Tag: Max Jones

Report: Patriots work out Mac Jones’ former Alabama receiving target

Could the Alabama band be getting back together in New England?

The New England Patriots are working out former Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Bolden played at Alabama and was a teammate of quarterback Mac Jones. He was a slot receiver for the program and finished his Alabama career recording 68 catches for 712 yards and four touchdowns. His best season with the Crimson Tide came in 2021, when he tallied 42 receptions for 480 yards and three touchdowns.

He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022. He was released from the organization on October 18.

This could be something to monitor, as it would give Jones and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien a familiar face in the offense.

Jones is entering a crucial third season, and familiarity will be important as he looks to turn the corner. Adding Bolden in the wide receiver room could help with that.

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ESPN analyst rips Mac Jones for on-field frustrations in 2022

An ESPN analyst ripped Mac Jones for his display of emotion in the 2022 season.

The New England Patriots offense struggled in 2022, and quarterback Mac Jones was often seen expressing his displeasure, especially towards the end of the season. That did not sit right with one ESPN analyst, who criticized Jones for his actions on the field during games.

Jones put together a season that saw him throw for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. His play improved as the season progressed, as he threw no interceptions in seven of his final nine games. Nevertheless, New England struggled to get the ball into the end zone, and his frustration was often on full display.

ESPN’s Louis Riddick did not like Jones’ actions, and he talked about them in a segment for ESPN’s Get Up on Thursday, as transcribed by Boston.com’s Hayden Bird.

“What you saw happening last year with Mac Jones both on the field and on the sidelines — where he showed just how frustrated he was with the operation that he was having to work with in terms of the play-callers and the people that were in his ear — is totally unacceptable,” said Riddick. “It’s unacceptable by [Robert] Kraft’s standards. It’s unacceptable by Bill Belichick’s standards. It’s unacceptable by Patriot Nation’s standards.

“Bill O’Brien now, he needs to settle things down for Mac Jones,” Riddick continued. “They need to get Mac Jones a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver to really go ahead and take the top off the defense and let Mac really expand upon his skillset and see where he can take them.’”

The Patriots will have a chance to improve their offense this offseason. They have over $32 million in cap space, and also have the 14th overall pick in April’s draft. A playmaking receiver and offensive line help are two things the Patriots need the most, and it will be intriguing to see how they fill those holes. The impact that newly-hired offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien may have for Mac Jones will be interesting, as the latter looks to put everything together in his third season.

Regardless, New England will have to make some major changes, if they want to be a contender in the AFC.

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Colts’ keys to victory vs. Patriots in Week 9

Keys to victory for the Colts in Week 9 against the Patriots.

Coming off a heartbreaking loss at home to the Washington Commanders, the Indianapolis Colts will hit the road and head to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots.

In terms of playoff chances, this is a must-win for Frank Reich’s squad which has been underwhelming most of this season. The Colts fired offensive coordinator Marcus Brady on Tuesday, leaving the offense entirely in Reich’s hands as he tries to turn things around.

This could be a step in the right direction as second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger prepares to make his first start on the road.

However, beating Bill Belichick and the Patriots is no easy task. Here are the keys to victory for the Colts come Sunday:

Patriots QB Mac Jones gets praise from Steelers LB for in-game adjustments

Mac Jones is getting big praise from a Steelers defensive player.

Sunday was a bit of a struggle for New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and the rest of the offense. However, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Malik Reed noticed Jones’ adjustments towards the later part of the game.

Jones went 21-of-35 on the afternoon, throwing for 252 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The Steelers defense was able to frustrate him for most of the afternoon. New England made more of a commitment to running the football in the later stages of the game, which was something that helped Jones find his footing.

Reed took note of Jones reading the defense better as the game went on, per Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Herald-Review.

Jones will need to avoid a sloppy start next Sunday, as the Patriots take on an explosive Baltimore Ravens team. The Ravens are coming off a heartbreaking 42-38 loss to the Miami Dolphins in arguably the best game of Week 2.

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Wisconsin showing interest in Tampa transfer wing Max Jones

Wisconsin showing interest in one of the top D2 players in the transfer portal:

Greg Gard and his coaching staff have been putting plenty of feelers out in the transfer portal this offseason as they look to add some much needed depth to the program.

On Sunday, ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello reported that Wisconsin was among a long list of programs that had reached out to Tampa transfer Max Jones.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound wing averaged 21.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 44% shooting for the Spartans this past season. 

Jones is widely regarded as one of the top D2 transfers, and has reportedly heard from Wisconsin, Virginia, Villanova, LSU, Alabama, Western Kentucky, Iowa State, Cal State Fullerton, FAU, and Texas A&M.

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