thread, the Wolf guy would be an impediment to Johnson's wish list.
Boston
Footballguy
We'll see what happens, but I cannot picture Wolf having much power (if any at all) once the smoke clears with this whole thing.
Boston
Footballguy
Mike Vrabel? Ben Johnson? Potential candidates for Patriots head coach job
Who will be the next head coach of the Patriots after Jerod Mayo’s firing? We break down four potential candidates.
www.nbcsportsboston.com
Mr. Peterson
Footballguy
Come on now. How many years were you guys kicking us while we were down?
And it’s not personal. I was thinking the same thing when the giants won and taking them out of the 1.1.
Sorry man, I never kicked you while you were down. Just didn't really care about the Bills after they kept blowing it.
Boston
Footballguy
Curran: Mayo firing shows urgency, but Krafts' work has just begun
Why did the Patriots fire Jerod Mayo after one season? Where does Robert Kraft go from here? Tom E. Curran reacts to a stunning development in New England.
www.nbcsportsboston.com
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Part of why I am leaning that Vrabel isn't the best choice is the style he played in TEN. The Titans ranked 29, 21, 23, 24, 30, and 29 in passing yards in the seasons he coached there. Even though he wasn't on BB's coaching staff, he implemented a similar on-field strategy. Run the ball a ton, try to play a physical game on defense, and pass as needed. Maybe he would take a different tact based on the roster makeup in NE, but the Titans offense was focused on Henry running the ball a ton. Not sure Vrabel would want to come to town and deal with Wolf and not have a big say in personnel decisions. He'd be better than Mayo, but if fans want a new look, more modern style to the offense, I'm not sure that would happen with Vrabel.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I know the Pats asked permission to interview him . . . did the Lions give permission and they already set up an interview?
That may have just been a function of having Henry in his prime.
He'd be a fool not to take advantage of Maye. I'd hope he'd bring along a talented OC as well.
What makes me cringe is I keep hearing that Josh McDaniels could be an option. Ugh. Think Josh was only as good as Tom unfortunately.
Yup Pellisaro reported he's interviewing with NE and Chicago.
Boston
Footballguy
Thank you Drake Maye…not saying Johnson will come here but he’s probably not even interviewing here if it weren’t for Maye.
Boston
Footballguy
And having Ryan Tannehill as your QB…Vrabel ran the right offense for that personnel…I would think he’s too smart to be married to that style.
Lansdowne
Footballguy
The 2024 Patriots are the least likeable Boston sports team since the Bobby Valentine Red Sox of 2012. Right to the very end, Jerod Mayo and company couldn't do anything right.
Ben Johnson being interviewed gives me hope. If he's coming it, it won't be a forced marriage situation, so I'd imagine Eliot Wolf would be out and possibly Ray Agnew in.
Ben Johnson being interviewed gives me hope. If he's coming it, it won't be a forced marriage situation, so I'd imagine Eliot Wolf would be out and possibly Ray Agnew in.
Lansdowne
Footballguy
This is very concerning. Wolf isn't going to recommend a coach who would have him removed. This is very much like the case with the Falcons when they were interviewing Belichick, and they already had a GM in place. The only way this is a positive is if Wolf agrees to a demotion to stay with the organization (I know he's not GM in name but still).
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I listened to the Kraft presser. He said the new coach would have to work with and collaborate with Wolf. I got the impression that Wolf wasn't going anywhere. He went on to say that Wolf would be part of the interviewing process, but I did not come away thinking that Wolf was on the hot seat . . . not even a little bit. Maybe RK is just shooting from the hip and behind the scenes there's a movement afoot to oust Wolf . . . but Robert didn't seem to think so.
Concerning on a couple of levels.
One, we would have the same guy who botched last year's draft still in charge.
Two, I can't see Vrabel or Johnson being interested in this scenario (unless there is some connection Wolf has to these two I'm not aware of).
And didn't Wolf play a large part in putting Mayo "in an untenable position?"
Bossman
Footballguy
I have mixed feelings on the Mayo firing.
On one hand, the Krafts hired Mayo having zero head coaching experience.
Mayo inherited the worst roster in the NFL. Severe lack of talent across the board.
I'm not sure what the Krafts expected ... more than 4 wins?
On the other hand, after 17 weeks the team still has the same dumbness that they had game one.
Multiple false-starts by the offensive line. I can't fathom how that isn't cleaned up in practice by week 3.
Mayo was obviously in way over his head but we all knew that going in. I'm sure he's learned a ton in his first year as a HC.
But if ownership was not willing to give him 2 of 3 years to figure it out, he shouldn't have been given the job in the first place.
Or maybe there's more to it. Maybe Krafts could see he was lazy and not motivated. Maybe he was disrespectful to them. Maybe the players and staff didn't like him.
On one hand, the Krafts hired Mayo having zero head coaching experience.
Mayo inherited the worst roster in the NFL. Severe lack of talent across the board.
I'm not sure what the Krafts expected ... more than 4 wins?
On the other hand, after 17 weeks the team still has the same dumbness that they had game one.
Multiple false-starts by the offensive line. I can't fathom how that isn't cleaned up in practice by week 3.
Mayo was obviously in way over his head but we all knew that going in. I'm sure he's learned a ton in his first year as a HC.
But if ownership was not willing to give him 2 of 3 years to figure it out, he shouldn't have been given the job in the first place.
Or maybe there's more to it. Maybe Krafts could see he was lazy and not motivated. Maybe he was disrespectful to them. Maybe the players and staff didn't like him.
Boston
Footballguy
Wolf coming back is unacceptable…the fact Kraft doesn’t recognize that is very concerning…what exactly has he done to be entrusted with the future of this team…I would think this is a major negative for any potential HC…how can you have confidence he will get you the players needed to get out of this mess…also, he has the feel of a lame duck as I cannot picture him having a job next year unless he absolutely nails this draft…also, this is not fair to Mayo…he was totally in over his head but he was also given a roster that had no chance regardless of who the HC was…he needed to be fired but he should not be the scapegoat…the guy who signed Okorfor as their LT and passed on McConkey for Polk and Baker deserves as much of the blame and he is now being rewarded for being inept…this is BS.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
The make-it-make-sense part of Kraft's press conference was him repeating several times that their plan has always been to draft and develop, and their recent drafts were completely unacceptable. They've been terrible, yet they need a new head coach to be able to better develop players. I mean . . . he had the roadmap in what he was saying . . . it's the draft and the personnel that has been terrible. But let's leave the draft evaluation and player personnel decision makers the same. Brilliant!
fruity pebbles
Footballguy
It’s gotta be. No decent head coach is coming here with no say in GM. They know that when (not if) Wolf gets fired a year or two from now, they are likely headed with him.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Kraft should have said that they are evaluating all of their options and are early in the planning stage. He should have been non-committal to any current coaching or front office personnel, only saying that they need to make changes, and they need to figure out how to get back to being competitive. IMO, they also should have considered using outside help / consultants to do this properly. Using the Krafts and Wolf to fix what they haven't been able to fix on their own seems like the definition of insanity.
Bossman
Footballguy
All this speak of firing Wolf ... I liked the Patriots draft class from 2023...
Round 1 Pick 17 (17) Christian Gonzalez
Round 2 Pick 15 (46) Keion White
Round 3 Pick 13 (76) Marte Mapu
Round 4 Pick 5 (107) Jake Andrews
Round 4 Pick 10 (112) Chad Ryland
Round 4 Pick 15 (117) Sidy Sow
Round 5 Pick 9 (144) Atonio Mafi
Round 6 Pick 10 (187) Kayshon Boutte
Round 6 Pick 15 (192) Bryce Baringer
Round 6 Pick 33 (210) Demario Douglas
Round 6 Pick 37 (214) Ameer Speed
Round 7 Pick 28 (245) Isaiah Bolden
Jury is still out on this 2024 class but seems he didn't screw up when drafting Maye.
In my opinion, most of the damage was done to the roster was under Bill Belichick.
Seems that 2023 was the first year BB gave up his control of the draft. Wolf did pretty excellent imo.
Round 1 Pick 17 (17) Christian Gonzalez
Round 2 Pick 15 (46) Keion White
Round 3 Pick 13 (76) Marte Mapu
Round 4 Pick 5 (107) Jake Andrews
Round 4 Pick 10 (112) Chad Ryland
Round 4 Pick 15 (117) Sidy Sow
Round 5 Pick 9 (144) Atonio Mafi
Round 6 Pick 10 (187) Kayshon Boutte
Round 6 Pick 15 (192) Bryce Baringer
Round 6 Pick 33 (210) Demario Douglas
Round 6 Pick 37 (214) Ameer Speed
Round 7 Pick 28 (245) Isaiah Bolden
Jury is still out on this 2024 class but seems he didn't screw up when drafting Maye.
In my opinion, most of the damage was done to the roster was under Bill Belichick.
Seems that 2023 was the first year BB gave up his control of the draft. Wolf did pretty excellent imo.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
By all accounts, Wolf started taking on more responsibility with the 2022 draft . . .
2024 PFF ranks . . .
03 - Drake Maye - 39th of 74 QBs
37 - Ja'Lynn Polk - Not Rated
68 - Caedan Wallace - 131st of 141 Ts
103 - Layden Robinson - 128th of 135 Gs
110 - Javon Baker - Not Rated
180 - Marcellas Dial - Not Rated
193 - Joe Milton - Not Rated
231 - Jaheim Bell - Not Rated
17 - Christian Gonzalez 20th out of 223 CBs
46 - Keion White 62nd out of 211 EDs
76 - Marte Mapu 84th out of 170 Ss
107 - Jake Andrews Not Rated
112 - Chad Ryland Not on NE
117 - Sidy Sow 129th out of 135 Gs
144 - Atonio Mafi Not Rated
187 - Kayshon Boutte 84th out of 98 WRs
192 - Bryce Baringer 11th out of 39 Ps
210 - Demario Douglas 56th out of 98 WRs
214 - Ameer Speed Not on NE
245 - Isaiah Bolden 16th out of 223 CBs
29 - Cole Strange Not Rated
50 - Tyquan Thornton Not on NE
85 - Marcus Jones 47th out of 223 CBs
121 - Jack Jones Not on NE
127 - Pierre Strong Not on NE
137 - Bailey Zappe Not on NE
183 - Kevin Harris Not on Active Roster
200 - Sam Roberts Not on NE
210 - Chasen Hines Not on NE
245 - Andrew Stueber Not on NE
Out of all of that, they got 3 Top 50 CBs and Maye. If people want to say maybe the other guys will pan out, I can't stop them. But I don't see a ton of talent in that group.
Let's not forget the Pats had a treasure trove of money ($100M) to spent last offseason. They came away with hundreds of millions of dollars worth in extensions in re-signing a dozen guys and bringing in Osborn, Hooper, Takitaki, Brissett, Gibson, Watts, Leverett, Hawkins, and Okorafor.
IMO, Wolf hasn't done very much to retain his job. I doubt I am in the minority on this one.
2024 PFF ranks . . .
03 - Drake Maye - 39th of 74 QBs
37 - Ja'Lynn Polk - Not Rated
68 - Caedan Wallace - 131st of 141 Ts
103 - Layden Robinson - 128th of 135 Gs
110 - Javon Baker - Not Rated
180 - Marcellas Dial - Not Rated
193 - Joe Milton - Not Rated
231 - Jaheim Bell - Not Rated
17 - Christian Gonzalez 20th out of 223 CBs
46 - Keion White 62nd out of 211 EDs
76 - Marte Mapu 84th out of 170 Ss
107 - Jake Andrews Not Rated
112 - Chad Ryland Not on NE
117 - Sidy Sow 129th out of 135 Gs
144 - Atonio Mafi Not Rated
187 - Kayshon Boutte 84th out of 98 WRs
192 - Bryce Baringer 11th out of 39 Ps
210 - Demario Douglas 56th out of 98 WRs
214 - Ameer Speed Not on NE
245 - Isaiah Bolden 16th out of 223 CBs
29 - Cole Strange Not Rated
50 - Tyquan Thornton Not on NE
85 - Marcus Jones 47th out of 223 CBs
121 - Jack Jones Not on NE
127 - Pierre Strong Not on NE
137 - Bailey Zappe Not on NE
183 - Kevin Harris Not on Active Roster
200 - Sam Roberts Not on NE
210 - Chasen Hines Not on NE
245 - Andrew Stueber Not on NE
Out of all of that, they got 3 Top 50 CBs and Maye. If people want to say maybe the other guys will pan out, I can't stop them. But I don't see a ton of talent in that group.
Let's not forget the Pats had a treasure trove of money ($100M) to spent last offseason. They came away with hundreds of millions of dollars worth in extensions in re-signing a dozen guys and bringing in Osborn, Hooper, Takitaki, Brissett, Gibson, Watts, Leverett, Hawkins, and Okorafor.
IMO, Wolf hasn't done very much to retain his job. I doubt I am in the minority on this one.
He sure is.
"Someone needs to lock and unlock the doors and shut the lights off."
Lol.
He also referenced Bobby Grier and the fact that he wasn't gone until after the draft was complete.
I sure hope he's right.
FairWarning
Footballguy
I was watching the sports talk show 98.5 from Boston today. They were saying that the NE HC job is far more attractive than Chicago. Is this the general consensus? I look at NE as having the worst roster in the league.
fruity pebbles
Footballguy
Maye, the 4th pick and 130 million in cap space is pretty attractive to a new regime I’d think. They can basically build their own roster. Much rather compete in the AFC East than NFC North as well.
Boston
Footballguy
It's not about the total roster because the Pats roster is as bad as there is...I think it is because they have a franchise QB and Ownership that is very highly regarded (although if what has happened the last few years continues that narrative may change)...those are seen as the two most important things in today's NFL.
Boston
Footballguy
If this is what is going on I feel a lot better...no way someone like Vrabel or Johnson comes here without having someone in mind to run that side of things.
www.nbcsportsboston.com
Perry: Examining Eliot Wolf's role with Patriots going forward
Phil Perry shares what he’s hearing about what Eliot Wolf’s role in the Patriots front office will be following the firing of Jerod Mayo.
www.nbcsportsboston.com
rockaction
Footballguy
Josh McDaniels? I suppose you could be interviewing Rex Ryan.
Look what McDaniels did with the Raiders and Broncos. That his name is coming up is a testament to the unique stupidity of billionaires and their families when they pursue endeavors other than making money.
Look what McDaniels did with the Raiders and Broncos. That his name is coming up is a testament to the unique stupidity of billionaires and their families when they pursue endeavors other than making money.