1 – Bill Belichick’s Patriots have put plenty of work in this summer. Two-plus weeks of training camp action have already included more than a dozen practices and one preseason game.
But things are about the ramp up significantly over the next two weeks in New England. The team will hold a pair of traditional training camp practices in Foxborough before departing on Tuesday for Green Bay, where it will take part in a pair of joint practices with the Packers before the second preseason game on Saturday night.
From there the Patriots will travel to Tennessee for a pair of joint practices with the Titans leading up to the preseason finale on Friday, Aug. 25.
The importance of joint practices has grown significantly over the years, certainly for Belichick who puts a clear premium on the competitive reps that take place. Between those four days of workouts and then preseason game snaps with the Packers and Titans, the competition for roster spots and early-season roles is really about to ramp up.
Mix in the 11 days the team will spend on the road together and plenty of team-bonding and relationship building should take place.
While much work, learning and competition has already occurred in New England this summer, that’s about to level up quite a bit in the coming days that could be as important as any two-week stretch of the year, especially for those guys trying to carve out roster spots and roles with the team at this point.
2 – It’s not too often that Belichick and the media agree completely on a topic. But that seems to be the case these days as reporters and the New England coach pinpoint the biggest issue for the Patriots at this still-early part of the team-building process – the offensive line. Belichick’s comments after the dismal preseason opener about offense and in regards to his offensive line were about as honest and critical as you’ll hear from the veteran coach. “It's tough for the backs. It's tough for the quarterback. Yeah, we didn't have a lot of space on the offense for the most part [against the Texans].” Belichick said.
3 – Second-round rookie Keion White was one of the obvious New England players of note coming out of the preseason opener. Thought to be a first-round prospect by some last spring, White displayed the rare combination of size, athleticism and effort against the Texans that could bring an impact element to an already impressive Patriots defensive front. If White and Christian Barmore, New England’s 2021 second-round pick with perceived first-round talent, can reach their unique athletic potential it could create incredible matchup problems for opposing offensive lines. That’s in addition to the edge issues created up front by Pro Bowler Matthew Judon and developing impact pass rusher Josh Uche. New England’s defensive front has the potential to be truly elite thanks to its talent, versatility and depth.
4 – Speaking of that depth on the defensive front, it wasn’t surprising to see guys like Daniel Ekuale and Carl Davis make plays against Houston. Each has earned regular season game experience in recent years and they have proven themselves capable of at least rotational action in that role. Neither is probably seen as a lock for the roster given the overall talent of the group, but they represent the kind of proven professional depth that New England doesn’t have at other areas such as offensive line and cornerback.
5 – The two most interesting offensive players through two weeks of training camp in New England are clearly sixth-round wide receiver Demario Douglas and undrafted WR/QB Malik Cunningham. There seem to be some similarities between the two both in terms of personality and ability. Both have obvious quickness and can make defenders miss. Both bring a likeable personality to their competitive pursuits, something that has seemingly endeared them to their teammates. Douglas is clearly making a run to be the No. 5 receiver and potential classic Patriots’ slot option as he saw just three total snaps in the preseason opener. Cunningham was the star performer against the Texans with his running and throwing igniting some late-game entertaining play on the way to New England’s only touchdown. Who knows where the competition and development goes for Douglas and Cunningham, but for the here and now they are two fun summer stories and guys who are really easy to root for.
6 – Belichick and Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh have yet to add the type of bigger-name veteran many fans have been hoping for – think Ezekiel Elliott -- but they do continue to tinker with the bottom of the 90-man roster. Following the preseason opener, the Patriots signed former Coastal Carolina and USFL running back C.J. Marable as well was former Hawaii and USFL offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool. Both moves come in areas of obvious uncertainty. The offensive line is a mess and running back is a depth chart that has rising star Rhamondre Stevenson followed by unproven second-year options Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong. It’s hard to judge the duo’s work against Houston due to the line woes, but they didn’t exactly make things happen combining for just 31 yards on 14 carries. Mid-camp roster additions face an uphill battle, but the moves bring focus to two areas of the New England roster lacking reliable depth.
7 – The tragic wild fires burning in Maui may be a half a world away, but hit home for Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai. Tavai played college football at Hawaii and has family and friends impacted by the fires that have resulted in unthinkable death and destruction in recent days.
“I've had a lot of family and friends who lost their homes in the fires,” Tavai said following Thursday night’s preseason opener. “It's a big tragedy right now. A lot of people lost their lives and I'm just trying to bring awareness to it. There's a lot of GoFundMe's, I'm trying to get a lot of donations: clothes, diapers, whatever we can get our hands on, to send out there. So, as much as I can do, I'm going to do. But, yeah, it's tough being out here and you're so far away from the island. You can't do much but just pray.”