Well, we're almost there.
The 2023 Patriots hit the practice fields for the first time on Wednesday and we'll be there, as always, keeping you updated on everything you need to know — and nothing that you don't. Probably more than ever, this team is a complete unknown heading into the formative stage of team building in camp. The offense has new coaches and faces. The defense is basically back with some talented rookies looking for playing time. We'll decipher through all of it and keep you informed throughout.
Here's the schedule, if you want to head out:
Tuesday: Veterans report/conditioning test. Bill Belichick's availability.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. (no live contact)
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. (no live contact)
Friday: 9:30 a.m. (no live contact - shells)
Saturday: OFF (they practiced last year)
Sunday: TBA (no live contact - shells)
Monday: TBA (Last year: 9:30 a.m.) - pads can go on
Aug. 1: TBA (Last year: 9:30 a.m.)
Aug. 2: TBA (Last year: 9:30 a.m.)
Aug. 3: TBA (Last year: 9:30 a.m.)
Aug. 4: TBA (Last year: In-stadium practice for season ticket holders and Foxborough residents.)
Aug. 5: TBA (OFF last year)
Here are the top questions we have on our mind heading out with our binoculars:
10. Who's on PUP?
We know that standout RG Mike Onwenu will start camp on the PUP after offseason ankle surgery from Mike Reiss. That should give an opportunity for a rookie to get more reps, like Jake Matthews, Atonio Mafi and perhaps Sidy Sow. Could someone else pop up on PUP as well? Juju Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton and Marcus Jones are also possible after missing some of the offseason practices. Then there are the players who flunk the conditioning test.
PUP is not a huge deal - a player can come off at any time. But it's a bigger deal for younger players.
9. Where does Jack Jones slot?
Obviously the second-year cornerback had an issue before the offseason even began, and the team has yet to take any action. But that doesn't mean the Patriots won't punish him and possibly sit him to start the season. Will they just reward him with his spot back after screwing up for the second time in six months? That would be a bad message. Where Jones sits on the depth chart to start camp should be a reflection of his standing with the team, and how disappointed they might be in him.
Where Jonathan Jones plays would be related to this question.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
8. How does Kevin Harris look?
The Patriots have yet to sign another veteran running back, which could happen at any time. That would be showing some confidence in second-year back Kevin Harris, who is in line for the backup job behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Now it's up to him to keep hold of it. If the Patriots decide to sign a veteran at some point, it would be an indication that Harris isn't quite ready or injuries are in play.
7. Can anyone play a representative right tackle?
To date, no one among the group of Reilly Reiff, Calvin Anderson, Conor McDermott, Sidy Sow and Andrew Stueber has inspired much confidence that right tackle will be ably manned, but it's early and the pads have yet to go on. That's when you separate men from the boys. Onwenu is a possibility at RT when he's off PUP if one of the rookies proves himself at RG, and the RTs continue to struggle.
6. Where's Marte Mapu?
I think it's pretty fair to say that no Patriots rookie has ever inspired so much confidence from the coaching staff this early with all the roles that were thrown at him in the offseason practices. It will be fascinating to watch what they give him to do early in training camp.
5. Who's the free safety?
Yes, anyone can play there in the Patriots' system but when it comes time to getting off the field on third down, someone has to be the alpha dog in the secondary to replace Devin McCourty. That takes a lot of reps, and it would be wise to use all of camp to get it. Jalen Mills and Adrian Phillips are at the top of our list, but Mapu is the dark horse.
4. How are they using Mike Gesicki and Smith-Schuster?
They're both essentially slot receivers so it will take some creativity from Bill O'Brien to utilize both outside of the red zone. Will the Patriots go with a lot of 12 personnel (2 TEs)? Is it Smith-Schuster and DeVante Parker as the WRs in that case? How do Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton slot in?
3. How many and what kinds of reps is Bailey Zappe getting?
Mac Jones was clearly the No. 1 in offseason practices but Zappe got enough reps with the right people (starting line/top targets) for Zappe to feel like he's competing, and for Jones to know Zappe is right over his shoulder. I expect that to continue, and it was the same plan when Jones competed with Cam Newton. Others thought there was no competition or that Newton had won it early, and they were predictably wrong. It takes a while for the meaningful reps to start in camp - there's a lot of leftover teaching from the spring to get done, and that should increase after 2 OTA practices were taken away. Patience on the QB thing. The Patriots are a slow burn, but you know where to go to find the real information.
2. Is Trent Brown ready to go?
Based off the big fella's social media, he appears to be in much better shape and ready to be the solid starter this team desperately needs.
We'll see whether that holds or not. It would not be a surprise if the Patriots told Brown after his near no-show at mini-camp that if he reported in shape and was ready to go, the team would tweak his contract. That would be incentive enough, you would think, and fair.
He's the biggest x-factor player this season. He has to be a good player for them and on the field most of the season.
1. How will Mac Jones and Bill O'Brien mesh on and off the field?
Both can be an acquired taste for some people at certain times, but they have similar mindsets and should work really well together. Of course, it will be interesting if Belichick openly embraces Jones, or he keeps at a distance again.
But that's window dressing. The Patriots aren't going anywhere unless Jones and O'Brien make sweet offensive music together, and that will be a day-in, day-out grind. It will be very interesting to see how that marriage works as they will be spending countless hours together. The on-field product must be top shelf and we have some optimism about that.