Guregian: Dante Scarnecchia says Patriots need to get Mac Jones a binkie

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Mac Jones needs a binkie.

He needs a bona fide chain-mover. An automatic first-down maker. A receiver he can trust in those crucial, got-to-have-it moments in big games.

Speaking with former Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, that was the legend’s take when assessing the team’s offense.

He ranked getting Jones that type of security blanket high on the Pats’ offseason list of needs.

“We’ve always had that guy, a guy who moved the chains,” said Scarnecchia. “Whether it was Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola when all else failed, he was that guy. But they don’t have that guy right now.”

You can throw Troy Brown in that mix, as well as Deion Branch. Whether it was Brown, Branch, Welker, Edelman, Amendola, or Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady always had someone he trusted in the critical moments of big games. A clutch target.

Now?

“They gotta get a better supporting cast around (Mac),” said Scar. “They don’t want to hear that, but that’s the truth. Other than Jakobi Meyers, who do they got?”

Stats-wise, Meyers was Jones’ favorite receiver. He was targeted 126 times, making 42 first downs. But he doesn’t quite fit in the same mold, even playing slot receiver. Meyers runs good routes, and makes plays, but he’s not as automatic or clutch as some of Brady’s past go-to-guys.

Tight end Hunter Henry emerged during the second half of the season, but he was pretty much the Patriots’ red zone target. Jonnu Smith was invisible in the offense, save for being a blocker, and Nelson Agholor isn’t a fit for that role, either.

Jones needs someone who consistently makes plays no matter where they are on the field. The Patriots don’t have that guy, unless you throw soon-to-be 30-year-old James White into that mix.

Gunner Olszewski may fit the mold, but he just hasn’t developed as a receiver. Kendrick Bourne provided a spark late in the year. He was easily the best receiver in the Wild Card playoff disaster against the Bills with seven catches for 77 yards, and two touchdowns.

Can he further develop into being that guy? Hard to say.

Meanwhile, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow are all still playing and boast at least one go-to guy. So does Justin Herbert. If you’re talking about the NFC, it’s the same for many of the contending teams. Jimmy Garoppolo has Deebo Samuel out in San Francisco. Aaron Rodgers has Davante Adams, while Brady has a fleet of dependable go-to-guys in Tampa between Gronk, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin.

In Edelman’s last full season, which was 2019, Brady targeted him 153 times, and he produced 54 first downs. The former Super Bowl MVP was Brady’s binkie because he could beat man or zone coverage, get open quickly, and be almost automatic to move the chains and sustain drives.

The Patriots actually had a potential heir to Edelman, but let him go, keeping Olszewski instead. That was 2019, and the player was Braxton Berrios.

Not only has Berrios made a name as a special teams returner for the Jets, earning All-Pro honors, but he’s also become one of Zach Wilson’s favorite targets.

“He’s just like those guys,” Scarnecchi said of Berrios. “He gets open. He can run the reverses. People in New York think he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

This season, Berrios finished second on the team in receptions (46) behind Jamison Crowder. The Jets also have Elijah Moore in the stable, another receiver who may develop into Wilson’s third-down answer.

In between overhauling the defense, which is the top offseason priority for the Patriots, landing a chain-mover should be next on the list. Perhaps they dip into free agency once again, or roll the dice in the draft.

Of course, landing a downfield threat and game-changer is also in the discussion, but the Patriots offense isn’t predicated on hitting deep throws. It’s built on quick reads, a quick release by the quarterback, and someone getting open in a flash.

Meyers, who hits free agency this year, would like to be that guy. But speaking with him Monday, he doesn’t feel like he’s there just yet. But he’s working on it.

“I think that’s something that’s down the road. I feel like we’re way ahead of where we were when the season first started,” he said during a Zoom call with reporters. “But I feel like it could be very promising honestly, looking forward.

“I’m really excited, because I feel like (Mac) gave me a lot of opportunities to make plays that I left out there on the field. So, if I can just work this offseason to make those plays, make those tough plays and capitalize on all the chances he gave me, hopefully we’ll take a step in the right direction.”

Guess it’s better to have a binkie-in-training, than none at all.

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