The Patriots took the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Wednesday afternoon, the first time they’ve done so in front of outside eyes. Wednesday’s OTA practice was the team’s third overall of the spring, but first open to the media.
Originally, the Patriots were supposed to hold an open practice late last week. However, that session – plus another closed session – was canceled due to the team receiving a punishment from the NFL.
Quarterback competition?
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 20: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the New York Jets during the first half at Gillette Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The prevailing question facing the Patriots throughout the offseason was whether or not the team was ready to move on from 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones. The coaching staff’s seemingly-dismissive attitude when discussing Jones fueled that fire, so heading into OTAs the question was would the on-field product resemble that message.
Based on the first day of OTAs, the answer is a resounding ‘no.’ Jones out-repped Bailey Zappe throughout the day, and took the heavy majority of reps with the projected starters. It’s still early, but at this point the starting quarterback job looks like his job to lose.
The Patriots’ most versatile rookie?
Sep 3, 2022; Syracuse, New York, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) runs out of the pocket in the fourth quarter against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome. Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Jones wasn’t the only quarterback with notable usage on Wednesday. UDFA Malik Cunningham was certainly one of the standouts usage-wise as well.
It was reported after rookie minicamp that Cunningham – a four-year starter at quarterback at Louisville – only took snaps at quarterback during the week after telling teams leading up to the draft he’d be open to a position change. With OTAs underway and (almost) the full team in attendance, that changed.
Cunningham spent the majority of the day working as a wide receiver, and wore a white offense jersey instead of the red non-contact jersey quarterbacks usually wear. For the most part, he worked on the boundary. His highlight was making one of the catches of the day, leaping up for a ball over two defenders on a deep post.
During the final session of practice Cunningham did play some quarterback in a walkthrough 11-on-11 period. If Wednesday was an indication of the Patriots’ overall plan for him, it looks like he could have multiple roles with the team this season.
Most versatile rookie, Part 2
Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu (Sacramento State Athletics)
If Cunningham is the Patriots’ most versatile rookie, third-round pick Marte Mapu is a close second. Mapu played linebacker at Sacramento State, but his build and skillset appeared to translate better to a safety role in the Patriots’ traditional defensive system. That left questions about how he would be used in Foxborough.
Based on Wednesday, it looks like the Patriots may be ready to adjust their system to his skillset, rather than the other way around. Mapu only got limited reps in lighter practice periods, and was wearing a red non-contact jersey as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, but handled a wide variety of assignments when he was on the field. For the most part he lined up as an off-ball linebacker and worked from there.
Most involved rookies
Georgia Tech DE Keion White (Georgia Tech Athletics)
Let’s wrap up with rookie talk with the two players from this year’s draft class that seemed to be the most involved overall on Wednesday. On offense, the ball was regularly finding sixth-round pick wide receiver Demario Douglas, who also got reps as a returner.
On defense, Keion White was on the field quite a bit. With multiple projected starting defensive linemen not in attendance (we’ll get to the absences at the end of this post), he has a significant opportunity this spring.
First look at the offensive line
Sep 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (76) against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The starting offensive line is one of the toughest things to project about the Patriots right now. Wednesday made things a lot clearer, as we saw the group they’re going with for the time being.
While the returning starters were on the field, Calvin Anderson lined up at left tackle and Riley Reiff lined up at right tackle. Both players were signed by the team this offseason. Returning left tackle Trent Brown was not in attendance for the practice.
On the interior, Bill Murray got time with that group with Mike Onwenu out. Onwenu is recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
In one other offensive line note, fourth-round pick Sidy Sow saw some time at right tackle. Sow was drafted as a guard – the spot he played four of his final five years at Eastern Michigan – but it was reported after the draft the team expected to try him at tackle.
Young running backs still in the mix
Aug 11, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. (35) runs with the ball during the second half of a preseason game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
As rookies last season, Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris spent most of the season watching from the sideline. As the fourth- and sixth-round picks, respectively, enter their sophomore year, there’s room for them to get more involved. Strong figures to be a contender for a passing-down back role if the team wants to take some of the overall workload off of Rhamondre Stevenson (which they should), while Harris fits the mold of aa short-yardage back – a role the Patriots need filled after the departure of Damien Harris in free agency.
With Stevenson limited on Wednesday the Patriots rotated their other four backs (with Ty Montgomery and James Robinson) relatively evenly in terms of overall distribution of reps. However, during a hurry-up 11-on-11 period towards the middle of practice it was Strong and Harris on the field (although Montgomery saw some time as a slot receiver during that window).
Answers at safety
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Kyle Dugger #23 of the New England Patriots celebrates an interception for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Devin McCourty was in attendance for part of Wednesday’s practice – but just as a spectator. That served as a reminder of perhaps the biggest shoes the Patriots need to fill on their roster this year.
Given how much McCourty did for the Patriots’ defense and the level at which he did it, it was always unlikely his old role would be filled in a one-for-one swap. Instead, as we saw on Wednesday, the team is working in a number of new wrinkles on the back end.
Within all those different looks, three players seemed to end up playing deep the most regularly – Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, and Jabrill Peppers. Jalen Mills and Joshuah Bledsoe rotated in at times as well.
Punter hangtimes
Nov 27, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Denver Broncos punter Corliss Waitman (17) kicks the ball during pregame warmups against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The return of Patriots practice means the return of Barth’s stopwatch. The Patriots ran two separate team punting periods on Wednesday, with veteran Corliss Waitman and rookie sixth-round pick Bryce Baringer splitting the reps relatively evenly. As always, it’s important to remember some punting drills focus more on the return team than the kicking team, and the punters may be instructed to kick the ball in a certain way or direction without us knowing. Keeping that in mind, here’s the hangtimes from Wednesday…
Waitman:
3.76 seconds
4.40
3.75
4.78
–
4.80
4.32Baringer:
4.40 seconds
5.25
3.61
5.28
–
4.05
5.25
4.59Taking attendance
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 25: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots lines up against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
OTA practices are optional, so players are not required to attend. Often, veterans secure in their jobs will skip some if not all of the sessions. Players may also miss the practices due to injuries.
When it comes to the Patriots’ attendance, four names stand out as the most notable absences – wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, offensive tackle Trent Brown, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and kicker Nick Folk.
Smith-Schuster just signed with the team this offseason, and figures to be a key part of the Patriots’ offense this year. At least for now, they’ll be building chemistry without him. Brown and Folk both face challenges for their position. We discussed the offensive line situation above, and Folk will be trying to beat out fourth-round pick Chad Ryland. It’s also rare to see rookies miss these workouts, which is why Gonzalez stands out.
The full list of players not in attendance on Wednesday was…
WR Juiu Smith-Schuster
OT Trent Brown
G Mike Onwenu
G Chasen Hines
DL Christian Barmore
DL Lawrence Guy
DL Davon Godchaux
LB Matthew Judon
CB Christian Gonzalez
CB Isaiah Bolden
K Nick Folk
LS Joe CardonaIn addition, four players were limited. That group includes running back Rhamondre Stevenson, cornerback Marcus Jones, wide receiver Kayson Boutte, and tight end Scotty Washington.
What’s next?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots watches his players warm up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Patriots will be off on Thursday, before returning to the field on Friday for their fifth OTA practice of the spring. That practice will be closed to the media, as will a practice on Monday June 5. Their next open practice will be next week, on Tuesday June 6.
