Fans far and wide check in about this team
One of the best parts of this job is the chance to interact with Patriots fans every week. Regardless of the less-than-ideal season, emailers have delivered since we launched this project a few months ago. This time, we have the most far-flung edition of Patriots mailbag, featuring emails from New Zealand, Georgia, Vermont, Florida, North Dakota . . . and Lunenburg. Let’s get to it.
How would you compare the coaching trajectory and media commentary between Bill Belichick and Gregg Popovich? Both have struggled without their star players, but I don’t seem to hear as much negativity toward Popovich, nor does his seat seem as hot.
— Christopher Mullins, via e-mail
These two are the only coaching comparables in North America’s “big four” professional sports, in my opinion, so I think it’s valid to look at them through the same lens. (Occasionally prickly, veteran coaches who have had extended success, both come from military-type backgrounds, etc.) It appears that, even though the Spurs have lost 19 of 22 to start the season, Popovich isn’t on the hot seat. For verification, I reached out to our basketball writers Gary Washburn and Adam Himmelsbach to see if Popovich was feeling the heat like Belichick:
“No, not really,” Washburn replied. “The Spurs are terrible and there should be more pressure on Popovich, but for some reason there isn’t. He also just signed a five-year extension before the season.”
“The Spurs are pretty clearly in a rebuild, so there’s no pressure on Pop right now,” wrote Himmelsbach. “The goal is just developing [Victor] Wembanyama. Also, San Antonio isn’t really a hot-seat market, if that makes sense.”
What would have to happen between now and the end of the season for Bill Belichick to retain his job as head coach?
— Damian Sharkey, New Zealand
One, the Patriots would have to continue the upward trajectory that (at least theoretically) started with Thursday’s road win in Pittsburgh. If that doesn’t include a win over Kansas City, a sense of competitiveness with the Chiefs Sunday would certainly be a step in the right direction. And wins over the Broncos, Bills, and Jets would fuel optimism heading into the offseason. Basically, a strong finish. I don’t know if that would necessarily save his job, but it would certainly represent a strong start to the offseason.
The Pats fair caught every punt [Thursday] night. Is this a strategy to eliminate mistakes or a lack of coaching and talent? To eliminate punt returns is not enjoyable.
— Tony Perna, Blairsville, Ga.
There’s a lot that goes into making the decision as to whether to fair catch a punt, including field position, weather, what’s going on in the game, and the guy who is doing the returning. In this case, there were a few things at play, including the fact that it was a close game, and the Patriots had a backup punt returner in Myles Bryant. In that case, they just want to make sure ball security isn’t an issue. If it was a blowout and Marcus Jones was back there, I’m sure he’d have the sort of leeway to return just about anything.
(This is also an opportunity to remind people that the Patriots really miss Jones as a returner. Last year, he was third in the league, averaging 12 yards per return, and they averaged 10.7 yards as a team. This season, they’re averaging 5.9 yards per return.)
If Bailey Zappe is OK but not really good in the last four games, what will his trade value be? Is Mac Jones worth more than a sixthround pick?
— Gunther Furbush, Fairly, Vt.
The idea of playing one quarterback vs. another down the stretch for possible trade purposes — to showcase one of them — was something I was kicking around with a colleague the other day. (It would at least partially explain why Belichick has handled them the way he has this year.)
Of course, it all depends on who might be at the controls this offseason, but with the idea that you’d want to sell as high as possible, a lateseason surge from Zappe (especially against good defenses) could set up a potential trade. It depends on the trade partner and how good Zappe looks down the stretch, but if he continues to trend upward, I would think he could draw a fifth-round pick. Not sure what Jones would be worth, but if you wanted to trade him right now, I’d say a Day 3 choice.
If Belichick stays, what are the chances Josh McDaniels returns next year as offensive coordinator?
— Dave, West Palm Beach, Fla.
There’s a lot to consider here. Does McDaniels want to jump back into coaching, or spend the next few years living off the contract (six years and worth roughly $60 million, by accounts) that Raiders owner Mark Davis gave him? There’s also the possibility that McDaniels returns as an unofficial adviser. Former running backs coach Ivan Fears has been spotted around the Patriots from time to time this year — maybe McDaniels can serve as part of Belchick’s “kitchen cabinet” in the same way over the next few years while he mulls a return in an official capacity.
Would the Patriots consider Justin Fields?
— Martin Babineau, Lunenburg
I would be cautious about saying it would never happen. That being said, I’d be shocked if they ended up with Fields this offseason. I’d say that the Patriots would be more inclined to draft a quarterback and add a veteran backup for insurance.
I just want to say that I want Bill Belichick back as HC.
— Ben Manzoli, Williston, N.D. (via Harwich)
Ben, we’ll see if you get your wish sooner rather than later.