FOXBORO — The Patriots just lately accomplished their hottest coaching camp in latest reminiscence, together with two joint practices held amid 95-degree temperatures in Las Vegas and a number of other 90-degree days in Foxboro.
But that wasn’t sufficient for Bill Belichick.
On Thursday, a number of Patriots gamers confirmed the workforce shall be flying to South Florida 5 days earlier than their season opener at Miami subsequent week to raised acclimate to the warmth and humidity. The workforce is scheduled to depart Tuesday and maintain its first apply on Wednesday.
“It’s going to be great for guys to get acclimated to the heat,” mentioned Pats nostril deal with Davon Godchaux, a former Dolphin. “It’s going to be a hot one down there or it’s going to be raining, so it’s very important to get down there early.”
According to reports, the Patriots shall be holed up at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, greater than an hour’s drive north of the Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium. The Pats have misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games at Miami, together with final 12 months’s 33-24 defeat of their regular-season finale. Overall, they’ve dropped three of 4 within the division collection.
The Dolphins are at present slated as 3-point favorites. Despite their latest success, it marks the primary time since 2013 that Miami is favored to beat the Pats. Early climate forecasts are for temperatures within the low 90s with a 55% likelihood of rain.
“It’s definitely going to be a difference with the heat index and stuff like that, but at the same time it doesn’t really play a big part in it for me. But it helps with other people on the team, so for us to go down there and get acclimated to it, I think it’s going to help us a lot,” mentioned Patriots security Adrian Phillips, a Texas native. “Practicing down there, we’re going to see what we’re going to get and how we need to adapt to it.”
Godchaux added the Patriots started their preparation for the Dolphins this week, whereas noting Miami rested its starters for a lot of the preseason. The Dolphins are additionally led by first-year head coach Mike McDaniel, who’s put in a brand new offense this summer season. In the offense, Miami additionally traded for All-Pro wideout Tyreek Hill and signed former Cowboys receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. to affix first-round rookie sensation Jaylen Waddle.
“They’ve got some exciting players they’ve brought in, so it’s going to be very difficult task for us,” Godchaux mentioned. “But I think if we do our assignments and do our jobs, we’ll be up to the task. … I’m so excited to make these games count now, and I’m sure my teammates are, too.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com