We have a football game tonight. No, it doesn't count, at least when it comes to the won/loss record, but it's another essential step in the continuing evaluation of this Patriots' team, where they're at, and where they're going. With that in mind, here's what I'm looking for tonight in the preseason opener.
THINK LESS. PLAY MORE.
That's my message to Drake Maye. He's making strides, even if it's not happening as fast as I'm sure he would like. As I wrote Tuesday, his performance in the 7-on-7s has consistently improved. In those spots, he's playing freer and faster (in a good way). It's the team periods that have been an issue. That's important (he typed sarcastically). But it doesn't all fall on Maye. The starting line has had problems, and it's been worse for the second and third-teamers. This weekend, there was a gotta-have-it part of practice where three of the four plays blew up because of the offensive line. The one snap Maye had a clean(ish) pocket, he fired a perfect ball to JuJu Smith-Schuster before JuJu had come out of his break, but the receiver slipped. Incomplete. Context matters. I still have concerns about the hitch and what, at times, is an elongated delivery. It makes me wonder if he's being bombarded with too much information, leading to overthinking. I'm curious to see how he responds to another team, different defenders, and the speed of a real(ish) game. It won't be perfect. It shouldn't be. But he's got playmaking ability. We see it in snippets. Let's see it when there's the potential for violence on the other end.
MARCO? POLO
I got some pushback on my thoughts about the cornerback play this camp, mainly regarding Marco Wilson. I reviewed my notes. I remain steadfast in how he's played to this point, but now he will receive extra attention from me. The near 6-footer has legit NFL experience - 37 starts in Arizona before former Pats front office member Monti Ossenfort sent Wilson packing - putting him way ahead of the rest of the pack (Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, Marcus Jones). His emergence - any of those guys, really - is critical for a position that needs someone to emerge beyond those that are expected (Gonzalez, JJones).
"FOCUS" ON THE KIDS
Okay, I put focus in quotes because of Adam Schefter's explanation after the Pats "pulled out" of the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes (or whatever you want to call it).
"Let's just focus in on the young receivers we have," Schefter said. "They feel like they're excited about them."
I don't doubt the excitement. Rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker have had their moments this spring and summer. Polk's strong hands are evident day in and day out. He runs good routes. He's physical. He lacks that late burst that classmate Baker has, and that's something to watch tonight and going forward, but he's a solid player.
On the other hand, Baker can separate late and has a flair for the dramatic, but he has to find consistency. I want to see him play in the structure of the offense. That's critical for him if he's to reach a potential that should have seen him drafted higher, if not for that and the off-field concerns.
BUBBLE BOYS
It's an important night for guys fighting for a roster spot. In particular, I like what I've seen at points from UDFA safety: Dell Pettus, LB Joe Giles-Harris, edge William Bradley-King, and DT Trysten Hill. I don't envision significant roles for any of them, but there have been flashes from all four that at least make you think there's something worth developing, at least on the practice squad, if not an outright spot on the 53. Pettus has been very active in the last three practices in particular, and Kyle Dugger spoke of seeing the 23-year-old's confidence grow. He's not been afraid of dropping a shoulder, and he's yapped a little bit. I like the fire. Hill was a second-round pick in 2019 but never found a regular role in Dallas. At 26, it's unlikely he will become that kind of player, but with Christian Barmore possibly sidelined for the year with blood clots, someone needs to eat some snaps on the interior. When they signed veteran Mike Purcell, the team signaled it needed to see more from Hill and company (Armon Watts), but this is a good opportunity for Hill to show 'em that he's worth a harder look.
DON'T OVERREACT
Joe Milton will make a play or three that makes you go, "Wow." That doesn't make him the next quarterback for the Patriots. Maye will do things that make you grit your teeth and wonder, "What was he thinking?" That doesn't mean he's a bust. We're so hungry for football that it amplifies what we're seeing - or not, as it were. Remember, this is another data point for what the team has collected on these players since the start of OTAs.
SMOOTH OPERATOR(S)
Jerod Mayo's coaching staff gets their first dress rehearsal for the real thing. Are plays getting in on time? Even though they're managing a much larger roster than they'll have on regular season game day, are the proper personnel packages out there when they're supposed to, or are guys running off the field at the last minute to avoid a penalty? Is offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt on the sideline, or will he operate from the coaching box upstairs? Where's Ben McAdoo in all this? Who will the QBs sit with after a series? I have so many questions; tonight, we start getting those answers. Enjoy