This preseason was long. Too Long. This training camp was oddly paced. Competitive periods were in short supply. But now, the regular season is almost upon us. Amen. Before we get there, however, and start gearing you up for week one against the Eagles, here's how I saw the last month.
Who Helped Themselves
1. Mac Jones - He's had a solid camp. Not 'oh my goodness, he's making a massive leap' month, but good enough to remind you why he was a first-round pick and why he had a pretty good rookie year. He's been relatively decisive and accurate; after being careless with some of his throws early, he has prioritized being safer and smarter with that precious football. I like "Alabama Mac" and am glad he realizes he can't be who he was last year, either on or off the field. That, my friends, is growth.
2. Demario Douglas - 6th-round draft picks are generally irrelevant to me. I don't get excited because those choices are just a dart throw. If it hits? Great. If not? Oh well. I have no idea if Douglas is headed for a long, prosperous NFL career, but I know he opened my eyes from day one of camp and, until his injury last weekend, has been on an upward trajectory. They haven't had a guy like him since Julian Edelman in his prime, with those quicks and an ability to uncover quickly. Can he withstand the physical punishment that comes from playing the slot in this offense? At 5'8", 180-182 pounds (his words, not the made-up number in the press guide), it will be a challenge, but if used correctly, Douglas can help this offense, not only on those option routes but (from what I've seen) his ability to stretch the field down the hashes.
3. Kendrick Bourne - He has neither stink, stank, or stunk the last two-and-a-half weeks or so. He is more robust, running crisper routes and - as we saw Saturday in Green Bay - high-pointing the football and winning physical battles, he would not have a year ago. Quite frankly, he's been the best of the team's veteran receivers and the most versatile. When they find themselves in 12 personnel, I believe Bourne has earned the right to be one of those two wideouts. One other thing on Bourne: there hasn't been a litany of mental mistakes - at least to this point - that plagued him a year ago. I know Patricia was the root of all the offensive evils, but Bourne didn't help his cause either. This year? To the moon…
4. Marte Mapu - Is it possible to say a rookie helped himself even if he spent most of the off-season workouts and camp in a red non-contact jersey? In this case, yes. I scoffed at the notion that he was a linebacker, but the more I watch, the more I think he might be their best coverage option for that role. And with his fearless nature, he could also end up doing what Adrian Phillips did his first year in New England, where Phillips played linebacker despite having a safety build. Oh, and did I mention he peppers the veterans with questions daily? Keep an eye on the artist formerly known as The Big Boy. I can see some serious man-crush vibes building on the daily. Yes, he had some mistakes Friday at Tennessee, but it's been a mighty long time since he played in a game, and that was, to some degree, his first NFL game. I'm okay with how it looked.
5. Jalen Mills - He's better than I thought. Not the speediest guy. Not the strongest. Not the sharpest in coverage. But guess what? He's been around the ball all summer. He is usually in an advantageous position (i.e., he's generally making a play or helping to make a play, then standing close by watching the offense make something happen). He should be the guy who tries to assume Devin McCourty's role. He's intelligent, and he's got some edge to his game. Let's see what happens.
Who Hurt Themselves
1. Tyquan Thornton - Let's start with this: I believe the Patriots need him. Thornton's speed plays, even in the red area, where on those rare occasions he's practiced this summer, I've seen him carry an extra defender or at least get the safety to cheat, allowing for the creation of space underneath. But that whole practice "thing" remains a significant thorn in Thornton's side. After missing six weeks last year because of the broken clavicle, the 2nd year receiver needs reps. But first, he missed time in the spring, then again at mandatory mini-camp, and, lo and behold, that trend has continued this summer. He's not getting cut. I'd be very surprised if that happened, but the former Baylor star has yet to make the jump the organization was banking on. His usage once the season starts bears watching.
2. Bailey Zappe - He's fine — a perfectly capable backup. But any notion that there would be a quarterback competition went by the wayside about seven or eight days into training camp. Zappe has been guilty of holding the ball too long, being a little scattershot from an accuracy perspective, and has had far too many balls batted down at the line of scrimmage. Certain corners of the media world believe that the football "snobs" just don't want Zappe to be in the mix. I can tell you that if I am someone folks consider to be in that class, I don't give a damn. I just want to see good quarterback play. Mac Jones has shown us that on a far more consistent basis than Zappe has. Hence, he's #1, and Zappe is #2.
3. Chad Ryland - The kicking job is supposed to be his. He got drafted. He's got a booming leg. Yet, he and Nick Folk are neck-and-neck, largely because Ryland has been inconsistent. Call it recency bias, but his performance on Tuesday was frightening. Wide left on three straight kicks, each one going wider and wider of the intended mark, with the last taking out a couple of branches on an oak tree adjacent to the practice field and sending various wildlife scattering (that may be an exaggeration, but roll with it). It's been that way all summer, where conditions have generally been kicker-friendly. What will he be like in the stadium, in bad weather, with the pressure on? Nothing that's happened with Ryland this camp makes me feel comfortable with him over Folk, despite Nick's weakening leg.
4. Marcus Jones - Full disclosure: I wanted him on offense this summer. That hasn't happened, and Douglas' emergence may eliminate the need for another but a snap here or there from Jones. He sees himself as a cornerback. I get that. It's where he shined at the University of Houston. But at what point does he need to show consistency in coverage? He's been a tough watch at times this summer, often finding himself in the chase position and surrendering several catches, short, mid-range, and long. His size won't change, so Jones relies on his speed and quickness. But that means even when he's in a position to make a play, he's been unable to because of the height/weight differential with most receivers he faces, especially when Jones is lined up as an outside corner. He's potentially special as a punt returner (and why won't they let him return kickoffs as well?), but for a 3rd round draft pick, he should be the heir apparent to Jon Jones. This summer has not been encouraging on that front.
5. Pierre Strong/Kevin Harris - In their defense, the offensive line has been porous. I could have easily put down a handful of them on this list, but since I've been yapping about that nonstop, it feels like shooting fish in a barrel. Instead, let's talk about the two draft picks from a year ago: Strong (4th round) and Harris (6th). The first week or so of camp, I thought, 'Hey, there's a little something here with these two.' Since then, there have been opportunities, but nothing noteworthy from either player. If either one of these guys had popped, there's a good chance Ezekiel Elliott isn't on the roster. But they didn't, so here's Zeke walking through that door.