Patriots reveal projected starters on both sides at annual in-stadium practice

The Patriots are asking way too much of Matt Patricia

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  Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots senior football advisor Matt Patricia walks to the practice field at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

  Matt Patricia is preparing for a major role in the Patriots offense ahead of Mac Jones’ pivotal second season. Or should we say, roles.

  Though officially labeled the Patriots’ senior football advisor and offensive line coach, Patricia is ostensibly the offensive coordinator, just without the title. At the very least, he’s the primary offensive play-caller, as evidenced by burying his face in a play sheet and walkie-talkie as the Pats huddle up before team drills.

  According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the “continued expectation” is for Patricia to be the play-caller and “de facto” offensive coordinator at the start of the 2022 regular season, confirming what’s been on display in Foxboro for the first two weeks of training camp.

  Head Coach Bill Belichick has stepped in and called a few plays of his own at times, as has Joe Judge, who’s officially listed as “offensive assistant/quarterbacks.” But Judge’s play-calls have come more in 7-on-7.

  Judge has also worked closely with the wide receivers during camp. Offensive assistant Evan Rothstein has worked closely with the quarterbacks. But it’s Patricia whose roles on the staff appear more multiple than the rest.

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• Though it’s still early, with six weeks to go until the regular season, the results haven’t been there for the Patriots offense. The biggest problems have come up front, where the O-line has struggled to open holes in the run game or set the proper protections when Jones drops back. The stuffed runs and unblocked rushers have quickly added up.

  Jones said in his most recent press conference that everyone on the offense has to get “on the same page.” Can that also be said for the coaches? Considering the disjointed nature of the Patriots offense so far in camp, it’s fair to wonder if that’s a reflection of the disjointed nature of the coaching responsibilities right now. That, like the performance of the players, could improve with time. But it feels like time is needed, and roles still need to be defined.

  “I think we have an established culture here where we all understand there’s input that comes across the board,” Patricia told reporters Monday. “Certainly, when a hard decision needs to be made, we’re lucky enough that our head coach here is involved in all aspects of the game and has an expertise above anybody else, really, to be honest with you, in all those areas. So when we need a push in either direction, we can really rely on him, which is great to help us kind of get through any of those sticky points.”

• Everything is incumbent upon Belichick to oversee the operation and help it coalesce. But the concern is the necessity for coalescence in the first place, and that a lot of it falls on Patricia’s shoulders.

  This feels like too much for any one coach, let alone one with no offensive coordinator experience, who hasn’t worked on the offensive side of the ball in 17 years.

  Patricia does have something of a background on the offensive line, having played four years as a center/guard at RPI before joining the Patriots as an assistant under legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia. But from 2006-17, he worked his way up through the defensive ranks, serving as the Pats’ defensive coordinator from 2012-17 before becoming head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2018.

  While he certainly had a hand in the offense in Detroit, Patricia posted a 13-29-1 record as Lions head coach. Their scoring offense ranked 25th, 18th, and 20th from 2018-20. In Patricia’s final season in Detroit, they allowed the 10th-most sacks in the league (42).

  

  Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots senior football advisor Matt Patricia coaches quarterback Mac Jones (10) at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

• Patricia is officially in charge of the offensive line, and it’s been the team’s shakiest position group in camp so far.

  There’s still plenty of time until the games start counting in the standings, so we’ll see how it comes together for the offense in the coming weeks. The problem hasn’t been the individual talent, so much as the overall execution.

  It’s also possible that Patricia hands off much of the O-line duty to assistant coach Billy Yates, a confidant who came over to the Patriots from Detroit in 2021, and frees himself up as “only” the offensive coordinator. Maybe, then, the operation will run smoother.

  But so far, the Patriots’ offense has been all over the place, and so have the offensive coaches. Those dots are unavoidably connected.

• 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 @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

Jalen Mills settling into major new role on Patriots defense

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  Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) walks to the practice field at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

  It’ll be a while before we find out how the Patriots’ secondary holds up against high-end receiver groups. But there’s no question about who will be their No. 1 cornerback.

  Jalen Mills is settling in nicely to a streamlined new role for him on the Patriots’ defense. Heading into year 2, he’s locked in as the top corner on the outside. After a year of moving him around and trying him a lot inside, Bill Belichick and his defensive staff have parked him on the perimeter.

  So far, the results have been good. The Patriots may lack a Ja’Marr Chase-level game-changer at wide receiver, but it’s their deepest group in at least four years. Mills has been competitive in his 11-on-11 reps on the outside, including a few pass breakups.

  Mills may not live up to the legacy of Ty Law, Stephon Gilmore, or Darrelle Revis. But he’s embracing the challenge of being the top guy deployed against the other team’s top receivers.

  “That’s the standard here,” Mills told reporters Thursday. “Corners here from the past decade, guys being able to line up play man-to-man, play zone, whatever it may be, you’ve got to be able to step up to the challenge.”

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• Many of Mills’ reps, in both 1-on-1 and full team drills, have come against newcomer DeVante Parker, who overall has looked like Mac Jones’ new favorite target on the outside. Parker has cooled off a bit after a hot start to camp, but has given Mills a lot to battle with his size, agility, and body control.

  Mills credited both Parker for preparing him for those key matchups against dynamic outside receivers.

  “He’s a savvy guy,” Mills said of Parker. For him to be that tall, he can run. Obviously we know he can jump up and catch the ball. … He’s a guy who can run those short-to-intermediate routes, and we know at any point in time that he can take the top off. Definitely, going against him has been a challenge.

  “Any time he breaks the huddle and he comes to my side, I think the ball’s coming. So, that keeps me on edge, and that’s what I like.”

• Mills also credited speedy rookie Tyquan Thornton for giving him a good challenge with his wheels, but also with his smooth route-running and length. Thornton made one of the best catches of camp in a 1-on-1 drill against Mills, who was close in coverage but couldn’t quite stop Thornton from securing an over-the-shoulder grab on a pretty rainbow from Jones.

  Mills is being counted upon, as a member of the Patriots’ expensive 2021 free-agent class, to make a big jump in his second season compared to his first. Even if he’s still a slight downgrade from J.C. Jackson as the new No. 1 outside corner, that would be a major step forward, and could ease lingering concerns about a secondary that could surprise some people this season.

  

  May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) walks to the practice field for the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

• After five years with the Eagles and a total reset of his defensive system, Mills is feeling more comfortable now that he’s spending less time learning and more time playing.

  “Being somewhere for so long, last year being my first year, total new defense with different guys that I wasn’t used to, and now having a full OTAs with those guys again and then going into my second camp, it’s night and day,” Mills said.

  The early returns certainly look promising.

• 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 @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

Christian Barmore doesn't even know the last time he was physically overpowered

• Christian Barmore is a physical force.

  The second-year defensive tackle out of Alabama is making serious noise at 2022 training camp, and showing early signs of a second-year leap. In the case of Barmore, the leap could be seismic. He looks like he has the best chance of any second-year Patriot, rookie or veteran, to become a true impact player.

  With a player of Barmore’s physical ability, there is no ceiling. And it’s safer with him than anyone else on the field to rev up that hype train.

  Barmore made early waves as a rookie, playing the second-highest percentage of snaps at defensive tackle (55.4 percent) and logging 46 total tackles and 18 total QB pressures (nine hurries, seven knockdowns, 1.5 sacks). He’s locked in for third downs and obvious passing situations.

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• Barmore still needs to round out his game. The Patriots still appear to view him as a pure pass-rusher, and he told reporters Wednesday that his No. 1 goal is to become a better run defender. But pass-rushing is where Barmore could become a true game-wrecker in the first place.

  One of the big keys for Barmore – any sophomore player, really – is to do less thinking out there, and more reacting. He acknowledged that he’s been able to play faster in his second year after spending much of his rookie season learning.

  “I’m way more comfortable now than I was last year, faster, and learning faster,” Barmore told reporters Wednesday. “I’m literally getting better every day, trying to get better today, get more better tomorrow.”

• Barmore is still just 23 years old and has plenty to learn, especially based on his still-situational usage. But getting to the quarterback and slowing down the opponents’ passing game remains the No. 1 goal for any defense in today’s NFL. And to make a consistent impact at defensive tackle, you need to be physically overpowering. Barmore looks to be just that.

  Based on his reaction in his press conference, he’s been physically dominant for a long time. When asked if he remembers the last time he felt physically overmatched, Barmore quipped, “I don’t know about that one,” with a shake of the head and a flutter of the eyes.

  

  Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore speaks to reporters at training camp on Aug. 3, 2022 in Foxboro, Mass. (Matt Dolloff/98.5 The Sports Hub)

  Barmore did credit the Patriots’ mountainous left tackle, Trent Brown, for giving him “sometimes a little trouble” in the power department. He credited Brown with helping prepare him for heavy double-teams, which he figures to see a lot of in the weeks (years?) ahead.

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• “Christian’s done a good job. He’s way ahead of where he was last year,” head coach Bill Belichick said in his Thursday press conference. “First of all, he’s in much better condition. Second of all, he has a much better understanding of what we do, what our opponents do, and the daily routine or the weekly routine of how the progression’s going to go, because he’s been through it.

  “He’s been more consistent, like all second-year players – this isn’t really unique to him – but he’s been more consistent. He has a better understanding of our scheme, the opponent’s scheme, what can happen, what’s a problem, how to handle those problems when they come up. And his physical development, his techniques, his skills: overall strength, speed, stamina, have improved. They were good anyway, but they’ve gotten better through training. He’s making progress.”

  Barmore was especially disruptive during the Patriots’ seven-game winning streak in the middle of the 2021 season, when he racked up five QB hits, 0.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and 18 total tackles. But the stats rarely tell the whole story, especially with a Belichick-coached defensive lineman. Barmore and others are expected to maintain gap responsibility and generate pressure by collapsing the pocket, rather than going all-out for sacks all the time.

• If anyone on the Patriots is going to be pushing a lot of pockets back in 2022, it’s Barmore. He formed a formidable duo up front with outside linebacker Matthew Judon during the win streak a year ago. They and the rest of the Patriots defense fizzled down the stretch and into the playoffs, so more consistency and sustained excellence from those two would bode well for 2022.

  Even if Barmore continues to be mainly a third-down player in his second season, that’s where he’s always going to make his bones. If this time next year we’re talking about a big payday for the big boy, that’ll mean great things have happened.

• We’ve got you covered every single day of Patriots training camp down in Foxboro. Click here for complete coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  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 @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

Mac Watch, Day 8: Still plenty of work to do, but a baby step in the right direction

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  Mac Jones during Patriots training camp on July 28, 2022. (Syndication: The Providence Journal)

  For one day, it feels like the Patriots’ “day of corrections” paid off a little bit. Call it 1 percent better.

  Mac Jones and the Patriots’ passing offense looked and felt a baby-step closer to “on the same page” in team drills during the Patriots’ training camp practice on Thursday in sweltering Foxboro. They put the full pads back on and incorporated more in-game elements like down & distance and substitutions, a small indication that head coach Bill Belichick was relatively satisfied with Wednesday’s scaled back, non-padded session.

  Overall, Jones was 17-of-22 throwing the ball in team drills, including 14-of-19 in 11-on-11. Against the starting defense, he went 6-of-10, but did throw a touchdown to receiver Tre Nixon in a red zone rep. Two of Jones’ incompletions were drops by the receiver, which we’ll get into later.

  Jones completed passes to Jakobi Meyers (4), Jonnu Smith (4), J.J. Taylor (2), Nixon (2), Damien Harris, and Ty Montgomery in 11-on-11.

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• Jones nearly went a perfect 9-of-9 in the first 11-on-11 session, which pitted the starting offense against the “2s” on defense. The lone blemish was a drop by Nelson Agholor, who bobbled a good over-the-shoulder drop in the bucket. Rookie cornerback Jack Jones was in coverage on the play, and didn’t look to get a hand on the ball.

  In the next 11-on-11 period, Jones and the starting offense went up against the starting defense. This is where the offense has started to break down a bit in team drills. Jones completed his first four passes in a row in this session, but appeared to be out of sync with Smith on the fifth rep, as the ball sailed wide of the tight end near the right sideline.

• The third 11-on-11 period featured loud music and repped closer to the red zone; Jones went 2-of-4 in this session, including a “touchdown” pass to Nixon in the back corner of the end zone. Nixon got big separation against cornerback Malcolm Butler, whose camp can be described as “up and down” at best.

  Jones’ other completion in these reps was a short crosser over the middle to Smith, who’s certainly had his moments in camp so far. But the period ended with a bad drop by Taylor, who was wide open for what would be a touchdown in a real game. Taylor couldn’t hold on to the dump-off from Jones.

  Big-Picture Thoughts…

  

  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

• The running game continues to be a work in progress, to put it nicely. Lot of stuffed runs out there. But passing-wise, the unit appeared to be one step closer to getting everyone on the proverbial #SamePage.

  If you’re looking for #concerns in the passing game, well, Agholor apparently still lets one slip through his hands every now and then. Jones had to hold the ball and scramble on a couple of 11-on-11 plays, appearing to struggle to find open guys. One of his best throws, however, was a tight-window strike to Meyers down a seam over the middle. But if Agholor and rookie Tyquan Thornton aren’t on the field, it seems that their speed and separation are lacking.

  The individual talent hasn’t really been the issue with the offense so far, though. It’s been the team chemistry. Most of the problems have started up front, where the Pats have shuffled around the personnel on the offensive line and are incorporating a rookie (guard Cole Strange) into some newer concepts, particularly in the run game.

  So, if there’s one positional group one could pick as the furthest behind so far, it’s the big boys.

  

  May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive lineman Cole Strange works on a blocking drill with offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) (right) Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

• It could be a little while before we get another strong indication of what direction the Patriots offense is heading in, with the start of the preseason a week away and practices expected to gear back down. The Patriots have their annual in-stadium practice for season ticket holders on Friday night at Gillette Stadium, which is typically a non-padded, walkthrough-type event.

  As of Thursday, the Patriots are not scheduled to hold an open practice on Saturday or Sunday. Their first preseason game takes place next Thursday, Aug. 11, against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium.

• Keep checking back after every Patriots training camp practice for Mac Watch, which chronicles the progress of quarterback Mac Jones and the Pats’ passing offense in a pivotal second year for him. And click here for complete training camp coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

  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 @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

PHOTOS: Patriots hit the field for 2022 training camp in Foxboro

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws the ball during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws the ball during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots offensive lineman Cole Strange (50) walks onto the field before training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) walks onto the field before training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) walks onto the field before training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) walks onto the field before training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Damien Harris (37) waves to the crowd during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) catches the ball during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith (81) catches the ball during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Justin Bethel (29) and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (51) run a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) and cornerback Malcom Butler (4) run a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Malcom Butler (4) and wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) run a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Jack Jones (53) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Jack Jones (53) and New England Patriots wide receiver Tre Nixon (82) run a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) hands the ball off to running back Damien Harris (37) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (55) throws the ball during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe (55) lines up for a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) walks onto the field during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (55) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery (14) walks onto the field during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) and cornerback Malcom Butler (4) run a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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  Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Marcus Jones (52) talks with the media after training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports