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.
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
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.
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