7 issues to observe in Saturday’s Patriots-Packers preseason sport

That was the same strategy to what the Patriots took final season, although. After resting within the preseason opener, Jones and nearly all of the Patriots’ starters performed the primary few drives within the second preseason sport after per week of joint practices with the Panthers.

Invoice Belichick didn’t actually say what the plan could be for Saturday.

“We’ll discuss that as a employees. It’s one of many issues we’re going to speak about this morning, sort of the place all people is right here,” Belichick informed reporters Friday. “We’ll take inventory of the staff’s bodily situation after a pair practices, availability and issues like that after which make these selections a little bit bit afterward right here right this moment and put together for tomorrow.”

That is solely the third yr of the three-game exhibition schedule, so groups are nonetheless probably making an attempt to chart which means is one of the simplest ways to organize for the common season within the preseason. For extra context, Jones and the Patriots’ starters performed over 1 / 4 of their closing preseason sport final yr.

What’s Malik Cunningham’s function?

No participant’s inventory surged increased following the preseason opener than the undrafted rookie quarterback’s at the very least from an pleasure standpoint.

Cunningham led the Patriots on a landing drive in the one sequence he performed at quarterback. The Louisville product accomplished 3-of-4 passes for 19 yards and added 34 yards on the bottom, with the ultimate 9 approaching a landing run.

Whereas it isn’t essentially shocking to see somebody who performed quarterback for 5 seasons in school play quarterback within the NFL, it was a little bit little bit of a shock contemplating Cunningham’s function with the staff at that time. He virtually completely performed vast receiver throughout offseason practices and in coaching camp earlier than the ultimate couple of practices previous to the preseason opener.

Cunningham continued to play each quarterback and receiver throughout the Patriots’ joint practices with the Packers this week. He additionally reportedly took snaps from David Andrews throughout one of many staff’s solo periods earlier within the week and even threw passes to Ezekiel Elliott on the operating again’s first day with the staff.

It’ll be fascinating to see if Cunningham performs each positions once more Saturday. And it’ll be much more intriguing to see who he performs with on offense if he will get reps at quarterback once more as he challenges for a backup spot on the depth chart, too.

Will Ezekiel Elliott play in any respect?

It may be a bit far-fetched that the brand new Patriots operating again will play Saturday, however his participation in apply this week at the very least left the door open a little bit bit for it to occur.

Elliott labored in solo drills at Wednesday’s apply earlier than seeing some snaps throughout aggressive staff drills on Thursday. So, it isn’t as if it’d be solely international for Elliott if he took the sector. Couple that with Pierre Robust Jr. and Ty Montgomery lacking apply time and the Patriots may want Elliott to at the very least shoulder a few of the burden out of the backfield Saturday.

When requested about Elliott’s bodily situation on Friday, Belichick gave a solution that made it sound prefer it’d be unlikely that he performs.

“He’s solely been right here two days,” Belichick stated. “We haven’t actually been in a position to apply with him, so not a lot teamwork. However, he’s carried out issues. He labored out with the power employees on Wednesday. So, it’s coming alongside. He’s positively not there but, however we’re getting there.”

There are many examples of gamers enjoying in video games lower than per week after signing with their new groups throughout the common season. But it surely could possibly be finest for the Patriots to relaxation Elliott contemplating a few of the different accidents they’ve already had within the backfield.

How will the Patriots’ secondary carry out?

With Jonathan Jones nonetheless out, the Patriots’ secondary reportedly had an up-and-down displaying throughout joint practices with the Packers this week.

Rookie nook Christian Gonzalez acquired beat by Packers second-receiver Christian Watson on a deep throw that led to a landing towards the top of Wednesday’s apply, which wasn’t the very best displaying for the Patriots on either side of the ball in keeping with a number of studies. Jordan Love additionally made some extra stable completions towards Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, and the like.

Within the second day, the secondary reportedly stepped up with Kyle Dugger amongst these making performs.

Saturday will function a stable take a look at to see the place the younger group stands with out their chief in Jonathan Jones. Love is trying to at the very least calm some nerves in Inexperienced Bay as he succeeds Rodgers with a couple of stable, younger receiver and tight finish choices.

Does Marte Mapu make his debut?

The much-hyped third-round choose seems more likely to see his first NFL sport motion Saturday.

Mapu ditched the non-contact jersey in apply this week as he was nonetheless rehabbing from a pec harm he suffered in February. The protection/linebacker hybrid was a standout in non-contact drills throughout offseason practices and within the first few weeks of coaching camp, including some intrigue to an already fascinating Patriots rookie class.

The Sacramento State product was comparatively unknown main as much as the draft, however his 6-foot-3 body and athleticism led NFL Community’s Daniel Jeremiah to name him his favourite prospect of the draft.

Will any receivers stand out?

If Mac Jones and the Patriots’ beginning unit play on Saturday, it may assist present an early reply to the query of if the quarterback has sufficient receiver assist or not.

DeVante Parker wowed these in attendance on the Patriots’ joint practices with the Packers this week, reportedly making a 40-plus-yard seize on a deep route for a landing on prime of different standout performs he made throughout the week.

JuJu Smith-Schuster has but to play in a sport for the Patriots. Might he show to be an improve over Jakobi Meyers on Saturday? How about Kendrick Bourne, who additionally reportedly had a stable displaying Thursday? Can Saturday be the beginning of a bounce-back season for him?

Sixth-round rookie Demario Douglas may additionally see his first good chunk of snaps in an NFL sport on Saturday after making a cameo on offense final week. Douglas has appeared to proceed his momentum from early in coaching camp, making a landing seize in crimson zone drills towards the Packers. Kayshon Boutte has additionally reportedly stood out not too long ago, too.

A pair of gamers who both gained’t or may not enter the equation on Saturday are Mike Gesicki and Tyquan Thornton. The tight finish is coping with a shoulder harm he suffered firstly of the week whereas the second-year receiver left Thursday’s apply after getting harm on a diving reception.

What’s going to the offensive line appear to be?

The Patriots appeared to at the very least have some semblance of a beginning offensive line throughout their joint practices with the Packers this week.

Trent Brown was a full participant at apply this week, a sign he may play if the Patriots determine to trot out the starters. However each beginning guards (Cole Unusual and Michael Onwenu) are nonetheless out and questions stay at proper sort out.

Conor McDermott, who has performed at proper sort out for many of camp, missed Thursday’s apply. That would imply Sidy Sow begins at proper sort out on Saturday because the fourth-round rookie changing from guard has been enjoying the place extra at apply.

Riley Reiff, who was considered the probably candidate to begin at proper sort out at one level throughout the offseason, acquired enjoying time at proper guard this week with rookie Antonio Mafi enjoying left guard.