Ah yes, the sweet music of Bill Belichick grumbling through mostly non-answers the day before Patriots training camp starts.
Nothing quite gets the juices flowing for the start of practices.
As usual, Belichick was short on answers for anything he didn't feel like answering, and gave extended responses for topics he wanted to address, including making sure his quarterback felt the love right before the team enters its first camp without an offensively-based offensive coordinator (only Belichick) for the first time ever.
"I think Mac's done a great job," Belichick said when asked what he's seen from Mac Jones in the offseason. "He's worked extremely hard and he's got a tremendous work ethic in all areas. I think there's a dramatic improvement. His physical work and conditioning, working on his mechanics, working on his footwork, working on his understanding of our offense, of opponent defenses, of situations, we've talked about all those things in varying degrees, some more emphasis than others and the emphasis on maybe some other things will come later on can't do it all at once.
"But he's worked hard. He's made tremendous strides. He did a great job last year, but he's starting from a much, much higher point this year than where he started last year. His offseason work has been significant. And I think everyone recognizes how well he prepares and how much further along he was than he was a year ago."
Certainly high praise from Belichick, but I don't think anyone should go nuts over it. Jones is exactly who we thought he was coming out of Alabama. His rookie season was going to be a success but not near his ceiling due to the fact that he was coming from playing basically an entire year straight, without the benefit of being a professional. Jones finally got a break after the season, and attacked his weaknesses. I don't think anyone thought Jones wouldn't do exactly what he's done this offseason. It's part of being a franchise QB. Did anyone think Jones was going to go home after the loss to the Bills and sit around all offseason?
Then Belichick said something related to Jones and offense that should bring some measure of comfort. Obviously there are a lot of changes happening with the offense, but it appears the Patriots aren't messing with the most important part ... Jones and the passing offense.
"We're just a lot further ahead in the conversation," Belichick said in terms of Jones and his knowledge of the offense. "The plays that we talked about, or concepts that we talked about, Mac has already done it before. It's easy for him to say, 'Well, you know, are we going to do this on that? Are we going to do this on something else? What do you think about splitting them a little bit wider, a little bit tighter?' Suggestions like that. That type thing comes up all the time. Now, it comes up with the background of the experience of doing it. Maybe he might have some of the same questions last year, but without really having the full knowledge that he has this year."
Everyone who was worried about the passing offense changing too much for Jones should breathe a lot easier. It's what I talked about on Monday with my No. 2 question of camp — what does the scheme look like, and on what down?
Belichick made it clear that much of the offense, especially the passing side, Jones will have recall from last year. That means they aren't changing much. I surmised that the Shanahan influence will be in the run game and short passing game. Belichick's comments seem to back that up.
Other tidbits:
- Belichick uttered the words, in regards to the Patriots offensive coaches and lack of named coordinator, that you should get ready to hear repeated time and time again when things don't go well (Belichick will name someone after good moments) as we discussed yesterday ... "Yeah, look, I'm the head coach, ultimately, I'm responsible for everything so just leave it at that. That's what it is."
- Might as well type that up and have it ready. The way Belichick has gone about it, on offense and defense, makes it very easy for him to be the shield for his coaching staff if/when things go poorly.
- "I think Matt (Patricia) and Joe (Judge) are our two outstanding coaches in every sense of the word ... whatever those duties entail, they're very good and exceptional at the entire gamut, so glad we have both of them they do a good job."
- Belichick basically admitted that true training camp and competition doesn't start until at least sometime next week. The first four days are non-padded and it's a ramp-up process. Even the first day in pads, the Patriots aren't going to be idiots and go all out. "Kind of a ramp-up period, there will be a lot of teaching you know, iron out some wrinkles here, working out a few kinks and then, you know, be ready to compete and practice and play as we move into the next stage," Belichick said. "But we're definitely not there yet this week."
- Remember last year when everyone was going nuts about the Cam Newton-Jones competition and some declaring it dead and Newton the winner the very first week? Yeah, don't listen to idiots. We will continue to tell you exactly what you need to know and when.
- Marcus Jones is cleared and ready to go after pre-draft shoulder surgeries.