The Patriots 2023 Preseason Thread - OTAs and Mini Camp

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1. Jones treated as QB1​

There was no doubt who New England’s starting quarterback was on Wednesday morning.
Mac Jones began every drill, and when it was time for 11-on-11 play, he was flanked by the first team. Bailey Zappe rotated in with the backups and Trace McSorely took third team reps. Jones looked energized and in command of his offense. There may be competition at this spot when training camp opens, but right now Jones is cruising in the driver’s seat.

2. Judge’s role comes into focus​

Bill Belichick was straightforward when asked what Joe Judge’s job would be for the 2023 season.

“He’ll do whatever I ask him to do,” Belichick said.
Apparently, Belichick asked him to be hands on with special teams. Judge was in charge of a number of drills with the specialists on Wednesday, and was literally on his hands and knees running one of them. Though he struggled with the quarterbacks a year ago, Judge’s special teams units were strong during his first stint in New England, so it makes sense that Belichick has deployed him there once again.

3. McCourty replaced by committee​

Devin McCourty was actually still present at Gillette Stadium, but the recently-retired staple of the Patriots secondary was watching from the sideline this time around.

In his place, the Patriots began the spring without a sole replacement. Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips, Kyle Dugger, Joshuah Bledsoe, and Jalen Mills all got meaningful reps at deep safety. With the backups at one point, Mills intercepted a deflected Trace McSorely pass. At this point, there’s not a one-man McCourty replacement.

4. Old QB tries new tricks​


There were four Patriots in non-contract jerseys: Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Trace McSorely... and linebacker Marte Mapu, who is still recovering from a torn pectoral.

That means Malik Cunningham, the dual-threat quarterback from Louisville, wasn’t wearing one. Cunningham warmed up with the wide receivers and was targeted multiple times in passing drills. It was a mixed bag. He had at least one drop, but also made the catch of the day, leaping backwards to snare a McSorely pass thrown behind him. Cunningham’s athleticism is no joke.

His only time under center came at the very end of practice, when backups were running through plays at less than half speed. It was clearly an instructional period, but he’s playing a little bit there too.

5. Surprise absences​

There were a pair of unexpected absences, as first-round pick Christian Gonzalez and new acquisition JuJu Smith-Schuster weren’t on the field. Both players have been at Gillette Stadium this offseason, but it’ll take a little longer before the media gets its first look at them in Patriots uniforms.

Other absences included Nick Folk, Matthew Judon, Joe Cardona, Chasen Hines, Isaiah Bolden, Trent Brown, Mike Onwenu, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, and Lawrence Guy — mostly established veterans — while Cody Davis, Marcus Jones and Scotty Washington were present but didn’t participate.

6. So who are the starters?
While there were some significant missing pieces on both sides of the ball, New England’s depth chart became a bit clearer.
Down Trent Brown and Michael Onwenu, the Patriots offensive line from left to right was Calvin Anderson, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Bill Murray and Riley Reiff, with Conor McDermott and James Ferentz rotating in heavily. On defense, Jonathan Jones and Jack Jones got a lot of run at boundary cornerback with Christian Gonzalez absent and Jalen Mills shifting back to safety.


7. Good start for Thornton​

Tyquan Thornton was New England’s most explosive receiver on the first day of OTAs, hauling in a deep ball from Mac Jones and creating a bunch of separation with a sharp cut on an intermediate route. After an up-and-down rookie season, it was encouraging to see Thornton show up right out of the chute.

8. Montgomery leads 3rd down backs​

Ty Montgomery also popped in the passing game on Wednesday; the veteran back looks like the leader in the clubhouse for New England’s third down back role. He got first-team reps, ran crisp routes out of the backfield, and just looked like a pro doing it.

9. Peppers provides it’s-OTAs moment​

During an 11-on-11 drill, Mac Jones couldn’t find a receiver, so he broke out of the pocket to scramble. When he reached the second level, Jabrill Peppers came screaming into the picture wearing his new No. 5. As Jones went to juke him, Peppers pretended to lower his shoulder — and then obviously let up to avoid any contact.

It would have been a bone-crunching collision, and served as a good reminder of where things are at during the spring.

10. Rookies have big legs ​

Though competition won’t ramp up at their positions until the summer — Nick Folk isn’t here yet — both rookie specialists Bryce Baringer and Chad Ryland showcased some serious power in their first open OTA.

The ball came off Ryland’s foot cleanly as he kicked field goals on skinny posts, and Baringer absolutely boomed one punt that sent a returner backpedaling a solid 15 yards. On that note, J.J. Taylor, Myles Bryant, Kyle Dugger, Demario Douglas, and Jabrill Peppers returned punts.

11. Offense looks so much smoother​

After last summer’s game of “who has the play-caller walkie talkie!?” things were so much simpler on Wednesday. Bill O’Brien ran offensive periods, and during individual sessions, he went with the quarterbacks, Adrian Klemm coached the offensive line, and everybody was better for it.
 
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OMG Chev, I feel like you just let me eat ALL of my kids candy on halloween night!!!

So excited to get some shit to read/watch!!!

I need some digital insulin....
 
Wonder why C Gonzalez wasn't there today..
 
Early, but mostly positive vibes from reporters, the only negatives so far are some of the folks who were absent and Robinson looked a little slow.
 
So, Jerry was in attendance yesterday and weighed in with some observations that you won't read elsewhere. Here was one:

It wouldn't be very professional of me to point out his (BB's) longest and most expansive answer was to my question about the system Bill O'Brien is installing and whether the veterans on his offense will be more familiar with it, or if it's completely new and he's starting from scratch. "I wouldn't say it's starting from scratch," he said. "Every year is different…some things are the same, some things are modified, I'm sure we'll make other adjustments as we go through the spring and training camp." Then he proceeded to go in to so much depth I had to make a hand puppet and go "Blah, blah, blah, Chatty Cathy. I know we're best friends and all. But these other people have questions and there's a practice to get to." At least that's how I remember it.

Give him the hits to read the whole thing:

www.barstoolsports.com

The Patriots Have an Offense Again: Minicamp Report Vol. I

It's been a painful few weeks in the Boston sports scene of which we are all a part. Teams from Florida have come out of the paneling like ghosts in all our Game 7s. And not the charming, hilarious, n...
www.barstoolsports.com www.barstoolsports.com
 
Hawg73 said:
So, Jerry was in attendance yesterday and weighed in with some observations that you won't read elsewhere. Here was one:

It wouldn't be very professional of me to point out his (BB's) longest and most expansive answer was to my question about the system Bill O'Brien is installing and whether the veterans on his offense will be more familiar with it, or if it's completely new and he's starting from scratch. "I wouldn't say it's starting from scratch," he said. "Every year is different…some things are the same, some things are modified, I'm sure we'll make other adjustments as we go through the spring and training camp." Then he proceeded to go in to so much depth I had to make a hand puppet and go "Blah, blah, blah, Chatty Cathy. I know we're best friends and all. But these other people have questions and there's a practice to get to." At least that's how I remember it.

Give him the hits to read the whole thing:

www.barstoolsports.com

The Patriots Have an Offense Again: Minicamp Report Vol. I

It's been a painful few weeks in the Boston sports scene of which we are all a part. Teams from Florida have come out of the paneling like ghosts in all our Game 7s. And not the charming, hilarious, n...
www.barstoolsports.com www.barstoolsports.com
Click to expand...
I love Jerry, but that error just before the last sentence is just effing foreboding! A rocky 2022, right? Not 2023?
 
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