FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Thornton’s match: Given the newest chapter of the Patriots’ shaky historical past deciding on receivers early within the draft — once they whiffed on N’Keal Harry on the end of the 2019 first spherical — the standing of 2022 second-spherical decide Tyquan Thornton has been a notable storyline by 9 coaching camp practices.
Just because the Patriots chosen Harry over Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf in 2019, they nabbed Thornton this 12 months earlier than a run of receivers that included George Pickens (Steelers), Alec Pierce (Colts) and Skyy Moore (Chiefs).
There are early signs {that a} 2019-kind situation is not repeating itself.
“It’s been exciting to watch him grow, honestly, because he came in a little questionable,” fellow receiver Jakobi Meyers mentioned. “Then he started getting real. Real talented. I’m happy he’s with us.”
The 6-foot-2, 182-pound Thornton, who was the quickest receiver on the 2022 NFL mix (4.28 seconds within the 40-yard sprint), acknowledged that his arrival within the spring got here with some preliminary turbulence.
“The first week was kind of difficult for a lot of us, just coming from having that transition from college to the NFL ,” he mentioned, including that he quickly settled right into a extra constant routine.
Scenes from the bleachers: Speedy WR Tyquan Thornton (2nd spherical, Baylor) has gained over followers early in his first NFL coaching camp. pic.twitter.com/JRkKywe1Jp
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 4, 2022
In doing so, receivers coach Ross Douglas mentioned of Thornton final week: “He’s gotten better every single time he’s stepped on the field. He truly has a lot of gifts. It’s not just his speed. His ability to change direction, ball skills. He has a good attitude and the guys in the room have embraced him. His development will be key and we’ll get him there.”
Thornton’s dependable palms and talent to trace the deep ball have persistently proven up in 1-on-1 drills. Now comes the problem of transferring that into 11-on-11 drills, the place he’s most frequently working behind Meyers, DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne — a foursome that seems locked in atop the depth chart.
Thornton, who has been buoyed by a small part of followers supporting him every day, has additionally labored as a gunner protecting punts — a job that could add worth and assist solidify a spot on the 46-man recreation-day roster.
“I like where he is mentally,” Agholor mentioned. “He has a growth mindset, practices really hard, takes good notes.”
Added cornerback Jalen Mills: “We all know he’s fast. I think the biggest thing for me, he’s just not running go routes every single play. You see him working his short-to-intermediate routes as well.”
2. Mac & Judge: Last 12 months, each time quarterback Mac Jones got here to the sideline, he was often shoulder-to-shoulder with former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Their connection was critical in Jones’ profitable rookie season. Who that might be in 2022 could come into sharper focus throughout Thursday’s preseason opener towards the Giants, and it is more likely to be quarterbacks coach Joe Judge.
“You can’t fast-forward a relationship,” Judge mentioned when requested about Jones. “You have to build on it every day. That comes in building trust, that comes in learning each other and how to work with each other, and what that guy needs to help him be at his best. That’s my priority. To me, it’s all about open communication … He’s an intelligent player. He’s a very hard worker. He knows what he likes, he’s willing to tell you. But he’s also willing to try anything if it’s best for the team. He’s been fun to work with.”
3. ‘Inching alongside’: How large of a deal to make concerning the early inconsistency of the offense? That query lingers, as there have been extra “no chance” performs — through which Jones and rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe have merely tucked the soccer or thrown it away — than the norm for a Bill Belichick-coached crew. Part of that appears associated to the Patriots experimenting with new issues. Belichick mentioned late final week that the crew was “inching along” whereas including there are “miles to go” — which appears to mirror the place the offense is thru 9 practices.
4. Kraft’s candidacy: Belichick touted proprietor Robert Kraft’s Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio’s “Movin’ The Chains” program. Kraft is a semifinalist, and whereas there is no set standards for Hall of Famers, Belichick highlighted three layers that bolster Kraft’s case.
“He’s a phenomenal owner,” Belichick mentioned. “You look at what he’s done across the board. He’s made great contributions to the league, in things like the CBA and other policies, and the growth of the league. He’s obviously done a great job here in New England, just keeping the team in New England and not letting it out of here, and the success he’s had. And off the field — just the philanthropy and contributions he’s made to the community.
“You could put him within the Hall of Fame for any a type of. Combine all three collectively and hopefully we’ll be celebrating in Canton subsequent 12 months.”
5. Godchaux’s worth: Belichick opened eyes when he referred to Davon Godchaux as “among the finest defensive linemen within the league” after the Patriots signed him to a two-year, $20.8 million extension. Defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington added context in explaining how Godchaux’s work is not simply detectable, however very important to the protection: “His capability to cease the run, defeat blockers and push the pocket to have an effect on the quarterback is [among] the most effective within the league.”
6. Jonnu’s turnaround: Tight end Jonnu Smith‘s 2021 production didn’t measure up to the four-year, $50 million contract he had signed as a free agent, but there are signs that could be changing. “He had a terrific offseason for us,” Judge said. Last year, the Patriots ran just 190 of their offensive plays (18%) with both Smith and fellow tight end Hunter Henry on the field, according to ESPN’s Stats & Information. That number should increase in 2022.
7. Rookie #’s coming: Belichick’s annual tradition of putting rookies in unconventional jersey numbers ends for 2022 this week with the team’s first preseason game, as league rules don’t allow for things like Thornton, a receiver, wearing No. 51. “It’s going to be actual unhappy,” Thornton said with a smile. “I really feel like 51 is part of me now — that large, previous jersey and I’m working round. I used to be having enjoyable with it.”
Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship in action: As Patriots DL coach DeMarcus Covington met with reporters before one practice,
Keith Jones watched the process unfold.Jones, a grad assistant at Arkansas, has a fellowship position during Patriots training camp. pic.twitter.com/xPPlFHFSIX
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 6, 2022
8. Fellowship in motion: As Covington answered questions from reporters final week, Arkansas graduate assistant coach Keith Jones appeared over his shoulder. It was a snapshot of the Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship in action; Jones performed for Covington at Tennessee-Martin in 2015 and has been working at Patriots coaching camp this summer time as a fellowship coach. “I at all times was taught as you proceed to climb, you assist pull others up,” Covington said.
9. Butler follow-up: When the Dolphins released former Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler with a failed physical designation last week, some wondered if that could mean a return to New England for the interior pass-rusher. That’s unlikely in the short-term, sources say, as Butler must first address a lingering shoulder issue from last season. Meanwhile, LaBryan Ray (Alabama) has caught the attention as a Butler-type risk — an undrafted free agent making a cost for a roster spot attributable to his cross-speeding expertise.
10. Did you already know? This 12 months marks the primary time since 2004 the Patriots will not conclude their preseason with a recreation towards the Giants.
