10 takeaways from the second day of Patriots coaching camp

Patriots

The most recent on Mac Jones and Invoice Belichick’s relationship, Lawrence Man’s holdout, and Josh Uche’s contract state of affairs.

One other day, one other follow with out pads in Foxborough.

The Patriots are just about nonetheless in OTA mode with their follow schedule, coach Invoice Belichick stated.

That’s been a superb factor health-wise for New England, who had all however three of the gamers on their roster on the sector for the second day of coaching camp.

The offense struggled once more, however confirmed indicators of enchancment. Kyle Dugger continues to impress as he enters a contract yr. Josh Uche revealed that he has been speaking with the group a couple of doable extension.

Listed below are 10 takeaways from Thursday’s coaching camp session.

Slightly context behind Mac Jones’s efficiency

A fast look at Mac Jones’s numbers would present a 6-for-14 efficiency with an interception. On the floor, that doesn’t seem like superb.

However, right here’s a bit of context. Sure, he missed his first 4 throws. However, that was throughout 7-on-7s with a pair of staffers holding up tennis racquet-like objects on the line of scrimmage to simulate taller defenders. Plus, the throws have been largely to the again nook of the endzone. And, on one in all them, DeVante Parker made a nifty seize that was dominated an incompletion as a result of he had one foot out of bounds.

These aren’t excuses as a result of Bailey Zappe went 3-for-4 in the identical drill. But it surely’s clear that wasn’t a state of affairs that was similar to precise gameplay.

So, outdoors of these throws, Jones went 6-for-10 within the 11-on-11 pink zone session which was an enchancment from yesterday. He made the most effective throw of the day, a play-action move that hit DeVante Parker in stride for a 20-yard landing.

Mac Jones and Invoice Belichick say their relationship is ‘good’ once more

On Wednesday, Mac Jones stated that he believes his relationship with Invoice Belichick is “good” now after discussing a contemporary begin with the coach.

Belichick stated he agreed with Jones’ feedback on Thursday.

“Yeah,” Belichick stated. “Once more, I’m good with all the gamers which might be on the group. Completely.”

Kyle Dugger goes to be costly if he retains taking part in like this

Kyle Dugger intercepted a move from Mac Jones within the endzone for the second-straight day.

It was a questionable determination by Jones, who made an off-balance throw that wasn’t near discovering a receiver. However credit score to Dugger for making the play.

“Kyle’s a extremely good participant. Yeah, he’s huge, he can run, he can sort out, he can cowl, he can blitz,” Belichick stated of Dugger. “Yeah, he’s nice. These guys are nice. That’s why they go excessive within the draft, premium for them and so they find yourself getting some huge cash. That’s what they create.

Bailey Zappe bounces again

Jones acquired the higher of Zappe on Day 1, however that wasn’t the case in the present day. Zappe went 9-for-14 on Thursday. His 6-for-10 efficiency in 11-on-11 was much like Jones, however what set him aside was the 7-on-7 efficiency.

Listed at 6-foot-1, Zappe generally struggles with taller defenders as a result of they will get a hand up and bat his passes down. However, he thrived within the early drill designed to simulate that sort of strain.

Gonzalez vs. JuJu

Not solely is rookie Christian Gonzalez getting first-team reps, he spent a superb period of time masking JuJu Smith-Schuster who is predicted to be the Patriots’ prime receiver.

An early vote of confidence and a check for the rookie.

After minicamp holdout, Lawrence Man flashes his smile

In line with a number of experiences, Lawrence Man missed final month’s minicamp due to a holdout over his follow state of affairs.

He has attended each days of coaching camp, and spoke to the media for the primary time because the holdout on Thursday. He stated his agent has had discussions with the group however desires to maintain the small print non-public.

“I’m right here. Large smile on my face,” Man stated. “I’m going to do no matter I can for the group and work as onerous as I can.”

Jack Jones spending time with the backups

Jack Jones continues to follow with the Patriots a number of weeks earlier than he’s due in courtroom for a possible trigger listening to associated to his June arrest at Logan Airport.

Nonetheless, the second-year cornerback spent most of his time with the second unit whereas Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, and Gonzalez labored with the starters.

Kick returns and outdoors nook reps for Marcus Jones

Along with getting elevated snaps at cornerback, Marcus Jones practiced returning kickoffs on Thursday.

The velocity that allowed him to turn into one in all ten NFL gamers to ever rating a landing in all three phases of the sport was on show.

Josh Uche would like to preserve taking part in in New England

Josh Uche stated his agent has been involved with the Patriots a couple of potential contract extension.

He stated he’d like to remain in New England however plans to verify he’s with a group that reveals they need him.

“That is the group that developed me into the participant I’ve turn into,” Uche stated. “That is the place I’ve referred to as house for the final 4 years. I’m comfy. I do know the world. I acquired household out right here. I like it out right here. I’ve been in a position to make myself at house, and I might like to be right here. However on the finish of the day, I perceive it’s a enterprise.”

Rhamondre Stevenson was restricted

Rhamondre Stevenson attended follow on Thursday as a restricted participant, in line with a number of experiences.

The operating again was a full participant on Wednesday.

The Patriots didn’t run the ball a lot throughout scrimmages anyhow, persevering with to deal with pink zone passing.