Nitpicks & Nitwits: That’s Entertainment?

I’m reminded of actor Russell Crowe’s role as Maximus in the movie “Gladiator,” when he turned to the Coliseum crowd after slaying the competition – literally – and screaming “Are you not entertained?!?”

Because, from a pure football perspective, Sunday’s Baltimore-New England game was entertaining. It was a back-and-forth affair that had plenty of big plays, and ultimately was decided by the superior talents of quarterback Lamar Jackson – who wound up slaying the Patriots in their home opener at Gillette Stadium.

But while we’re at it, let’s also mention the Patriots slayed their own chances in this one, too.

The criticism for the current coaching staff, in terms of its makeup as well as its performance, comes largely from faithful fans paying for tickets and supporting decades of winning…and from media who witnessed and reported (and been spoiled by?) past successes.

In a bottom-line business, like football, it’s only winning and losing that counts.

A very high bar has been set in New England by Bill Belichick and his staff through the past two-plus decades, so any sort of anomaly, short of winning, will be met with scrutiny and scorn. That’s the ultimate price of success. Belichick certainly knows this, which could be a reason why he remains ultra-vague and non-communicative answering basic questions. He chooses not to deal with specifics…because so much can change from one moment to the next.

But in a game that requires “power and precision, hours of study and preparation, and the game within plays that no coach could have ever planned or even dreamed” as the late, great NFL Films voice John Facenda once intoned, basic questions do need answering. Specific questions.

Like, what are we doing here? What are the goals? Why are these Patriots struggling? Why does it appear square pegs being forced through round holes on the staff? And why are some talented players not fitting into game plans?

The coach has often said he only does “what’s in the best interests of the football team.” Are we hoping to rehab and grow coaching reputations, or are we still interested in winning football games and leaving a lasting championship legacy for Foxboro?

Or leaving a legacy for yourself?

Those are questions BB probably needs to ask, and answer himself.

Yes, we are entertained. It was a fun game to watch Sunday. But the Patriots lost, and the way they lost is a direct reflection on preparedness, or a lack thereof. Which can also be a reflection upon coaching.

“The autumn wind is a pirate, blustering in from sea with a rollicking song he sweeps along, swaggering voicelessly.”

The NFL season is unrelenting. Time is growing shorter by the week. And the entertained faithful have grown restless.

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Miscues prove messy

Four turnovers. Three interceptions from Mac Jones and a fumble from Nelson Agholor – each in crucial, critical moments during the game as the Ravens prevailed late, 37-26.

Say what you will about Jones’ alleged regression in play so far in Season Two of his NFL career. There are variables involved, of course, like the players he plays with. The guys in front of him and behind him. And of course, the coaches talking to him.

But two of his three picks Sunday should never have been passes in the first place. Those are on Jones, and on a team that desperately needs to control the narrative and carry the play during a game, turnovers keep you from that. The QB needs to manage the game with less of a ‘gunslinger’ attitude.

Disappearing act

Down by only a point at halftime, the Patriots marched themselves into a 20-14 lead in the 3rd quarter – even pulling off the unlikely “double score” with a field goal at the end of the first half, and taking the 2nd half kickoff into the end zone.

Then what happened? Lamar Jackson unleashed himself on a Patriots’ team that apparently thought they had him in check. But not exactly. 245 of their 394 yards of offense came in the second half, including 126 of 188 on the ground. Jackson accounted for 325 yards of that total offense, too.

It’s not like the Patriots defense didn’t know what was coming. But there was no apparent adjustment as the Ravens kept putting the ball in his hands.

Prone to boneheadedness?

Marcus Bryant early muffs on punt attempts. Isaiah Wynn early penalties killing offensive drives. Rookie Cole Strange gets his QB flattened. What could have been a positively strong start for a Patriots’ team struggling on offense turned out differently Sunday.

True, the offense did eventually get some of it together, outgaining the Ravens for the day and even having a chance to come back and win the game in the 4th quarter.

Until the mistakes popped up again, late. Time to put players on the field that can make plays, not mistakes.

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