It was an eventful two days of joint practices between the Patriots and Packers in Green Bay that fairly presumably noticed vital development for the hometown group.
The Patriots struggled at occasions on Wednesday because the Packers went deep for giant performs of the group’s younger cornerbacks. While quarterback Mac Jones and the Patriots offense was efficient in shifting down the sphere at occasions, they couldn’t match Green Bay’s electrical energy on offense.
Things shifted in a serious manner Thursday. The Patriots’ protection amped up the depth. Fights erupted. Linebacker Anfernee Jennings was ejected for laying out a Packers rookie defender on a punt drill. Safety Jabrill Peppers was jawing on the Packers all day. And most significantly, Jones was hitting his receivers deep, and cornerbacks Jack Jones and Christian Gonzalez weren’t permitting huge performs.
Oh, and working again Ezekiel Elliott confirmed up.
Now let’s dig into 5 issues to observe because the Patriots and Packers face off in a considerably official capability at Lambeau Field on Saturday evening.
1. Who’s taking part in QB?
We might see as many as 4 gamers underneath heart for the Patriots on Saturday, and fairly frankly, we most likely ought to.
Jones performed in Weeks 2 and three of the preseason final 12 months. And that was after going by joint practices earlier than these video games. So, if historical past repeats itself, we’ll see Jones although he took a boatload of reps out in Green Bay throughout joint practices.
Bailey Zappe additionally took a variety of snaps underneath heart in apply in opposition to the Packers. But we’ll possible see him in in depth motion once more Saturday to see if he can enhance on his efficiency final Thursday within the Patriots’ preseason opener when, sure, he went 12-of-14 but in addition generated simply 79 passing yards and three first downs.
Finally, it appears the Patriots wish to see if Malik Cunningham can overtake Trace McSorley for the No. 3 QB function. Cunningham, who transformed to large receiver within the spring after a school profession at quarterback, has seen his snaps underneath heart enhance during the last two weeks.
The Patriots’ pace and effectivity was evening and day in final week’s preseason recreation when Cunningham took over for McSorley. Cunningham was 3-of-4 for 19 yards with 5 carries for 34 yards whereas McSorley was 1-of-3 for 4 yards with three dashing yards on one carry.
2. Zeke?
New Patriots working again Ezekiel Elliott really received into full-team aggressive drills Thursday in opposition to the Packers after solely collaborating at a walk-through pace Wednesday. Elliott missed three weeks of coaching camp plus all of OTAs and minicamp, so he must get into recreation form quick.
Ultimately, time will inform if Elliott will really play in opposition to the Packers and take full hits to the bottom. But the Patriots actually like what they’ve seen from their new working again and really feel he can study the offense rapidly.
Rhamondre Stevenson might get some work on Saturday, as properly. Otherwise, will probably be the Kevin Harris, J.J. Taylor and C.J. Marable present, with Pierre Strong and Ty Montgomery sitting out of form.
3. Demario Douglas watch
Those who weren’t in a position to attend coaching camp and watch rookie large receiver Demario “Pop” Douglas placed on a present daily have been excited to observe the Liberty product in final week’s recreation. Then he performed two snaps and sat with the remainder of the Patriots’ starters.
Let’s run it again once more this week. Since veterans sometimes play in Week 2 of the preseason, we should always see extra out of Douglas. He’s been education defensive backs in 1-on-1 drills and was a favourite goal of Zappe’s all summer season. He caught a ton of passes in Thursday’s apply session with the Packers.
The Patriots weren’t ruling out the concept that Douglas could possibly be the group’s beginning slot receiver coming into the summer season. He’s solely improved his possibilities of taking part in time since camp broke in late July.
4. Marte Mapu’s physicality
The rookie out of Sacramento State was lastly unleashed this week in Green Bay as he was in a position to shed his crimson non-contact jersey. On Day 2 of no limitations, he laid out Packers tight finish Tucker Kraft and briefly despatched him off the sphere.
Mapu, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker/security hybrid, packs a punch. He appears to be like like a future Patriots group chief, and his teammates can’t cease raving about him on and off the sphere.
It shall be thrilling to see No. 30 on the sphere in any respect Saturday, however when he’s coming downhill at full pace, be careful.
5. Rookie cornerbacks
The Patriots have three rookie cornerbacks who’re 6-foot-2 or taller and run sub-4.4-second 40-yard sprint occasions in Christian Gonzalez, Ameer Speed and Isaiah Bolden. It wasn’t an ideal week of apply for Gonzalez, however he did make a powerful go breakup on Thursday.
Bolden had go breakups each days. Speed has proven potential this summer season, as properly.
The Packers have spectacular younger large receivers in Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed prepared to check the Patriots’ younger cornerbacks.
Everything else
Expect to see a variety of rookie sort out Sidy Sow. He’s making a possible push for a beginning function because the Patriots have kicked Riley Reiff over to protect in Cole Strange, Mike Onwenu and Kody Russey’s absences. … Tight finish Mike Gesicki is injured, and Week 1 is quick approaching. If he’s not prepared for the beginning of the season, then the Patriots might want to roster one other tight finish. Their present choices are Anthony Firkser, undrafted rookie Johnny Lumpkin, Matt Sokol and Scotty Washington. Firkser and Washington are probably the most Gesicki-like. Firkser has been extra spectacular in camp however has actually solely come on robust as a passing goal not too long ago. … Rookie large receiver Kayshon Boutte is one other participant to observe from the 2023 draft class. He puffed up Elliott with a landing catch late in Thursday’s apply. … Rookie standout Keion White impressed in final Thursday’s recreation. He left this Thursday’s apply early. It can be disappointing if he can’t go well with up in opposition to the Packers. … Pass rushers Josh Uche and Matt Judon have continued their dominant methods this summer season. Packers beginning QB Jordan Love could possibly be underneath siege in the event that they get into the sport. … One of the largest questions of the 2023 season is who will exchange Devin McCourty at free security? We’ll get our first official look assuming veterans begin Saturday. The main candidates are Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips. … The competitions have been fairly shut between Nick Folk and rookie Chad Ryland at kicker and Corliss Waitman and Bryce Baringer at punter. Baringer can’t have a shank like he did in Thursday’s recreation.
Source: www.bostonherald.com