6 rings: the summer of demario douglas
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick once again had to answer questions about a free agent running back prior to training camp practice on Sunday. This time, it was about Ezekiel Elliott, who reportedly visited with the team on Saturday:
“I’ll pass [on commenting] on guys that aren’t on our team,” New England’s coach said about Zeke’s reported visit to Foxborough.
Just as we did on Thursday following the Cook report, and like Belichick is, we’re going to focus on who is on the Patriots for now. Here’s everything that stood out from Sunday’s practice session:
First on the field, player arrivals
Mac Jones was the first Patriot on the field on Sunday afternoon, this time by a wide margain. He was met with a loud crowd roar from the Foxborough faithful, who showed out on the first cool(er) day of camp.
JuJu Smith-Schuster was also met with a loud reaction from the crowd. As I wrote last week, he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite.
Fellow wide receiver DeVante Parker’s helmet swagger and visor game are off the charts.
Notes and Storylines: Offense
- The Patriots started the session with some conditioning and Mac Jones led the way. A continued subtle showing of his growing leadership role.
- Rookie sixth-round pick Kayshon Boutte was absent from practice on Sunday. Meanwhile his draft counterpart Demario Douglas, was the player of the day. He lit up just about every cornerback that lined up against him.
- Conor McDermott was at right tackle ahead of Riley Reiff, a continuation of what we saw to end practice on Friday.
- During a special teams period, Bill O’Brien ran through a goal line rub-route drill with the follow skill players: Henry, Gesicki, Firkser, Parker, JuJu, Bourne, Thornton. A continued focus of two key things New England didn’t do well last season: mesh routes and score touchdowns.
- JuJu looks like he’s going to be a big part of the offense. Mac Jones found him several times during 11-on-11’s.
- A nice read on a blitz by Mac at the goal line. Got the hall out quick to Kevin Harris in the flat for an easy touchdown.
- Bailey Zappe had a really good Sunday. He hit Jalen Hurd, Tre Nixon, and Demario Douglas all for touchdowns in the same 11-on-11 drive.
- Tyquan Thornton showed a pulse, scoring two back-to-back touchdowns from Zappe. One on a crosser along the back endline and another beating Ameer Speed on a fade route.
- After a hot start, the entire offense cooled off a bit towards the end. Jones was pressured a variety of times and couldn’t get a groove going during his final drive.
- Still quiet from Mike Gesicki. His first would-be training camp touchdown was called off due to a sack.
Notes and Storylines: Defense
- The rookies with the most eyes on them, Christian Gonzalez, Keion White, and Marte Mapu, continue to look the part. All three possess NFL speed and look like they could be plugged into game action as soon as week one.
- When the Patriots moved out of the red zone for the first time, Mapu immediately stepped in at linebacker on defense.
- Jonathan Jones still has the edge at boundary corner opposite Christian Gonzalez. Jack Jones, meanwhile, finally saw some reps with the Patriots’ first defense at outside cornerback. Both looked comfortable.
- Jack Jones’ instincts stood out during full-field 11’s. He jumped a Bailey Zappe attempt to Demario Douglas. Would have been a house call if he came down with it.
- Matthew Judon, who’s de facto hold in has been well reported, hardly participated in Sunday’s competitive 11-on-11 drills.
- Sunday was tough day for Marcus Jones at cornerback. He got beat several times by Tre Nixon, Demario Douglas, and Tyquan Thornton for touchdowns. Bill Belichick shot his arms up in a “touchdown” motion on Douglas’.
Notes and Storylines: Special teams
- Marcus Jones, Myles Bryant and Demario Douglas were the returners during punt return.
- UDFA Jourdan Heilig once again saw some individual special teams work with Cam Achord alongside Matthew Slater and Brenden Schooler. The former Appalachian State Mountaineer could be next in the pipeline.
- During a, 11-on-11 two-minute drill, Chad Ryland got first reps at place kicker over Nick Folk.
Player of the Day
Demario Douglas.
The rookie sixth-round pick is not only on the fast track to make the team, but he’ll be seeing a lot of playing time at this rate.
The 5-foot-8 slot receiver is lightning quick, crisp in his routes, and is already able to get open with relative ease against NFL cornerbacks. He showed out on Sunday.
Media availability
After practice spoke to Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Bailey Zappe, and Jalen Mills among others. Here’s what stood out:
“Putting in work man,” said Bourne of his offseason, and why he feels so good heading into 2023. “Every day. Making every day count. I feel good right now.”
Bill Belichick had high praise for Bourne on Sunday morning, saying that he had a “good offseason. Physically, mentally. Participation. Good offseason. One of our best.”
Bourne also spoke on his relationship with his head coach “[Bill’s] my guy, man. We have a good relationship. I enjoy being coached by him. It’s really awesome for my career.”
Demario Douglas, Sunday’s player of the day, spoke about Wes Welker, Troy Brown, among other great Patriots wide receivers ““I watch what they do, because they were successful and I want to be successful.” He also said Brown is great to work with in the wide receiver room.
Bailey Zappe, who also had a solid Sunday, said “it’s been great” working with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Wrap-Up and Takeaways
Sunday was a win for the offense. O’Brien was able to able to get his system going with more room to work, and the technical, disciplined scheme showed out.
The Patriots are back at it on Monday, likely in full pads for the first time. We’ll get a far better look at their run game, and maybe a look at another running back in the picture. Elliott is still in the area and there seems to be optimism that a signing could come. We’ll have you covered here at WEEI.com as training camp rolls on.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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