Matt Patricia’s bearded smile literally filled the computer screen for his Zoom call with reporters this week.
The Patriots’ offensive line coach and observed play-caller had reason to beam, his offense carrying its share of the load in Sunday’s 29-0 shutout of the lowly Lions at Gillette Stadium.
Patricia’s offensive line group was pretty dominant, leading the way for Rhamondre Stevenson to churn out more than 160 yards rushing.
Jakobi Meyers returned to the lineup after a two-game injury absence, catching seven balls for 111 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown.
And third-string, fill-in, fourth-round rookie QB Bailey Zappe was cool, calm, confident and, most importantly, victorious while completing more than 80-percent of his throws in his first NFL start.
It was a much needed feel-good win for New England. As such Patricia can and should feel good about his and his unit’s role in the success.
But the first question of the day for Patricia’s meeting with the media attempted to transition from a real Victory Monday in Foxborough to way-too-soon Victory Lap Tuesday. The longtime Patriots defensive coach was asked if he felt “vindicated” by what he and his offense had accomplished in recent weeks in light of the long offseason of questions and criticisms surrounding his ability to be a key cog in New England’s new-look offensive coaching staff collaboration.
Vindicated? Because the Patriots’ offense kicked five field goals on the way to a win over a Dan Campbell-coached, Jared Goff-led, one-win Detroit team that fields the worst defense in the NFL?
Vindicated after going 0-for-4 in the red zone and 3-of-9 on third down?
Vindicated by a mediocre offense that’s part of a mediocre 2-3 team, a unit that ranks in the bottom third of the NFL in passing yards, third down conversions and red zone success?
Thankfully, Patricia didn’t not take the opportunity to rest on his supposed newfound offensive laurels and essentially sidestepped the question as he rightfully, reasonably and smartly should have.
“You know me, I approach every day to do the best I can at the job I’m asked to do. I don’t really pay attention too much to the other stuff other than making sure I’m doing everything I can to help those guys prepare,” Patricia said. “Certainly it’s been fun, like I said in the summer, flipping back to offense and kind of getting back into the game planning mode now that we’re into the season which is a little bit different than maybe training camp where we’re trying to teach a bunch of fundamentals and kind install everything as we go. The game plan part is fun.”
It should be, because the training camp part of this process sure didn’t look like it was. The installation of the new New England offense under the new leadership of Patricia and Joe Judge after longtime proven offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ departure was borderline disastrous at times this summer. Mac Jones was visibly and verbally frustrated. Day after day the defense won the practice. Day after day the offense looked more high school than new school. Jones had to hold the ball and scramble so often that some compared the work to the terrible Tim Tebow training camp experience of the past.
It wasn’t just individual reports or reporters exaggerating how bad things looked on the training camp field, it was the truth.
That truth only added to the preexisting doubts about whether Patricia and Co. were capable of concocting an offense worthy of NFL action, an attack that would help a Pro Bowl rookie quarterback take his game to the next level for a Year 2 Jump that might allow New England to close the gap in the AFC with teams like the Bills and Chiefs.
And the truth is that with Jones under center over the first three weeks of 2022, the first taste of Patricia’s offense saw too many interceptions on too many questionable throws from the young franchise passer.
The questions about Patricia and the Patriots’ offense this summer were understandable and warranted. They also very much remain in place today.
That doesn’t mean the offense hasn’t improved and shown signs of life. Maybe it’s already surpassed the incredibly low expectations set through its summertime ineptitude.
It also doesn’t mean Patricia hasn’t improved. He probably has and certainly should have. Despite his limited offensive experience heading into his new role, Patricia has been on the job for months now, gaining experience in the role every hour of every day.
“I think hopefully I am better,” Patricia said. “Hopefully I have improved and I’ll continue to improve in those roles just like we do as coaches every year, and certainly when we do different jobs every year from that standpoint too. Hopefully that’s where it’s trending and hopefully it’s gotten better. That’s my goal, every day to try to get better.”
Better? Certainly.
Trending toward vindication? Maybe.
But “vindicated?” That’s still quite a ways away for Patricia and the Patriots offense that still has plenty to prove.
Thanks to MacFarlane Energy where they offer the most dependable home heating oil delivery and HVAC service including Lennox heating and cooling systems. Visit MacFarlaneEnergy.com for more.