ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Last week was not a good sign for Alex Van Pelt.
As soon as the camera panned to team president Jonathan Kraft and lipreaders noted he was talking about the play calling being “terrible,” the heat was on the Patriots offensive coordinator.
To make it worse, Van Pelt said that neither owner Robert nor Jonathan Kraft talked to him about the viral video. For a team headed for a top 3 pick, led by a head coach who the owner adores, it has started to feel like the veteran offensive coordinator will be the ownership’s scapegoat.
That’s unless the players have a say.
On Sunday, the Patriots offense started hot inside Highmark Stadium. The group put together two touchdown drives in their first two series to take an early lead against the heavy-favorited Buffalo Bills. For a moment, it felt like Van Pelt was rocking, and players were doing everything they could to help their coach.
In the end, it all came crashing down due to multiple turnovers in the second half en route to the Patriots 24-21 loss. After the game, however, multiple players stuck up for Van Pelt, including quarterback Drake Maye.
“A Bunch of conversations about our coaching staff and things like that. I think it’s some BS, to be quite honest,” Maye said. “Coach Mayo, we’ve got his back. He’s coaching us hard. He wants to win. We all want to win. We’re all frustrated. AVP has been calling it great these last couple of weeks. We’re just plays away. It’s me turning the ball over.”
Maye wasn’t alone. Several veteran players told MassLive that they support and enjoy playing for Van Pelt.
With two games left, it remains to be seen if player support is enough for the veteran coach to keep his job.
From the players’ perspective, the biggest issue for the offense has been playing from behind and penalties. For example, when holding calls pushes back the offense 10 yards, Van Pelt’s ideal game plan hasn’t always come to fruition. Kendrick Bourne noted that wasn’t the case in the first half on Sunday.
That’s why he felt the offense started faster and looked more efficient. For two quarters, the offensive unit looked better than it had for most of this season.
“I love AVP,” Bourne said. “His mindset calling plays – he’s very calm. I love that he’s very poised. It doesn’t seem like he gets rattled. He doesn’t try to go away from his game plan, which I love. If we’re starting behind the chains, like last week, it’s tough. We were getting a lot of penalties, getting backed up and today, we were on track and ahead of the chain so he can play call as he wants to. He could play call as he planned instead of having to improvise. We have to help him help us. We all have to help each other.”
Part of the Patriots issue this season has been due to their offensive line. Although the blame pie for the Patriots 3-12 record can be spread everywhere (ownership, front office, coaching staff, and players), it’s fair to wonder how much better this offense would look with a legitimate offensive line.
This certainly isn’t how Eliot Wolf drew it up in the offense – starting Vederian Lowe, who said in the summer his key to the NFL was as a backup swing tackle, and Demontrey Jacobs, who was cut by the Denver Broncos at the end of camp.
The lack of elite talent at the tackle position makes it harder in the red zone and near the goal line. Add in the fact that the Patriots don’t have a bona fide No. 1 receiver and it’s easy to see why the offense struggles.
Of course, Van Pelt has plenty to answer for. After all, the Patriots went into Sunday’s game ranked 31st in the NFL in scoring.
Van Pelt admitted to regretting his playcalling in the Patriots blowout loss against the New York Jets in September. In Arizona, the playcalling seemed too conservative in the first half. The Patriots inability to score near the goal line has been frustrating. On Sunday, it took the offense nine plays to score after getting to the 4-yard line.
Van Pelt also called for Maye to throw a backward pass to Rhamondre Stevenson with the offense at the New England 12. Jacobs missed a block, and the ball bounced off Stevenson’s hands and was recovered in the end zone for a Bills touchdown. The play seemed too risky considering where the Patriots were on the field.
If Jacobs makes his block, maybe that’s not a touchdown. If Austin Hooper doesn’t fall, maybe Maye doesn’t get intercepted. Of course, ‘maybe’ means nothing and certainly won’t help a coach keep his job.
Still, when asked about Van Pelt, Patriots veterans say the issue hasn’t been on him. Those inside the locker room point to a younger roster and mental errors. Stevenson said players are aware of the criticism of Van Pelt.
“Obviously, we hear it. We don’t agree with it,” Stevenson said. “We’re behind AVP 100%. We go out there and play hard for him every game. He’s a smart coach. He knows what he wants to do offensively. I love working with him.”
“It’s been great,” Onwenu said. “I like his playcalling. I like his style. I think he’s everything that we’re doing (well). There’s nothing that I would change.”
The biggest plus for Van Pelt has been Maye’s development. The Patriots stuck to their plan to start Jacoby Brissett and let the rookie quarterback maturate behind the scenes. Since taking over as the starter, the No. 3 pick more than looks the part of a franchise quarterback.
“I think we’re building something good, something that feels right here,” Maye said. “And I’m proud to be a Patriot.”
Maye’s future seems bright. Van Pelt should get some credit for his development. Maye also really likes his offensive coordinator – as do his teammates.
We’ll see if that’s enough to keep the veteran coach in New England – especially if his biggest critics come from the owners box.
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