FOXBOROUGH - During the spring, Jerod Mayo was careful not to single out too many players. After all, these are the kinder, gentler Patriots. But the first-year head coach did light up when talking about second-year edge Keion White.
"Look, Keion White is doing a good job for us, and I'd also say that Keion has kind of taken that step forward as far as being a leader," said Mayo back in late May. "Not as much vocally, but you see him actually leading the groups and working well, so if you need a name, that is a good one."
That was evident during those workouts and has also shown up early in training camp. Although the defenders have a clear advantage in shorts and t-shirts, White has spent an inordinate amount of time in the backfield.
When we talked to White after practice Thursday, he said he didn't know Mayo had talked him up (I believe him).
"Yeah, I really don't pay attention to that. I still have to come out here every day and do my job and work to get better because, at the end of the day, I still feel like I have a bad taste in my mouth for what we did last season, and can't nothing change about that until we prove it this season."
White showed some growth in his game, starting with that late October meeting in Miami. I wrote about it when the Dolphins clearly tried to confuse the then-rookie with some eye candy, but unlike the week two matchup, he wasn't biting this time. The game had started to slow down for him.
"100% for sure, the slowing down, being able to anticipate, I know what I have. Last year, I was more so worried about doing my job and not messing up. And now, going into year two, I feel like I'm more concerned with winning my reps instead of just doing my job."
Hearing White say that would worry me if I was an offensive lineman. We already saw his power play well, especially against the run. However, with more knowledge and comfort in the scheme, another level or two may be unlocked, especially as a pass rusher, where he was largely a one-trick pony in year one.
"So the biggest thing for D lineman is to be able to get the green light to mess up," he said. "So trying to just earn my stripes and earn that green light - to be a little bit more free in the rush and be more of a focus in the rush - but that comes into earning the trust of your coaches and your teammates to know that... you know what you're doing."
WAIT AND SEE
Even the Patriots likely left tackle doesn't know how the offensive line will shake out.
Chuks Okorafor spoke with reporters post-practice Thursday, a practice introducing a different right tackle into the first group's mix with Vederian Lowe getting reps ahead of Calvin Anderson. Rookie Caedan Wallace also rotated in.
"I have no idea right now," said Okorafor of the starting five. "I think everything is open. Our coaches are - every day will be like a different line. So, we don't really know who's gonna be the guys yet. Obviously, with Dave (Andrews) and Mike (Onwenu), we obviously know about them. But like, I think everything else is open. We just got to figure out how everyone works."
Having a left tackle that they can trust would undoubtedly benefit the offense. They got it in fits and starts with Trent Brown last year, but he was about as dependable as my first car (that sucker started whenever the hell it wanted to, and not a moment before). GM Eliot Wolf and company saw something in Okorafor from his work as a right tackle in Pittsburgh and picked him up on the cheap. He's been entrenched at that spot since the spring started.
"I don't want to - I'm not trying to be the guy talking about what he did in the past - but I played left, and I played right before," he said. "I've been All-American at left before. So it's like, I think you all are trying to make it a big deal. To me, it's no big deal. Football is football... it's been good so far."
The number of reps he's receiving with the presumptive ones backs that up. The fact that 'Wallace can play the left side' narrative has gone the way of the dodo bird, for now at least, only strengthens Okorafor's hold on the spot, but until we see the former Steeler do it and do it well - or well enough - I wouldn't write anything in pen.
POLK HERO?
Patriots owner Robert Kraft ambled out to the field near the end of Thursday's session. From our vantage point, he found himself engaged in what appeared to be a relatively one-sided conversation with wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk. What could the second-round pick possibly be saying to the big boss?
"I just let him know; I feel like my expectations for myself are very high," Polk told us. "This organization, I want to let everybody know that each and every day, every time I step out, you're going to get the best of me. I'm going to leave it all out there at the end of the day."
It is not surprising that Polk would have the confidence and self-awareness to speak to Kraft that way. The folks I've talked to who dealt with him at the University of Washington had nothing but praise for the character of this kid (they're all kids to me now, at my age), let alone for what kind of football player he was, and they believe he will be at the pro level.
That part of the equation continued to come into focus here during the early portions of camp. Polk has repped with starter Jacoby Brissett and made arguably the play of the day offensively, executing a well-timed in-breaking route with fellow rookie Drake Maye.
"I just feel like a ballplayer," said Polk. "I feel like me – where my confidence is at, where my faith is - what I believe in myself, it's strong."
It's showing day in and day out for an offense that most definitely needs it.
