FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots were ranked dead last in points per game in 2023. They were 30th last year.
Week 1, they didn’t come close to changing the narrative, putting up 13 points in a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
As troubled as Miami is with all of the reported issues, the Patriots won’t beat the Dolphins scoring less than two touchdowns.
So is there a quick fix to get the offense rolling, and cranking out more points?
Stefon Diggs seems to think so.
Asked how quickly the issues on offense can be corrected, the Patriots star receiver didn’t hesitate with an answer.
“I think pretty fast,” he said.
Of course, that’s music to everyone’s ears, but is it reality?
Is it that simple?
Two words: Prove it.
Of course, the Patriots don’t want to start 0-2 right out of the gate. So Mike Vrabel, Josh McDaniels, et al, need to problem solve with the offense sooner, rather than later.
The problem is that the fixes are many, starting with quarterback Drake Maye.
He needs to play more like a star than a kid who’s trying too hard not to make a mistake. He needs to play with more confidence, less hesitancy, and not miss so many open targets.
The running game? It can’t be so bad, so ineffective McDaniels gives up on it in the second half.
Rookie left tackle Will Campbell also can’t get flustered over one mistake, leading to more. And rookie field goal kicker Andy Borregales can’t miss easy kicks.
That’s just a glimpse at the obvious issues.
Diggs, however, pointed out that all of the above fall in-house. They come from within. That’s why he’s confident about a quick turnaround.
“For us, the things we need to fix is more us, than anything,” he said, addressing the media from his locker on Wednesday. “It’s never really like the other team ...We live in that realm of farming your own land. Like I try to farm my own land. Like be where you’re supposed to be, be open, catch the ball, and we’ll kind of figure it out from there.
“The fixes that we can do I feel like is more internal, and just with us. So it’s trying to take the next step and doing our part.”
Diggs, who caught six passes for 57 yards in his Patriots debut, believes it’s just a matter of honing in on the details.
“We got to do everything on our part, details, route depth, getting open, catch the ball...it’s the same expletive we get paid to do. That’s the focus,” he said. “I just feel like taking that next step is going to be crucial, being on the details, having that open line of communication before the game.”
The next step is crucial. It’s just hard to fathom all will be cured in steamy Miami.
Maye, meanwhile, was also asked about the necessary corrections and said the team was working hard to make the fixes.
And he acknowledged some of those fell in his lap.
He talked about the need to get the run game going. He addressed his issues with accuracy, and talked about being better in the red zone, making better decisions.
Maye, who completed 30 of 46 passes for 287 yards with a touchdown and interception against the Raiders, said he rushed several throws.
“I’m not going to over-harp on too much, but at the same time, you gotta hit guys when they’re open,” Maye said. “Accuracy is one of the biggest things for a quarterback. Being accurate is what I take pride in. I can’t miss those guys.”
Proper footwork, and proper throwing mechanics is part of the accuracy equation. Maye knows when his footwork and mechanics are on point, he doesn’t have problems hitting receivers. Whether he can fix detail that overnight is another matter.
He also said a faster start was one of the themes being preached by the coaches this week.
“It’s my job to get us going and like I said, try to start fast,” Maye said Wednesday. “From there, just take what they give me and create positive plays. I think that’s what we’re trying to create, just positive plays. From there, I feel like if we don’t get in our own way, I think we’ll be fine.”
There were costly penalties by the offensive line, a killer turnover by Maye, and times when it seemed like Maye had too much swirling around in his head during the Raiders game.
Maye acknowledged needing more time in McDaniels offense to feel more comfortable and at ease.
“I try to do whatever I can to study as much as I can, hear the play calls and study the formations before he [McDaniels] calls them,” Maye said. “Like I said, there’s a lot of things that go into it. Being accurate, play calling, getting in and out of plays, so just trying to, like I said, get a good grip on it.
“The more we do that throughout the weeks and as the season goes on, the better I’ll feel in this offense.”
While it would be nice to fast-track the latter, that particular fix might not be so swift.
Just don’t mention that to Diggs.
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