6 rings: 'Malik Mania' continues to takeover Foxborough
The Patriots hit the game field last Thursday night for their first preseason game of the 2023 campaign. A 20-9 loss, Bill Belichick clearly wasn’t satisfied.
In a variety of moves that were made official by the team on Saturday afternoon, New England signed running back C.J. Marable and offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool, both of whom most recently played in the USFL. To make room on the roster, the club released linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi and safety Jourdan Heilig.
The Heilig release came as a surprise, as the UDFA out of Appalachian State had been in lock step with veteran Matthew Slater all throughout training learning the ins and outs of special teams at the NFL level. It would make sense to see him back in Foxborough eventually.
As for the players they signed, Marable adds a pass-catching back to a room that desperately needs another body, and Vanterpool brings positional versatility to an offensive line that struggled mightily against the Texans on Thursday.
For those who didn’t struggle mightily, i.e. Keion White and Malik Cunningham, this week marks the true beginning of what could be illustrious and successful NFL careers. The Patriots are heading to Green Bay on Tuesday for a set of joint practices and preseason game No. 2 against the Packers on Friday.
In our first look at both a new-look and rejuvenated squad, here’s everything that stood out at New England’s Sunday afternoon practice outside of Gillette Stadium:
Notes and Storylines: Offense
- A new absence at Patriots practice on Sunday was running back Pierre Strong Jr. Ty Montgomery was also absent, making the room: Rhamondre Stevenson, Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor, and newcomer C.J. Marable.
- Trent Brown, Cole Strange, and David Andrews were all at practice on Sunday after ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that those close to the situation don’t expect the front-line personnel shortage to linger.” Brown and Andrews participated in team drills. Strange did not.
- After his performance against the Texans on Thursday, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton was back running with the first group and Mac Jones. Kayshon Boutte was with Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley.
- C.J. Marable and Micah Vanterpool have been assigned numbers 37 and 72 respectively.
- Malik Cunningham took significant quarterback reps at Sunday’s practice. He rotated with Mac Jones in both traditional and goal-line settings. They're giving the kid a real chance.
- Sidy Sow repped at right tackle with the first team, with Riley Reiff at right guard.
Notes and Storylines: Defense
- Linebacker Trey Flowers, who the team signed last week, was at stretch for practice but was not in uniform. He left towards the upper fields to condition.
- Jonathan Jones was once again absent from practice. The cornerback has not practiced in over 10 days now.
- Jack Jones started opposite Christian Gonzalez at boundary cornerback. Rookie Isaiah Bolden was in the mix at cornerback as well.
- Gonzalez had a nice high-point interception off of Mac Jones in the red zone. The quarterback was trying to find JuJu Smith-Schuster.
- Marte Mapu continued to sport a red non-contact practice jersey.
Notes and Storylines: Special teams
- Jourdan Heilig’s release left Matthew Slater all by his lonesome. He worked out alone on Sunday with special teams coach Cam Achord.
- Marcus Jones, Isaiah Bolden, Jabrill Peppers, Kayshon Boutte returned kicks during kick return.
- Nick Folk and Bryce Baringer were paired up as the kicker and punter. I’m not sure what Ryland did wrong, but Folk looks to have the upper hand in the kicker competition.
Player of the Day
Mike Gesicki.
In the limited amount of practice we saw, tight end Mike Gesicki shined in several targets from Mac Jones. Having signed him to a one-year, $10 million this offseason, they'll need this momentum to continue.
Wrap-Up
The Patriots will be back on the practice field on Monday at 12:30 p.m. before heading to Green Bay on Tuesday. They’ll practice with the Packers on Wednesday and Thursday before their preseason game on Saturday night. Follow along here on WEEI.com for coverage of all of it.
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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