The New England Patriots held their second practice of 2023 training camp in Foxboro on Wednesday morning. Here are 12 players who stood out to us on the field, for both good and/or bad reasons…
QB Mac Jones
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones throws a pass during training camp at Gillette Stadium. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Let’s put Mac Jones’ day-2 performance in the ehhh category. He and the offense certainly look better than they did on day 2 of 2022 camp, which was among the worst offensive practices we’ve seen in recent years. But the 2023 Patriots offense looks like it can be more crisp than it was on Thursday.
Jones was 6-of-10 with an interception in a key 11-on-11 period that started high in the red zone, and presented the team with various downs and distances. The best play was the first one, a well-placed corner ball to DeVante Parker in which the veteran receiver got notable separation against rookie corner Christian Gonzalez. Jones also completed passes to Hunter Henry (2), JuJu Smith-Schuster (2), and Pierre Strong Jr. in this period.
QB Mac Jones throws a pass on the second day of Patriots Training Camp (Katie Bennert/98.5 The Sports Hub)
But the lowlights … the first incompletion looked like Jones threw it away due to no one being open. The second was intended for Smith-Schuster, but Gonzalez was right on him in coverage over the middle. The third was way overthrown, intended for Kendrick Bourne in the back-left corner of the end zone.
Jones’ final attempt of the period was intercepted by Kyle Dugger, in almost the same exact play as Dugger’s pick early in Wednesday’s practice. On an 11th play, I credited linebacker Anfernee Jennings with a “sack.” So all-around, things for the offense to work on as it tries to come together under Bill O’Brien’s new scheme.
Jul 26, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
It’s important that Jones keeps it together emotionally, doesn’t let any frustration bleed over into his play, and goes from play-to-play with a short memory, which he most certainly didn’t do last year. He knows it. He at least looked to stay calm amid an inconsistent showing in team drills.
“I think the biggest thing that we’ve all talked about is just having a fresh start,” Jones said after Wednesday’s practice. “I think there’s a lot of learning experiences from last year that we’ve talked about and this year, it’s all about just working together, right? You’ve got to come up with a plan, obviously talk about it, and then execute it.
“So, I’m excited for that part of it. For me, I’m just trying to be really consistent, try not to ride the wave, just stay my course and hopefully, everybody on our offense feels that, too.”
WR DeVante Parker
New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker makes a catch during training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Thursday was the first time any wide receiver made something resembling a dynamic play in team drills. Parker made an impressive connection with Mac Jones in 11-on-11, which could have been counted as a “touchdown” if you score these things.
He also made a nice jumping grab on a similar play in 7-on-7 against Marcus Jones, but had a foot on the line. Still a solid day for No. 1, who is looking to prove that he himself can be a No. 1.
WR Demario Douglas
New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas runs a drill during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Douglas gets a nod here because he got to spend extended time with the 1’s in passing game drills that appeared to be centered on overall coordination and getting everyone on the same page. Good sign for a rookie sixth-round pick to be running with Parker, Smith-Schuster, Henry, etc. Douglas has a chance to be Smith-Schuster’s direct backup in the slot.
TE Mike Gesicki
New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki makes a catch during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
After a quiet first day, Gesicki made one of the better individual plays of the day with a leaping grab in a lighter 11-on-11 session. So, we’re counting this performance as a small step forward for the Pats’ new tight end, who’s still a clear top-2 option at that position along with Henry.
RB Pierre Strong Jr.
New England Patriots running back Pierre Strong Jr. makes a leaping catch during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Like Douglas, Strong also got to run with the starters during passing game coordination drills. He also got reps as the lone returner in one special teams session, though it was unclear whether they were practicing kick or punt returns. Strong caught one pass from Jones and two from Bailey Zappe in 11-on-11. Seemed like a productive day for the second-year pro.
S Kyle Dugger
Kyle Dugger on the first day of 2023 New England Patriots training camp in Foxboro, Mass. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Another day, another interception for Dugger. On today’s pick, which came in the back of the end zone during 11-on-11, there appeared to be no receiver anywhere in the vicinity. My guess is Jones tried to throw the ball away and didn’t get enough air under it. But credit to Dugger for making another play on the ball. He’s a crucial player entering a crucial season for his future, and he’s off to a great start.
CB Christian Gonzalez
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (50) sprints during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Gonzalez once again got plenty of reps as a starting outside corner in team drills. His most notable play was his aforementioned coverage on Smith-Schuster over the middle of the end zone. Great sign for the rookie first-rounder that he blanketed a quick slot receiver. We’ll see how it goes in year 1, but the kid is talented.
LB Anfernee Jennings
New England Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) walks onto the field for practice at 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Katie Bennert/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Jennings was credited with a “sack” during the most competitive 11-on-11 session of the day. With Matthew Judon a limited participant to start camp and totally absent from those team drills, Jennings still looks like the next man up when No. 9 is unavailable.
DB Isaiah Bolden
New England Patriots defensive back Isaiah Bolden pulls a sled at 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Bolden got reps as a kick returner, and had good burst when he got chances to return the ball. The rookie seventh-rounder has a chance to make the 53-man roster as a special teamer. If he doesn’t, he looks like a strong candidate to make the practice squad with a chance to get call-ups during the season.
K Chad Ryland
New England Patriots kicker Chad Ryland warms up during 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Ryland had another eye-catching day. He once again rained footballs down on the spectator tents up on the hills behind the uprights. And he got to finish out the team sessions for the day as the primary kicker, going 5-for-5. As of now, I’m predicting Ryland to make the team out of camp and possibly supplant the incumbent Nick Folk entirely.
OT Riley Reiff
New England Patriots tackle Riley Reiff (74) walks onto the field for practice at 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Katie Bennert/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Reiff stood out today because he got reps at both left tackle and right tackle, particularly during team drills centered around the running game. He looks like the starting right tackle, and possibly the backup left tackle behind Trent Brown, albeit Calvin Anderson has been absent with an illness. But the Pats obviously like Reiff’s versatility.
