Patriots stock exchange: Who's up, who's down entering Week 8?
The New England Patriots hope to quiet the noise by knocking off the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. Unfortunately, they'll be carrying over some leftover baggage from their Week 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Coach Jerod Mayo called the team "soft" after they dropped a 32-16 loss to the Jaguars in London. He did walk back those comments, but it didn't quell the rising tide of outside noise that followed. Multiple analysts, former players and even current players weighed in on Mayo's comments.
Even former coach Bill Belichick disagreed with Mayo's approach when discussing the comments on "The Pat McAfee Show." It's a mess for the Patriots right now, and it could get even worse if they get blown out by the Jets for a second time this season.
Let's take a look at who's up and who's down for the Patriots heading into Week 8.
Stock down: WR Ja'Lynn Polk
Ja'Lynn Polk is likely out this week considering he's currently in concussion protocol. He's coming off a tough week where he dropped all three of his targets against the Jaguars.
Along with the missed catches, he also tripped during a two-point conversion attempt that likely would have ended in extra points for the Patriots. After the game, he posted a cryptic message on social media that stirred the pot even more.
Stock up: QB Drake Maye
Drake Maye looks the part of a future franchise quarterback. Despite the loss, he made some tough throws against the Jaguars.
Granted, he had a couple of throws that could have ended disastrously, but that's to be expected from a 22-year-old quarterback making his second official NFL start. If the personnel and play-calling were better, Maye could have the offense looking competitive for the Patriots right away.
Stock down: Coach Jerod Mayo
Calling the team "soft" set off a media firestorm this week for rookie head coach Jerod Mayo. Even former coach Bill Belichick called out Mayo for publicly criticizing the team in such a harsh manner. The Patriots have looked sloppy and undisciplined under Mayo's watch, and it's well past time he started looking in the mirror for a solution.
Stock up: TE Hunter Henry
Hunter Henry has been at his best with Drake Maye under center at quarterback. The do-everything tight end finally has a quarterback capable of getting the most out of him as a playmaker.
Even when his numbers were down, Henry has never complained about his position on the team. He shows up every week and does what he's needed to do. Some of the other players on the roster should take notes from the NFL veteran.
Stock down: OC Alex Van Pelt
The offense looked like a well-oiled machine in the first two drives. However, things took a drastic turn after the initial touchdown and field goal scored by the Patriots offense. Once the early script ran out, Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt ran out of juice, and the team was again back to the same questionable play calls and inability to move the ball effectively.
The offense needs to be better at adjusting on the fly, and that responsibility falls squarely on Van Pelt's shoulders.
Stock down: DC DeMarcus Covington
Where were the adjustments against the Jaguars when they were running the ball down the defense's throat? That's a question for defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington after watching the Patriots get pummeled for 171 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
The Patriots are missing key run-stuffers with both Christian Barmore and Ja'Whaun Bentley out, but like Van Pelt on offense, Covington struggled to make in-game adjustments on defense. It's an inexperienced coaching staff, and their shortcomings are starting to show up during games.