Can the NFL get any stranger?
Given everything else that has already happened, maybe the Tyreek Hill trade shouldn't have surprised me. Not after Green Bay traded Aaron Rodgers' binkie, Davante Adams, to Las Vegas. Still, Kansas City trading Patrick Mahomes' highlight reel buddy to Miami is something of a head scratcher, at the very least. And it's not the best of news for Patriots fans, either, who weren't feeling that good about their team's defensive backs depth chart (sorry, but Malcolm Butler isn't moving that needle for me) before the Cheetah was shipped to South Beach.
Quick Question: Is it better or worse to be a Patriots fan wondering when or if their team is going to make a big move in free agency or to be a Packers/Chiefs fan and wondering why their teams are making those big moves in free agency? Asking for a friend.
Anyway, based on the early returns, it appears the Dolphins were just a Tyreek Hill away from finishing second in the AFC East. So, good for them, I guess.
As for the Patriots, I can only remind myself that this is the time of the year when there are always far more questions than answers…
Is Bill Belichick really going to eliminate the fullback from the Patriots offense?
No. The simple answer is no. Bill Belichick loves the I formation a little too much to throw it out of the playbook entirely. Letting Jakob Johnson walk was more about roster flexibility than football philosophy. As has often been the case in the past, I can see the Patriots using a DT or O-Lineman at fullback in goalline/short yardage situations. Personally (and after watching way too many Mac Jones' college highlights), I'm hoping this means more Pistol/RPO elements - and an expanded role for Jonnu Smith - in New England's offense going forward.
And forget Devin Asiasi; how about N'Keal Harry in the H-Back role?
Yes, I just said that.
Is 2022 the 2002 for New England: TNG?
Following the Super Bowl 36 win that surprised literally everyone (including Bill Belichick), the Patriots took a step back in 2002 before their dominant 2003-04 seasons. Is 2022 a "bridge year" in a sometimes history rhymes kind of way? It's been noted by the gridiron cognoscenti that while New England has little cap space available now, that will change significantly in 2023 and 2024.
Would I trade an 8-8-1 record and a 3rd place finish in the AFC East in 2022 for back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 2023-24? Well, my doctor says my health is generally good for someone my age and sedentary lifestyle, so, I've penciled myself in for 2023-24... Hey! Let's Marty McFly the hell out of this thing and go back to the future!
Note: If you ever wondered how someone could become a QAnon believer, just spend 15 minutes talking to any sports fan. For further proof, see N'Keal Harry mention, above. Does any sane person believe that? Asking for a patient.
Is 2nd-year Nelson Agholor a better bet than [fill in the blank] at WR?
Look, I'm having a really hard time talking myself into Nelson Agholor having a career best year in 2022 but I'm having an even harder time talking myself into any of the wide receivers still available in free agency, or DaVante Parker for "pennies," or any of the draft prospects who either [a] won't be available by pick #21, [b] are coming off of ACL tears, or [c] give me N'Keal Harry flashbacks. Yeah, I've got kind of a love-hate thing going on with N'Keal. What can I say? I'm moody.
Quick Aside: I wasn't crazy about one of the lightly used draft prospects until I started watching those Mac Jones highlights on YouTube and developed a huge man crush on John Metchie. I'm just hoping he's still available in the second round after Belichick trades out of the first.
As for answering the question, I do think Agholor will be better in his second year with the Patriots because he set that bar so low in his first year in Foxborough. Given the salary cap implications of moving on from Agholor and the prospect that 2022 really is a "bridge year" for a rebuilding New England organization, I'm putting my chips on Agholor having a 2nd-year leap for the Patriots.
Am I ready for some football?
That was rhetorical.
LFG!
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