Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton during Patriots training camp on July 28, 2022. (Syndication: The Providence Journal)
You hear that noise off in the distance? That faint whistle? Sounds like it’s getting closer. Is that thunder? Why is the ground shaking?
BAM! Too late. You’ve been struck by the Tyquan Thornton hype train. Choo-choo, my friend. Choo-choo.
I’ve lost it, I know. But in all seriousness, Thornton is doing a classic Patriots thing so far at 2022 training camp: he’s getting a little bit better every day. He’s made more of a consistent impression than N’Keal Harry ever did in a six-day span. His physical tools have impressed when given the opportunity. And most recently, he’s started to parlay that into actual playmaking.
There’s still a ways to go, and the offense has work to do to get everyone on the same page as a unit. But with each day, Thornton’s individual talent has stood out more.
Here’s Tyquan Thornton with an over the shoulder catch against Jalen Mills pic.twitter.com/USbeCuMUQM
— PGS NEST (@NestPgs) August 2, 2022During Tuesday’s practice in Foxboro, Thornton hauled in a deep ball from quarterback Mac Jones that was dropped nicely over his shoulder, after getting a half-step on Jalen Mills in coverage. On Monday, he broke off an initial push by Joejuan Williams to adjust to a 50-yarder from Jones, and secured the ball as he tumbled to the turf.
You can see that it’s not just the sub-4.3 speed with Thornton. He moves fluidly and has shown good change-of-direction ability, with sure hands to match. He’s really been the anti-Harry so far. Obviously, if he’s even a serviceable No. 4 or 5 receiver as a rookie, he will have already surpassed the now-infamous 2019 first-round pick.
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“I mean, it’s pretty obvious that I’m fast, so now I’m just trying to fill in all the other areas,” Thornton said last week, when asked about his speed. “Strength, route-running, contested catches, and try to become a full, complete receiver.”
He can check the “contested catches” box for the last couple of practices. The routes have looked solid – when he runs the right way. One of Mac Jones’ 11-on-11 interceptions appeared to happen because Thornton ran upfield when he was supposed to stop. Jones threw the ball right to cornerback Terrance Mitchell, who was all by himself as he sat in his zone.
The “strength” part could hold Thornton back. His wiry frame (6-foot-2, 181 pounds) ostensibly hurt his draft stock in the eyes of GMs and scouts. He has a ways to go to prove he can make plays against strong press-man coverage off the line. But if anything’s going to hold him back in his rookie year in New England, it’ll be the process of gaining trust from Bill Belichick.
Perhaps New England is simply starved of high-end talent, especially at wide receiver, so we’re latching onto the first kid to display any kind of skill for the position. That’s possible. But Thornton has also been rotating in with the starters since the start of camp. It feels like the trust is already building.
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (51) works with training aids at the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Hype can be a real bitch. So it’s important not to drum up too much of it for a soon-to-be-22-year-old whose next NFL game will be his first. Jones did his best not to go too far in the direction praising an individual, which is smart, because the offense has yet to come together as a group. But he seems to like what he’s seen from Thornton so far.
“I think Ty is a hard worker. He’s starting to really grasp some of the things we’re doing and getting open,” Jones said Tuesday. “He clearly has the speed to get open, and we have a great group of guys and we need to spread the ball out to them. That’s the whole point of this offense is get the ball to different people and not key on one person and spread the wealth and let those guys run after catch.”
Thornton’s gradual emergence could be creating a roster crunch at receiver. DeVante Parker has made an immediate impact and looks like a lock. Thornton’s a lock, regardless of how much he plays. Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, and Nelson Agholor have all made their share of plays. Is it a sure bet that all five of them make the team out of camp?
If Thornton can show enough to immediately play a top-4 role in the pecking order, that could make for a tough decision for Belichick when final cutdowns arrive. Even if he needs more time than that, it looks like the Patriots have finally drafted a receiver who can play a little bit.
Little bit. Not getting too hyped. But it’s hard not to, considering how long Patriots fans have been waiting for something to break their way at that position. Mercifully, Thornton might be it.
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (51) does a drill at the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Keep checking back every day with more Patriots training camp coverage here 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 7: Jones, Patriots offense sputters again in red zone work
Mac Jones during Patriots training camp on July 28, 2022. (Syndication: The Providence Journal)
Mac Jones recently said the Patriots offense needs to get everybody on the same page. On Wednesday, in a lighter practice than the first two padded days, it felt like they focused on correcting the problems causing what’s been a disjointed unit so far.
Jones was 14-of-16 with an interception in 11-on-11 drills on Wednesday, and a perfect 4-of-4 in 7-on-7. So, the efficiency was there, and it seemed like they moved closer to gelling. The pick was his only big blemish, but once again, it looked like a miscommunication with the receiver.
This time the culprit was DeVante Parker, and it looked like almost the same exact mistake made by Tyquan Thornton earlier in camp. Parker kept running upfield while Jones threw a shorter outside pass, which landed in the hands of (coincidentally) cornerback Terrance Mitchell.
Sports Hub Patriots Podcast | Camp Recap with Phil Perry
A promising development for the offense, however, was that Jones was 7-of-8 passing during an 11-on-11 period featuring loud music to simulate crowd noise. But this period also included the interception, so it certainly was far from perfect. But despite the light walkthrough-esque nature of the team periods, it seemed like the offense got perhaps 1 percent closer to being on the proverbial same page.
Red zone work, though, continues to be a grind. Jones completed a pass over the middle to Kendrick Bourne on his first rep in the red zone period, but on the next play, he scrambled around the backfield for what felt like 7-8 seconds before throwing the ball away. Matthew Judon broke through early in the play and can be credited with a “sack” on the play.
Linebacker Mack Wilson also grabbed a would-be sack in this period, marring what looked like a potential step forward for a group that’s clearly behind the defense at this point in camp.
It’s hard to tell whether the linebackers are making plays or the offense is struggling to set the proper protections. But as usual, it’s probably a little of both. Wilson’s speed has stood out shooting gaps on the inside. We won’t really know until the games start counting in the standings whether the Patriots are any better at that position, but they’re certainly faster.
Tackle Justin Herron was dinged with a false start “flag” during the loud music portion of 11-on-11, earning a lap for his troubles. Herron projects as, at best, a swing tackle, but he can’t be considered a lock to make the roster if he’s going to commit pre-snap penalties.
Ty Montgomery led the way in terms of catches, with four total, two each in 11s and 7s. With no timetable projected for James White’s return, the door is blowing open for Montgomery to secure a 53-man roster spot. He’s been utilized as a back, receiver, and returner during camp so far. His versatility has always screamed “Patriot!”
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery (14) works with assistant coach Troy Brown at the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
It’s tough to assess the offense after a practice like Wednesday’s, which was largely like a glorified Friday walkthrough. But the approach does suggest that they recognized areas that needed correcting, and felt it necessary to scale back the contact and work more on getting everyone to know their assignments and pull in the same direction. Jones’ interception was a sure sign that there’s still plenty of work to do in that department.
Head coach Bill Belichick noted “communication, techniques, [and] adjustments” as three things the Patriots wanted to improve upon at Wednesday’s practice, so that’s certainly what it looked like on the practice fields.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Patriots attack practice on Thursday, when temperatures are expected to reach as high as 95 degrees in Foxboro. They have one more practice on the side fields this week, before taking part in their annual in-stadium practice for season ticket holders on Friday night.
Be sure to keep checking back after every practice for the newest Mac Watch column. And click here for complete Patriots 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
The New England Patriots took to the practice fields on Friday for 2022 training camp in Foxboro. Keep scrolling for more photos from the day.
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu (71) walks onto the field during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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
NFL: New England Patriots Training Camp
ShareJul 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