FOXBOROUGH β Headlines and then more detailed observations from the first open 2023 practice to the media:
- Mac Jones definitely got the majority of starter-type reps, but there were clues there that leave it very open for competition with Bailey Zappe;
- Rookie LB/S Marte Mapu seemed to be a big winner with the team having big plans for him: despite being in a red non-contact jersey after surgery, he got a ton of early time as a sub linebacker.
- A lot of noticeable absences, including top picks CB Christian Gonzalez and DE Keion White; starting linemen Trent Brown and Mike Onwenu, and starters Davon Godchaux, Matthew Judon, Juju Smith-Schuster and Christian Barmore. Nick Folk also not seen.
- Marcus Jones, Cody Davis, Kayshon Boutte and Rhamondre Stevenson on rehab field.
- Jalen Mills was part of a big group at safety.
- It might have just been part of a gradual installation, but the offense definitely had more of an emphasis on spread concepts, read-option and quick passes. Space seemed to be a focus.
BEDARD'S ANALYSIS
- The first period of the day for the offense, a sort of jog-through two-minute, raised my eyebrows a bit with the QBs. Mac Jones got the first reps, followed by Trace McSorley and then Zappe. But it was structured so that Zappe got reps with the ones, while McSorley got the backups. That's sort of how it went at the time with Jones and Cam Newton. That leaves some bread crumbs.
- But the rest of the way, Jones got what you would call starter reps with the first-team offensive line. He only worked with David Andrews from there on out, while Zappe got Cody Russey.
- Jones spent a lot of time between reps by himself, sort of in limbo between Bill O'Brien and then Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia holdover Evan Rothstein, who appears to be a QB coach. Later, Jones and Andrews spent a lot of time together and conversed with O'Brien for a while before the rest of the QBs came over.
- Belichick very much in the background today, observing.
- Thought the offense was good, crisp. Not a lot of balls on the grounds. Seemed to function much better. Each QB had an interception, but Jones and Zappe had theirs in the early period. Thought it was a good day at work, a good starting point. Good vibes.
- Calvin Anderson was the LT, Riley Reiff the RT. Bill Murray took Onwenu's spot at RG. Conor McDermott as third OT.
- Mapu getting those reps this early was a huge deal to me. Normally rookies are slowly brought along but he was just thrown out there. That's pretty big in my eyes.
- Sidy Sow was at OT but not noticeable other than he's a big, thick dude. Little like Marcus Cannon.
- Joe Judge was solely with the special teams, and seemed to be the coordinator for that group.
- Demario Douglas is small but quick. Had a great catch over the middle.
- Ty Montgomery looks like a grown-ass man.
- Pierre Strong still skinny but very active catching the ball.
- Cole Strange looks thicker. Tyquan Thornton has put on a little muscle.
- Malik Cunningham was solely at WR until the final opportunity period.
- Jack Jones and Jonathan Jones at boundary CB. Myles Bryant and Marcus Jones at slot. Joshuah Bledsoe got a lot of run.
- Rookie OL Jake Andrews and Atonio Mafi are ... built low to the ground.
- UDFA TE Johnny Lumpkin didn't have much juice.
- The defense did not stand out like I thought it would, but missing a lot of pieces.
Will be back with more later.