PATRIOTS NEWS Patriots Training Camp 7-30-2023

[Patriot Missile]

What separates Douglas from other WR late round early camp studs is that he got some snaps with the number one offense at the beginning of camp. I don't recall other guys like Nixon, being afforded the same honor/ recognition directly after OTAs.

Coaches give what the they think the player can handle. Obviously he’s earned them so far. Runs the best comeback route from a Patriot rookie receiver I’ve ever seen.

 

[PWRxWLF]

Still a bit of time before season starts but I’m very surprised by the lack of KB and TT action. Thornton finally got some love today having a bigger field to work with but would prefer it was against the starting D. IDK how I feel about M. Jones. His contributions on ST’s is obvious but the fact Bryant is still getting snaps ahead of him is a bit of a bummer. Not sure if he’s going to be able to fully overcome the size factor in the league. Would love it if he did. I really don't want to see Bryant getting significant playing time against the elite offenses we’re playing against this year. Anyone else have high hopes Wade would’ve turned it around when we picked him up? I sure did. Big disappointment.

Love reading about all of the chances Bill has been giving to the rookies. Gonzo, White, Mapu, Heilig and Douglas all appear to be getting prepped for some decent contributions. Still time for some of the rookie OL and a surprise guy like Bolden to step up and make the team as well. Thats a huge youth movement and if half of them pan out, that’s a pretty damn good draft class.

 

[50-yard-line]

What separates Douglas from other WR late round early camp studs is that he got some snaps with the number one offense at the beginning of camp. I don't recall other guys like Nixon, being afforded the same honor/ recognition directly after OTAs.

Sounds like he's got that nasty twitch, stop and go. I don't think anyone else on this roster has that.

 

[PScottman]

I'm worried that Boutte doesn't seem to be popping yet.

In light of the now mounting evidence and data, the injury may have indeed gotten the best of him. Whether physically or mentally he just might not be able to regain that early college career trajectory. It happens and for a late rounder didn't cost much to try the flier that maybe he would.

 

[Zuma]

These Patriots Rookies Are ‘Popping’ in Early Stages of Training Camp

www.patriots.com

New England's top three draft selections are coming along nicely, but this scribe is most excited about Douglas emerging as a real possibility to make the roster at wide receiver. Although it's important to temper expectations until all these rookies perform well in padded practices and beyond, there's a lot to like about Douglas's game.

With the 5-foot-8, 192-pound slot receiver surrounded by bigger teammates in the wide receiver room, Douglas stands out as the lone jitterbug of the group. The Liberty product is a slick route-runner with good separation quickness to lose defenders at the top of routes.

For instance, Douglas's first competitive rep in team drills during Sunday's practice saw him turn Myles Bryant around on a five-yard out, but the ball didn't come in his direction. Later in practice, it did, mainly when Douglas came in short motion into a two-receiver stack. Douglas broke inside, hit Marcus Jones with a sudden hesitation move, and adjusted to a slightly off-target throw by Bailey Zappe for six. Next, he wisely recognized a slot blitz and broke on an out route to get open against safety Adrian Phillips. Then, Douglas ran a filthy 'whip' route to shake fellow rookie Isaiah Bolden, broke Bolden's 'tackle' by ducking underneath him, and got some love from head coach Bill Belichick for his efforts.

"It's a blessing. It's a blessing to be out here and be out here with my brothers," Douglas told reporters on Sunday. "I just come here and do what I can. I take every play, play-by-play, so I just keep going."

 

[PScottman]

Thats a huge youth movement and if half of them pan out, that’s a pretty damn good draft class.

I will await game statistics before making such prognostications (two to three seasons worth that is).

 

[Zuma]

Patriots training camp notebook: A big step for the offense on Day 4

After a day off on Sunday, the New England Patriots' offense had its best performance of 2023 training camp on Sunday.

985thesportshub.com

Onto another player who will be in the spotlight when the pads come on starting Monday – rookie linebacker Marte Mapu. The third-round pick had a great spring, but had seen more work on the second and even third units early in camp.

As the team ramped up for padded practices though, Mapu was back in the spotlight on Sunday. Ahead of what will be a telling few days for the athletic yet traditionally undersized linebacker, the Patriots had Mapu handling a range of responsibilities with the projected starting defense.

Of the many wrinkles they tried, one that stood out was having him play as the primary MIKE linebacker, with Ja’Whaun Bentley moving to the edge. Bentley played a bit of edge when he and Dont’a Hightower overlapped a few years ago and played the spot well, but had moved back to the middle the last two years, playing his natural role and where the Patriots needed him more. Mapu’s presence may allow Bentley to expand his role as well, especially on passing downs.

 

[Zuma]

Sunday Patriots Notes: What the first week of training camp taught us about the 2023 Patriots

Notes and thoughts on the Patriots on July 30.

www.patspulpit.com

Christian Gonzalez looks like a steal: The Patriots raised quite a few eyebrows when they were able to snatch Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 17th overall selection in this year’s draft. Gonzalez, after all, was projected as an almost sure-fire top-10 pick but inexplicably fell down the board. That drop becomes even more puzzling when looking at the first-round rookie’s performance this last week: he did not win all of his battles, but he impressed nonetheless and is well on his way to earn not just a starting role this season but possibly also become New England’s No. 1 cornerback further down the stretch.

All of that being said, we need to add a bit of a disclaimer: those are only preliminary takeaways, and things can change quickly in training camp and preseason. The addition of full pads to the practice operation in particular has the potential for change.

 

[TheBeers]

Obviously it's early but it's nice to see many of the rookies showing up already, especially the top 3 picks. Double D is my guy, loved that pick, was hoping 1 of the 6th round WR's would pop and so far I'm glad it's him. Maybe Boutte makes it to the PS

 

[captain stone]

Love seeing that natural grass, man.

 

[Brotherblues]

I'm worried that Boutte doesn't seem to be popping yet.

They bought two bingo cards in the 6th... I'm thrilled one of them is getting some early marks.

 

[captain stone]

What ****ING PIPELINE, Mikey?

 

[Ring 6]

I’m not opposed to bringing in a veteran, I‘m just not a big Elliot fan, I think Harris or Strong can pick up one or two yards a carry.

One or 2 yards a carry? Wtf?

 

[Love The Drake]

One or 2 years a carry? Wtf?

I would guess he means third and fourth down 2 yd or less conversions.

 

[captain stone]

Myles Bryant on Fill in the Blank is not a good matchup for Bryant.

 

[captain stone]

I would prefer to see how Kevin Harris looks in camp and preseason before signing Zeke.

We have room for both.

 

[TommyD4207]

Myles Bryant on Fill in the Blank is not a good matchup for Bryant.

Myles Bryant on Captain Stone is not a good matchup for Bryant.

 

[captain stone]

It's great to read that he still has this burst ability despite packing on 20+ pounds of muscle over the offseason. Rookies aren't even typically able to bulk up so much in their first year - usually that tends to come in year 2...

He weighed 175 at the Shrine Bowl, and 179 at both the Combine & his pro day. It's really only a dozen pounds he's gained.

 

[captain stone]

The dude looks like he's growing Weed on his head...

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

He weighed 175 at the Shrine Bowl, and 179 at both the Combine & his pro day. It's really only a dozen pounds he's gained.

Agreed. If you look at him during his press event, he looks the part. Short, strong, stocky, Edelman-like, maybe even a bit more muscular than Edelman, I hope his ACLs hold up.