Now that OTAs and mandatory minicamp have come and gone, we dive into everything we now know about the Patriots ahead of training camp.
Patriots look like a functioning unit again
After last year’s dysfunction, all reports out of New England is that the offense finally looks competent again. Some are even comparing it to the offenses we saw during the Tom Brady era. The Mac Jones and Bill O’Brien connection is a win so far.
Mac Jones & Bill O’Brien on the same page which led to Mac having a great day. The future is bright in 2023. pic.twitter.com/boKTFLcIfS
— Babz (@BabzOnTheMic) June 12, 2023Qué diferente es ver a Mac Jones con un entrenador que sabe lo que hace como Bill O’Brien pic.twitter.com/Essdw8HPgm
— Nación Patriota (@nacionpatriots) June 13, 2023Marte Mapu is making some noise
Despite being a 3rd-round pick, Marte Mapu was the talk of OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Bill Belichick was seen showing him some love on the practice field, which is a rare sight for any rookie. Not to mention, his teammates couldn’t stop talking about him either.
"Bill Belichick went right up to Mapu, had a few words for him, dapped him up and then they walked off the field together."
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) June 9, 2023
Greg Bedard with some insight on Rookie LB Marte Mapu from #Patriots OTAs today pic.twitter.com/2IWW6e5DKCOffensive tackle problem
The biggest negative over the last few days has been surrounding the offensive line, which continues to look like a thin group. It doesn’t help that Trent Brown wasn’t much of a factor either, after missing the first day of minicamp due to a cancelled flight. Did they not learn their lesson from last season?
My only read there is that the Patriots' defensive line is ahead of the offensive line, which is banged up and mixing & matching. But O-line is my biggest concern anyway.
— Matt Dolloff (@mattdolloff) June 13, 2023A look across the field at new Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm.
— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) June 13, 2023
Fitting a bag between the two big guys to make sure the spacing's right. @ABC6 #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/jKThwUW8pwLawrence Guy is holding out over a contract
Surprisingly, the Patriots seem to have a contract holdout situation with defensive end Lawrence Guy. Bill Belichick didn’t seem too interested in discussing the issue, saying to ask him directly about it. Something to keep an eye on leading into training camp.
Filed to ESPN: Starting DT Lawrence Guy did not report to the Patriots on Monday for the initial portion of mandatory minicamp, according to a source.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 12, 2023
Believed to be contract-related.
Voted to Patriots 2010s All-Decade Team. Captain in 2020. Community Service Award winner ('21)Bill Belichick, asked by @PhilAPerry about Lawrence Guy's reported hold out.
— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) June 13, 2023
"What ever the issue is, you can talk to him about that. I'm not going to talk about contracts, personal situations, or injuries."
Then flashes a big ole smile and the presser ends.@ABC6 #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/cdFNsvmgJIMac Jones and Bill Belichick's relationship seems the same
If you were hoping for a dramatic change in the relationship between Mac Jones and Bill Belichick, it seems about the same. No better or worse, but distant. Seems like Jones has his focus on Bill O’Brien, which is the biggest thing at the end of the day.
Mac Jones asked about how much work he’s done with Bill Belichick:
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) June 12, 2023
“I’ve been blessed to work with some really great coaches… I always ask questions … Belichick has been great with that.”#Patriots #NFL pic.twitter.com/z9ijNGMKv3"...pick his brain about defense. he's really good with the defensive side of the ball... that's what he does really well."
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) June 12, 2023
Mac Jones asked about working with Bill Belichick behind the scenes pic.twitter.com/Z894omrEgtThe WR room is already banged up
While it’s a little early to be worrying about injuries, we didn’t see any JuJu Smith-Schuster on the field as he recovers from the end of last season.
Tyquan Thornton has also already found a way to get banged up again with a soft tissue injury.
Hopefully by the time training camp rolls around, they’re ready to hit the ground running.
Thoughts on #Patriots after day 1 of mandatory mini camp Monday.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) June 13, 2023
- "Disappointing" was the word used to describe Trent Brown's absence.
- JuJu Smith-Schuster had to be managed for the entirety of the 2nd half of last season with the Chiefs. Practices missed, etc. That he is still…Tyquan Thornton didn’t participate in minicamp to manage an injury. Here’s a rep he took in OTAs.
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) June 14, 2023
Is this his year? #Patriots pic.twitter.com/gYg8dG9dqTThe Patriots know they need help at WR
Over the last week, we’ve had the build-up of DeAndre Hopkins possibly becoming a member of the Patriots. There’s been some speculation of a possible decision today… but Ian Rapoport has a hard time seeing that. One thing is clear though, the Patriots know they need help.
"The DHop visit in New England starts tomorrow..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 13, 2023
It's hard for me to imagine that he would take a visit without thinking that the money could be right" ~ @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/GBXgvracuBListen to the full segment from Zolak & Bertrand!
Listen to Zolak & Bertrand from 10-2 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Marc “Beetle” Bertrand, Scott Zolak, and Rob “Hardy” Poole. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @ZoAndBertrand on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the show!
