Interesting Pigskin Times

The preseason is over and I still don't know what I don't know.

You'd think I'd be used to it by now. 

I do know that "May you live in interesting times" is actually a curse, not a blessing. And these are interesting pigskin times.

Questions? Yes, I have so many questions…

Can GM Bill Belichick and OL Coach Adrian Klemm put together an offensive line that can keep Mac Jones out of the concussion protocol?

Maybe Cole Strange, Riley Reiff, and Michael Onwenu are all full go on opening night. Maybe, but I wouldn't bet the mortgage on it.

Maybe there will be some credible offensive line talent that becomes available as teams make their Final 53 cuts. Maybe, but there's a reason those other teams let those guys go.

Maybe Trader Bill leverages depth at other positions to pick up a starter-level offensive lineman. Maybe, but if you're any other GM in the NFL, do you want to do anything to help out Bill Belichick? And how many of those GMs are thinking, "We're just a WR3 away from winning a Super Bowl; what about Kendrick Bourne?"

How far can a Top 5 Defense carry a team with a Bottom 5 Offensive Line?

Aside from some qualms about the cornerback position (e.g., Jack Jones goes to jail, and Christian Gonzalez leads the league in questionable pass interference calls; welcome to the league, rookie!), I do believe in the New England defense. Unfortunately, not that many NFL games are won 2-0. And no, I don't think they're that good.

I think their defense will be good enough to have us all asking "What if…?" at the end of the season. Questions like: What if they'd had an offensive line? What if Tyquan Thornton wasn't made of glass? What if Mac Jones was 7' tall, could throw a pea through an oak, ran like a cheetah, and didn't really need an offensive line to succeed? 

I know I shouldn't make too much of anything about preseason action but it just feels like this is going to be a long season of competitive losses. A missed field goal here, a dropped pass there… 

 

Is Jack Jones worth all the drama?

Jones was torched on the regular in the Pats final preseason game, and he wasn't covering DeAndre Hopkins, either. Are his off-field issues (if we may refer to gun charges that come with 5-years in prison as "issues"), affecting his play? 

How could it not?

His legal woes probably shouldn't have come as a surprise to the Pats as he had more than his share of "what was he thinking?" moments in college as well. But, as they say, here we are.

Starting to think not trading Jalen Mills might be one of the best deals Bill Belichick never made.

Is it too soon to panic?

Not for me.

What do I know, really?

Not much. Certainly, not as much as Bill Belichick and his coaches do. 

Okay.

Deep cleansing breath.

Note to Self: Do your job, Mike; you're a fan.

Go Pats!