Boston Globe's Jim McBride on Cam Newton's Release and New England Patriot's Expectations

Craig D'Alessandro: 0:24

On this episode of MTP, we sit down with New England Patriots beat writer for The Boston Globe Jim McBride on Cam Newton's release from the Patriots. Mack Jones is essentially the starting quarterback and team expectations heading in the 2021 NFL season. This is missing the point, Episode 85. But it's all relative.

Michael Marcangelo: 0:58

Welcome to missing the point I am Michael Marcangelo joined alongside by Broadway Joe Malkin. And in anticipation of the NFL se ason kicking off this week we have a very special guest. He covers the pictures of the Boston Globe. He's a Malden native that joined the globe in 1988 is a co op student from Suffolk University, my alma mater. Please welcome Jim McBride to this show, Jim, how you doing?

Jim McBride: 1:20

I'm doing great, guys. Thanks for having me tonight.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:22

Yeah, thank you so much for taking the time. It's a big, big, big season big year for the Patriots. I think that this is probably the most anticipated season of Bill Belichick career, right, since since 2001.

Jim McBride: 1:36

Yeah, I would think so. You know, it's a, it's really a transformative year. You know, when the Mac Jones era starting, I think we all knew that cam was kind of a bridge, even if he got the job this year, as a starting quarterback, it was still kind of be the bridge year to Mac, it just, you know, he accelerated that timetable by having such an outstanding camp. So here we are, you know, with a brand new defense and a new quarterback. So it's gonna be really interesting.

Michael Marcangelo: 1:59

You mentioned, you know, Mac Jones do such a great job in camp and, you know, with cam being the bridge quarterback, I think we, I mean, I at least thought that he had one more year, I thought he was the best chance for the Patriots to, to have a successful year this year. But I'd be interested to hear how has the locker room reacted to Cam being cut? Like what was the initial reaction that went on there?

Jim McBride: 2:23

I think it was, you know, some guys were disappointed, but I think they were all ready to move on. And they were embraced Mac because he showed so much more so much maturity more so than a lot of rookies do especially rookie quarterbacks in this league, it's kind of hard to establish yourself. So I think, you know, a lot of the guys really love Cam and the energy he brought, and he really was a great teammate, you know, guys enjoyed playing with him. But I think, you know, probably in the recesses of their mind, they saw it that can't hadn't improved too much over what he was last year. And you know, which a guy that was struggled at times with decisions, a guy that struggled to get the ball out quickly. And, you know, when Josh McDaniels off that you just can't have that.

Joe Malkin: 3:03

Jim, we pick, we have read reports and seeing things, whether it's social media, or through the beat writers that Mac was picking up the offense extremely quickly. And that Cam was kind of learning from Mac along the way, which I don't necessarily see as a bad thing. But the question is, with the eye test that we all had during camp, is that what we're going to get from Mac Jones, do you anticipate and kind of everyone around you anticipate that he is going to be what we saw in these three preseason games.

Jim McBride: 3:35

You know, I think he's going to be better because it throughout camp and throughout, you know, most of the exhibition games, Matt played with the second team he played behind the second team offensive line he played that, you know, not with the projected starters in any of the skill positions except for that really that one practice against the Giants you know, two weeks ago when Cam was still up because of the COVID protocols and I think he really turned a lot of hits that day. He showed what he could do play behind you know, one of the top offensive lines in the game right now and you know, and with some new skill players so guys that were going to make this teams you know, guys like Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers, he wasn't throwing to Gunner Olszewski and to Isaiah Zuber and some of those guys that you know, not saying they're not good players, but they weren't projected to be starters. So now Mac has those that full arsenal with his disposal and I think he's even though it'd be better than what he showed,

Michael Marcangelo: 4:31

I guess, you know, what would you say to fans, me that is that are already concerned about the fact that Mac is banged up? He's wearing a brace and he's and he is he built for the longevity of an NFL season, especially the longest NFL regular season to date?

Jim McBride: 4:47

Well, I think he benefits from two things, and I just addressed the knee brace when we talk we first noticed that in Philadelphia at the first joint practice and he really, really downplayed it said he wasn't, you know, this wasn't a reaction to an injury. It was more of a protection thing. That's his lead leg. We've all seen quarterbacks get fallen into by offensive lineman or defensive linemen, you know, or offensive linemen, they're falling backwards like Tom a few years back like Carson Palmer, so it was more of a protection thing. It's the same type of brace that the Patriots really required their offensive linemen to wear on both legs to prevent guys from falling back and kind of you No collapsing the knee. So I don't think it was a reaction to an injury, I think it's more of a preventative measure. But two things, I think that will help Mac, you know, in the long haul is the fact that he's got a good offensive line. And he also gets rid of the ball really quickly. The the obvious comparisons to Tom Brady are there, and I'm not going to compare a rookie to Tom Brady at any point, but he does have similar qualities and that he processes information really quickly, and he gets rid of the ball. You know, now whether he's going to be able to do that, you know, with the game on the line, the way Tom has to time in a timeout to his career, that's something that remains to be seen, but certainly he has the physical in the mental skills to do it. Can he do it? In the emotional times? That's really the big question we had.

Joe Malkin: 6:08

Jim. That's the first time we've ever had carson palmer mentioned all our podcasts in 13 months. I wanted to point down all that that's a good drop. But you mentioned it twice now, but just how good is this offensive line?

Jim McBride: 6:22

Yeah, I think they're, you know, they were pretty damn good last year, and I think they're even better this year. You know, there's some guys in different spots, you know, obviously, they lost Joe Thuney who, you know, the preeminent guard on the free agent market. And, you know, the somebody who's going to pay a bag of money for him, it wasn't gonna be the Patriots. And I don't blame the Chiefs for doing it because they've got some pretty valuable assets to protect. But, you know, I think Isaiah Wynn heading into his fourth season is a damn good Left, left tackle. Trent Brown. You know, his one season here obviously played left tackle back then. But he's been nothing but phenomenal, this whole camp but he really loves playing it. You haven't seen any of that kind of the residual the last two years when he was in Oakland and Las Vegas. David Andrews is about as smart as they come at calling protections and you know, being in the right place at the right time. He's not a guy that's unbelievably overpowering. But he's very fundamentally sound. And then Michael Onwenu who's playing Thuney's spot, really good player and Shaq Mason certainly has a track record. So this is in the upper echelon of offensive line. It's not only in the AFC, but across the board in the NFL.

Joe Malkin: 7:25

Yeah, I feel like you know what you're gonna get from my, from Trent Brown, and you know, you're gonna get from Shaq Mason. And Isaiah Wynn had a tough first quarter against Chase Young. Now granted, I feel like every left tackle in the league is gonna have a tough game against Chase Young, what did that expose anything in Isaiah is when Isaiah Wynn's Arsenal is a left tackle.

Jim McBride: 7:47

Yeah, you know, maybe he's a little slow in the back panel. But I think that was just, as you mentioned, that was chase young, you know, he's kind of a different breed. So he's a guy that's gonna kid a lot of people on their gills. But I think when Isaiah makes the proper adjustments, he's pretty much in position all around. I mean, he might be a little small for a tackle height wise, but, you know, again, with Mac, he's going to be a guy that gets the ball out quickly. So maybe you don't need to protect him as much as you did. Cam last year, who you know, had trouble, you know, reading through his progressions and finding the second guy or the third guy. So I don't think that's going to be a problem with Mac. Now, if he ends up getting sacked a bunch of times, I'll have egg on my face. But right now, it's not how I see it.

Joe Malkin: 8:28

A lot. And just a follow up. You mentioned the progression. It was really it was nice. And Mike and I have we're both in the different camps here in the preseason. He was the Cam guy, I was the Mac guy. And just watching both of them go through the progressions. And a lot of times you saw them go into that that outlet or, you know, that dumped down to the back. And a lot of people criticized both of them for that. Even though that was something that was very prevalent in the Tom Brady, Josh McDaniels offense is is that progression for Mac going to the dump off? Is that a is that an issue? Or is that him reading through and finding that as his best option?

Jim McBride: 9:11

I think it's, it's the latter, it's, you know, you look at a guy like James Wade, probably, you know, one of the better pass catching backs in the league. And he was kind of a non factor for a lot of times last year, because see Cam just could never get to that level of, you know, my one and two is not open, I'm gonna check down and go to James by that time he was running, because he you know, the pocket was starting to collapse, and he just hadn't read the situation quickly enough. I think a big year for James White, because, you know, screen passes and check downs are a huge part of Josh's offense and Mac can clearly make those reads, I think back to that, his first possession of the second half in the Washington game where he ran the two minute offensive to near perfection. That told me a lot. I mean, that that was a guy that was you know, he was running with the twos at the time. And he just stormed down the field and it was funny to see them go, you know, open up with the two minute offense. But you know, when coach Belichick explained that they really wanted to run that at the end of the first half, but they didn't get a chance. So they figured, you know, hey, it's exhibition season, we'll just run it at the start of the second half. So um, yeah, I mean, I think that's a huge part of the game and they've got a lot of good backs that can catch the ball. You know, Rhamondre Stevenson came out huge way during the summer, catching the ball didn't really do that much of that at Oklahoma, James White, as I mentioned, You know, I love this kid JJ Taylor. I love the last year and I like him even better this year. He's so quick these ease. We made an impact last year, he didn't even have a real training camp or of spring program. And now he does. So I think they really spread the ball around. And that's why we A lot of us thought Mac, we're getting this job because this team was kind of built to be Smash Mouth with a good stable of running backs. I think when I first saw Sony getting traded, I thought, hmm, you know, this, this that might be a that might be the first sign that Mac's the guy

Joe Malkin: 10:57

didn't even make that connection. That's no fun.

Michael Marcangelo: 11:01

Why was that? Like, why were those two correlated for you?

Jim McBride: 11:04

Because you know, you need all you need depth at running back. If you're gonna play Smash Mouth, you know, if you're gonna run the ball all the time, the three yards and a cloud of dust. Both those those running backs take a beat. So you need a guy that like Sony Michel, the committed spell Damian Harris, so you need James way to come in. So for them to get rid of their, you know, maybe they 1-a tailback told me that they were going to they're going to pass the ball off the ship wasn't just going to be, you know, couple of handoffs, and then, you know, trying to scramble out their data to move the sticks,

Michael Marcangelo: 11:35

speeding up passing. You know, that offense last year was abysmal. And I guess a lot of it was, you know, was cam and taking too long. You know, learning a new system did have a full offseason. I guess my question, but I do have two questions for you. But I want to look back first. How much of I just the atrocity that was the passing offense last year was based off of Cam's inability to read? Or was it based off of the wide receivers inability, inability to get separation?

Jim McBride: 12:03

Yeah, it's probably 5050 over maybe 6040 with Cam on making the region and you know, he just after Julian got hurt in Seattle again. He really didn't have a 1-A receiver all year, and no tight ends. I mean, they really haven't had production from the tight end spot, since grind caught that touchdown to set up the Super Bowl when it gets the Rams. I mean, that's the last time I can remember the Patriots having an impact catch from the tight end position. That will be an issue this year. They've got, you know, two of the better tight ends in the league. And Devin Asiasi is going to be better this year. So let's pretty deep roll there. So I just think it was you know, key was cannot getting through the progressions, but there was a lack of weapons on the outside for him to you know, I mean, Damire Byrd was there pretty much their best receiver last year, and he didn't even get invited back this year. So that should tell you a lot.

Michael Marcangelo: 12:54

It does. So which leads me to my next question is the offense that we see this year, or are we as fans over getting overhyped just because of how bad it was last year? Or do they have a real chance to be a top 10 passing offense?

Jim McBride: 13:06

Yeah, I don't know both top 10 I think a lot depends on on N'Keal Harry if he can come back and finally you know, kind of build on the summer he was having before he got hurt because he really was having a nice summer. But it's tough because he's a first rounder so do these high expectations on him but maybe he's not a built to be at number one. But if he's a if he's a number four, he's the best number four in the league. I think they take that at this point. You know, if you've got Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne Jacoby Meyers as your top three, and then you know, N'Keal comes in as your fourth receiver. That's not . That's not bad. Why not? There really is. Yeah,

Joe Malkin: 13:43

we've talked about what the offensive line is going to be what we think Mac is going to be something that you've broke, you broke the story about Cam Newton being released by the New England Patriots. So I guess one is someone that's a beat writer, a journalist? What? What is that? Like, number one from your experience? And two, how did you find out and what was your reaction?

Jim McBride: 14:08

Well, I heard from a source and you know, it's always a good feeling to get you know, it's kind of unbelievable that to be honest with you, cuz I was certainly thinking that Cam was going to get the job and that he was going to be the starting quarterback. So it was kind of a surprise, and you know, had to do some double checking. And, you know, then got to break the story. And you know, when you I'm not gonna lie when you when you beat Adam Schefter and, you know, Ian Rapoport and those guys too much story, and they're chasing you. Pretty good feeling.

Joe Malkin: 14:36

But that's a great feeling. So you mentioned having to do the homework, and this is, you know, do the checkups and make sure that what you're breaking is real, because that's, that's huge news. It's not like saying, Oh, you know, I feel like obviously, this was bigger news than Sony Michel being treated to Los Angeles. But what kind of process goes into that for you? Checking the sources and making sure everything's correct?

Jim McBride: 15:01

Yeah, you just have to, you know, you have to you have to make sure the source is a trusted source, first of all, where it's coming from, and if it's a if it's a if it's a, you know, person that's been reliable in the past and, and then the process really, you know, it used to be when I started at the Globe, you start writing the story right away. Now you have to get the tweet prepared with a link. So that when you when you finally tweet it out, you know what's going to get a reaction But you want to drive people to the Globe website to be able to make sure that they're going there. So it's writing this really quick story, getting it up online. And then as you know, there's a lot of panic because you don't know how long you're gonna have the story by yourself. You know, the person that told you might be telling someone else in five minutes, and if they're quicker on the draw than you are, then then you're probably asking them to be on your podcasts and not me.

Joe Malkin: 15:49

No, no, you were you were on the list already, Jim. So that you No, no, no worries about that. We know, you know, but, ya know, it's really interesting to see Twitter and watch those things happen and see how quickly they get fired off. So you have a very quick trigger finger. So we, you know, we like that. That was Craig was the first one he read it and said, Okay, well, number one Cam's gone. Number two, I'm emailing Jim.

Jim McBride: 16:16

It was a busy day.

Joe Malkin: 16:18

I don't know how I can imagine what it was.

Jim McBride: 16:20

The email box filled up pretty quickly that day.

Craig D'Alessandro: 16:22

That's why I waited a couple of days.

Joe Malkin: 16:24

Craig's like Yep. Jim. Jim had emails that was it was shefter, D'Alessandro and Rappaport, it all one too.

Michael Marcangelo: 16:34

I guess that that brings me to like my next question, because you mentioned that, you know, you've entered a little bit long time I have had is breaking stories now, compared to how it Did you know, 15-20 years ago? And what role has social media played in? Is it making it better for you? I know, it's probably making it harder. But what is the impact of that?

Jim McBride: 16:54

Yeah, it's been huge. I mean, I think back when I first started as a co op student at the globe in 1988, you know, we didn't know what other papers tat like, you know, after first edition, no, like, 1030. So we would send a truck over to the Herald to get first edition Herald's and they would, they would, we'd give them a bundle of globs. And we get a bundle Harold's. And that's how you found out what they had. And then you had to react with now, you know, everyone knows you're breaking news in 15 seconds. It's me. As soon as you're out there. There's people that I don't know how they do it. But I'll send off a tweet on a breaking news thing like that. And no, in less than 20 seconds. I'll already have like 25 retweets on it. And I don't know if there's a program that automatic retweets, the sub then, like, maybe, maybe, but maybe, yeah, yeah, it's been huge, because now you have a chance to change the story. Whereas before you were always It was so reactionary, you might not get it in the paper The next day, because you didn't find out till midnight. Now, you know, you find out 15 seconds after another reporter as it you know, you have to go about trying to confirm it for yourself.

Michael Marcangelo: 18:00

So having done both Would you say that you prefer now, as opposed to back in 1988?

Jim McBride: 18:05

Yeah. Like now, I do. You know, I was slow to the internet age, you know, I grew up delivering the paper working for the paper. And you know, it's still the papers, still the money driver, you know, we you know, the internet was more readers, there's less, there's less money, their advertising dollars, which is what pays our salaries. So, you know, subscriptions go a long way. But advertising dollars is still what pays, you know, most reporters salary so the faster you can get something up, the more people got to drive to your site, or read your paper on the next day. So

Michael Marcangelo: 18:38

yeah, like, I like a big part of the story that you broke about can being released. You know, what's his vaccination status, part of the reason he was gone? And, you know, Coach Belichick has come out. And he's made a statement that he's kind of watered back a little bit. I guess my question is someone who covers the league in the Patriots? Do you think a player's vaccination status actually plays a part in whether they'll be released or get side to another teeth?

Jim McBride: 19:05

Yeah, you'll never get well outside Urban Meyer, you'll never get a coach to admit that. Certainly, it's got to be in the back of your mind. I mean, you take all this information, you have all these practices, you've been at a guy's mental makeup, like, you know, how a guy reacts in certain situations, all that goes into the decision. So to say that, or to think that somebody is vaccination status doesn't play a role, I think would be naive. Because it, you know, obviously, with all these breakthrough cases, anyone can become available in a heartbeat. But if you're not writing it, there's a greater chance that you can become unavailable. And if you're, you know, a game plan guy, like, you know, the Patriots have such a game plan offense, if you're planning your whole, you know, opening week against the Miami Dolphins with Cam be a quarterback, and then you wake up Saturday morning and find out he's not your quarterback because of a COVID protocol. That hurts. No, really. We saw that last year with Kansas City and when the when the Patriots, you know, was that week 2. So, you know, I think they you want to minimize the risk. No, if it's the difference between you know, Tom Brady being unvaccinated and Brian Hoyer being vaccinated. Well, Tom Brady's gonna get the benefit of the doubt, but the flies were, you know, it was such a close competition. In a camp, and you know, clearly Mac's vaccinated because he hasn't worn the mask, and you don't see him wearing the mask and, you know, it's just, to me, it's a no brainer, they're never going to admit that. And you know, no team should. But if there's if you've got a one and a one a, you go with the guy, that's, that's vaccinate.

Joe Malkin: 20:42

Yeah, it helps that Mac. Clearly outplayed can down the stretch, you know, in overall, I mean that, you know, you're right, it should be one of it. In the Urban Meyer, they came out the next day and had a report about that and said it wasn't true. And I'm like, Okay, all right. Well, yeah, you're having a great time down there.

Jim McBride: 21:01

He was applauded by a lot of people for being that honest. Oh, sure. knew he was gonna get in hot water for I mean, that the Players Association was not going to stand for letting him do that. But he was probably telling the truth when the lights fix.

Joe Malkin: 21:16

Yeah. And I mean, he probably could have gotten away with that at Ohio State, Utah, or Florida, but it's not gonna fly in Jacksonville.

Jim McBride: 21:22

Right. Or anything anywhere in the NFL. Sure. Absolutely. And he's, he's the king of the kingdom when he was in Gainesville, or

Michael Marcangelo: 21:29

Oh, yeah.

Jim McBride: 21:30

But, you know, there's there's other warlords over.

Joe Malkin: 21:36

to the chagrin, I'm sure. Yes. We

Michael Marcangelo: 21:39

so we talked a little bit about the offensive side of the ball. I think the biggest question mark for me is, I believe that this defense could be a top 10 NFL defense. But how much of that is predicated on the fact that Stephon Gilmore comes back and comes back wanting to play for the Patriots?

Jim McBride: 21:56

Yeah, you know, I think this defense has a chance to be elite, you know, with Stephon Gilmore, obviously better than they are now. It did here. Coach Belichicks, comments this morning. We didn't talk to him. We talked to him yesterday. And we'll talk to him again tomorrow. But he was on the radio today. And he said that him and Steph are on the same page, which, you know, I, you know, I take him at his word, you know, he's not going to, you know, upset the applecart. You know, I think that they put a lot of money into this defense, especially the front seven, I don't think they're not going to not pay your best defensive player when he's ready to play. But there was no sense if he's still rehabbing that cook torn quad, there's no sense given him a bag of money until he can prove he can play. So this six weeks, buys them another six weeks, to get him into shape. And to work out, you know, whatever kind of deal, they're going to work out, maybe nothing maybe ends up playing this playing seven or eight games this year, for the full salary is when you're on top, you still get your salary. So it'll be interesting. But I do think that this defense, particularly the front seven, the way they've redesigned it is going to be really good, they're gonna they're going to be able to rush the passer, they're going to be able to stop the run way better than they did last year, which was a point of contention for really anyone that watches patriots football, to see them not be able to stop the run on a consistent basis. You know, they didn't like it either. And that's why they went and spent all that money.

Joe Malkin: 23:23

Is there a chance they go out and try and deal Stephon Gilmore?

Jim McBride: 23:29

I suppose there's the chance. But, you know, I think it would have to really feel a need for them to, you know, maybe there's an injury somewhere else over these first, you know, two months, and they need a guy and there's another team that matches up well with them that needs a cornerback. And really every team in the league is going to need a quarterback like Stephon Gilmore, he's, he's, you know, really, really elite. But, you know, I would never say never, but I think their goal is to get him, especially, you know, the Patriots are, you know, six and to seven and one after the first two months, if they're gonna want step back to kind of keep that train rolling. Now, if they fall flat on their face early on, then I would see more of a chance for him to get trained. But teams are going to pay a lot for a guy who's only under contract for you know, 8 games.

Michael Marcangelo: 24:17

This week for the biggest regular season game in your time with New England.

Jim McBride: 24:23

I think it's the biggest regular season game in my lifetime.

Michael Marcangelo: 24:27

Okay,

Jim McBride: 24:28

in any sport, you know, baby gave me you know, maybe game for the Red Sox World Series in 2004. That was pretty big game, but I think this will be the most demanded ticket in the history of New England sports. People want to go and see this game, people want to go see Tom. And I think they'll cheer and when it comes out. But once the game starts at a guild, you know, there'll be treated like an opposing quarterback,

Joe Malkin: 24:49

as he should be.

Michael Marcangelo: 24:51

So we asked Karen Guregian this question, and we even asked Dan Shaughnessy this question, what are the odds that when he does come back, Bob Kraft in the Patriots organization does something to commemorate his time here in New England.

Jim McBride: 25:04

Yeah, I think that'd be like a video tribute or something like that. You know, because it would be it would be glaring. You know, I've seen him do it for the first three guys that have lesser stature have come back and you know, they've paid tribute to them. You know, they're not going to stop the game or like, you know, any of that kind of stuff. But, you know, clearly you know what Some point there's going to be a video message, or you know, just a package of his highlight plays or, you know how even even when a couple of Super Bowl plays on the on the school board, but yeah, I think they'll they'll pay tribute to him. Sure. I mean, this this. He He's the greatest quarterback in the history of the game, probably the greatest player in the history of the game.No argument for me.

Joe Malkin: 25:42

Yeah, I know. I there's nothing to argue with there. It's like, yep, Jim's right. Let's leave it there. Yeah, you know, it's interesting. I'll be a at that game. And I was one of the people that was fortunate to get to bowl 36. Probably the first time I saw my dad cry at the age of 13. I'm sure we all have at some point over the Patriots. But having him back in week four, you know, you mentioned cheering him on and then treating him as another regular quarterback. What do you think the and this is just kind of a fan perspective as somebody who's followed this team and what do you think the the number of patriots fans wearing number 12 pewter jerseys is going to be?

Jim McBride: 26:29

I would think that I would think that most patriot fans, I'm not selling their tickets to this game. Unless you know, unless they want to pay for their kids college education. Just saying. I think there'll be a lot of Tom Brady patriots jerseys in the crowd. I really do. You know, obviously, you know, enemy jerseys are always part of the fabric of the game. But you know, if you're a Patriots fan, you when you patriots shirt to that game if it's Tom Brady shirt, so be it. I'm not sure a lot of patriots the into went and bought that pewter merchandise, and I know there was a lot of them. I don't think that's the game you're going to wear to.

Joe Malkin: 27:08

We can only hope

Michael Marcangelo: 27:09

that Justin really weren't wondering about that too, because he's like, if I see too many of those jerseys, I'm just gonna throw up.

Jim McBride: 27:17

I was listening to a radio station on the way down to the first day of camp. And they had this report that there were a ton of buccaneers jerseys in the stands had camp on day one. Let's walk through, I sought two well, if that's a bunch, that was like an intern seeing that, like the first guy in line, have a Brady buccaneers jersey on and called in and said, Hey, they're all over the place. So

Joe Malkin: 27:43

those guys didn't take math courses in Suffolk. That's why they thought it was.

Michael Marcangelo: 27:48

What's the surgeon? What's a realistic win total for the Patriots this season? Let's say all is fair. Everyone stays healthy. What do you think is a realistic outcome of the season for

Jim McBride: 27:57

the Patriots? I think 11 -6, you know, they've got 17 games this year, you know, they got to take their lumps at some point, you know, injuries happen so that, you know, they're going to win a game that people didn't think they were going to win, they're going to lose a game when people didn't think they were gonna lose. But you know, this team won seven games last year with Cam Newton as a quarterback, and with all these changes, and all these additions, I don't think a four win differential is that much to ask or that big of, you know, a high wire acted to predict so you know, 11 and six. That's what I'm sticking with for the paper. So you know, you guys here in here first.

Joe Malkin: 28:38

This is the breaking news by Jim McBride on missing the point, Jim, five days away from the first game of the season. So you know where we've backed it up on you know, we've gone from week four to the end of the season. Now back to Week One. What do you what do you think about week one, the matchup with dolphins Tua Tagovailoa the quarterback you have? You know, Brian Flores, the head coach down there, it's

a 4: 28:59

25 Gaming New England in September. What do you think in this week? Well,

Jim McBride: 29:04

you know, I literally like the Patriots. I think you know, Tua Tagovailoa is still young, you know, and Bill usually, you know, devours young quarterbacks, you know, Tua Tagovailoa didn't beat the Patriots last year, but that was a depleted patriots T. That was the Patriots seem that the front seven was terrible. So I think, you know, I think they're going to be much better. And I think that you'll hear you know, he's gonna he's gonna throw some things at Tua Tagovailoa that he didn't see before. Hopefully, Brian Flores doesn't you know, remember every single trick that Bill taught on him. But I do think the dolphins are going to be good, but I think that this week with a full stadium at Gillette 4:25. And the way that this defense is performed, not so much in the exhibition gauge, which was fine, but there's really no scheming. You know, we've what we've seen in practice this they're going to generate a pass refs that we haven't seen in a couple years. They've got some they've got some guys, you know, I mean, Chase winovich is probably your what their fifth best linebacker on his seat. That's pretty good. You know, I mean, Matthew Judon if you haven't watched him,

Joe Malkin: 30:13

insane,

Jim McBride: 30:14

this guy special, he's going to be really good. Really. He's gonna be a really fun guy to watch. It's gonna be a lot of number nine, just by week two and in patriot home.

Michael Marcangelo: 30:22

I have to ask because I loves him. I love I love everything about him. Am I wrong to compare him to Adalius Thomas

Jim McBride: 30:33

for his ravens career or his patriots career,

Michael Marcangelo: 30:36

his for his ravens career and then the Patriots side and get because of it.

Jim McBride: 30:41

Yeah, I think that, you know, probably a little bit of different players dailies was was quite an athlete too. But in speaking to Matt, he's really motivated and hungry. He wants to prove this deal. And I never got that feeling from Adalius Thomas even though he was a wonderful player, Baltimore, but he never really bought into the New England system error. Do you get how old you guys are? But I don't know if you remember when he was one of the guys that was late to practice one day because he got caught snow.

Michael Marcangelo: 31:08

Oh, yeah. Bill sent them home. Right.

Jim McBride: 31:09

Yeah. And he, instead of, you know, getting a Mia culpa and saying, you know, please, I gotta straighten up, he took the exact opposite attitude. He was like, I'm an adult, they shouldn't be treated like that. Well, adults show up on time. And that really soured his entire career in doing so I don't Matt's Judon that's that kind of guy. So, you know, I know they came from the same team, but

Michael Marcangelo: 31:33

so it made me think about it, gentlemen, and I bring this up again, always, because I just want to be talked off of this ledge, right. One of his playmaking abilities in Baltimore, all seeming that they came off of plays that he made that maybe weren't brought up. And we know the Belichick system is if everyone does what they're told, it will happen. So I guess I was just a little since you've talked me out of it. Karen talked me out of it, that he will be able to do what Bill tells him to do to allow the defense to thrive.

Jim McBride: 32:01

Yeah, I don't think he's a freelancer. I really don't think he's a system guy. You know, I think we had some of that problems with Chase winovich. last couple years, he liked the freelance a little bit. You know, and you saw his snaps decrease. And, you know, he was injured for a good part of this camp, but he ended up playing in the Eagles game and came back that week. And I don't know if you guys saw his post game availability with the media, but he was very emotional that day. And he made me a point of saying that the invite into the system, and whatever they needed he was going to do when he was his voice was on was cracking. So I think he you know, Eli, and you know, freelance in the seat that said this, you know, Bill Belichick is always going to put you in a position to win. You're not going to win every game. But you're going to have a chance to if you pay attention to the game plan that him and his staff have, you know, meted out. And if you don't, you're not gonna play.

Joe Malkin: 32:57

We're really glad, Jim that you could talk Mike off of that ledge because that is literally anytime we talk about Matthew Judon. Anytime it comes up my new 20 Mike loves Matt Judon. Yeah, he's not so fond of Adalius Thomas. So he was like, I just don't want this guy to be this guy. And we get that too, personally. So you know, Mike was very concerned. And he was a concern patriots man. So he would sign his letter to Dear Abby.

Michael Marcangelo: 33:21

Correct.

Jim McBride: 33:22

Mike reads my story in today's globe. And that might ease your mind a little bit too.

Michael Marcangelo: 33:26

Well will do.

Joe Malkin: 33:27

So Jim, my last question because I always like to ask about kickers because I love kickers. Quinn Nordin. Is he the starting kicker? Because I haven't seen that Nick folk has been released online. I like Nick Folk. But I love what the rookie out of Michigan is done in this preseason. Is Quinn Nordin, the guy and does he have what it takes to be good enough to make those kicks in the back end of games?

Jim McBride: 33:53

Yeah, you know, my best answer is probably We'll see. It's funny you don't I think Nick was a little banged up in camp. He definitely was. And I think that, you know, he wasn't able to really kind of go 100% and Quinn Nordin, his credit took advantage of that. And he showed off a big leg. He had the hiccups against the beagles games, but for the most part in in practices and games, he's been fine. Now, you know, how he's gonna react to a huge stadium and NFL game. That's a different story. And the fact that they signed Nick to the practice squad makes me feel like when's probably gonna have a pretty short leash. So, you know, it's kind of an insurance policy. You know, they could have done it the other way around. They could have kept Nick, and tried to sign Quinn to the practice one. But I think the fact that kickers are so hard to come by that if they exposed when if they had cut him, he was going to get snapped up by someone probably right onto a 53 man roster, so and that wasn't going to happen with Nick. So this was the most logical way to handle that situation. We've got an insurance policy and Nick, let's give the kid a chance.

Joe Malkin: 34:58

Absolutely. I'm happy that I've always liked new blood. I thought it was almost criminal. When Bill did this what you just said what kept the veteran kicker a few years ago and put Younghoe Koo on the practice squad, and then young way got picked up by Atlanta. I thought that not criminals kind of harsh, but you know that he was a guy that's turned out to be a great picker in Atlanta.

Jim McBride: 35:20

Yeah, but he had a couple of rough spots before he ever got to the mainland. That's true. Oh, and you know, young kickers a tough one. We all remember, you know, row row Wasser. Last year. That was almost a disaster from the first practice. So

Michael Marcangelo: 35:35

it doesn't really trust young kickers in closets clutch situations he elected to not have Gostowski kick a field goal within the post seven Superbowl against the Giants because he thought he didn't want to eat an hour ruin his kicker that early. My last question for you. I promised I always I lie, but I'm promising right now. My last question for you. You said 11 and six for the Patriots. Is that enough to make the playoffs? And if it isn't, is there pressure on Belichick to be replaced?

Jim McBride: 36:03

Yes, I think that's it's an app to make the playoffs? No, I think Bill is built up enough will where you know, he goes on in his own terms. You know, with New England. I personally, I think they win the division. I think the Buffalo Bills slip a little I know everyone's on the bills wagon. But, you know, we've all heard of that sophomore slump. And I think that you know, and not that Josh Allen is in the second year. But that year after a team kind of breaks through that second year, that kind of sophomore year, they take some lumps, you're gonna be good for the long haul, but the Patriots have a chance to sneak in and possibly win this division and maybe make Josh Allen look like you know, the Josh Allen from 2019. Not the guy that just tore up the league last year. With nobody instincts, right. Yeah.

Michael Marcangelo: 36:51

I love that. So So Jim, tell it tell our listeners where they can find you if they ever want to read anything about you.

Jim McBride: 36:58

So you can follow me on twitter @globeJimMcBride. I you know I will never clog your timeline with silly stuff. It's only patriots news or NFL news. So you know, you'll never see a picture what does that

Michael Marcangelo: 37:14

mean you may have just lost following me because that's really what I follow for but Jim McBride. Thank you so much for taking the time. Enjoy your site. It was great. It was great to finally connect with you. And so for Joe Malkin, Craig D'Alessandro. I have Michael Marcangelo saying thank you so much for listening to missing the point.