6 rings: Instant reaction and analysis from Day 2 of Patriots Training Camp
When the Patriots signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $33 million contract this offseason, many hesitated to accept the fact that he could become Mac Jones’ new favorite toy.
Not only did the team just let the quarterback prior Binky, Jakobi Meyers, walk away in free agency, but it was on a similar contract and it reunited him with Josh McDaniels.
Well, JuJu’s probationary period looks to have already ended, as he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite in Foxborough.
“JUJU! JUJU! JUJU!” the fans have screamed over the last two days when the Super Bowl champion pass-catcher when he enters the fields, makes a play, and of course, pumps up the crowd.
“It’s been great,” said Smith-Schuster following Thursday’s training camp practice. “The fan base is amazing. Getting them hyped, even them coming out here, so much love. But I would say this, just being out here with the guys, working, putting in the hard work and putting it all together is super exciting.”
The fans, however, aren’t the only ones happy with him as a Patriot. Here’s what head coach Bill Belichick said when asked about having Smith-Schuster in New England:
“Well, he’s been here all spring. JuJu’s great to work with, a really smart kid, a lot of experience, done a lot of different things. It’s merging them into some of the things that we do. Some of those are the same, some are different, some are new. Some things that he’s doing we’re incorporating into what we’re doing because he’s had success with them, but he’s great to work with. He’s always ready to go, very alert, attentive, smart kid. So, we’re glad we have him..”
And what about Jonathan Jones, who has had to go up against him over the last two days?
“He’s come in, he’s worked hard, he’s showing up. He's showing up early yesterday, today. It looks like he’s picking it up well and it looks like he's competing,” the veteran Patriot said about their new weapon. “He’s physical. He’s a physical receiver. He has good hands, he can move well. He’s a great receiver for us.”
His new quarterback, Mac Jones, has had plenty to say about the receiver this offseason, but added further context to how things are coming along between the two on Wednesday:
“Yeah, good. I think like I said, JuJu loves football and you can see the juice that he brings. He's definitely really embraced everything; he's working really hard, always doing the right thing, so we just got to be consistent. I know that he can bring that veteran leadership; that's one of the guys I'm talking about when I say, 'played a lot of snaps in the NFL.' So, just to hear his experience, whether it's with other quarterbacks, coordinators or against other defenses, it's really cool just because I like to pick people's brains as well. So, I'm really happy to have him and the guys that we have in that room.”
After a slow practice on Wednesday for the seventh-year veteran, Smith-Schuster was much more involved on Thursday. He played primarily in the slot and was schemed open by Bill O'Brien as a focal point of the offense. He caught a touchdown against rookie Christian Gonzalez and beat Marcus Jones for six as well.
“The slot position has been a big tradition here with Troy [Brown], to [Julian] Edelman, to all these great guys who’s been in the position,” JuJu said about his role in the offense. “It’s an honor to play that position. Being able to play inside, outside, moving around, but having the opportunity to say that I’m on the inside is really nice. It’s a compliment.”
Putting himself in the same breath as two Patriots legends after just two days in blue and red may be adding some unnecessary pressure on himself, perhaps it's on purpose.
"I don't think there's any pressure," said JuJu. "If anything I embrace the pressure. I love it."
If Smith-Schuster can even sniff the level of production that Brown and Edelman, two long-time fan favorites, had during their time in Foxborough, then he'll continue his quick trajectory to becoming one as well.
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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