The Patriots open their three-game preseason slate at Gillette Stadium on Thursday night time at 7 p.m., towards the Houston Texans.
We’ve seen the Patriots follow towards themselves for 2 weeks of coaching camp. Here’s what to observe of their first recreation of the summer time.
Who’s taking part in quarterback?
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick wasn’t explicitly clear in Tuesday morning’s press convention when requested about quarterback taking part in time in Thursday’s preseason opener, however studying the tea leaves, it appears unlikely that Mac Jones will play a lot, if in any respect.
Belichick was requested if the Patriots’ lesser skilled gamers would begin and play the vast majority of the sport, and the pinnacle coach mentioned, “Just like all the NFL [opening] games, yep.”
When requested about his plan for quarterback snap counts, Belichick mentioned, “Yeah, we’re still working on that, but the players who are least experienced will get the most playing time. I can tell you that.”
Finally, Belichick was requested flat out if starter Mac Jones would play, and he mentioned, “Yeah, I don’t know.”
Jones didn’t play in final yr’s preseason opener. He was labored closely into Tuesday’s totally aggressive 11-on-11 drills whereas backups participated in a walk-through tempo earlier in follow.
It feels secure to imagine we’ll see a few of Bailey Zappe and lots of Trace McSorley at quarterback towards the Texans. The Patriots tossed rookie Malik Cunningham into the combo this week, as properly. Cunningham spent many of the first two weeks of coaching camp at huge receiver and on particular groups. Then he surprisingly noticed a large quantity of snaps beneath heart on Monday and Tuesday.
Our finest guess is the Patriots needed to see the way it regarded in case one thing occurs to McSorley in Thursday’s recreation. From the media hill, it didn’t look half dangerous. Cunningham isn’t a conventional quarterback however is uber-athletic and might throw on the run. It could be thrilling for him to take reps at huge receiver, on particular groups and at quarterback within the preseason.
“We’ll see how it looks in practice, maybe we’ll use it some in the game, I don’t know,” Belichick mentioned about Cunningham at QB.
Can younger working backs maintain off a veteran pickup?
The Patriots solely have 5 working backs on their 90-man roster. It could be foolish to place Rhamondre Stevenson on the market in preseason Game 1, and Ty Montgomery is injured. That leaves Kevin Harris, Pierre Strong and J.J. Taylor to hold the load.
The Patriots have proven curiosity in three veteran free-agent working backs up to now this offseason in Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson however haven’t pulled the set off on signing any of them but. Harris has been serving because the Patriots’ prime backup early-down runner, whereas Strong was dealt with extra work within the passing recreation. Taylor is on the backside of the depth chart in his fourth offseason with the staff.
It nonetheless appears to make sense for the Patriots to signal a veteran free-agent working again. Dalvin Cook and Kareem Hunt are additionally nonetheless on the market, however maybe Harris and Strong might carry out so properly this preseason that they’ll persuade the Patriots one other again isn’t wanted.
Both gamers have been tremendous in coaching camp, although it’s tough to completely assess a working again in follow when there’s barely any stay tackling to the bottom.
Rookie huge receivers
The Patriots have beloved what they’ve seen from rookie sixth-round choose Demario “Pop” Douglas. That’s why he’s seeing increasingly time with beginning quarterback — and fellow Jacksonville native — Mac Jones. The Patriots are rewarding him for his efficiency.
Fellow sixth-round choose Kayshon Boutte has additionally come on robust within the second half of coaching camp. There are performs that Boutte makes that present why he was a five-star recruit popping out of highschool and considered a future first-round choose after his sophomore yr of faculty.
Tyquan Thornton — the Patriots’ 2022 second-round choose — additionally bears watching. It looks as if the staff feels Thornton nonetheless has quite a bit to show, which is why he’s seen extra time with Zappe in current follow periods since getting back from a brief absence from follow.
Cunningham also needs to see time at huge receiver. Tre Nixon, Thyrick Pitts and Raleigh Webb will possible fill out the huge receiver group in Week 1 of the preseason.
Can the O-line maintain up?
Based on current follow availability, it appears solely 10 offensive linemen will likely be out there Thursday: heart David Andrews, rookie heart/guard Jake Andrews, heart/guard James Ferentz, guard Chasen Hines, rookie guard Atonio Mafi, deal with Conor McDermott, deal with Riley Reiff, heart/guard Kody Russey, deal with Sidy Sow and deal with Andrew Stueber.
David Andrews appears unlikely to play Thursday. McDermott and Reiff may very well be held out in addition to potential starters this season. That would possible go away a beginning offensive line of Stueber at left deal with, Mafi at left guard, Jake Andrews at heart, Russey at proper guard and Sow at proper deal with.
Since starters Trent Brown, Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu at present are out of form, this can be a good audition for the offensive line to show they’ll maintain up with out starters. The Patriots may have to depend on these backups given what number of accidents they’ve already suffered this summer time.
Rookie defenders/specialists
The Patriots’ rookie huge receivers and offensive linemen received’t have all of the enjoyable on Thursday. Second-round choose Keion White might make his preseason debut at defensive finish. He’s been laborious to dam in coaching camp and will give younger Texans offensive linemen matches.
It could be a shock if linebacker/security Marte Mapu performed, since he’s nonetheless donning a crimson non-contact jersey in follow.
Rookie cornerbacks Ameer Speed and Isaiah Bolden ought to get an extended look. Both gamers are taller than 6-foot-2 and had 40-yard sprint occasions within the 4.3-second vary. Speed has seen time at security, as properly.
Watch for undrafted rookie Jourdan Heilig on particular groups. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how the Patriots break up up kicking and punting duties between rookies Ok Chad Ryland and P Bryce Baringer and veterans Ok Nick Folk and P Corliss Waitman. Neither Ryland nor Baringer have been good, however each rookie specialists have impressed up to now this summer time. They’re favorites for the kicking and punting duties this season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com