Monday 23
Reported Cam Newton placed on 5 day covid protocol list for failure to understand protocols regarding testing. It was reported that 5 days would be Thursday if he had two negative tests in that span. Did he get put on the list Sunday or is he being let off early for good behavior? Vaccinated players aren't affected by this rule.
Would think that a guy who had the virus would be up to date on league policy with clear understanding but he opens the door for the team to develop Jones more.
Mac Jones went 17 of 36 and would've had a multi sack day. The story of the quarterback competition for both quarterbacks, the incompletions weren't all on Mac. After a slow adjustment period against the number ones. Jones made solid throws and put the ball in safe spots. Jones also reportedly ran a good two minute drill.
Gilmore was reportedly listed as day to day. I've stood by this since the end of the season when all the trade talk was happening. The Patriots need him. So what does day to day mean. Is it in terms of health or contract?
The Front seven reportedly had a good day, which is double edged because it means they're beating our offensive line. During practice you want a stalemate between the two.
Gunner had a good day beating JC Jackson on one play. Gunner appears to have better connection with Mac throughout camp then with Cam and it showed again today. He's showing he belongs on the depth chart as a wideout.
Bourne made a nice one handed catch and caught two more. Agholor caught four passes.
Although he got be by Gunner Olszewski, JC Jackson reportedly had a good day.
Yodney Cajuste had a solid day.
Nick Folk returned, went 3 of 5. Reportedly didn't look good.
Jake Bailey had another good day, kicking boomers.
Tuesday 24
Belichick admitted that Newton not practicing hurts him. Belichick basically said everything round Newton depends on Thursday. However for the second straight day it meant Mac Jones can get extra development in.
Mac Jones reportedly looked better than he did the previous day. Miscommunication with Gunner lead to interception to D-Mac. He had thirty plus throws. Jones should good ability again to read a defense and to know what was going on. His decision making and ball placement skills were on display. Zack Cox at said Jones was "26 of 30" for a brief time.
Mac had two good touchdown scoring two minute drives, showing he can lead the Patriots in clutch situations. Although he had a good day, he did nothing to show that he should start week one.
Meyers had another good day, moving towards the number one role. And showed why he should be a Z receiver.
It was clear that of the receivers, Harry is the only big bodied wide receiver jump ball guy and was sorely missed. Henry and Smith are tight ends, before someone asks about them.
JC Jackson made two good plays for an Interceptions and was all over. Jackson is good but what level he's at is questionable. He'd be better with Gilmore on the field.
Yodney Cajuste had a good day.
Quinn Nordin went 3 of 5 kicking between the narrow goal posts. Ryan Hannable implied the he would've been better with normal posts.
Stevenson, Taylor, and Dugger returned kickoffs.
Patriots cuts Devin Ross, Malik Gant, R.J. Prince, Cassh Maluia and Brian Khoury.
Marcus Martin placed on injured reserve.
Patriots claimed developmental tight end Warring off waivers.
Wednesday 25
Sony Michel was traded for a 2022 6th and a 2023 4th round pick. Michel wasn't worth a 1st but I though he was worth a third. Question for me is , is a 4th and 6th equal to a third? This also says to me that JJ Taylor is now in a good position to beat out either James White or Brandon Bolden, if not both.
Mac Jones went 21 of 26 in 11 in 11s. And 35 of 40 for the day. At one point it was reported he "completed 18 passes in a row". That includes against the starters. He shined with presnap reads, adjustments, quick game, and ball placement. Jones looked like the franchise quarterback. Reportedly even more so than Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Had at least three good throws.
Was another good day of chemistry building between Jones and the pass catchers, as he killed the Giants with paper cuts. Even though Jones had a good day, he still hasn't taken the job yet. Jones has also apparently done enough to comfortably say he has mastered the Patriots no huddle offense.
The Patriots remaining backs look complete to an extent. They can catch at different levels, they can run and they showed they can help in pass protection. Stevenson had a good day in that area.
Is the Patriots defense really that good or was Daniel Jones that bad. JoeJaun Williams looked like a number two outside fill in on the day. It's good he can step up but that's not his role and he will get beat.
Yodney Cajuste stepped and played well when Wynn went out at left tackle.
Gunner is showing the ability to get separation and the ability to run option routes. He continues to develop into a depth receiver.
Meyers continued. to look like a number one beating Jonathan Jones. He caught all four targets in 11 on 11s. Overall Meyers and Bourne Caught 12 of 13 passes from on the day.
Wilkerson caught all five of his targets on the day.
JJ Taylor caught 8 passes on the day.
Christian Barmore had a good day as a passer and looks more like Seymour as camp progresses. Definently going to provide the pass rush the team needs.
Jake Bailey continues to kick boomers.
Nick Folk went 3 for 3 on the day.
Jakob Johnson ran routes and wants the Patriots to use his versatility.
Thursday 26
Newton came back and completed 6 of the 10 passes he threw. Although he did have one pass that would've been intercepted in a game. He looked reportedly looked good and again ran with the starters.
Mac Jones went 11 of 23 on the day extended by 4 or 5 drops, one a clear touchdown to Olszewski. He hit a perfect NFL throw in the end zone to Bourne. Jones threw a pick and although he admitted he needs to make better decisions but with his level of awareness he's shown, he had to of seen the offsides before making the throw. The Giants fooled Mac and gave a clear reason to why he should continue to sit. He needs to learn a few more NFL defensive schemes and concepts.
Nordin got the chance to kick and had no issues making the one kick but only one kick?!?
Agholor caught only one pass on the day.
Josh Uche was reportedly the best defensive player of the day.
Final thoughts on camp and the team. The Patriots are a power run / play-action team that is going to rely on the defense to win games. How heavy the run game is will depend on who's under center. The team has holes still that seemingly can only be addressed via development unless the team can get lucky with snatching a cut player.
Cam Newton looks improved from last year but he is still making the same mistakes as last year. He throws to the area his guys are in on a consistent basis but places the ball in the right place inconsistently. He did not lose the job due to missed time from covid protocol. That might not be the case during the season as Mac Jones looks ready to start, and seems to have got his emotions under control.
Mac Jones still has some learning to do but he looks like a starter at the moment. My concern which hopefully he's fixed is controlling his emotions when things go wrong. The passing game looks better with him and the pass catchers appear to get better productivity.
The quarterback competition actually starts week one, and it's Cam versus Cam and not Cam versus Mac. They are not keeping Jones on the bench due to him only playing 13 games in college because even if he only starts a handful of games this year, he will have to eventually play 17 games, so that's just prolonging his getting used to that length of schedule.
The only way Mac starts at the moment is if Cam beats himself and that includes by not getting vaccinated and not being able to play the way he wasn't able to practice the past few days or like week four last season where he was out two weeks. Although the NFL basically made the Patriots wait for Cam to get healthy before they could play, denying Stidham the chance to start due to ratings and not really player safety.
The NFL is having a small covid outbreak and NFL rules make players who choose to opt out of the virus a liability, players like Cam Newton. Alex Barth of 98.5 the sports hub said, "2.2% of untaxed players have covid at the noment." He also said there are like "200 unvaccinated players," and that "Cam Newton is 7 times more likely to catch covid" than a vaccinated teammate.
The running backs look set to play by committee. They all can run, catch, and block. Which makes the Patriots decision hard. Add to that Bolden, Taylor, and Stevenson been getting special teams looks. The Patriots will lose Taylor, White, or Bolden if they cut them.
Gunner Olszewski has made his drops but looks to have solidified his spot as the number four receiver on the roster. Looking at the Ability of him and Meyers, as he develops he will eventually take over the slot even if it's not this year and Jakobi Meyers will then be the team's true flanker (Steve Largent ) Z-receiver but should currently be their number one receiver altogether.
What's up with Agholor, he started camp well but has been slowly fizzling before out eyes like Mo-Harris. Meyers and Smith have been solid in camp, Gunner, Bourne, and Wilkerson have been alright but nothing too special, Henry's been hurt, Harry's been inconsistent and I already said my piece on Agholor. It's a good thing the Patriots offense utilizes the backs in the passing game because although the pass catchers have improved, they might not be as improved as fans want. The 2021 issue is going to be drops.
Depending on the roster build, the Patriots may have a tough decision between Wilkerson and Harry. Wilkerson has chemistry with Jones but Harry is the only big guy with experience outside.
The Patriots need to make sure they have depth at offensive line. It might be just their defense but there is reason to be considered at depth levels. Interior offensive lineman and UDFA Taaga Tuulima is still available and would provide good depth.
They should also make sure they have depth at tight end. I honestly think the Patriots should only keep four receivers and put Wilkerson on the practice squad, along with Nixon and Zuber.
The front seven looks versatile and should create havoc. Whether it's Richard Seymour version 2.0, Christian Barmore, Vince Wolfork light Devin Godchaux, or the freak Matthew Judon the Patriots front seven are ready. Add in Hightower and and the retering guys and the Patriots have a multiple front in their front seven. Consistency is all the defense has to string together.
The Secondary needs not only Gilmore back but it needs to develop or sign a number two caliber outside man to man guy in case things go wrong. JC Jackson is only one man and without Gilly, the otherside of the field is a liability. JoeJaun Williams looks like he belongs but he's a number three corner. The Patriots have a bunch of middle field guys and just acquired another one in ware. At the moment it looks like the Patriots secondary is built more for a 3-2-6 than a big nickle. An interesting concept by the Belichicks and Mayo.
Nordin has been inconsistent. Folk is day to day due to his back. He went 3 for 3 on monday but later went 3 of 5. Nordin has to take advantage of any opportunity he gets. I'm gonna point out that free agent Jonathan Song is still available for a workout. The Patriots need to have an option in case Nordin chokes and Folk can't go.
The special teams should be good this year as long as they can find a clear return specialist on kickoffs. Some of the special teams guys are getting old and the Patriots need to develop new guys on the depth chart into special teams players. Jake Bailey should have another all pro year.
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