The New England Patriots' training camp is already showcasing significant developments under the new leadership of first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. Day 2 of the training camp provided deeper insights into the team's roster dynamics and strategic adjustments.
Quarterback Shake-up
In a notable shift, Jacoby Brissett emerged as the frontrunner, securing the first-team reps and demonstrating his prowess by completing nine of his 13 passes during competitive drills. His performance in the 11-on-11 situations saw him completing two out of four attempts.
Following Brissett were Drake Maye and Joe Milton III, both making their presence felt. Maye impressed with a near-perfect display, completing 10 of his 12 passes in competitive drills. However, his 11-on-11 performance was marred by a miscommunication with Tyquan Thornton and a drop by tight end Jaheim Bell. Milton completed four of his six passes in competitive drills, which was enough to place him over Bailey Zappe for those reps.
Zappe, who found himself demoted to the fourth quarterback position, managed to complete two of his three throws during minicamp work. This positional change highlights a significant drop, with Zappe now trailing his peers in the pecking order.
Offensive Line Movements
The offensive line witnessed substantial rotation, particularly in the battle for the right tackle position. Calvin Anderson, Caedan Wallace, and Vederian Lowe are all vying for this crucial spot. While Mike Onwenu remained steady at right guard, Day 2 saw Lowe taking significant snaps at right tackle, whereas Wallace and Anderson contributed on the left side.
On Day 1, the right tackle role predominantly involved Anderson and Wallace, but Day 2's variability underlines the ongoing competition and the coaching staff's efforts to identify the optimal configuration. As Jerod Mayo succinctly put it, “We’re always going to take the mindset of we’re going to do what’s best for the organization and we’re going to try to get those guys reps so they can compete.”
Skill Positions and Defensive Updates
Among the skill positions, Tyquan Thornton received increased reps and targets during the 7-on-7 drills, offering glimpses of his potential. However, Jaheim Bell's performance included a notable drop during drills. Kendrick Bourne attended practice but remained sidelined as he continues to recover from a torn ACL.
On the defensive side, Marcus Jones broke up a pass intended for Ja'Lynn Polk during the first competitive 7-on-7 period. The cornerback positions are becoming clearer with Christian Gonzalez projected to secure one boundary spot, while Jonathan Jones is likely to cover the opposite side.
Off-Field Conversations and Injury Updates
Patriots' owner Robert Kraft was actively involved in discussions, speaking with pass rusher Matthew Judon regarding his contract status and conversing with executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. Such engagements often hint at underlying strategies and priorities for the team’s future.
Antonio Gibson made his return to practice but was limited in his activities, focusing on individual drills. Meanwhile, DeMario Douglas engaged only in individual drills and abstained from participating in the 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 sessions. Unfortunately, Antonio Mafi had a poor snap with Milton at quarterback during the afternoon drills, underscoring areas needing improvement.
With Mayo at the helm, the Patriots are clearly in a phase of transition and evaluation. “I don't know if that means four or three, honestly. Right now we have four quarterbacks and those guys will go out there and practice today,” Mayo remarked. His comments reflect a flexible approach, aiming to optimize the roster through rigorous competition and thorough assessment.
Overall, the early days of the Patriots' training camp under Jerod Mayo are marked by dynamic shifts and intense evaluations, setting the stage for an intriguing pre-season as players vie for their spots.