Greg Bedard of BostonSportsJournal.com has been at New England Patriots training camp every day as the team gets set to open their preseason slate on Thursday night against the Houston Texans. On Tuesday, Bedard joined Felger and Mazz following practice and he gave Felger, Jim Murray, and Joe Murray his “3 Up and 3 Down” from Patriots training camp so far.
3 UP
Demario Douglas
New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas runs a drill during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
“Number one for me would have to be Demario “Pop” Douglas, the rookie. He’s been great. I did have high hopes for him coming in. As soon as they drafted him I figured he would be the guy who sort of hit first. They also drafted Kayshon Boutte, who has been okay, but Pop Douglas has a chance to have a real role on this team. So I’ve been impressed with him.”
Jabrill Peppers
Safety Jabrill Peppers of the New England Patriots during 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Matt Dolloff/98.5 The Sports Hub)
“Jabrill Peppers. I think he’s been awesome in this camp. He’s so physical. He does so many different things, You know, blitzing, run support, you’ve seen him at free safety at times. Like, he was coming back from a knee injury last year and he came on towards the end of last year. He’s just built on that and I think he’s going to be a big part in in how they try to stop some of these more athletic, better quarterbacks.”
Chasen Hines
Aug 11, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots guard Chasen Hines (63) warms up before a preseason game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
“This is a little bit out there but Chasen Hines, who was one of their draft picks on the offensive line last year. He got off to a horrible start in this training camp. But I got to say, in the last week or so, he’s been awesome and he’s been tremendous in the one on ones. He’s done a really good job. In my opinion, he’s been better than any of their 18 interior guys that they drafted this year in the draft. I think he’s done a really nice job.”
3 Down
Marcus Jones
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 24: Marcus Jones #25 of the New England Patriots returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
“Marcus Jones. Just because I had high hopes for him that in year two he would come in, you hear some of the analysts, whether it’s Greg Cosell or Chris Simms talk about like this guy could be like Honey Badger, he could be the next great slot cornerback. And that just hasn’t come close to happening. He has his moments, I will say that. But there are much more times on this practice field where he struggles mostly due to his size. And a lot of the plays in the red zone, he’s giving up. Not that he’s bad or anything like that or he’s going anywhere, I’ve just been personally disappointed that he hasn’t taken a larger step.”
JuJu Smith-Schuster
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) makes a catch during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
“JuJu Smith-Schuster. I just haven’t been impressed. Not that I think he’s bad. Not that I don’t think he’s going to have a role and be productive in this offense. I just know what they had in Jakobi Meyers. JuJu’s done fine but I just…I don’t know…I thought he came into the camp a little soft, you know, which wasn’t surprising because he didn’t do much in the off-season. And you sort of watch him walk around and he doesn’t put off the healthiest vibe. I do think he’s he’s still dealing with the knee. I think it’s going to be an issue for him all year and I’m pretty apprehensive about that.”
Conor McDermott
New England Patriots offensive tackle Conor McDermott against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
“Conor McDermott. I don’t know how to categorize this because I didn’t have high hopes for him, but it looks like he grabbed the starting right tackle role very early on in camp but since then he has not been good. There is a distinct lack of foot speed on the outside. All the speedy guys beat him around the end. He gives up a lot of the sacks that we see in practice. Not that Riley Reiff, or Sidy Sow, or any of those guys are any better, but they’re just in rough straights at right tackle. They really are.”
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