Charlie Weis talks up Mac Jones

[Mr. Scot]

Not a huge fan myself but I think it's always a good idea to get different perspectives and Weis was a very good offensive mind.

Charlie Weis raves about Mac Jones as potential Patriots QB

"What are the two most important components of a star quarterback? They have the 'it' factor. And they're accurate. That's who he was," Weis said.

Weis, who was a central figure in Tom Brady's development in the early years of the QB's career, initially shared his viewpoint during an interview on his Sirius XM NFL Radio program with co-host Bill Lekas. He was asked to expound on it in a follow-up conversation with ESPN.com.

One of the knocks on Jones is he was surrounded by an all-star level cast at Alabama, but Weis sees that as more of a positive factor.

"You talk about being around good players. Yeah, he was around good players. But playing on a team with a bunch of stars, who is the leader of the offense?" Weis said. "He also had to make all those throws. I think the kid is an excellent quarterback. He has less holes than just about anybody."

The Patriots pick No. 15 in the 2021 NFL draft, and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has them picking Jones in his latest mock draft. Fellow ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay had Jones going earlier than that in his second mock.

Jones' athleticism isn't at the same level as other top prospects. But Weis, who highlighted how Jones has been coached by Nick Saban, one of Bill Belichick's closest friends, believes his positive attributes outweigh potential concern.

"If you're looking for a guy that's going to be running for 30 yards on a regular basis, that's not your guy. But he can move in the pocket, and from the pocket, and run the ball when he absolutely needs to.

"When you talk about Trevor Lawrence, what makes him so special is that he can do everything Mac Jones can and he's athletic. [Justin] Fields, really good player. Zach Wilson, really good player. The kid from North Dakota State [Trey Lance], really good player.

"But this guy, [Jones], he's the one making all the plays. All he does is win and throw completions."

Weis made a comparison to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees when he was coming out of Purdue in 2001.

"He went in the second round because everyone said, 'He doesn't take any snaps under center and his arm is not strong enough.' All he did was play great at Purdue, and complete almost every pass," Weis said. "How has that worked out?"

[LinvilleGorge]

Weis is a turd that was floated by Belichick. The difference between Brees and Jones in college is that Brees was playing at Purdue surrounded by run of the mill P5 D1 talent vs. Jones playing at Alabama where he's surrounded by a lot of guys who will be drafted before him. Purdue was a borderline top 25 team through the Brees years despite having a future 1st ballot HOF QB. In other words, that team pretty much sucked.

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Weis is a turd that was floated by Belichick. The difference between Brees and Jones in college is that Brees was playing at Purdue surrounded by run of the mill P5 D1 talent vs. Jones playing at Alabama where he's surrounded by a lot of guys who will be drafted before him. Purdue was a borderline top 25 team through the Brees years despite having a future 1st ballot HOF QB. In other words, that team pretty much sucked.

Disagree. I think Weis was a very good offensive coach. I remember reading about some of his strategies when he was with the Patriots.

With all that said, I'm still not a big fan of drafting Jones, especially at #8.

[LinvilleGorge]

Away from Belichick, Weis accomplished very little. He had the #4 ranked NFL offense in 1998 with the Jets, but his other two years as their OC they #22 and #25. After he got fired for tanking ND he had the #12 offense in KC. After coordinating the 105th ranked Florida Gators offense, Kansas evidently in the throes of an airplane glue huffing binge decided to hire him as their HC where he put the capstone on his career's achievements going 6-22 and 1-18 in conference over the course of three miserable seasons.

Dude sucked.

[FakePlasticTrees]

It is worth mentioning that Weiss thought Will Grier was a top QB in the 2019 draft. In fact, he has a history of backing horrible draftee QBs on his Sirius XM show. For me, it got to the point that if Weiss was analyzing it it must be wrong.

[ncfan]

The same guy who coached up and talked up Jimmy Clausen, now talking up Jones?

Edited February 21, 2021 by ncfan

[Panthera onca]

Weiss is a toad. His QB takes are laughable.

[Mother Grabber]

this 100% smoke. he’s trying to get someone else to waste a pick on him, eg us, so he can get his guy, eg Lance

[Mr. Scot]

Weis doesn't coach anymore.