HENDERSON, Nev. — After certainly one of their most troubling practices of the summer time Tuesday and a horrible staff interval to open Wednesday’s joint session, the Patriots offense wanted a spark.
And they bought one — however not from Mac Jones.
Jakobi Meyers caught a landing cross from Jones within the again proper nook of the top zone to jump-start a crimson zone interval versus the Raiders’ high protection. Meyers managed the catch regardless of giving security Tre’von Moehrig a piggyback as the 2 tumbled out of bounds. Meyers later completed with 5 catches in staff drills, most on the staff.
Because of performs like that — and his team-leading 82 receptions final 12 months — Jones stated Wednesday he hopes and Meyers are teammates for years to come back.
“We see the game the same way, sometimes without even talking about it. So, we’re just working on growing together and making our repertoire a little better, with what he sees, how can he help me, how can I help him. Hopefully we can grow together here,” Jones stated after apply. “He’s just a tough, smart football player. I’ll take him on my team — forever, hopefully.”
Meyers, who acquired a second-round tender as a restricted free agent through the offseason, will play out a one-year contract this 12 months. The 25-year-old has been the Patriots’ main receiver for 2 straight seasons and was far and away their most dependable wideout in coaching camp. While imported Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker was anticipated to reach because the offense’s new No. 1 choice, he was held to a single catch Wednesday, a display designed to hit his fingers.
Parker has had six practices like that — these with one catch or fewer — this summer time, whereas Meyers has solely had two.
“I think all he’s been doing is just working hard and making the plays that come his way,” Pats wideout Nelson Agholor stated after apply. “He’s tough, he’s consistent, and I thought today was another example of being himself.”
McDaniels: All love for Mac
Josh McDaniels is now not guiding Jones by way of the infancy of his profession, however intimated Wednesday he’s nonetheless pulling for Jones from afar.
“Love that kid. I really do,” McDaniels stated. “And spent a whole lot of time with him, clearly, final 12 months. Great human being, bought a vibrant future. Really aggressive man that wishes to do it proper — every little thing, desires to do every little thing proper.
“Those are always things that are difficult, you know, when (coaches) leave and you go somewhere else, and there’s gonna be people that you miss maybe more than others, but you’re gonna miss them all.”
McDaniels added he thought Jones made “some really good plays” throughout a tough apply on Tuesday. Jones adopted that up with a 20-of-25 exhibiting in staff drills on Wednesday.
Pats in awe of Adams
Raiders large receiver Davante Adams was far and away the very best participant on the sector throughout joint practices Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Patriots couldn’t cowl him in any setting Tuesday, from staff intervals to 1-on-1 drills. But on Wednesday, Pats’ high nook Jalen Mills scored a modicum of revenge earlier than Adams once more scored a number of touchdowns towards his secondary.
Over their two head-to-head reps in a 1-on-1 drill, Mills earned one cross breakup and didn’t permit Adams to file a catch. Mills stated going through Adams in a sport or staff interval is like all however figuring out the ball will come your approach as soon as the offense breaks the huddle; as if each play is sort of like a 1-on-1 drill.
“He’s one of the best, if not the best, in this league,” Mills stated. “It’s no better look right now for me (than) to get to see him play in and play out at practice these last two days.”
What makes Adams, a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, so particular?
“He’s shifty, and he’s shifty with great size. And he has a good change of speed that many people don’t realize is actually a gift,” Agholor stated of the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder. “Basketball players have change of speed, in terms of going into their crossover, and he does that from his release point. He also does that from getting in and out of cuts.”
Kraft handed over for HOF
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2023 won’t embody Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft, who final month was named as certainly one of 12 finalists within the coach/contributor class.
Former Chargers and Cardinals coach Don Coryell, the daddy of the well-known “Air Coryell” offense, is that this 12 months’s coach/contributor nominee, the Hall introduced Wednesday. Coryell had been a finalist six instances earlier than.
Kraft has been the Patriots’ proprietor, chairman and CEO since he purchased the franchise in 1994. Under his management, the Patriots have superior to 10 Super Bowls and received six, tied for probably the most in NFL historical past.
Source: www.bostonherald.com