6 rings: Just how offensive is the Patriots offensive line?
The first arrival on the field on Tuesday wasn’t a player, it wasn’t a coach, it wasn’t even a ball boy.
It was Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who made the loudest appearance of the morning when his helicopter landed on the lower practice fields outside of Gillette Stadium.
It was arguably the most intense part of what was a short, non-padded practice. Here’s what stood out:
First on the field, player arrivals
Fan favorite Matthew Judon was first on the field at Patriots practice on Tuesday, drawing a loud reaction from the otherwise modest crowd. Mac Jones was second right behind him.
Demario “Pop” Douglas, the star of training camp so far arrived and also danced as he entered his sixth practice.
Christian Gonzalez remains calm, cool, and collected.
Same goes for Kendrick Bourne:
Notes and Storylines: Offense
- Cole Strange, who didn’t finish Monday’s practice due to injury, arrived on Tuesday but quickly left to rehab his lower leg. Trent Brown was a non-participant for the second straight day. This forced the offensive like to be:Riley Reiff, Atonio Mafi, David Andrews, Bill Murray, Conor McDermott. The group struggled as a whole on Tuesday.
- New England’s running back room is thin, and it really stood out to me today during individual periods. Stevenson, Harris, Strong Jr., and Taylor just isn’t enough.
- DeVante Parker had the play of the day on the first rep in 11-on-11s. A jump ball grab over Christian Gonzalez.
- Demario Douglas just gets open.
- Kendrick Bourne beat Marcus Jones on a deep post, but Mac Jones couldn’t connect with him. It was tough to tell whether it was an overthrow, if Bourne slowed up, or if Jones interfered.
- Mac Jones continues to look comfortable in O'Brien's system. A major change from a season ago.
Notes and Storylines: Defense
- Matthew Judon remained on the field for the entire practice.
- Marcus Jones lined up opposite Christian Gonzalez at boundary cornerback to start 7-on-7s.
- Jack Jones saw sold more reps on the boundary on Tuesday.
- Rookie CB Isaiah Bolden was worked on by trainers but remained a participant in practice.
- Carl Davis and Anfernee Jennings are mainstays in the Patriots defense. They may be hot take picks to be cut in roster projections (I’ve fallen victim to this), but they’re making the team.
- Same with Mack Wilson, who had a nice pass-breakup during 11s.
- Marte Mapu repped all over the formation for the starting defense. Rallied to the ball on a sweep from the linebacker position and locked up the backend at safety.
Notes and Storylines: Special teams
- Kyle Dugger and Demario Douglas were back to return for the Patriots kick return team. They’re going to find a way to squeeze Douglas onto this roster.
- UDFA Jourdan Heilig continues to not leave Matthew Slater’s side. He also saw more 1-on-1 work with special teams coordinator Cam Achord.
- Rookies Chad Ryland and Bryce Baringer were the first-team placekicker and holder during field goal drills throughout practice.
Player of the Day
Mack Wilson.
The speedy linebacker flew around the practice field on Tuesday making several plays and pass break ups.
Wilson’s athleticism is standing out and will warrant plenty of playing time on Sunday’s.
Media availability
We spoke with Adrian Phillips, Jahlani Tavai, and Hunter Henry following today’s session. Here’s what stood out:
“I was just playing football,” Tavai said about repping at fullback with the Patriots’ offense on Monday. “I didn’t even know I was on the other side of the ball.”
Safety Adrian Phillips spoke on rookie LB/S Marte Mapu is “so freaking smart” and is constantly asking questions about the defense. He wants to perfect their system.
Phillips also said that offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is helping Mac Jones’ confidence: “Mac’s just doing his thing.”
Hunter Henry also mentioned O’Brien during his presser, saying that he does a great job working the Patriots new offense in day-to-day. “We’re not going to win the Super Bowl tomorrow.
Henry has been Mac Jones’ favorite target through the first week of training camp. “It’s always good to score,” the pass catcher said of his continued rapport with his quarterback.
Wrap-Up and Takeaways
While my main takeaway from Tuesday is that Mac Jones continues to look comfortable in Bill O’Brien’s offense, that won’t matter if New England can’t keep him upright. The Patriots are only six days into camp and they are missing three starting players from an already shaky offensive line.
Wednesday will likely be another padded practice for the club, and we’ll have you covered for all of it here at WEEI.com and on WEEI 93.7 on your radios.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
Related
