The big guy is back.
After teasing us for weeks about Christian Barmore closing in on a return to the practice field, the Patriots are expected to get their disruptive defensive tackle out on the green grass behind Gillette Stadium for Thursday afternoon's session.
"It's a blessing, right?" smiled defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington Thursday morning.
Barmore has been on the non-football injury list since being diagnosed with blood clots at the start of training camp. Practicing would start the former second-round pick's 21-day clock. The Pats will have the option of activating him at any time during that stretch, or, worst-case scenario, the 21 days come and go, and he would then be officially done for the season.
"Just give you hope, man, that do the right things, you can get back out there." said Davon Godchaux. "He's been working his butt off training with the strength coaches, been in the meeting rooms, the playbook. So I'm excited to see him out there. It's going to be fun today. Him out there, he's pretty loud, so it's gonna be exciting to have. I can't wait."
Barmore was an absolutely dominant force for the Pats last season, especially during the second half of the year; he finished with a career-high 8.5 sacks, a combined 38 quarterback hits, and hurries, forced a fumble and looked as if he was one of the few blue-chippers on the roster.
Back in April, Barmore inked a four-year contract extension that made him one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in football. The deal includes $41.8 million in guarantees and a chance to collect $92 million over the life of the deal. That contract is the most guaranteed money the Pats have given to a player other than Tom Brady.
In our first opportunity to talk to Barmore after the ink was dry, he called the contract a "blessing" and promised to take his game to a "new level."
In his absence, the Pats have leaned heavily on Godchaux (68% playing time) and Daniel Ekuale (66%) on the interior. Godchaux is on pace for the most snaps of his NFL career. Ditto Ekuale, who has long been considered more of a pass rusher than a run defender. Top reserves (from a playing time standpoint) include Jeremiah Pharms (34%), Jaquelin Roy (21%) and Eric Johnson (8%). When Barmore can eat into some of those snaps, the unit should improve.
"Of course," said Godchaux. "Another playmaker and more depth in the 'D' line room. We've been playing four or five guys each and every week. So you add another guy, and we can rotate fast and just be fresh each and every play."
While everyone was excited, Covington wanted to pump the brakes a little bit.
"So to me, like, I look at it like this, and I've told Christian this, and I'll tell you guys this too. Just remember, manage expectations. You guys should manage the expectation of whatever it is," he said. "It's a blessing to be out there on the field. That's what the focus needs to be on. ...
"Shouldn't be any pressure on him, like he's out there. That's what it is: I'm happy that you are out there, bro, You out there. It's one step; it's 50 snaps. Don't play this game. Whatever it is, perfect. It's better than not being out there, right? It's better than not being able to play football again."
BSJ Analysis: This is pretty simple. Barmore is one of the best young interior defensive linemen in the league. If he can kick the rust off and approach that level of play upon his return to game action, a Patriots defense that has largely been a disappointment should improve quickly and substantially.
