Zolak & Bertrand: Should JuJu Smith-Schuster be a cut candidate for Patriots?
Zolak and Bertrand debate whether or not Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster should be a cut candidate, even with a lackluster group of pass catchers down:
Beetle: Chris Hogan, former Patriots receiver, thinks that .@ChrisHogan_15 on what 2024 might hold for JuJu Smith-Schuster.
"This is a big training camp and a big preseason for him."@BleavNetwork | @BetOnline_ag
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And you know what? He might be right. He might be. I would not entirely rule this out as being silly or a former player. Not fully. Maybe knowing all the details on that contract and what the bind would sort of be. They have all kinds of cap space. That’s not a consideration for them right now.
The cap hit if he’s here, is over $10 million. They’re paying him the 7 million, no matter what. That’s what it comes down to. It’s really not about cap dollars and dead hits anymore. Are you willing to pay a guy $7 million to free up a roster spot? Or do you just pay him 7 million and keep him on the roster?
And if you don’t think he’s playing well, you bury him. But you’re still at least getting a serviceable receiver for the money.
Zolak: You’re a team that needs receivers. You’re a team that needs veteran receivers. He’s a guy that does catch the ball when it’s thrown to him. I know he had the deflection that cost Mac [Jones] a pick at the end of one of those games.
Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) runs in for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
But, I’d rather pay the guy, keep him around, and if he’s not an issue like, you know, they’re talking about on the podcast there, you’re going to need him at some point and he’s healthy. And he’s standing out.
So then you’re gonna turn and cut a guy that’s actually standing out a little bit? You need veteran leadership for that group. Eighteen games, that’s a long year for kids. He knows the season. It’s why [Jacoby] Brissett is here, to sort of guide Drake Maye. JuJu could be a guider to those young guys.
LISTEN: Should the Patriots cut JuJu Smith-Schuster?
Patriots OTA notebook: Spreading things out on offense
Increased reps for Drake Maye
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) works out at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
One of the big critiques from the practice the media saw last week was how limited the reps were overall. The offense mostly worked in a single unit, with rookie quarterback Drake Maye following veterans Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe.
Prior to practice on Wednesday, Mayo downplayed that disparity in reps. “My message is, it’s not how many opportunities, it’s what you do with the opportunities that you get,” he said. “Look, going back to the competition part of it, the better you do on a day-after-day basis, not just on the field but also in the classroom, the more reps you’ll get going forward.” Mayo also mentioned opportunities for Maye in the class room, or via virtual reality setups the team has in the facility.
That being said, Wednesday’s practice saw much more split-field work (there are two full fields painted on the practice area behind Gillette Stadium). This allowed the offense to run two units at once. At times Maye was on one field alternating with Brissett, while at other times he was the lone quarterback working on the other field.
In his extended reps Maye had a solid day. The most notable observation continues to be his footwork – which has already noticeably improved from his time at North Carolina.
Strong start for Jacoby Brissett
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Jacoby Brissett #14 of the New England Patriots walks to the field during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
While much of the conversation right now surrounds Maye, let’s not lose sight of Jacoby Brissett. Brissett, signed by the team as a free agent this offseason, still looks to be the favorite to start when the regular season begins.
Through two practices, Brissett has put together a solid performance. Everything in his mechanics looks crisp and clean, and he’s done a good job of delivering the ball in team drills. That’s not to say he’s suddenly an MVP candidate or anything, but simply his game has evolved since he was first in New England as a rookie almost a decade ago.
Cadence work
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots throws the ball in front of Bailey Zappe #4 during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Late in practice the team ran a period focusing on quarterbacks calling out cadences – the words QBs call out prior to the snap. In Alex Van Pelt’s offense the cadence can be used as a tool to keep the defense off guard. Aaron Rodgers, who he coached in Green Bay from 2014 to 2017, is probably the best example of a quarterback who knows how to maximize the impact of his his cadence.
New looks at guard
Aug. 10, 2023; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots guard Atonio Mafi on the sideline during a preseason game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
During last week’s open practice, Sidy Sow, Nick Leverett, and Layden Robinson got the most work at guard in team drills. For this practice, Atonio Mafi and Michael Jordan – who was the first player on the field on Wednesday – were in the spotlight.
It’s entirely too early to read into that as a shift in the depth chart. But it does seem the team is getting multiple players ready to compete for starting guard jobs this summer. Both of last year’s primary starting guards won’t be options to start the year with Mike Onwenu moving out to tackle and Cole Strange expected to miss the start of the year due to a knee injury.
Competitive day in the passing game
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (6) makes a catch at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
There wasn’t much room for the quarterbacks to throw the ball on Wednesday. Coverage was tight for most of the day. That doesn’t mean the QBs couldn’t complete passes.
There were instances of threading the needle into tight windows – Maye has one such particularly impressive throw to T.J. Luther in 7-on-7s, or other times when the wide receivers made the plays themselves. That included two highlight highpoint catches from rookie Javon Baker, and a deep diving catch on a fade route by Pop Douglas. All three of those throws were made by Brissett. Tyquan Thornton also made a play high-pointing a ball from Maye.
Still, the defense had its moments. Safety Jaylinn Hawkins got the first interception the media has seen in camp, picking of Bailey Zappe in the middle of the field. Isaiah Bolden also had a pass breakup showing impressive recovery on a pass to the outside. Marco Wilson and Alex Austin reported PBUs as well.
Hangtimes
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 26: Bryce Baringer #17 of the New England Patriots punts during the third quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
There was one brief team punting period early in practice. Here are the hangtimes from Bryce Baringer:
5.14 seconds
4.54
4.93
3.12
4.93
5.27
4.86Keep in mind that during these drills coaching may ask for a certain kind of kick or specific direction. So, it’s all to be taken with a grain of salt.
Field goal work
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Chad Ryland #37 of the New England Patriots walks to the field during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Field goals were also a focus during Wednesday’s practice. When the offense and defense weren’t using both fields, the specialists worked off to the side. Chad Ryland took all of those field goal attempts, although Joey Sly was present an with the group. Some of those reps included practicing running on to the field in late-game situations.
Practice ended with Ryland taking five ‘live’ attempts all from about 40 yards out. He hit his first four, but missed his fifth wide to the right.
Attendance
May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III (19) throws a pass at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
There were 13 players not spotted on the field at Wednesday’s practice. They are…
QB Joe Milton
WR Kendrick Bourne
G Cole Strange
C Jake Andrews
OL Zuri Henry
DT Christian Barmore
DT Davon Godchaux
DE Sam Roberts
LB Matthew Judon
LB Sione Takitaki
DB Jonathan Jones
LB Jahlani Tavai
LB Josh UcheSome absences don’t come as much of a surprise. Most of those linebackers didn’t attend last week’s session. Other players like Bourne and Strange are out due to injuries (Jonathan Jones was limited last week as well).
However, it was notable for players like Milton, Roberts, and Andrews to be out. All are bubble players, and don’t seem like the kind of guys who can afford to not participate in these optional sessions. It’s possible they are dealing with some sort of injury or illness.
What’s next?
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo looks on during the New England Patriots OTA Offseason Workout on May 29, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Patriots will be back on the field tomorrow, and wrap up the second week of OTAs on Friday. Their next open practice will come on Tuesday, June 4.
