Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) makes a catch with pressure from Carolina Panthers cornerback Keith Taylor Jr. (28) during the first half of a preseason game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots finally deployed (most of) their starting offense in the second preseason game of 2022 against the Carolina Panthers. The results were, decidedly, mixed.
Quarterback Mac Jones gets a “Neutral” for this week’s “Ups and Downs.” He could have been a “down” after a rough first two drives, which included a couple of inaccurate throws (which could also be considered bad decisions). But he made up for it in his third and final drive, making one of his best throws of the summer (more on the play below).
Here’s who did end up getting a good (or bad) grade for the second preseason game…
UP: WR Nelson Agholor
Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) makes a catch with pressure from Carolina Panthers cornerback Keith Taylor Jr. (28) during the first half of a preseason game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Agholor has had a strong camp, and parlayed that into an impactful performance Friday night – I mean, as impactful as you can be in a preseason game. He got just enough separation down the field to catch a pretty 45-yard rainbow from Mac Jones, which helped set up the Pats’ first touchdown of the game. He also converted a third down with a catch earlier in the drive. Once considered a possible trade candidate, Agholor now looks primed for a year-2 jump in New England.
DOWN: WR Kendrick Bourne
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) works with a training aid at the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
In the preseason, you have to get creative with “Ups and Downs.” So we’re giving a thumbs down to Bourne for the simple fact that he didn’t play. Bourne has had a rough camp, and lost his cool when he threw punches in one of the brawls during joint practices. This feels like a disciplinary benching, since Bourne apparently was healthy enough to return for the second joint practice. But he hasn’t seemed like himself throughout the summer, and tonight wasn’t a great sign for him.
UP: RB Ty Montgomery
Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery (14) reacts after his touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Belichick heaped praise on Montgomery earlier in the week, basically confirming he’s a roster lock and will be counted on in key situations. He showed off the kind of impact he could make as a hybrid running back/receiver, and fill some of the roles James White used to have. He also finished off Jones’ last drive with a touchdown. The arrow is pointing directly up for the versatile veteran.
DOWN: OL James Ferentz
James Ferentz of the New England Patriots looks on during the preseason game between the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Ferentz allowed a sack to Justin Sanford, who is one of the Panthers’ reserve pass-rushers, to kill the Patriots’ first offensive drive. He had to start at right guard due to the absence of left tackle Trent Brown, which shifted Yodny Cajuste to left tackle and Michael Onwenu to right tackle. But Ferentz has been around for a while and still has a chance to make the team as a backup guard/center. This week, which also included an ejection for his role in one of the multiple brawls with the Panthers during joint practice, seemed to sete Ferentz back.
UP: LB Josh Uche
Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback PJ Walker (11) gets sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (55) during the first half of a preseason game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
This section could go to the Patriots’ entire starting pass-rush unit. Matthew Judon and Christian Barmore wreaked their usual havoc up front, which was key to the team’s seven-game winning streak in 2021. But we’ll give Uche the nod, because he made a nice move to pick up a sack in the first quarter and he still seems like the best bet to play opposite Judon off the edge in passing situations.
DOWN: CB Terrance Mitchell
Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive back Terrance Mitchell (39) walks onto the field during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Mitchell got off to a hot start in camp, looking like the No. 2 starting outside cornerback opposite Jalen Mills. He’s since slid down the depth chart in favor of Jonathan Jones, and even with Malcolm Butler and Joejuan Williams headed to injured reserve, Mitchell could only get time on the field with the backups. He should still make the team, but he’s looking more like a reserve corner now.
UP: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 11: Lil’Jordan Humphrey #83 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the preseason game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 11, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Humphrey made five catches and led the team with 71 receiving yards. He may still be a long shot to actually make the 53-man roster, but a performance like this could at least give him a shot at drawing interest elsewhere. Humphrey is big and makes tough catches. That ought to be valuable enough for someone to take a chance on him.
DOWN: LB Ronnie Perkins
Jul 30, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Ronnie Perkins (51) walks to the practice field at the Patriots training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Perkins only saw time with the reserves and it took until the fourth quarter for him to finally make a play, when he grabbed a sack. It’s been a strange summer for the 2021 third-round pick. He was already known as a player who needed refinement and still has time, but he’s getting pushed hard by the other outside linebackers on the roster. It wouldn’t be surprising if Bill Belichick made sure to hold onto him another year, but it’s going to be a tough decision if all the linebackers are healthy come cutdown day.
