Patriots Beat: Day 7 Training Camp Recap: Offense SHINES

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Join 98.5 The Sports Hub's Alex Barth and Pat Pulpit's Brian Hines on another LIVE episode of Patriots Beat! Alex and Brian discuss their observations from Day 7 of training camp and the second day of padded practice!  This episode of the Patriots Beat Podcast is brought to you by:  FanDuel Sportsbook, the exclusive wagering partner of the CLNS Media Network. Get a NO SWEAT FIRST BET up to $1000 DOLLARS when you visit https://FanDuel.com/BOSTON! That’s $1000 back in BONUS BETS if your first bet doesn’t win.  FanDuel – Official Partner of Major League Baseball.  Major League Baseball trademarks used with permission.  21+ and present in MA. First online real money wager only. $10 Deposit req. Refund issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support. Play it smart from the start! GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234.

Transcript

00:00 We are live yet again for another edition of the Patriots beat podcast here on the CLNS media network

00:07 Brian Heins from Pat's pulpit joined as always by Alex Barr from 985 the sports hub calm and

00:13 Day six, I believe they're all getting jumbled together here. But the Patriots after

00:19 After their first padded practice yesterday

00:22 Took the pads off today back in shells kind of dialed things back a little bit

00:28 they got into some

00:30 full field seven on seven some drive starters and 11 on 11 back into the to the red zone to end practice and

00:38 That that was pretty much it

00:41 It seems like we're ready for to the two heaviest most competitive days of the year on deck Wednesday Thursday before the in-stadium

00:48 Practice on Friday, which is usually pretty low-key

00:51 emphasis on you know kicking game operational stuff and along those lines, so

00:57 Kind of setting us up for two really big heavy days here tomorrow

01:00 but anything you want to jump off to lead us off today's practice a

01:06 You know, I just think the offense keeps making progress I think that's the most notable thing there's

01:12 It's it's again I hate doing this because last year shouldn't be the bar but

01:18 They're further along than they were last year and almost feels like they're at a point where they should be and the offense has been

01:24 Perfect, but given the circumstances and by that I mean the offensive line or lack thereof. I

01:29 Think they're more or less where they should be at this point. So

01:34 It's encouraging. They still need to get better

01:37 I don't think they're game ready, but it's nice to actually see this is the first time you realize in like

01:41 I

01:42 mean really you got to go back because

01:44 They made offensive progress in 2021

01:47 But that year was unique because you had to camp you had the thing with Mac and in Cam Newton

01:53 2020 coven year cam comes in late Jared Stidham was never the guy

01:57 So, I mean, this is really the first

02:00 Like normal camp they've had in five years

02:04 Four years five years. So it's it's almost kind of not like I was leaving

02:10 It's all very ho-hum like we haven't had that dominant storyline yet

02:14 I know some people are trying to make the quarterback competition will get into that but

02:17 Feels like a ho-hum camp and I mean that in a good way like it's normal to use Mac Jones word

02:23 It feels normal

02:25 yep, and

02:27 Offense, I think the big thing was they were probably their best session of the year in the red area today because they

02:33 We all know they hit that hard the first few days of camp and it wasn't always great down there

02:40 But I thought it was their best sequence today Mac only got about four plays there

02:45 But he had they had a really nice design

02:48 Which what do you want to see from Bill O'Brien down there kind of a slant flat and Ramon Dre was wide open in the

02:53 Flat for a score and then another to Hunter Henry to close out the section

02:58 Session kind of just sat on the goal line like we saw him do a lot in 21 and kind of box out to grill

03:03 Peppers for a score

03:04 So I think that was kind of a positive to see that that red zone offense take a step in Hunter Henry

03:10 Looks like he's getting back to his 2021 ways there in the red zone. He's been a go-to target for Mac down in that area

03:17 I

03:19 Think the other important thing with Mac and this was in the red zone and in throughout the day today

03:23 You're seeing him start to kick some of those bad habits

03:26 he developed last year in some that he developed sort of out of necessity and

03:30 Is you saw him? I thought maybe the more telling period was that second? I

03:36 Open you know more open field period there at what like the 30-yard line something like that

03:42 I don't remember exactly but you know

03:44 He threw that deep ball to Kendrick Bourne and he had another deep over to one of the tight ends

03:48 I don't remember which one it was but he had deep over to one of the tight ends

03:50 I was trying to watch Taekwon Thorne a lot today and we'll get into Taekwon Thorne

03:54 So I was a little behind tracking the ball at times. It was the one that's camp

03:58 There was the one that Mac Wilson got I was to get sicky. That's what you know

04:02 He completed what he completed another one was back the other way

04:04 Henry and then he had the other nice third Devante Parker - that Parker went up and got so

04:13 It yeah, you're seeing him kind of break out in that sense. You're seeing the body language improve all of that

04:18 so in

04:19 As the as Mac Jones goes the offense goes I should say the passing game goes like the offensive line still problem

04:25 There were numerous times today both Mac Jones and Bailey's happy were throwing off the back foot

04:30 I I know that happened at least twice with Mac. I think it was like three or four times for zappy

04:35 I know his numbers like the training camp numbers completion percentage didn't look good today talk about zappy

04:40 But he there were a lot of plays where he didn't have a chance he did three or four off the back foot

04:44 Another one I thought very similar to a play Mac Jones made yesterday

04:47 Blitz comes off the strong side. He hot routes running back goes out in the flat

04:53 He throws into the blitz and yesterday Mac makes that read the balls drop by Pierre strong today

04:58 Bailey's happy makes that read balls drop by Kevin Harris, but I

05:01 Within the context of the offensive line

05:04 I think Mac's doing pretty much as much as you want him to the way I look at it

05:08 I don't know that he's done anything amazing like there haven't been any Wow moments, but it was one bad throw on day two

05:16 There haven't been really any glaring negatives either. He's just sort of been fine and in theory

05:23 The way they're trying to build the team and I don't know if this can work out in practice

05:27 But in theory if he's fine, they should be it should be good enough to keep them in games

05:30 I don't know that it's gonna work out that way, but that kind of feels like the roster they're trying to build

05:36 But yeah, he's been he's been fine, which is a lot more than you can say about him last year

05:41 Yeah, the one bad one you're alluding to there was the Marcus Jones one and seven on sevens

05:47 No, the the the Kyle Duggar. Oh, yeah. He had he under threw one today, too

05:52 All right, so he had to learn say I'll talk about on day two. We had the

05:55 But today he had one one bad one in sevens where he was looking for juju

06:01 I think juju was coming across and Marcus Jones kind of dropped and Mac didn't even see him

06:06 He threw it kind of right to him. Juju got it. I think he also he threw that ball late

06:10 Yeah, I don't know like he was trying to lead juju but juju was already at the side on I don't know where he was

06:14 Trying to yeah, but I think that was a timing issue

06:17 Juju like was able to knock it down and Mac you could tell like hands on his helmets

06:21 It wasn't his best pass, but he knew was a man. Yeah, he knew it wasn't this but Oh line continues

06:28 I mean I had

06:29 With zappy. I think I had

06:32 Three coverage sacks and like two other sacks

06:35 I mean one just showing the depth you had Josh Josh who J a line from City

06:40 So which just isn't isn't the matchup anyone wants and who J got in the backfield?

06:46 Probably within two seconds. It was it was pretty instant. So that o-line

06:50 Cole strange was out there early in his jersey, but he watched warm-ups and then he left so still that looks like good news

06:59 It looks like they avoided something there Trent Brown limited again today

07:02 Jason Hines

07:05 Wasn't out there, but then he was out there to sign autographs at the end. So it looks like they avoided something good, but

07:11 It's still that old line because they were again Riley Reeve and Tony Amalfi

07:16 Connor McDermott in the huddle with Mac Bill Murray back at right guard and on window

07:20 So that's as we've kind of said all spring all summer here. That's gonna be the one spot that could really undo this offense

07:27 It'll be interesting to see who's out there tomorrow because with full pads you need those guys

07:30 You need those guys because the defensive line is really gonna take over

07:34 No, essentially down three starters and Michael Nunez coming back from that ankle surgery. I get Trent Brown Doug Codd reported

07:40 It's it's workload management. Essentially is why he's been limited tomorrow's the day I'd have him out there

07:45 Certainly and then we'll see what happens with Cole strange

07:48 But yeah, the bodies are getting thin and you're seeing the impact of it

07:51 These quarterbacks haven't had a ton of time to throw all camp and that's why maybe the numbers haven't looked as good as some people

07:58 Wanted did the the context of it like actually watching it I test I think

08:03 Mac and in Zappy have done a pretty good job based on what they're being given right now

08:09 But between the lack of separate the lack separation and then really the offensive line stuff

08:15 There's only so much they can do at this point and it's gotten better

08:20 That's the thing like I talked about the progress like it's gotten better. I know that sounds sky is falling

08:24 It's not nearly as bad as last year. I think some of this again, they'll get guys back on the offensive line

08:30 This isn't some oh, no, you know, they're totally screwed. I said my piece about the tackles, but

08:36 They don't have either they're starting guards right now. That's gonna get fixed

08:40 They're gonna figure out a right tackle whether it's Riley reefer Connor McDermott

08:44 I think it's probably trending towards Connor McDermott and he's a guy I think that will stabilize them on that right side

08:49 He'll be good enough. I don't know that he'll be good, but it'll be good enough

08:51 In certain circumstances, so it's no like sky is falling season thing. It's just right now

08:57 They're having to build around some tough circumstances in terms of player availability

09:01 Yeah, kind of showing you how things could go south pretty quickly there, right?

09:06 This is it's it's funny like right away

09:08 We're seeing what is the worst case scenario and it'll get better from here and then it because you know

09:13 Hopefully we're not in October November saying oh man, here we go

09:17 It's that group from camp remember that that's kind of what's setting up here, but it's not

09:22 It's not gonna be this bad. I've been as doom and gloom about the line

09:26 I think as anybody it shouldn't be this bad at least not to start the season

09:30 But you're getting an idea of just how quickly that depth falls off

09:33 Yeah, but I'd imagine Trent is back

09:38 Into the mix tomorrow without that

09:40 They had to kind of load management days and they put the pads on so

09:44 It'll be good to see him and get maybe a clearer picture on that right tackle job, even though I agree with you

09:50 I think McDermott kind of has that lead at that spot right now

09:53 Bill was asked about Calvin Anderson this morning who we haven't seen from he's on the non-football illness list

09:59 Didn't really sound should be expecting to see him anytime soon based off bills response there. So

10:05 Again, lose another layer of depth there, but that that's that's an interesting one. I

10:11 This is like the worst case scenario because he's on non-football illness. Not non-football injury and

10:17 For me, especially a tackle by mind always goes to Antonio Garcia who the Patriots drafted with their top

10:25 I think it was their top pick or their second pick in

10:27 2017 was the year

10:28 They only had four picks was Dietrich wise Derek Rivers Antonio Garcia and ironically Connor McDermott who left and came back

10:34 But Garcia just was never out on the field as rookie year

10:38 We didn't hurt anything and then we found out I think it was a few years later

10:41 He had a blood clot in his lung. He lost like 60 pounds. He's now back and he was playing either USFL or

10:47 XFL this year

10:50 He's been in a couple, you know on a couple NFL practice squad since that again

10:54 That's the worst case scenario

10:55 but Calvin Anderson's guy I think they were counting on and the illness things are always tricky because

10:58 If you lose weight and you lose muscle mass

11:01 During an illness, you know

11:04 You get injured like you break your leg. You could still work on your arms

11:08 You can work on the other leg and there are certain things you can do to get that other leg strong once you recover

11:13 It when you like it wouldn't illness impacts your body like you got to build the whole thing back up if it's something serious

11:19 So hopefully it's not for him. Certainly like just on a human level

11:24 You don't want a guy dealing with a serious illness like that

11:27 But there's also like those can can be as impactful as some of like what we consider like football injuries. So

11:33 Hope everything's okay with him. But yeah, like you said it sounded like for Bill

11:37 It's gonna be a little bit till we see him

11:39 Mm-hmm, and he was not even for a tackle right like just to take over 300 pounds. So

11:45 Really relied on his eyes more like a lighter athletic guy

11:48 relied on his them so

11:51 But again, he was a guy reppin all left tackle in the spring without Trent a guy

11:55 We thought maybe could push for a starting job and there without him. You hope he's good

12:01 okay, obviously from the health perspective, but

12:05 Yeah, it doesn't doesn't seem like someone they might have to rely on here in the short-term future

12:10 So, um a few defensive performers, I thought were really good today

12:14 Mac Wilson keeps having a really good and a really good camp together

12:20 She's kind of surprising considering he fell out of the rotation at the end of last year

12:24 But he had a few really nice plays in past coverage today working

12:28 Pretty up next to Joanne Bentley on that second level

12:33 Almost had a really nice interception one hand

12:35 Undercutting across her to Mike is sick. He

12:38 Broke up another one along the goal line with believe it was zappy looking for Keisha on booty

12:44 So Mac Wilson making an early impact and Marte Moppy

12:48 Still working in that and third level at times to one along the defense

12:53 So an interesting thing on Mac Wilson coming into camp. I had did you a roster projection like after the spring?

13:00 Yeah, I did one right before camp. So I don't know like for you, but for me one of the last spots

13:06 I think was actually the last spot I did I guys at 54 players and it was

13:11 Mac Wilson or an for eugenics?

13:14 Yeah for that last spot and there were a lot of linebacks

13:16 I know I was only gonna keep one but every Jennings like he hasn't had a super involved camp in terms of standout plays

13:22 But he's out there with the ones a lot and that's kind of what happened last year after two years of essentially not playing

13:28 everybody wrote him off and

13:30 He was just constantly out there repping with the ones and it he didn't stand out

13:34 But we were all just sort of like he's out there. He's gonna make the team

13:37 They're preparing like he's gonna be a key part of the defense and you're seeing that again with him this year. So

13:43 Mac Wilson's making plays and for knee Jennings is getting some really high quality reps like they're both

13:49 That it's getting interesting now. Yeah, I'm working on my my next Ross projection will be up probably Saturday morning

13:56 maybe Sunday depending on what happens the next few days, but

13:59 Now I'm starting to think do I need to find a way to keep both of these guys?

14:03 Cuz I don't want to cut Mac Wilson, but it looks very clearly like like Anthony Jennings isn't getting cut

14:09 Yeah, I was in that kind of same boat I had Jenning I had Wilson on

14:16 Because Raekwon McMillan got hurt. So I figured like that Wilson would be on it. But then I had

14:22 Jennings he was my last guy off and I wasn't thrilled about it because he played like a third of the defensive snap

14:28 It's last year now you see him out there all the time. So he's gonna have a role

14:33 I'd be shocked obviously long way to go but early signs points of those two

14:38 Sir and again having a decent role early on out of the gate

14:43 Yeah, and then

14:48 Secondary very Jack kind of back up with the opposite Christian Gonzalez

14:52 Got his hands on another football Miles Bryant got some good run up there too and had a pretty impressive

14:58 Day blew up a sign of scrimmage and then he had a really nice pass breakup on it was Anthony Furcher

15:05 I believe he was covering along the sidelines

15:07 So yeah

15:08 Kind of continue to rotate those corners in the back end and two guys Jack Jones miles Brian making some

15:14 Good use of that time today on the field

15:17 People don't want to hear this but miles Brian's having a good camp period like he's looked good

15:22 And I think part of that I've said this in the past

15:24 He was playing out of position the last few years. He's not a like slot man corner. He's a

15:30 Nickelback he's a safety really I think is what he is and when the games in front of him and he can

15:37 Read and react to it and come up and make a play rather than having to chase guys and follow guys

15:43 That's where his strength is when he's the one dictating the motion not somebody he's covering or one of his

15:49 Responsibilities and you're starting to see him do that. And again, he's making plays. He's making plays here in camp

15:55 That's not to say I think he's gonna jump anybody on the depth chart. I still think that top group

16:00 Is in like you said like it's been in a number of different variations Christian Gonzalez Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones

16:07 but we've seen miles Bryant Marcus Jones mix a good amount and

16:12 Marcus Jones has kind of been hit miss this camp miles Bryant's been really good again

16:16 I know people don't want to hear it

16:17 Some people are probably gonna choose not to believe it and we do have a long way to go

16:20 But miles Bryant sneaky good summer so far

16:23 It's when you keep him out of if you don't have to let him rely on

16:28 His athletic if that's when he's successful, right?

16:32 Like we all know don't ask him to cover the just don't ask him to cover the other teams fastest

16:37 I've ever seen her like the it's that's it. Like if miles Bryant was fast

16:42 He would have been a top 100 pick that is the one thing that's missing from his game and well, it's a major thing

16:48 That's not it's not say it's nothing but that's really it. He's just not fast

16:53 He can make plays in other ways and there's ways to use players like that

16:56 They just haven't been doing it and it's it's made him look like he doesn't know what he's doing out there

17:01 especially because he's a slot corner and he's against the fast guy, right like I

17:05 know we all have that Isaiah McKenzie game burned and

17:09 The back of our brain, but when you let him, you know use his brain and use some of his other skills

17:14 He is a really good player. So he's gonna be on the team

17:18 You might know everyone knows to hear that but a good good day from him

17:23 He's stacking some good days on top of each other. But um Matt Jude on

17:28 Ramond ray that we said Trent was limited

17:31 good to see both of them kind of

17:34 You know ramp it up here, especially Jude on

17:39 So

17:40 Dying up with that

17:42 Chad Ryland handled all the kicking duties again at the end of practice Bryce Berenger was holding I

17:48 Have for six missing his last one a little wide left or very wide left actually. So

17:55 Again, looks like Ryland is getting

17:58 getting the first

18:01 So it

18:03 Big news that he's taking all the kickoff kickoff

18:06 Kickoff reps because that's it. That's a guy that's probably gonna make the team and in Ryland had all the kickoff reps today

18:11 So I think that's important as for the field goal

18:13 So he missed that last one way the left the one before that

18:18 I so you think he hit it like I couldn't tell it was close, but it was like really close that right?

18:22 Oh, right, so you come close to missing right and then you miss way left

18:26 Look, that's the guys who are compensating a little bit and it's the last kick of the day

18:30 So that sucks now, he's got to sleep on it. It's like hitting your tee shot on 18 into the woods

18:34 and you don't get a Mulligan, but

18:36 we'll see how if he comes out tomorrow and puts it out of his mind, but it's a good test because as

18:40 Good as kickers are the best kickers Adam in a Terry missed kicks from time to time

18:45 Can you have a short memory and go back out and perform? So this is a good test for him?

18:50 I think yeah kind of what you want to see early days of camp here. So

18:53 We'll see. Yeah, because he's the last two times they've done kicking

18:59 It's been I don't know if they're resting folk or they just want the rookie to go

19:04 They know what they have in folk obviously at this point, but we'll see if he's next up again

19:08 and back from that but

19:11 any I

19:14 Know it was kind of a low-key practice. So any other thing you had there before we get into the the roster move from today

19:21 That's that's pretty much it. Yep

19:23 All right. So one roster move Jalen heard a short stint with the team

19:30 Just the injuries, right? That's what it always comes back to he couldn't finish yesterday's practice with the athletic trainer

19:35 so he was placed on the

19:37 Reserved retired list about an hour ago and they claimed zip thyric. Is that he said I

19:43 Think so. I Rick pits from the Bears

19:46 Another wide receiver you DFA about six foot one. He ran a four four four from Delaware, I believe so

19:54 one receiver down

19:56 kind of the same

19:58 Body type back in with with thyroid pits here

20:01 Yeah, it's that same thing big body guy super athletic absolutely crushed his pro day I think he got a

20:10 second pro day invite coming from

20:13 Delaware, which is big very productive season last year

20:17 This is kind of that guy though

20:21 Like these guys are all over the NFL elite athletes like he can run right he can run the straight line. He could jump

20:27 Kenny run routes. Can he change direction? Is he you know, is he stiff things like that? Can he catch the ball?

20:32 Can he create after the catch?

20:34 He's a guy that probably was playing a little bit below his weight class at Delaware

20:41 I think he probably was an FBS kind of player maybe a late bloomer. I don't know a ton about his background

20:46 but

20:49 Yeah, it's I mean I look at him as a camp body Jalen heard retires. All right, who's another big?

20:54 Athletic wide receiver we can get to test these corners and that's who pits is gonna be. I don't think he's

21:00 Here to change the landscape of the wide receiver position or anything

21:04 He would have an incredibly long way to go for that. You already got cut from one camp, but

21:07 It is another guy to watch I guess were you surprised they didn't use that spot

21:13 Offensive line or do you think that kind of says?

21:16 Trends gonna be back tomorrow with pads. Hopefully pull strangers in that serious. He might come back

21:21 So our depth is gonna be better there or would you have rather them kind of bring in another line in with that 90th spot?

21:28 Well, remember what we saw in the spring and how fast the wide receiver depth

21:33 Evaporated and when they signed heard we kind of thought it was to fix that so

21:37 They may not you know, you got to choose. Do you want to be super thin at receiver?

21:43 Do you want to be super thin on the line and they'll they'll get guys back. They'll get chasing Hines back

21:48 They'll get Cole strange back Jake Andrews came back today

21:51 so I'm not I

21:53 Don't think that I think they're counting on that internal

21:56 You know group to sort of get them back into shape because the guys are gonna sign or not

22:01 The real question the real issues atop the depth are not as much the bottom

22:04 They felt they needed another body wide receiver this the spring

22:07 We all knew that heard was that guy if there's gonna be a position

22:10 I would like to see the matter running back. I think I'm on the record

22:13 with that but

22:15 No, I I think they're counting on their own guys coming back to fix the offensive line situation the extent it can be fixed

22:22 Right as much as it can be

22:24 so, um

22:25 That was pretty much again low-key practice expecting to ramp up ramp back up the next two days before that in Stadium

22:32 that was the roster move, so

22:35 Kind of a breaking point here. So we're gonna get into some Q&A

22:40 So if you guys want to start putting some questions in the chat while we hear from our good pals over at fan duel

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23:39 All right, let's get into some questions here

23:46 first question

23:48 I don't know if it's too early for this to be seen but is the team's lack of

23:53 Separation completely on pass catchers or is it lack of time due to protection? Yes

23:57 Yet like all of it. It's it's all of it. It's it's been a lot

24:02 I don't know if you feel differently Brian, but I think it's a combination of the two. It's pretty much everything and

24:08 Early the early days working in that that red zone area. That was another thing kind of stacked up against them. So

24:15 It was pretty much all that mixed together

24:19 Somebody asked how long till the rookies get their real numbers

24:23 I've actually seen this question quite a bit and felt that we didn't get to it

24:26 That should be the day. It's usually the day of the first preseason game

24:31 I think once or twice they've done it the day before that's usually an off day from practice, but

24:35 It's actually that what's today Tuesday a week week in two days call it night

24:39 We're within ten days of the rookies getting the real numbers. You got any guesses besides the obvious Christian's all zero. I

24:46 Haven't really looked through it much

24:48 Honestly, I'm just hoping if we get Zeke he gets 15. That's my only Jersey number. Oh cuz he wore that

24:56 That no, yeah, Corliss Waitman has yeah

25:01 Until Bryce Berenger takes over

25:04 That is right another he was really good. Yes. She might she already had him as his number one. Yeah, I don't think he's wrong

25:10 I just when the you know, the the establishment guys are starting starting to pick up on it

25:15 That's when you know, it's real Tom current was going on over on the other day. Yeah. Yeah the guys who

25:20 Been on the read the whole reason I do the punt thing is because when I start on the beat

25:25 I'm like all these guys got the rest of it covered

25:27 I got to do something else that people aren't talking about to get noticed

25:29 That's where the hang times come from now. Well, even all those guys are on the punter. That's when you know, it's the real deal

25:34 Really interesting comment here. Not a question, but I do want to touch on this Patriot George Pickens over Taekwon Thornton. I

25:42 And I know I'm gonna sound like a homer for this. I'm hear me out. I'm actually okay with this

25:48 You only have the information you have at the time when you make the pick and the reality is George Pickens

25:56 Who's coming off of two significant knee injuries in a couple of disciplinary issues?

26:00 and for a team that has struck out as much as they have a wide receiver taking a

26:05 Chance on a guy that a major risk like high reward but major risk

26:10 I actually don't mind them passing on pickings at the time. The other thing is the Steelers are the Steelers

26:16 This is what they do. They churn out wide receivers would pickens be as successful in New England. I don't know

26:22 The bigger second guesses for me from that draft are I mean if in the first round if they go Christian Watson, right?

26:28 And then go guard later instead of Cole strange. Also, do you trade up a little higher?

26:32 Do you go get John Metchy and we've since learned right? He had cancer didn't play his work here

26:36 But again, you can only go with the information he had at the time

26:39 Those are the two and even a guy like like Sky more who went a few picks later as well

26:47 Knowing get Jacoby Myers in the last year of his deal. I think Sky more

26:51 I know he's struggling Kansas City, but I just said pickens in Pittsburgh. It worked out

26:55 What do you have had as much success in New England?

26:58 I actually think Sky more is a guy that probably would have been a little better here than in Kansas City because it's much better

27:02 Fit for his skill set their traditional offense. So I know I'm in the minority on that

27:09 I think there's a lot you can second-guess from last year's draft, especially when it comes to wide receiver position

27:13 I'm okay. They passed on pickens

27:16 Massive risk again high risk high reward player, but massive risk

27:20 I was okay with them not taking that much of a risk in that spot. That doesn't mean Thornton was the right pick

27:25 They did overdraft him. There were other guys that could have taken

27:28 but

27:30 If you want to hold something against him from that draft like in terms of the misses

27:33 George Pickens is it really isn't that high on my list?

27:36 I thought he was taken about where he should have been taken. I thought he went to a really good spot

27:39 That had sometimes just got tip your cap Steelers are good at developing wide receivers

27:45 They made the guy that was high risk work out. It's what they do Patriots have done the corner in the past

27:50 Nobody wanted to touch JC Jackson because of issues he had in college. They turned him into a player

27:54 Nobody wanted to touch Malcolm Butler. They turned him into a player. I

27:57 Jonathan Jones like this is just what they do. They do it at certain positions. They do it at corner. See others do it at receiver

28:03 Maybe you feel differently. I know a lot. I'm definitely in the minority on this take but

28:08 I I don't fault them for this one. I really don't did you see this catch today at practice? I'm guessing that

28:14 Triggered this. Yeah

28:16 People are saying it's the best catch they've ever seen

28:19 Justin Jefferson made that catch in a game this year not taking anything away from Pickens

28:23 It's a wildly impressive catch but also he's been owning Joey Porter jr

28:28 Like all of these highlights that have come out of Steelers camp of him and like he's been good

28:32 I'm not saying he hasn't been good. They all seem to be against Joey Porter jr. So take that for what it's worth

28:37 Yeah, yeah, but I think that the character concerns are kind of the big thing they're coming out

28:42 But I think the knee was a big part of that too. But yeah, I think

28:47 There were shades of Malcolm Mitchell for them

28:50 I think they had some out flash if you want if you want to question something there

28:54 I would say it's go Christian Watson or John Metchie like first and then go guard

28:59 I'm right only been the best way to kind of you know, knock those two picks out

29:05 But yeah, those Taekwon and George Pickens will always be tied together

29:12 Anything on

29:14 Keisha today not really quiet day for him's had a couple good days the previous two

29:18 But it wasn't wasn't as big a day for him today

29:20 This is not how anything works zappy leads TD count over Mac longer pass connects as well

29:28 Hasn't completed really longer passes. They've kind of all been working in the red zone. It's all been congested and

29:34 The touchdown counts probably about the same

29:38 Maybe zappy is one or two more but the twos have also repped more than the ones

29:42 So and he's going against the second and third string defense

29:45 So that's not how anything works the zappy people kind of clinging to straws this point here

29:49 I just said Phil Perry on my podcast sports of Patriots podcast

29:53 You can check it out right now

29:54 98 5 the sports of the sports of YouTube page and I had a really interesting

29:58 Conversation with Phil and I was glad I was able to ask him this question

30:01 Independent of a quarterback competition

30:04 how is happy been because it feels like we've just talked about him in connection to Mac and

30:08 Zappy in his own right has had an interesting camp. There's been ups and downs

30:13 I think there's times where he's looked much more confident in the pocket

30:16 But he's also had some really bad misses and that itself is kind of fascinating

30:21 It does feel like he's pushing a little bit and you know, just pushing himself over extending himself

30:26 Some people may consider that good. Some people may consider that bad

30:28 I wish we could talk about that independent of Mac Jones, but I guess we can't do that because people freak out

30:34 Yeah, he I think he started

30:37 His start wasn't great and then he had that really good Sunday practice and then he's been yeah

30:42 he's kind of had his confidence in this rhythm back the last few days, but

30:45 Yeah, but don't I don't like to pay too much attention to the stats throughout these early days, especially the touchdown count. So

30:54 Where do we see

30:59 The team after six days of camp. How do we see him this season?

31:02 Can they be a sleeper contender based on great defense solid offense? The defense is gonna be as advertised

31:07 Yeah, often still is a way to go. The defense has been as advertised though. And my key piece is Christian's Alice as

31:12 Advertised I think the the new planet safety without Devin McCourty as advertised. I like the plan they have going

31:19 You're starting to see Kyle Duggar. Jabril peppers really make plays. That's exciting

31:23 I don't know that there are contender status though because the offense isn't there yet

31:27 Yeah, I wouldn't go contender not I mean sports illustrated. I don't know if you saw that they had their 12

31:34 Super Bowl contenders and the Patriots were 12. I don't know if I'm in that boat yet

31:39 But I keep just saying I like they're over seven and a half wins

31:43 Go go look at that on fan duel if you're interested

31:46 Let's what else we got here

31:50 realistic season for pop Douglas way too early to tell I

31:54 He's gonna be here. He's gonna be here and he's making a really good push to a roster spot

31:58 Is he gonna be on the back end of the roster?

32:01 Can he push Taekwon Thornton for that speed receiver role? Like we've got a long way to go for that

32:06 Here's an interesting comment and this kind of goes to what I was talking about pickens Quentin Johnson out of TC

32:12 You having a great camp for the Chargers many said in here. He wasn't a Patriots fit

32:15 He wasn't he wasn't he's still not the Chargers offense is completely different than the Patriots offense

32:20 He would not be having the camp. He's having with the Chargers here. It just wouldn't be happening

32:24 He'd be doing what Devante Parker is doing. Basically. I thought he had like four drops in practice the other day

32:29 yeah, he's also had a lot of he's had some highlight catches, but

32:33 Yeah, not a they didn't not if they didn't need an axe another axe with Parker and they just haven't developed that skill set. So I

32:42 Wasn't a big fan on Johnson in the draft there. I

32:46 Saw this question on Twitter today. I'll answer it here

32:50 Should the Patriots try to lure Sony Michelle out of retirement to make him that last running back?

32:54 He's still under contract with the Rams. He didn't retire as a free agent. So you'd have to trade for him

32:59 They don't need to trade for something Michelle

33:01 Especially from the Rams trade back for Sony Michelle essentially is what it would be go sign see Kelly at that point

33:07 He's better and you don't have to give up like it's just money. You don't have to give up anything of substance for him

33:11 this is a good

33:14 Jersey prediction if Chad Ryland wins and Nick Folt gone Keone white back in six, but

33:20 Okay, so this is what if you're gonna get one of these rookie jerseys is important

33:24 Remember they're gonna get their numbers before the first preseason game Nick folks not getting cut between now and then even if he's not making

33:30 The team he's not getting cut between now and that so

33:32 Sometimes guys will get their rookie number and then after final roster cuts. They'll change it again

33:37 Remember Christian bar more was number 70 his his rookie preseason and switch. I forget who is 90 and Butler Butler

33:45 No, cuz he didn't get cut. He left as a free agent. That wasn't the Terrence Knight in year

33:51 I have a look this. Oh, was it? No, it wasn't Henry Anderson

33:55 It was like a veteran defensive tackle that we all thought was gonna make the team and then didn't make the team

34:02 Let's see here. Adam Butler had left see Carl Davis made the team. Oh, here we go. Sonny's Oh, I'm on travis Adams

34:10 Okay. Yeah, he was 90 Montre. Yeah, and then he obviously didn't didn't make the roster. So

34:16 Be careful getting those jerseys be careful getting those jerseys

34:21 Um

34:23 What else do we got here

34:25 How many other teams?

34:28 Besides San Francisco have better defenses. I don't think Dallas does honestly

34:31 I think they got a better front but we'll see where Steph Gilmore's at

34:34 I I don't I think Trayvon Diggs is over one of the more overrated players in the league. Honestly, I

34:39 all hit and miss

34:41 San Francisco has a better defense for sure

34:44 The con I'm trying to think of the other NFC teams the context I've been looking at it in

34:49 is

34:51 One of three teams the AFC is gonna have the best defense Patriots the other two jets and

34:55 After that, it's a steep drop off to the next group. So the Patriots will have a top three

35:01 Defense in the in the AFC. I believe that and then yeah, some of those NFC teams are just stacked

35:08 Yep

35:12 This is a good question is

35:16 Yosuke

35:17 Fitting into the offense so they're not enough targets to go around

35:20 I'm a little concerned about him because they've been doing so much red zone stuff. He should be popping. He is a red zone guy

35:25 I don't know that he's not fitting into the offense. I think

35:27 It could be a number of things

35:30 One place my brain goes to is he's new and he hasn't worked a ton with Mac

35:35 Where's hunter Henry's been here and that's kind of been max guy and maybe he's still building that chemistry, but he is a guy that

35:43 Probably should be doing more than he is at this point. Yeah

35:45 Fit he did get some run as like the lone tight end on the field a little bit today

35:50 Which I think was the first time we've seen that

35:52 For the most part like outside of the red zone. So that that's interesting usage wise, but

35:58 Yeah, you that these are practices especially these non padded ones

36:03 You'd like to see a little bit more out of them, especially in that red area. So something definitely to monitor as we go forward

36:11 What else do we got here

36:13 This is a good one some stuff, all right

36:20 Yeah, get his cleats get his cleats over to the hall Bryce Beringer after his practice the other day

36:27 What if he has a 15-year career and then he's got to wait five years for the Hall of Fame will be

36:35 2043 class

36:40 Um

36:42 Let's see, what else what else do we got I think that now it's just people arguing about Mike Giardi

36:50 So, all right back to what we're saying before about Quentin Johnston and you know, he's not he wouldn't fit in the Patriots offense

37:00 But this is the problem the Patriots whole offense like their whole concept of jump ball is just run and go

37:07 They don't have anything to counter it and it becomes very predictable and very easy to defend like yes

37:12 Parker's doing well right now in the non padded practices

37:14 We saw him do that last year and it it sort of translated not really

37:19 Do you remember Nikhil Harry used to own non padded training camp practices? There was that year?

37:24 He was like he was dominating

37:25 He was mossing guys two or three and this wasn't his rookie year before he got hurt

37:29 I this was I think it's last year here. I think it was a really good

37:33 Really good camp

37:35 And then it really good start to camp and then it we realized two things one

37:39 All this great days were non padded practices in two most it was against Juwan Williams. So it's

37:45 Yeah

37:48 We don't know I don't I would love Parker to play like the Chargers jump ball guys because they're more than just jump ball guys

37:54 They can do a lot of things

37:56 He can't do that. And that's the difference and with Johnston with his skill set

38:01 He's gonna play well off those other waters heroes and play well off the scheme that prioritizes the deep part of the field

38:06 Patriots don't have the players nor the scheme that does that so I don't

38:11 Yeah, I don't think it just it different kind of player wouldn't work here

38:17 What else do we got

38:20 this one how is

38:22 Mop who doing he's been pretty involved. It looks like

38:27 With the regulars he's second level and then he comes in with the scout team and they move back to the third level

38:32 but same thing that versatility showing he was in the backfield a few times for what

38:36 It was full pads. And if he wasn't in a red non-contact jersey looked like you would have had a few run stuffs today. So

38:43 Still just encouraging stuff from Mop who in my opinion there

38:47 Yeah, they're still keeping him super involved

38:52 With with everything and he's playing with all three units first second third

38:56 And I think that's just an indication of they're putting a lot on his plate

39:01 Yeah a lot on his plate and and they want him, you know, all right first team, you know

39:05 We want you get reps at linebacks

39:07 So you do that for the first team want you to get reps at safety or the second team what you get reps this slot

39:10 Corner you can do that with third and like rotating but like that way he

39:13 he's he's essentially playing like two or three positions and

39:17 The only way to do that is to rep him a lot so he can get reps at all of them

39:21 24 should go to Christian Gonzalez

39:23 Josh buzzer hasn't he got a pick today?

39:26 So I don't think he's letting go of that anytime zero as cool as it would be and yeah, it's gonna be zero

39:30 Let's be honest. It's gonna be zero

39:32 This is an interesting one. I saw this today

39:34 Raiders cut OJ Howard

39:37 Patriots it does it's starting to like they're doing a lot of 13 stuff now

39:42 I think they kind of like Matt so cold but any interest in OJ Howard if the Patriots are gonna get serious about a te3

39:47 I actually did and see that but

39:50 Yeah, what they have there has been

39:52 Serviceable and maybe even a little notch above serviceable so far Matt so cool has been

39:59 kind of surprising to start here, so

40:02 Johnny Lumpkins still been involved a little and we'll see Anthony Furcher how he

40:08 Develops and who's the last guy? There's a six one in there, isn't there or fifth one?

40:14 Lumpkin firks are so cold

40:17 Henry you said you don't know maybe it just

40:19 Scotty watch Scotty Washington. He was who was a little limited today. It looked like he was banned up yesterday

40:25 But yeah, I think so Coles been one of the surprise

40:28 I was so far so I don't know if they really go out and bring another guy into that battle

40:33 All right, well we got to wrap it up here that's in thanks for the questions guys

40:40 I think we're gonna we'll do another Q&A soon

40:42 probably after the in stadium practice because we'll do like 10 minutes on special teams and that'll be that but

40:49 We do have to mix in a boss of Sports Minute because as we were doing this the MLB trade deadline was going on

40:55 And the Red Sox did

40:57 nothing

40:59 nothing and on

41:01 one hand

41:02 Like that's almost an improvement over Blooms deadline last year and I kind of want to give a pat on the back

41:08 but on the other hand come on you at Raphael Devers the guy who just paid begging you to help this team and

41:13 unless I missed something that came in really late and I mean which if I did put it in the chat, but

41:19 Yeah

41:21 nothing nothing for the Red Sox that's

41:25 Disappointing. Yeah, I would have liked to see them add an arm a front-end arm there

41:32 they looked like they didn't need a starter and I know we're gonna get the

41:36 We're getting the injured players back. They're gonna be our deadline acquisitions, but

41:40 It does make a little more sense this year. I mean you got four three four guys who I mean

41:47 Chris sale, whatever you want to call it, right but Trevor story Tanner how Greece McGuire Chris sale

41:53 Sorry to cut you off. I don't want to hear that from them

41:58 No, I don't I this is like to hear that but it's more a little more logical this year

42:02 But I still would have liked another

42:05 But it but it's not Brian because you have a shortstop was coming off major elbow surgery

42:10 You have a starting pitcher who hasn't been healthy in four years

42:13 You have two more starting pitchers who haven't been healthy for the majority of their careers

42:17 Reese McGuire is fine. Like he's your backup catcher. Great. I just I'm

42:22 This is this is honestly pre bloom. So this is not an anti high and bloom rant. They've been doing this since Nebraska

42:30 I think they were doing their charity. I I hate hate

42:32 hate our injured players or a deadline acquisitions, especially a team like the Red Sox that was built as kind of a we'll see where

42:40 We're at and then maybe add at the deadline because even if all those guys were healthy all season they probably need a deadline help

42:47 So it's just it's it's it's very like I finally got in on this team

42:53 I was finally like invest in this team and ready and I was believing in them because I thought they would give them some help

42:59 It's a deadline but now we're gonna there's gonna be a wild card game and they're gonna probably be using an opener

43:04 Because they're gonna have to burn their starters the last week of the season to get in

43:07 So I it's it's it's just ridiculous. It's it's you couldn't go find an arm a

43:13 Starting pitcher go get somebody with a 4-2 era to just come in and be your fifth starter

43:20 So you can move sale in Whitlock and how to the bullpen which they've completely burnt out here in the last couple weeks

43:26 That was all they needed to do and then trade Adam Duvall and then trade Adam Duvall

43:30 So Jared Durant and get in the lineup every day two moves as always asking for two very easy moves

43:36 you probably could have done them in one and

43:38 like

43:40 High on bloom asleep at the wheel. What are you doing? It's another I

43:43 Do think people are maybe a little harder on high and bloom than they should be because I think on one hand he's operating

43:49 It he has some ownership

43:51 But at the other hand his deadlines have been brutal almost exclusively

43:56 Last year was bad. This year is bad. He got Schwartz. I know people give him credit for Schwartz 21, but

44:04 Like they got a hurt player who they were playing out of position. It worked out, but I almost feel like that was luck

44:09 I don't think that should have worked out. I think he just got lucky college warbers a dog. So

44:14 Yeah, disappointing very disappointing. I'm a I'm a bloom guy

44:20 But the deadlines are his biggest issues at that where he's been

44:24 Throughout his Red Sox time here, but it did sound like a really tough buyers market

44:31 Yeah, just if you could have got one more. I don't care get it done

44:34 Yeah

44:34 So if you could have just got one more starter so you didn't have to rely on sale

44:38 And then maybe one of Whitlock or how could go ahead and help there

44:42 Now that would have really put you in a good spot here and just send that message to your team like hey

44:48 We're going for this right? We believe in you guys the big thing. So

44:52 Kind of even beyond that send the message that you hear them part of the problem last year

44:57 Remember what the deadline was bloom traded away a core

45:01 locker-room player in

45:03 in Christian Vasquez

45:05 And they did the zoom conference during he wasn't in Houston to talk to him and they did the zoom conference

45:10 During the game and that rubbed players the wrong way now you have guys in this locker room

45:15 Begging you to make a move and you don't yeah. I am bloom has made it clear once again

45:20 He doesn't care about the players. They are lists items in a spreadsheet to him

45:25 Just like it is the case of all the other nerds. He's not alone in this and it's I

45:30 In theory it all works the math but it's days like today that there's a human element in sports

45:35 You have to address that they're just refusing to address

45:38 Is do you know talking Jake on Twitter with John boy?

45:44 By anything. I'd know what John boy is it's a

45:47 John yeah

45:49 So they just he just said they got Luis Urias at the buzzer from Milwaukee for a pitching prospect

45:55 Not sure if that how legit that is here. I haven't seen anyone else report it like a passing or anyone but

46:01 All right, so that that might have all been for nothing

46:05 Chris Chris could tell a mass live who's like the guy for Red Sox. Did you say that? Um, oh

46:13 Yeah. All right, Jeff passages. All right

46:16 It's good

46:19 Actually like you reach areas - he's not like he's an infielder. I don't know that he's their biggest need but

46:24 I

46:26 How many times did I yell get a real short stop get a real short stop and he's a guy that can do that

46:32 So, all right. I'm still a little annoyed. They didn't get a starting pitcher

46:35 so

46:37 Part of the rant holds but at least they did something that was good. That was good

46:43 Yeah, you know as

46:45 Walker and mass say we got a show to do today. We had to get this thing wrapped up

46:48 So I to get my take that was just the reality of it. It takes never stop takes numbers. That's right. So

46:53 Um, I guess that's pretty much all we got from today

46:58 But I should be back on tomorrow

47:01 Hopefully Thursday too as we get some some competition really picking up here down in Foxborough

47:08 We'll be back to recap it all as always right here at the Patriots beat

47:12 So turn on those Patriots press pass notifications, so, you know when we go live but until then fall out

47:18 Talks over on Alex Barth. Go read all his training camp coverage over at 95 the sports hub.com

47:25 Follow me on twitter at I am Brian Hines and go read all my training camp coverage over at Pat's pulpit calm

47:32 Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you guys tomorrow

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