1 – Supposedly, Patriots training camp 2023 opened last Wednesday morning. Players and coaches were there. Fans rushed to the practice fields of Foxborough. And we media noted just about every piece of practice action like it mattered.
Of course the work on the field is not really training camp yet, but more an extension of spring OTA workouts, so says Bill Belichick.
There’s no shoulder pads, minimal contact and therefore the “competition” has to be put into proper context. When the full pads go on, likely on Monday, then the actual action will pick up.
Still, the three days of practices and many reps can’t be ignored. They’re at the very least a part of the process. So we’ll take them for what they were, the most recent on-field activity we have to assess.
We’ll start our reactions – or overreactions? – from three days of “training camp” practice by noting that the Patriots wide receivers and red zone passing offense as a whole hasn’t been very effective.
All three days of workouts for the offense has focused on the red zone, an area where New England really struggled a year ago. Bill O’Brien’s group hasn’t really done much better in the limited environment of the practice field.
No, the group can’t really run the ball with no pads on.
Yes, the defense the unit is going again is a potentially formidable one.
Still, the fact that no one other than Hunter Henry has shown the simple ability to get open and catch the ball with any regularity against a secondary with plenty to prove in its own right is rather alarming early on. Kendrick Bourne and Mike Gesicki have been especially quiet in the three days of red zone work, both guys who are hopeful of big, bounce back years in 2023. So far, not so good.
2 – Mac Jones is the Patriots starting quarterback: Whether you like it or not, Bailey Zappe is not in a QB competition. Jones is QB1 in New England. The reps say that. His talent says that. His coaches and teammates say that. Attempts to manufacture a storyline about a quarterback competition or controversy are fine, but it’s just not reality. Jones is the starter. Zappe is the clear backup. And Trace McScorley is way down the depth chart as a camp body No. 3 passer. It is what it is.
3 – Matthew Judon deserves a bump in pay: Whether the Pro Bowl pass rusher is tiptoeing through some kind of hold-in or simply working behind the scenes to let New England know he would like his contract adjusted, it’s clear that the Patriots best player has money on his mind. And he should. He’s underpaid. He’s due just $22 million over the next two seasons, none of it guaranteed. He’s watched other pass rushers get new deals this summer, including young guys who’ve accomplished less and veterans who’ve done the same. Judon has outperformed his contract on the field with career highs in sacks each of the last two seasons. He’s seemingly been a great teammate and energetic leader. He’s taken on a spokesman role with the media. And he’s active in the community. If anyone deserves a little something for the effort and a bump in pay, it’s Judon. Pay the man in red sleeves.
4 – Christian Gonzalez looks every bit a stud: Sensitive Patriots’ fans might react by saying “it’s just three days in shorts” to negative comments about things like Gesicki being non-existent on the practice field. But the same group probably will have no problem with the notion that first-round rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez looks like an elite cover man in the making. It’s early and the competition he’s going against may be suspect, but Gonzalez very much looks and feels like a No. 1 cornerback. He has the skill and the ability on the field and the obvious confidence to do the job. It sounds like he’s working hard and impressing teammates and coaches alike. Pardon the double negatives, but there is nothing not to like about Gonzalez right now.
5 – Here’s the kicker!: Take this for whatever you will, but the powerful legs/feet of rookie punter Bryce Baringer and kicker Chad Ryland have been one of the more impressive, exciting aspects of camp to date.
Both draft picks can absolutely crush the football. Baringer’s punts, in particular, are quite literally awe-inspiring at times. Both guys have a very good chance to win roster spots and jobs. Of course that will come after proving themselves capable in game situations, where consistency and reliability can trump raw ability and power. But for the here and now of July in shorts, the two powerful youngsters are kinda fun to watch.
6 – Lack of depth in July is concerning: In the past when asked about having good depth at certain positions, Belichick noted that depth in the summer is not the same as depth in the season. Depth tends to fade away thanks to injury and roster movement between July and October or November. That’s alarming for this New England team given the lack of depth that the Patriots have right now at a number of positions including offensive tackle, cornerback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.
7 – Lesser names to watch: Everyone focuses on the big names, star newcomers or notable rookies to open training camp. And with good reason. But it’s also worth keeping an eye on a few lesser names that are opening eyes early this summer with a shot at maybe winning a roster spot or role. For example, on the offense line converted defensive lineman Bill Murray has been taking plenty of right guard reps next to David Andrews with Michael Onwenu missing to injury. With all the young players at that position, Murray might just be the guy who’s next in line. At receiver, rookie late-round pick Demario Douglas has been getting reps with the veterans and very much has the look of a traditional Patriots slot receiver in terms of size and quickness. That’s something that’s been missing from the offense the last couple years. At tight end the top two spots are filled with Henry and Gesicki. It looks like veteran Matt Sokol is making run to lock down the third TE role with an impressive start to camp and some higher-end reps. Defensively, a couple veteran linebackers have stood out in terms of rotational reps. Mack Wilson – in his new No. 3 jersey – has been leaned on as a coverage option at times over the first three days of work. Meanwhile, veteran free agent addition Chris Board – known for his special teams work – has been getting notable reps on defense at a linebacker position that’s probably somewhat wide open after Ja’Whuan Bentley.