Some Patriots News and notes for this morning:
– The New England Patriots held their first public practice of training camp on Wednesday and for anyone wondering who may be the one calling the plays this season, it seems like we may have gotten an idea after seeing how things played out during the club’s first practice. Matt Patricia was the one spotted sending in the plays during the team’s 7-on-7 portion of practice, which could be an indication that he’ll be the one to handle the offensive coordinator duties for the upcoming season. Bill Belichick was asked about the topic during his press conference Tuesday and said, “Look, I’m the head coach, ultimately, I’m responsible for everything. So, let’s leave it at that, that’s what it is.” He also later added, “We’re not really big on titles and all that, so I think it’s important that we all work together and create a good final product, so that’s what we’re going to try to do. That’s what we’ve always done.” For now, if things continue, it looks like he’s placed his trust in Patricia.
– Belichick is never one to heap praise on anyone but he did so on Tuesday when it came to quarterback Mac Jones. Belichick said that Jones has worked hard this offseason and he’s obviously noticed how much farther ahead he is compared to this time last year. “He’s made tremendous strides,” said Belichick. “He did a great job last year but he’s starting it from a much much higher point this year than where he started last year. His offseason work has been significant. I think everyone recognizes how well he prepares and how much further along he is than he was a year ago.” According to several reports, Jones had an impressive start, looking sharp while finishing 8/10 in 11-on-11s and 5/6 on 7/7 drills.
– NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran talked about Belichick praise on Jones, which he believes is simply the head coach adapting to today’s athletes. “Number one just being he felt like it and he likes the kid,” Curran said via Justin Leger. “Number two perhaps being he knows an awful lot is going to be on Mac this year and he knows the kid has worked his ass off. He’s reshaped his body, he studies his ass off, they don’t have to put any clauses in his contract so he doesn’t play Halo all night. So, as a result, we appreciate that from you, kid. And I’m going to veer off my normal talking points and say you’re really good, we appreciate you. Maybe that’s a metamorphosis in Belichick dealing with the modern-day athlete.”
– Wide receiver Tre Nixon has caught Belichick’s eye as well, with the head coach noting how hard he’s worked and Belichick went so far as to put him in the same category as Jones in terms of his progress. “Tre’s worked very hard too. He’s one of the hardest-working kids we have on our team,” said Belichick. “He had a good spring, had a productive spring. It’s the same things I’ve said about Mac, he’s way ahead of where he was last year in terms of his physical strength, speed, quickness, route technique, understanding of the offense, defense, so forth. Hopefully, he’ll continue to make progress as we transfer that into competitive on-field situations. He has certainly prepared himself as well as he can to do that. He’ll be in a good, competitive situation.”
– With the announcement of Danny Amendola‘s retirement, Belichick was caught a little off guard on Tuesday on the news but he praised the former Patriots’ work ethic along with all the great things he did while he was part of the team. “Thank you, I didn’t see that, but I love Danny. He was a very good player for us, had a lot of skill, mostly played inside, but could play outside,” said Belichick. “Could return, very smart, tough, dependable, great hands and concentration. He was a good football player. Glad we had him here, and he certainly was a big contributor for us while he was here for the most part – I mean he missed a little time but, he was out there every chance he could be. He was tough and he was – he’s a good football player.”
– The Patriots made one player move ahead of today’s practice, with center Darryl Williams getting waived on Tuesday night. The club signed Williams back in June but he obviously wasn’t able to stay on the roster. Myles Bryant and Jake Bailey were also added to the non-football list, with Bailey being added with an “illness”, while Bryant was declared with a non-football injury.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
