Even with the Red Sox enjoying an unexpectedly impressive summer – including a rather fulfilling Yankees record-setting meltdown on Thursday night – a big chunk of the attention paid to Boston sports is about to turn to the NFL.
On the heels of an aggressive offseason rebuild and in the midst of a post-Tom Brady quarterback competition that will be one of the top storylines in the league, the Patriots are set to open training camp next week at Gillette Stadium. Coaches have returned from vacation. Players are reporting for duty. Football is back!
And Boston is, like the rest of the country these days, a full-fledged football town.
New England faces endless questions, competitions and storylines heading into what most hope will be a bounce back 2021 season. But at the root of all those questions, competitions and storylines there is one come thread – people. It’s all about Jimmys and Joes, as the old saying goes, not Xs and Os.
So, as we all get ready to focus on the Foxborough happenings, here’s a look at the 10 most interesting people at Patriots training camp this summer.
1-Bill Belichick: Even after missing the playoffs last season while piling up more excuses than wins, Belichick remains the face of the Patriots and probably all of Boston sports at this point. Some still believe the Hoodie is the GOAT among coaches. Others, proclaim he’s lost his luster with Brady doing his thang in Tampa. Did Belichick pull the right personnel strings this spring? Can he do the right thing at the QB spot? Will he be ready for the chaos of Brady returning to town a Super Bowl champ in Week 4? From his press conferences to his decisions to the end results, Belichick is at the center of it all.
2-Cam Newton: While there are whispers of those questioning Belichick’s continued greatness, many have been screaming from the rooftops – or at least via social media – dating back to last fall that the former NFL MVP Newton is no longer a capable quarterback. But as we hit late July, No. 1 is still competing for the No. 1 QB job whether we like it or not.
Newton still believes he’s one of the top 32 QBs on the planet. He’s still seemingly confident that he has a lot to offer New England beyond catchy nicknames and the trademark “energy” that we’ve heard so much about for the last 12 months. Newton’s job and career are on the line in the Patriots quarterback competition.
3-Mac Jones: Oh, did we mention a QB competition? Well, it takes two to tango. Jones is the young gun No. 15 pick out of Alabama. He’s got more swagger than some teammates expected. Of course many believe Belichick – who has a history of first-round picks playing immediately at almost every other position – won’t start a rookie quarterback. The way Jones handles himself – on and off the field – will decide the short- and long-term future of the Patriots. That’s a lot of pressure, but probably not more than life at Alabama in the SEC.
4-Stephon Gilmore: Gilmore, in many ways, could be the key to the Patriots season. The aging cornerback reported for camp even though he wants a new contract. He’s still recovering from a quad injury suffered late last season. Gilmore has a quiet way about him, but also seemingly lives with conviction. How Belichick and Gilmore tip-toe through what was and still could be a contract holdout will play a big role in New England’s success this season.
5-Dont’a Hightower: A year ago New England’s defensive leader and Super Bow hero was out of sight and mind as a COVID opt-out. Now Hightower is back in the middle of a retooled defense and front seven that might be the strength of the team. Hightower looked like his athletic, playmaking self this spring. If he brings that versatile energy and ability to the field this fall good things should follow. Like Newton, Hightower brings a smile and an energy to the job that shouldn’t be overlooked.
6-Matt Judon: Judon could be a perfect fit for Belichick’s defense. A two-time Pro Bowl talent on the edge in Baltimore, Judon really has the ability to move all around the front in a fashion that Belichick embraces on a weekly basis. But versatile, outspoken edge defenders arriving on big free agent contracts from Baltimore have failed in the past in New England. Judon has an edge to his game on and off the field. It will be interesting to see how that fits in Foxborough.
7-Josh McDaniels: The Patriots offense was abysmal in 2020. Obviously a lot of that had to do with Brady’s exit and Newton’s struggles. There was an alarming lack of talent at tight end and receiver. Still, the long-time offensive coordinator McDaniels wasn’t able to concoct much of a chicken salad. Now that he has big-money additions at tight end and wide receiver as well as a potential young-gun option at QB the expectations facing McDaniels have grown significantly. He built much of his career coaching Brady, now he must stand alone and succeed. Oh, and maybe keep up with TB12 in a shootout in Week 4.
8-N’Keal Harry: Few things have gone right for the former first-round pick in his two-plus seasons in New England. He’s battled injuries.
Hasn’t played well. He’s made questionable comments. And his agent had a weird trade request that was seemingly critical of the way Belichick’s Patriots have used Harry. In a wide open Patriots wide receiver depth chart is it possible Harry puts it all together to change the story of his career in New England? Doubtful. It’s more likely these are the final days and weeks of his time in a Patriots uniform. But his every action and comment will be worth watching.
9-Sony Michel: Last we saw him, the former first-round pick Michel was running as well as he ever has on an NFL field. Still, New England didn’t pick up his fifth-year contract option. So, Michel is in a contract year. To kick that off, he stayed away from spring OTAs. Not ideal. Michel will be battling Damien Harris for carries and the lead job in the backfield this summer and fall. He’ll be battling for his next job and paycheck this season. Does that pressure crush him or create the diamond that he’s supposed to be?
10-J.C. Jackson: Jackson fancies himself a No. 1 cornerback.
But he’s the clear No. 2 for the Patriots, even with his proficiency in taking the ball away from opponents. He’s playing on a restricted free agent tender with the possibility of a huge payday to come next offseason. Jackson has all the confidence in the world. He’s got no problem talking the talk. But he must still continue to prove he can walk the walk as an elite NFL cover man. Over the course of 2021, whether Gilmore is in the lineup or not, Jackson will face plenty of high-end receivers against whom he can prove his worth.
Honorable mention: Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Steve Belichick, Kyle Dugger, Chase Winovich, Gunner Olszewski, Robert Kraft.