FOXBORO — Patriots veteran security Adrian Phillips will not be slowing down the Marte Mapu hype practice.
Mapu, the Patriots’ linebacker/security hybrid, had a giant day of apply Sunday, breaking apart passes from backup quarterback Bailey Zappe supposed for tight ends Matt Sokol and Hunter Henry.
Mapu has but to shed his purple non-contact jersey — so he’s not cleared for motion — however nonetheless discovered a approach to keep concerned in Thursday’s preseason recreation. The 2023 third-round choose dressed for the sport however stood subsequent to linebackers coach/play-caller Steve Belichick with a clipboard in hand for the whole lot of the competition.
Head coach Bill Belichick downplayed the position after the sport.
“Hear the call and follow the game,” Belichick stated. “Somebody’s acquired to do it, so we let him do it.
“Player that’s not going to play in the game, that’s a way to keep them engaged and involved,” he added.
Phillips, who served an identical position earlier in his profession, didn’t reduce it, nonetheless.
“I actually used to be the signal caller earlier in my career, like if I didn’t dress,” Phillips stated.
“But as far as charting plays and stuff like that, I did that as well, and I think that’s just a testament to a guy being able to handle all of that mentally and actually wanting to learn, so it’s just cool to see.”
Phillips stated there’s numerous stress that comes together with the position, which he known as a “combination of things” that he didn’t need to get “too in-depth” about.”
“It’s tough, because if you get it wrong, then they’re on you,” Phillips stated. “You’ve got to make sure you get everything right and you make sure that you’re by the (defensive coordinator) the whole time. Because if you mess it up, you pretty much mess up the whole play. A lot of stuff is riding on you, and if you get it wrong, then it’s going to be a long day the next day.”
Mapu got here to the Patriots with a pectoral damage that’s nonetheless limiting his full participation.
Source: www.bostonherald.com