We have a football game tonight. I'm gonna be grumpy if Drake Maye plays six snaps. He needs damn reps. A lot of them do. With that in mind, here's what I'm looking for tonight in the preseason opener.
LOOSEN THE LEASH
Yes, this is directed at Alex Van Pelt, head coach, offense (per Jerod Mayo). Maybe Maye isn't as far along as they hoped, but the kid isn't made of paper mache. He's failing at points during practice. Let him fail in the game. But there's also the flip side to that coin. Wait for it...wait... it's called success (and what that can do for his confidence and the confidence of the players around him). The offensive brain trust tried to curb Maye's propensity for leaving the pocket after the first couple of days of camp, and he has done that less frequently - even if running for his life at times has been part of this uneven process. But Maye is a playmaker, and if he was ever going to make an impact as a rookie, that was (would?) be a big part of a successful equation for him and the team. Where should he be allowed to cut it loose? For starters, during tonight's game against the Eagles.
PLEASE STAND UP
I don't know precisely what some of my brethren were watching Tuesday in the joint practices, but Christian Gonzalez acquitted himself well. The problem is at the other cornerback spot. It has been a week or so since Jonathan Jones or Marcus Jones have practiced. That's meant a ton of reps for Alex Austin, Marco Wilson, and Shaun Wade. Each has had moments, good and bad. But none of the three have made a strong case as to why they should have a roster spot- Wilson has some internal support, but to my eyes, Wade has been the best of the three (though he hasn't always been a full participant). It's unlikely A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith will get much - if any - playing time tonight, but I'd bet on the Pats getting their guys plenty of work. Can someone separate from the pack? Considering the injury history of the Jones boys - and Gonzalez, for that matter, it is almost a guarantee they'll need playable depth.
BIG NIGHT FOR A BIG BOY
The Pats offensive line has been one of the stories of camp. They're coming off a disastrous joint practice with the Eagles, but this performance was — to a degree — predictable. The team has been searching for their best five — it's been Lowe, Onwenu, Andrews, Sow, and Okorafor (from left to right) for the last four outings — but that doesn't mean it's the right five. Rookie fourth-round guard Layden Robinson is coming off a strong preseason opener and a solid session against the Eagles. If he can duplicate that kind of performance tonight, it would behoove Van Pelt, line coach Scott Peters, and Mayo to insert Robinson into the starting group and kick Onwenu out to right tackle. That's not Onwenu's best spot, but he's at least league average out there, which is better than what they've gotten out of Okorafor, Calvin Anderson, or anyone else. Then you take Okorafor, put him back on the left side, and tell him it's between you and Caedan Wallace. Again, it's not ideal, but Matt Light isn't walking through that door, and if he did, he's going to be gray and old (hat tip, Rick Pitino). The Pats can help whoever ends up at LT and perhaps avoid a repeat of last season.
NOT STINK, STANK, STUNK BUT...
Look, I'm not going back there again with this wide receiver group, but aside from DeMario Douglas, they don't have a pass-catcher who generates consistent separation. Rookie Ja'Lynn Polk has been the most consistent of the remaining group - he looks like he's been here for a few years already - but he's going to have to win with a strong release game, precise footwork, and by catching everything he gets his hands on (Polk's got that down). K.J. Osborn had been turning it up lately until the Eagles DBs put him on lockdown. With all due respect to Philly's backend, no one is confusing them with the best of the best at this stage (Slay and Bradberry are old). Javon Baker is tantalizing but goes silent for days at a time. Then, there's the Kayshon Boutte/Tyquan Thornton/Jalen Reagor combo platter. I know there's college highlight reels (Boutte), speed to spare (Thornton), and unfulfilled promise (Reagor), but at this point, they're just guys, and it won't go much further than that until a day here or a day there becomes weeks, and then weeks become a month, and a month becomes a full season. Are you willing to bet on that?
Look, there's a spot or two there for the taking. We're getting to the point where someone needs to take it, or this so-called depth is a farce.
UNSURE ABOUT INTERIOR
Lot of mixing and matching at defensive tackle because of Christian Barmore's absence. I left Armon Watts off my first 53 earlier this week. It's not that he's been bad, but he hasn't been good either. He could change his trajectory here with a strong performance. The same goes for Trysten Hill, who had the talent to get drafted in round two but has never delivered on that promise. Others, like Sam Roberts, could make a late push (I also had him off my 53) starting this evening.