5 big-picture thoughts after 5 days of Patriots training camp

Author Matt Dolloff

August 3rd, 2021 5:00 AM

Five days are in the books at Patriots training camp. But it’s barely been “real football.”

After five practices in shells, with many of the 11-on-11 drills at half speed with limited contact, the full pads are expected to go on Tuesday morning in Foxborough. Players on both sides of the ball, as you may expect, are greatly anticipating their first chance to hit each other for real.

“I think we both want to put the pads on at this point,” said linebacker Josh Uche, of the offense and defense. “It’s football we’re playing. What’s football without contact?”

Added wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, when asked how practice changes with pads on: “DBs can put their hands on us more, linebackers can thud up. O-linemen, D-linemen definitely can hit each other. Double teams and stuff like that. Just a more feel of football with pads on.”

With that in mind, it’s time to take stock of the first five days of training camp practice. Because it’s going to be a much different-looking (and sounding) camp on Tuesday. Here are five big-picture takeaways from the first five days in Foxborough…

• Cam Newton looking legitimately improved

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  About half (more?) of New England didn't want to hear it. But the idea that Newton would look better with a full offseason, a proper training camp, and NFL-caliber weapons around him is coming to fruition.
  
  There's still the occasional errant throw with Newton, which lasted into day 5 of camp and led to rookie Mac Jones getting the W in the QB "competition" on Monday. But Bill Belichick removed all doubt as to whom he's pegging as the starter, and the good news is Newton looks primed to make a marked improvement over 2020.
  
  Newton has shown a better understanding of how to run the offense based on quick decision-making, and his ball placement at times has been legitimately impressive. Especially when targeting new faces like tight end Jonnu Smith or wide receiver Nelson Agholor, the passing game will be improved if only on the strength of completing simple plays that the 2020 group couldn't even accomplish.
  
  We'll see how good the 2021 Patriots offense turns out. But they'll certainly be, at least, in the middle of the pack, on the strength of better talent or improved play at quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end.

• Deep passing game has potential, but needs work

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  After two days of working mainly on red zone and goal line passing plays, the Patriots opened up the offense to the deep ball in Friday's training camp practice. Results were mixed.
  
  If there's one general quality that both Newton and Jones are going to have to improve in the coming weeks, it's timing. Newton at times overthrew his pass-catcher deep, while on the flip-side, the receivers sometimes couldn't handle catchable balls. Agholor hasn't had issues with drops as much as his reputation may suggest, but he's been guilty of a couple.
  
  The offense is most certainly going to look better than 2020 and produce at a higher level, if only because of improved performance in the red zone. The question, then, would be how explosive they can be. Deep passes to players like Agholor will have to be a primary way they can burn teams with the occasional big play, so this area will have to be refined going forward.
  
  That being said, both Newton and Jones have hit their share of dimes down the field as well, so the potential is there. Jones made the play of the day on Monday with one of the few deep balls thrown all practice, which he dropped into the bread basket of second-year wideout Isaiah Zuber.

• Safeties emerging as major strength

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  Whenever it comes, the post-Devin McCourty era should go just fine in Foxborough.
  
  There remains a glaring absence in the Patriots secondary with Stephon Gilmore out, but even without No. 24, the safeties have a chance to be the biggest strength of the defense. Adrian Phillips has been the most productive defensive player on the field and looks like he's taken his game to another level in his second year as a Patriot. He should have a better year than 2020 just by virtue of not having to play linebacker.
  
  Behind Phillips is second-year pro Kyle Dugger, who looks just as explosive as he did as a rookie, if not more. Free-agent addition Jalen Mills could be a chess piece in the defensive backfield, and McCourty of course remains an anchor in the deep part of the field.
  
  The cornerback position will be tenuous as long as it's without Gilmore. But with the depth and the talent in the safety group, the Patriots should still be hard to throw on for opposing quarterbacks.
• Tough decisions coming at running back

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  Damien Harris seems to be in the lead for the early-down role in the Patriots' offensive backfield. James White looks as reliable as ever in the passing game. Everything else at this position is up in the air.
  
  Rookie Rhamondre Stevenson is a roster lock, but the question is how much he'll play, if at all, in his first season. There's a chance he gets redshirted, but he's been getting a small share of reps in 11-on-11 drills since making his camp debut.
  
  One role that needs to be filled is the Rex Burkhead Swiss Army Knife, all-purpose back. This may surprise you, but the returning Brandon Bolden is a candidate to be that guy. That leaves Sony Michel without a clearly defined role, and second-year back J.J. Taylor possibly squeezed off the end of the depth chart.
  
  Belichick likely isn't carrying five running backs, so he could be facing a tough cut or trade with a back who's been in the fold for multiple seasons.

• Battle emerging at wide receiver

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  The projected three-receiver set in "11" personnel seems to be an unsurprising group: Agholor, Bourne, and Jakobi Meyers. Gunner Olszewski is assured a roster spot based on his All-Pro punt-returning ability and has a chance to contribute as a slot receiver.
  
  Is that going to be everyone? At this point, it would be a bit surprising if Belichick ended up cutting or trading all four out of N'Keal Harry, Isaiah Zuber, Kristian Wilkerson, and Tre Nixon. Especially since all of them have flashed playmaking ability at times.
  
  Wilkerson could be sneaking his way up the depth chart with his side work on special teams, an area where Harry and Zuber have barely contributed. Harry hasn't shown enough to be clearly ahead of the rest, so he could end up getting his original wish of a trade.
  
  This is another position where Belichick will have a bit of a hard decision to make. While the Patriots may be lacking in high-end talent at receiver, they seem to have fresh depth in the middle class. The end of the depth chart is to be determined.

MORE: Complete Patriots Training Camp Coverage

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].

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