14 July 2023 , 12:34
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New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is ready for a ‘fresh start’ after the team’s offensive woes last season have left head coach Bill Belichick on the hot seat.
The Patriots struggled on offense in 2022 as the AFC East franchise finished 32nd in red zone efficiency, with the defense failing to make for the decificiencies as New England went 8-9 and missed the playoffs. Critics pointed to the horrible offensive staff hired, as Belichick inexplicably decided to install Matt Patricia - a defensive coach - as offensive coordinator and Joe Judge - a special teams coach - as quarterbacks coach.
Changes have already been made to ensure a better 2023 with Bill O’Brien returning as offensive coordinator. With the former Houston Texans head coach designing and calling the plays, the offense should fare better in the coming season and look to return to the postseason once more.
Henry, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Patriots, revealed he has spent time with quarterback Mac Jones to improve their chemistry and get prepared for the start of training camp. Jones impressed as a rookie but struggled immensely in his second-year, setting up an all-important third season in the NFL.
“Me and Mac are close, we spend a good amount of time together, we’ve been throwing, getting after it, just trying to get ready to go,” Henry told Ben Volin of the Boston Globe . “I think everyone’s excited for a fresh start and a fresh season.
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“Everybody will be fired up and be ready to go.”
The Patriots organisation as a whole likely needs a clean slate after finishing 17th in points scored and just 26th in total yards in 2022. Henry’s own stats fell to 41 catches for 509 yards and two touchdowns last season after going for 603 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns from 50 receptions in 2021, but he is raring to go.
“I’m pumped, man,” Henry said. “You get here and it feels like the offseason flew by, but you’re excited because football is finally back. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but excited for it.”
Bill Belichick is under pressure as he enters the 2023 season - his 24th in charge (AP)The stakes appear to be high for the Pats in 2023, with tensions increasing between Belichick and owner Robert Kraft. Since Tom Brady left the franchise in 2020, Belichick’s legacy has been somewhat undermined while his relationship with Kraft has fractured after making the playoffs once in three seasons.
Last season, New England slumped from 6-4 by losing five of their final seven games to miss the playoffs and finish third in the AFC East. Resources have been invested into the roster to get Jones back to his best, with receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki arriving amid reports Belichick’s close friends are concerned he could lose his job.
Back in March at the NFL’s annual meetings in Arizona, Kraft suggested Belihcick could be fired if the Pats miss the playoffs again. Across his illustrious career as head coach, Belichick has 329 victories (including playoffs) which places him second for the most in NFL history behind Don Shula’s record of 347.
“Look, I’d like him to break Don Shula’s record but I’m not looking for any our players to get great stats,” Kraft said. “We’re about winning, and doing whatever we can to win. And that’s what our focus is now. It’s very important to me that we make the playoffs, and that’s what I hope happens next year.”
Kraft – who told MassLive he desires a seventh Super Bowl win - is looking for a sharp turnaround in the Pats’ fortunes. Perhaps a fresh start is what everyone within the organisation needs.