Patriots will resume camp after an early day off Saturday with an afternoon practice today (better make that 9:30 a.m. ferry from Nantucket!). Here's the rest of the schedule as it stands:
Today: 12:30 p.m. (shells).
Monday: 9:45 a.m. (pads).
Tuesday: 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:45 a.m.
Thursday: 9:45 a.m.
Friday: In-stadium practice, TBA
Here are five thoughts on where things stand as we, I think, one more day for the pads to be put on — real camp, as Bill Belichick likes to say — for Monday.
1. Yes, the passing game is a little bit of a concern, but...
... red zone passing is not the passing game, especially not in camp when you're not running the ball.
Look, is it a concern that no one outside of rookie Demario Douglas can really get any separation, and that Mike Gesicki, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton have been non-existent to this point? Sure, yeah, a little. And do I think a lack of separation is probably going to be an issue for this team? Sure. But there's no way I'm going to sit here after three red zone practices and push the hysteria button.
Let's see what happens when we get to WR/CB one-on-ones. Let's wait for the defense to not have a compressed field to defend, with essentially invisible defenders on the end line and side line. Let's see how it looks when the Patriots use playaction, which is really when their offense used to do damage. Or 3- and 4-WR sets spreading the field.
If we're still talking about this in a week, then start to panic a little. I don't think we will be. I think it will be a little issue, but not a raging inferno.
2. Young buck defensive backs off to a good start.
Christian Gonzalez looks good. Marcus Jones is tough to shake. Even Jack Jones is locking things down on the second team. Yes, the Patriots have the bones of a nice, young cornerback group. But, again, it's way too early to go nuts given just red zone being played, even though I do like Gonzalez's size down there.
We need the pads on. We need to see rep after rep of Gonzalez going up against DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton. We need to see the youngsters get beat, but answer the bell on the next snap. But definitely a good start.
3. If there's one thing to be alarmed about, it's right tackle.
Three practices in, they're already moving people around. That's never a good sign. I'm sure it's under the auspice of taking a look and trying guys in different spots, but if Riley Reiff had things locked down, they'd be worried about just the backup spots. Conor McDermott got start reps last week, Andrew Stueber can't be far off, and Sidy Sow might get a bump from the third team.
No pads and no one-one-ones means we are far from final judgments, but the pass rush leaking from the right side (no Mike Onwenu at RG either does not help) in every practice is a tough way to start. Time to start finding answers come Monday.
4. Offensive teaching is night and day.
The work Bill O'Brien is doing with the QBs and WRs, and Adrian Klemm with the offensive line is far beyond what we saw at this point last year, it's not even funny. And you can tell from the players that there's a purpose in everything they are doing, and they're buying in. There's a long way to go, but having that trust is so vital. As long you're making the players better every day, they'll be on board. So far, so good. And that means they have a chance.
Now, do they have enough talent? Are the WRs getting what they need on an individual basis as well? We shall see.
5. Popping/dropping?
Players who have caught my eye early in a good way:
WR Demario Douglas
OT Trent Brown
TE Hunter Henry
TE Matt Sokol
RB JJ Taylor
DEs Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings
LB Jahlani Tavai
Safeties Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers
CBs Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Jack Jones
Players who are off to slow starts:
WRs Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Malik Cunnigham
TE Mike Gesicki
RT Riley Reiff
RB Pierre Strong (space is his game)
Safeties Marte Mapu (surprisingly), Adrian Phillips, Jalen Mills