Tag: 409222

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Challenging change: One of the reasons Bill Belichick has traditionally promoted from within on his coaching staff is valuing continuity, and players not having to learn a new system with every change.

Offensively, that resulted in Charlie Weis (2000-04) passing the torch to Josh McDaniels (2005-08), who then handed it to Bill O’Brien (2009-11), before McDaniels took it back (2012-21).

This promoted healthy player development, and it’s what many assumed (this reporter included) was at the core of Belichick’s decision to turn to Matt Patricia and Joe Judge as leading offensive coaches in 2022. They would step into a familiar culture and attempt to run the same system, with slight modifications.

But arguably the biggest surprise since the Patriots reported to training camp July 26 is that the system isn’t as close to the same as many thought. Quarterback Mac Jones and receiver Kendrick Bourne are among those who have referred to the “new offense,” with Jones adding: “I think we’re going to figure it out. That takes time and patience.”

The result has been some shaky practices, one last Monday that led center David Andrews to address the entire unit in an extended on-field chat. The next day after a better practice, veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer said no one wants “to come out here and be embarrassed” before adding: “When you’re doing some new things, there’s going to be some growing pains.”

Witnessing the challenging transition sparked obvious questions: Why tear down an offense that Jones thrived in as a rookie? And what exactly are the changes that players are struggling to adjust to?

The primary motivation for the change, according to those familiar with Belichick’s thinking, was to make it easier on players. The volume of the old system had grown so much over 20-plus years — with Tom Brady a huge part of it, and then specific Cam Newton-based wrinkles in 2020 adding another layer to navigate — so the time seemed right to streamline it and return more to the original roots.

Altering verbiage is arguably the most significant part of that change. Many things no longer carry the same meaning, so offensive players are learning a new language and the rules/responsibilities that come along with it.

As for the players’ on-field struggles, the line hasn’t always opened holes in the running game (zone runs have been a notable problem) or protected Jones, who said: “It’s just getting the communication down. It’s different than what we’ve done in the past.”

Jones, who acknowledged there are things he can do better to help the transition, expressed confidence that the Patriots will find the answers. And Hoyer said “there’s [still] elements of what we’ve always done here.”

“It’s a time when you’re figuring out what works, what doesn’t, and trying to grow through that process,” Hoyer said.

2. Mac’s locker: For the first time in three seasons, reporters had access to the Patriots’ locker room following a game. One thing that stood out — Jones now has Brady’s old locker.

3. Zappe’s TD throw: Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe (19-of-32 for 205 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) earned the respect of teammates and coaches for his play in the second half of the preseason opener, specifically on his touchdown pass to receiver Lil’Jordan Humprhey. The Giants were dialing up all-out pressure calls — a relatively uncommon thing to do in a preseason game — and Zappe beat the blitz on the TD despite having not practiced for it. “I thought he was calm all night,” Belichick said.

4. Recycled asset: The top of the Patriots’ 2019 draft looks like it will be a wipeout (second-round pick Joejuan Williams struggled Thursday night and is a long shot to stick), but linebacker Mack Wilson might soften the blow. The speedy Wilson, who was acquired from the Browns in a trade for 2019 third-round pick Chase Winovich, was all over the field in the preseason opener (5 tackles, 1 QB hit). Wilson’s off-field approach mirrors the way he plays. “Do not get complacent,” he said.

5. What’s in a name: Patriots first-round pick Cole Strange‘s first name is Devin, but he’s always been referred to as Cole, which is his middle name. The Tennessee native had never been to New England before the Patriots drafted him and said he’s enjoyed settling in, even if most of his time has been dedicated to football. Asked how he’s grown as a player since training camp started, he said: “I guess in every way possible.”

6. Cajuste’s camp: Belichick has noted in the past how quality offensive tackle depth is critical, and 2019 third-round pick Yodny Cajuste (West Virginia) is making a charge to bolster the team in that area. He has played in just seven NFL games but bumped up to the first unit at one point last week. “This is the best camp he’s had,” Belichick said. “He’s been very competitive.”

7. Uche’s reading list: Third-year linebacker Josh Uche is attacking more than his playbook in hopes of reaching the potential that resulted in the Patriots selecting him in the 2020 second round. He’s also reading “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. “It’s a philosophy book; there are different quotes throughout the book that I can kind of apply to my life. It gives you a new perspective,” he said. Uche’s speed and pass rush were among the defensive highlights in the preseason opener.

8. Jones eyes LBs: Rookie cornerback Jack Jones, the fourth-round pick from Arizona State, on why he wants to add weight to his 5-foot-11, 175-pound frame: “There are grown men running around the field.” Jones hasn’t yet pushed for a starting role, with Jalen Mills, Jonathan Jones, Terrance Mitchell and Malcolm Butler playing ahead of him. But he’s been around the football a lot, as evidenced by his pass breakup in the preseason opener.

9. Stueber’s status: Belichick hinted that he’s not expecting rookie offensive tackle Andrew Stueber to return to the field any time soon when he said the team cleared up its PUP/NFI lists last week as a sign of the Patriots’ overall health. I’m told Stueber, who remains on the non-football injury list, suffered an undisclosed injury while training after the draft which could delay his return to the field until next season.

10. Did you know? Running back James White, who announced his retirement Thursday, is second in Patriots history for catches by a running back (381). Only Kevin Faulk (431) has more.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It was the final play of the third practice of training camp for the New York Giants. Coach Brian Daboll called upon quarterback Daniel Jones and safety Xavier McKinney to take the roles of offensive and defensive coordinator.

Jones called the offensive plays; McKinney the defense. It was supposed to be fun for the team. A little competition that ended up being two plays — the first a pass interference penalty in the corner of the end zone, the second a leaping touchdown grab by wide receiver David Sills — to test the offensive and defensive playcallers.

Jones was the obvious choice for the offense. He’s the starting quarterback, and quarterbacks always get the green dot on their helmet with the speaker in their ear to relay the plays to teammates in the huddle.

McKinney’s situation is a little different. He’s a safety, and on defense the green dot is traditionally reserved for a linebacker. McKinney going head-to-head against Jones in the playcalling challenge confirmed that the Giants, in all likelihood, have a different plan this season.

“So, I had a discussion with [defensive coordinator Don] “Wink” [Martindale]. And I have a lot of confidence in Wink,” Daboll said. “He’s done it that way for the past few years. So, that’s who we chose to wear it right now.”

The initial response from former players to a safety getting that type of responsibility is generally surprise. It’s not the norm.

“Safety calling a defense? That’s rare,” former Giants linebacker and playcaller Jonathan Casillas said this week while watching the team practice. “Coverages sometimes come from defensive backs, but calling the defense? Never from a safety from my experience. But if you have capable safeties …”

McKinney has been the on-field defensive playcaller most of this summer, which makes some sense because the third-year safety rarely comes off the field and is part of the Giants’ future. Starting middle linebacker Blake Martinez might not always be a three-down player in Martindale’s defense, and is in the final year of his contract.

The Giants’ defensive formations this summer have featured a lot of three-safety and one-linebacker looks. Martindale seems to have endless pressure packages with rotating personnel, except on the back end.

Martindale has used a safety as the playcaller in his scheme in the past. Eric Weddle and Chuck Clark did it for him in Baltimore. Martindale even connected McKinney with Weddle this offseason to prepare for the role.

Weddle, who came out of retirement last year to win a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams, played for Martindale from 2016 to 2018 with the Ravens.

“He helped me a lot, actually, with just kind of how to disguise certain things and how to be on the same page with Wink and things like that,” McKinney said of Weddle. “He really helped me out in terms of looking at film, studying film, how he did it when he had Wink.”

McKinney, 23, has called plays in the past.

“The last two years, it has been the [linebacker] … I talked to Wink, and it’s not something that’s new to me. I’ve done it before — I did it at [Alabama],” McKinney said.

“It’s different when you’ve got grown men in the huddle and you’re trying to get the call to everybody. Obviously being on the back end of it, you might have to run 30 yards and run back to get the play to everybody.”

That is one potential downside to having a safety calling plays in the huddle. The other, mentioned by Casillas, is that in two-minute or hurry-up situations, it could be difficult for the safety to communicate with the defensive line — especially if there is significant crowd noise. The call might at times have to go from the safety to the linebacker to the defensive line, adding an extra layer of communication compared to when the middle linebacker calls the plays.

But Martindale and Daboll clearly aren’t afraid to think outside the box or adjust on the fly.

“Well, I don’t think that’s written in stone yet …” Martindale said of McKinney being the playcaller all season. “That could change week to week on who we have wear the green dot.

“The biggest thing is to get them all communicating.”

In Martindale’s scheme, with constantly changing positions as they rush the passer or bluff seemingly on every play, that might be more important than who is calling the plays on the field.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Thornton’s fit: Given the most recent chapter of the Patriots’ shaky history selecting receivers early in the draft — when they whiffed on N’Keal Harry at the end of the 2019 first round — the status of 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton has been a notable storyline through nine training camp practices.

Just as the Patriots selected Harry over Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf in 2019, they nabbed Thornton this year before a run of receivers that included George Pickens (Steelers), Alec Pierce (Colts) and Skyy Moore (Chiefs).

There are early signs that a 2019-type scenario isn’t repeating itself.

“It’s been exciting to watch him grow, honestly, because he came in a little questionable,” fellow receiver Jakobi Meyers said. “Then he started getting real. Real talented. I’m happy he’s with us.”

The 6-foot-2, 182-pound Thornton, who was the fastest receiver at the 2022 NFL combine (4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash), acknowledged that his arrival in the spring came with some initial turbulence.

“The first week was kind of difficult for a lot of us, just coming from having that transition from college to the NFL ,” he said, adding that he soon settled into a more consistent routine.

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Scenes from the bleachers: Speedy WR Tyquan Thornton (2nd round, Baylor) has won over fans early in his first NFL training camp. pic.twitter.com/JRkKywe1Jp

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 4, 2022

In doing so, receivers coach Ross Douglas said of Thornton last week: “He’s gotten better every single time he’s stepped on the field. He truly has a lot of gifts. It’s not just his speed. His ability to change direction, ball skills. He has a good attitude and the guys in the room have embraced him. His development will be key and we’ll get him there.”

Thornton’s reliable hands and ability to track the deep ball have consistently shown up in 1-on-1 drills. Now comes the challenge of transferring that into 11-on-11 drills, where he’s most often working behind Meyers, DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne — a foursome that appears locked in atop the depth chart.

Thornton, who has been buoyed by a small section of fans supporting him each day, has also worked as a gunner covering punts — a role that could add value and help solidify a spot on the 46-man game-day roster.

“I like where he is mentally,” Agholor said. “He has a growth mindset, practices really hard, takes good notes.”

Added cornerback Jalen Mills: “We all know he’s fast. I think the biggest thing for me, he’s just not running go routes every single play. You see him working his short-to-intermediate routes as well.”

2. Mac & Judge: Last year, whenever quarterback Mac Jones came to the sideline, he was usually shoulder-to-shoulder with former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Their connection was critical in Jones’ successful rookie season. Who that will be in 2022 could come into sharper focus during Thursday’s preseason opener against the Giants, and it’s likely to be quarterbacks coach Joe Judge.

“You can’t fast-forward a relationship,” Judge said when asked about Jones. “You have to build on it every day. That comes in building trust, that comes in learning each other and how to work with each other, and what that guy needs to help him be at his best. That’s my priority. To me, it’s all about open communication … He’s an intelligent player. He’s a very hard worker. He knows what he likes, he’s willing to tell you. But he’s also willing to try anything if it’s best for the team. He’s been fun to work with.”

3. ‘Inching along’: How big of a deal to make about the early inconsistency of the offense? That question lingers, as there have been more “no chance” plays — in which Jones and rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe have simply tucked the football or thrown it away — than the norm for a Bill Belichick-coached team. Part of that seems related to the Patriots experimenting with new things. Belichick said late last week that the team was “inching along” while adding there are “miles to go” — which seems to reflect where the offense is through nine practices.

4. Kraft’s candidacy: Belichick touted owner Robert Kraft’s Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio’s “Movin’ The Chains” program. Kraft is a semifinalist, and while there’s no set criteria for Hall of Famers, Belichick highlighted three layers that bolster Kraft’s case.

“He’s a phenomenal owner,” Belichick said. “You look at what he’s done across the board. He’s made great contributions to the league, in things like the CBA and other policies, and the growth of the league. He’s obviously done a great job here in New England, just keeping the team in New England and not letting it out of here, and the success he’s had. And off the field — just the philanthropy and contributions he’s made to the community.

“You could put him in the Hall of Fame for any one of those. Combine all three together and hopefully we’ll be celebrating in Canton next year.”

5. Godchaux’s value: Belichick opened eyes when he referred to Davon Godchaux as “one of the best defensive linemen in the league” after the Patriots signed him to a two-year, $20.8 million extension. Defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington added context in explaining how Godchaux’s work isn’t easily detectable, but vital to the defense: “His ability to stop the run, defeat blockers and push the pocket to affect the quarterback is [among] the best in the league.”

6. Jonnu’s turnaround: Tight end Jonnu Smith‘s 2021 production didn’t measure up to the four-year, $50 million contract he had signed as a free agent, but there are signs that could be changing. “He had a terrific offseason for us,” Judge said. Last year, the Patriots ran just 190 of their offensive plays (18%) with both Smith and fellow tight end Hunter Henry on the field, according to ESPN’s Stats & Information. That number should increase in 2022.

7. Rookie #’s coming: Belichick’s annual tradition of putting rookies in unconventional jersey numbers ends for 2022 this week with the team’s first preseason game, as league rules don’t allow for things like Thornton, a receiver, wearing No. 51. “It’s going to be real sad,” Thornton said with a smile. “I feel like 51 is a part of me now — that big, old jersey and I’m running around. I was having fun with it.”

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Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship in action: As Patriots DL coach DeMarcus Covington met with reporters before one practice,
Keith Jones watched the process unfold.

Jones, a grad assistant at Arkansas, has a fellowship position during Patriots training camp. pic.twitter.com/xPPlFHFSIX

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 6, 2022

8. Fellowship in action: As Covington answered questions from reporters last week, Arkansas graduate assistant coach Keith Jones looked over his shoulder. It was a snapshot of the Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship in action; Jones played for Covington at Tennessee-Martin in 2015 and has been working at Patriots training camp this summer as a fellowship coach. “I always was taught as you continue to climb, you help pull others up,” Covington said.

9. Butler follow-up: When the Dolphins released former Patriots defensive tackle Adam Butler with a failed physical designation last week, some wondered if that could mean a return to New England for the interior pass-rusher. That’s unlikely in the short-term, sources say, as Butler must first address a lingering shoulder issue from last season. Meanwhile, LaBryan Ray (Alabama) has caught the eye as a Butler-type possibility — an undrafted free agent making a charge for a roster spot due to his pass-rushing skills.

10. Did you know? This year marks the first time since 2004 the Patriots won’t conclude their preseason with a game against the Giants.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Parker’s place: The red zone was a primary emphasis through the first four days of training camp, and it quickly became clear that veteran receiver DeVante Parker is a big part of the Patriots’ plans.

When the space gets tight on the field, the catch radius of a 6-foot-3, 219-pound target like Parker stands out when quarterback Mac Jones is assessing his options.

“Big body, can make a lot of plays, contested catches,” tight end Hunter Henry said. “It’s always nice to add a guy like that and take a little pressure off everybody else.”

One of the signature plays from the early stretch of camp came in a 7-on-7 drill with the ball spotted on the 10-yard line — Jones in the shotgun, Parker split wide to his left.

When Jones released the ball as Parker crossed the goal line, the eight-year veteran was not open. Starting cornerback Jalen Mills, wearing mitts as part of a technique to avoid grabbing, had him locked up.

But Jones delivered a perfect back-shoulder throw and Parker adjusted to it, toe-tapping his feet along the left boundary.

“Mac sees where the defender is. He puts it in a great spot and I’m able to come down to it,” said Parker, who has led the NFL in tight-window catches over the past five seasons (defined as less than 1 yard of separation as the pass arrives), according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

This is likely what Bill Belichick envisioned when the Patriots acquired Parker and a fifth-round pick from the Miami Dolphins in March in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick.

The Patriots might not have a clear-cut No. 1 receiver, but pairing Parker with returning top targets Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne — and drafting speedster Tyquan Thornton (Baylor) in the second round — potentially gives them a deep, diverse group.

Parker, in essence, projects to fill the role of what the Patriots thought they were getting when they drafted N’Keal Harry at the end of the first round in 2019. Harry was traded to the Chicago Bears on July 12 for a 2023 seventh-round pick (and Parker is now wearing his No. 1 jersey).

Parker, 29, has been feeding off the energy of the lively scene at training camp, where thousands have packed the bleachers and hillside each day. After a different tight-window catch in the red zone, he gestured to the crowd and raised his arms in the air, which sparked a roar from those in attendance.

“Big energy,” said Mills, the veteran cornerback who has often been assigned to cover him. “You like to see that.”

2. Real football: Monday marks an important day for the Patriots — the first practice in full pads. That’s the date Belichick has referenced as essentially the real start of training camp. Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said players at his position “can’t do much” before that point and he expects some jitters. Added Mills: “That’s when we’re playing real football, seeing big guys in the trenches, hearing those pads clapping, and us on the back end, getting to compete with the receivers, jamming them up a little.”

3. Taking charge: Teammates are noticing a difference in Jones in his second season, and longtime team leaders such as Matthew Slater said it’s only a matter of time before the team truly becomes his. “He’s definitely more commanding than he was last year,” added offensive tackle Trent Brown. Jones is usually one of the first players to arrive for practice each day, giving himself 15-20 minutes to loosen up and work on fundamentals.

4. OT switch: Belichick downplayed the team’s offensive tackle flip in the spring — Brown on the left, Isaiah Wynn on the right — as nothing more than the norm of building versatility along the line. But that’s also the way it’s been early in training camp and it seems to have more of a permanent feeling, especially when Brown said of being at left tackle: “It’s feeling like home.”

5. Corner concerns? A significant question looms at cornerback opposite Mills, where veteran Terrance Mitchell received the initial opportunity of camp, and Belichick praised his instincts. The Patriots are the sixth team Mitchell, 30, has been with in his nine-year career. Then there’s 32-year-old Malcolm Butler, who acknowledged he’s “getting in shape” while feeling he’s already knocked off the rust after not playing in 2021. They’ve been the top two options in front of rookie Jack Jones (fourth round, Arizona State).

6. Stevenson’s change: Running back Rhamondre Stevenson reported to training camp at 225 pounds, which he said was seven pounds lighter than last year. But it’s not just the number as much as the type of weight he’s carrying. “I think I got a lot more lean and I feel better overall,” he said. It shows, as Stevenson has looked fluid as a pass-catcher in space, which was one of his offseason goals. The result is that Stevenson is giving himself a chance to stay on the field in the “passing back” role.

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Video: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson, who said he is 225 pounds (7 pounds down from when he reported last year), on being leaner in 2022. pic.twitter.com/q8k1SOyTvd

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 28, 2022

7. Simple = success? If there was one common thread listening to Patriots offensive players after the first stretch of practices, it was their optimism about changes to streamline the attack. Stevenson, for one, said it’s “simpler, easier to learn, and you can play faster.” Brown and Bourne were among those echoing those thoughts, with Mac Jones saying: “We are doing a lot of good things schematically to get up there and snap the ball a lot quicker.”

8. Uche’s ‘breakout’: Brown predicts a “breakout year” for linebacker Josh Uche, the 2020 second-round pick who played just three snaps (not including kneel-downs) in last season’s playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills but has shown signs of being a disruptive pass-rusher when healthy. Uche was at his best at Michigan when his weight was in the 230s, and it looks like he’s back in that range now despite being listed on the roster at 245. Uche is moving well in the early days of camp when asked to cover running backs in the flat.

9. Tight coverage: The Patriots’ defense isn’t the only group providing tight coverage; about 200 media credentials were issued by the team for training camp over the first four days, a reflection of how many reporters, camera operators etc., have been in attendance each day.

10. Did you know? The Patriots ranked 11th last season in red zone offense, with a 61.9 touchdown percentage (63 trips, 39 TDs). The AFC East champion Bills ranked eighth, with a league-high 77 trips, and 48 touchdowns (62.3%).

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A year ago, New York Jets tackle Mekhi Becton was so high on his new right-hand man, guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, that he retweeted a photo of them on the practice field, predicting, “JORDAN AND PIPPEN!!! Mark my words!!!”

Becton’s right-hand man is now his left-hand man. The Jets flipped their offensive line, moving Becton and Vera-Tucker — drafted 11th (2020) and 14th (2021), respectively — to the right side.

This isn’t how general manager Joe Douglas drew it up when he vowed in 2020 to build a dominant offensive line, but the Jets remain bullish on the unit after the big changes.

“Personally, I’m excited about the right side,” coach Robert Saleh said. “You have a couple of potential All-Pros, in my opinion. They are two fantastic young players. Then you’ve got two veterans on the other side (George Fant and Laken Tomlinson). It’s a cool combination and a cool group.”

Saleh likes Fant so much at left tackle, where he took over in Week 2 following Becton’s season-ending knee injury, that he was willing to uproot the 6-foot-7, 363-pound (or thereabouts) Becton. The Jets drafted him to be their long-term left tackle (after signing Fant, by the way), just like they drafted Vera-Tucker to be a fixture at left guard (they moved him to accommodate Tomlinson).

On paper, the offensive line has a lot of potential, but so much hinges on Vera-Tucker and Becton settling into their new spots. Before the first practice on Wednesday, when the Becton move was announced, he leaned over to Vera-Tucker and said, “Same stuff, different side.”

Well, it’s a little more complicated than that. Former Jets left tackle Kelvin Beachum, entering his third season as the Arizona Cardinals‘ starting right tackle, knows the position change as well as anyone.

“I think the biggest transition is your stance, eyes and hand placement,” he told ESPN. “I’m going into Year 3 of the switch, but when you have played a position for eight, nine years, there are some motor patterns that have to be reworked. If you’re a pro, you will figure it out.”

Becton and Vera-Tucker, both 23, aren’t old enough to be stuck in their ways, which factored into the team’s decision to move them and leave Fant and Tomlinson in their spots.

Becton said he embraces the change, also acknowledging he must “change my technique up” and that it’s “a work in progress.” He needs to adapt quickly because the Jets face a formidable slate of pass-rushers that typically rush on Becton’s side. The list includes T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers), Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals), Von Miller (Buffalo Bills) and Matthew Judon (New England Patriots).

The Jets face superstar Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns) in Week 2, but he usually rushes from the left-tackle side. Until recently, teams always put their best pass-rusher at right defensive end, but the trend has changed. Saleh said gifted pass-rushers are coming from every direction.

“So having two bookends like we do, we’re very fortunate,” he said.

The team expects Vera-Tucker and Becton, both with good movement skills, to thrive as run-blockers. You need nimble linemen in a zone scheme so they can cut off angles and get to the second level, taking on linebackers.

The Jets weren’t a consistent rushing team last season, but they actually ran well to the inside right and outside right. They averaged 4.7 yards per carry in those directions (eighth in the NFL), according to Next Gen Stats. The linemen on that side (tackle Morgan Moses and guards Greg Van Roten and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif) weren’t retained.

The bigger problem was the left side (Fant and Vera-Tucker), as they averaged only 4.3 per rush (22nd) on plays to that side. That’s a big reason why they signed Tomlinson to a three-year, $40 million contract in free agency. He’s regarded as one of the best guards in the league.

The man in the middle, overshadowed by the high draft picks and expensive free agents, is center Connor McGovern. His job is to galvanize the group. He likes having Tomlinson and Vera-Tucker at his side.

“They are truly the definition of dominating, physical guys,” McGovern said. “If you went into a lab and wanted to build guards, that’s what you’re building on both sides. I’m definitely one of the luckiest centers in the league to have two guards like that.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When the New England Patriots were considering hosting Division II receiver Andrew Jamiel for a tryout this week, they reached out to five-time All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman for a reference.

Sherman told the Patriots the same thing he’s been relaying to Jamiel: “What took you so long! He deserves a shot in the NFL.”

How Sherman became Jamiel’s top advocate highlights the lengths Jamiel has taken to keep his NFL dream alive. When Jamiel graduated from Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, in 2020 — having set many of the school’s all-time records — it was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was supposed to work out at Holy Cross’ pro day, but it was canceled. He then looked to the Canadian Football League, but its season was canceled, too. So was the XFL’s.

“I was out of options, and knew I needed help; I needed a pro day evaluation coming from a Division II school, so NFL teams would take a look at me,” Jamiel said.

Then one day, as he searched social media, he came across the Fan Controlled Football League, which was advertising open tryouts at a high school field in Atlanta. Sherman is an investor/owner in the league. Quarterback Johnny Manziel and receiver Josh Gordon are among the one-time NFL players to suit up for 7-on-7 indoor games that are played on a 50-yard field, with a one-hour running clock and fans calling plays.

Jamiel’s team, the Glacier Boyz, lost in the championship game in the 2021 season. But Jamiel’s quickness, and knack for getting in and out of his breaks with precision, quickly earned him respect from Sherman, Terrell Owens and others. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Jamiel was declared a franchise player after he led the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

“A lot of the owners are famous athletes, actors, social media personalities. So I knew there would be a lot of hype and a lot of eyes around the league. It was a great opportunity for me, because at that point I had only played against Division II competition,” he said.

“Going to that league, I was not only able to prove to others, but I was able to prove to myself that I belong.

“I could have easily competed at the Division I level, and I deserve a shot at a level higher than the FCS. It was awesome to be able to chase my dream of playing pro football, and people taking notice all across the internet that I can play football.”

Jamiel, 25, went on to play in the Spring League (more traditional 11-on-11 football played outdoors), which ultimately led to his call from the Patriots, the team he cheered for growing up on Cape Cod. Former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman is the player he cites as having a major impact on him.

Jamiel arose at 4:30 a.m. on Monday, and his older brother Joseph drove him to Gillette Stadium for a 6 a.m. arrival.

“An amazing experience,” he said. “It was my first official workout with an NFL team, so that whole thing, just walking the halls that these players and coaches go through every day, was great. It made it even more special, because it is the team that is an hour from my house and I grew up watching them and rooting for them.

“But at the same time, I had to get over that, because I know I belong at the NFL level.”

Jamiel spent 4-5 hours at the stadium, going through physical examinations, a workout in the fieldhouse, and then film work with coaches.

He didn’t receive a contract, but said he’s determined to stay ready and possibly add 5-10 pounds of muscle. If the NFL doesn’t call again, he’s prepared to be part of the XFL draft after going through tryouts last week.

Jamiel has also worked with some Patriots players, training with them at local high schools. The group has included defensive backs Kyle Dugger, Joejuan Williams, Justin Bethel and former New England cornerback J.C. Jackson.

“He had a lot of speed, good hands,” Bethel said. “Another thing I liked was if he got beat on a route, and we covered him well, he took direction on how to correct himself to make things better. You could tell he wanted to work hard.

“It’s amazing to hear the things he’s doing to try to get his chance in the league … I hope something happens for him.”

Jamiel is also flattered by the support from Sherman, who has reminded him players can make it from anywhere. Owens has echoed a similar message.

“It’s awesome, because I know those guys wouldn’t say it if they didn’t mean it. Them giving props means a lot to me, because I was always watching them growing up,” he said.

“They weren’t saying anything too crazy like, ‘He could be a great NFL player.’ They were just saying, ‘He deserves a shot.’ I feel the same way.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. RG III’s take: One of the NFL’s more compelling 2022 storylines will be how quarterback Mac Jones is affected by the Patriots’ new-look coaching staff.

Bill Belichick hasn’t named a coordinator or playcaller to fill Josh McDaniels’ void. Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, whose backgrounds have primarily been on defense and special teams during their NFL careers, assumed leadership roles on offense in spring practices. Belichick was also usually nearby.

Some analysts have expressed concern it could stunt Jones’ growth in his second season, when players often make their biggest leap. But don’t put former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III in that category.

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“The coaching setup will have a massive impact on Mac Jones in a good way,” said Griffin, an ESPN analyst. “Mac has already spoken about how it has been a collaborative process with the coaches and players talking in meetings, installing the offense. And I believe that will lead to more ownership from him about what is being called and how he sees the game.”

Few dispute McDaniels’ excellence. Belichick compared him to Alabama coach Nick Saban last season, which is as high of a compliment as he could give. McDaniels, by all accounts, played a significant role in Jones’ development as a rookie.

At the same time, once the football is kicked off, the game is mostly in the players’ hands.

In that sense, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow — in a stellar second season in 2021 — helped elevate coach Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.

Likewise, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert — with a new coach (Brandon Staley) and offensive coordinator (Joe Lombardi) in his second season — had Los Angeles on the cusp of the playoffs in 2021.

For his part, Griffin sees championship potential from Jones, picking him over Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars), Zach Wilson (Jets), Justin Fields (Bears) and Davis Mills (Texans) as the Class of 2021 quarterback, who played significant snaps as a rookie, most likely to win a ring first. Griffin put Trey Lance (49ers) into the wild-card category because he mostly sat on the bench as a rookie.

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Mac Jones is MOST LIKELY to win a ring FIRST of the rookie QBs who played serious time last year. Bill Belichick and the @Patriots are defensive masterminds, out coach other teams and Mac Attack will stretch the field more after last year has his confidence on ROLL TIDE LEVELS.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 5, 2022

Griffin also highlighted another aspect of the Patriots’ coaching change that could help Jones.

“If you don’t know who the coordinator is, the scheme, or tendencies, it makes it harder to game plan against early in the year,” he said. “That will allow this unconventional staff to get its footing early in the year. Advantage Patriots.”

2. JMac’s take: Former Patriots defensive back Jason McCourty views it differently than Griffin.

“You’ll never hear anybody [on the team] say anything in the media … but it’s definitely going to be a big thing. It has to be,” McCourty said during his recent guest-hosting appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” show. “If you’re Mac Jones … who’s the guy you go to and say, ‘I want to run these plays this week’?”

3. Wise’s gift: Sixth-year Patriots defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. already knows what he’s getting for his 28th birthday this month: A grueling conditioning test. Wise’s birthday is July 26, which is the day veterans report for training camp.

“I’m used to it by now. I feel like every year since college, it’s been somewhere close to my birthday,” he said.

The Arkansas alum has been a regular throughout the month at Gillette Stadium, where he said he puts in six-hour work days to prepare.

4. Slater’s presence: Matthew Slater, the Patriots’ longest-tenured player (entering his 15th season), has been among the few joining Wise at the stadium. Slater turns 37 on Sept. 9, and his commitment to his craft remains as strong as ever.

5. BB and the red bandanna: In accepting the Spirit of Tewaaraton award last month for his contributions to lacrosse, Belichick spoke of how humbled and overwhelmed he was, in part because the late Welles Crowther was a prior winner. Belichick pulled a red bandanna from his back pocket and held it up as he spoke.

“It hit me hard. It hit me really hard. I was stunned, really,” Alison Crowther, Welles’ mother, said from her home in Nyack, N.Y. “He’s a coach of such success and prominence, and such focus on his team. So I was completely blown away. I sat there in tears. I couldn’t believe my ears that he would even know Welles’ story.”

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Bill Belichick honors Welles Crowther during his @Tewaaraton Spirit Award acceptance speech 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Dizi9xM4LK

— TLN 🥍 (@LacrosseNetwork) June 3, 2022

Crowther, aka “The Man in the Red Bandanna”, saved as many as 18 lives during the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City, where he worked as an equities trader and volunteer firefighter. Crowther graduated from Boston College, where he played lacrosse, in 1999.

In helping save others, Crowther lost his life.

Alison shares her son’s story when speaking with schools and corporations across the country, saying: “They embrace it and are inspired by it. That is the treasure I hold on to. Rather than the loss of Welles, just how alive he is in the spirit of so many people.”

So when Belichick mentioned him during his own acceptance speech, Alison was shocked. She had no prior connection to Belichick.

“I just see him as a really tough guy. Never smiles. And to see him speak the way he did about Welles, he had such heart in what he said. It was beautiful,” she said.

6. Rookie break: The Patriots’ offseason program ended in mid-June, but it wasn’t until early July that first-round offensive lineman Cole Strange and the team’s rookie class finished the NFL Rookie Transition Program. It helps orient rookies to local resources, club culture, history, leadership and expectations, with the NFL ensuring that all teams cover 15 mandatory topics. The rookie class now gets a short break before reporting for training camp July 19 (a week before most veterans), although some might choose to stick around.

7. Finish stronger: When McCourty assessed a top area for the Patriots to contend for the AFC East title against the heavily favored Bills, he said he’ll be watching how the team finishes the season. He noted Belichick’s annual saying that the season starts after Thanksgiving, and contrasted it to the team’s combined 8-9 record after the holiday over the past three seasons.

The Patriots’ schedule this season after Thanksgiving adds to the challenge of turning around that trend: vs. Bills, at Cardinals, at Raiders, vs. Bengals, vs. Dolphins, at Bills.

8. Renegade send-off: The three-time national champion Boston Renegades received a Patriots-based lift — in more ways than one — leading into Sunday’s Women’s Football Alliance title game against the Minnesota Vixen in Canton, Ohio (2 p.m. ET, ESPN2). Not only did owner Robert Kraft provide the Patriots’ plane for the trip, but quarterback Brian Hoyer addressed the Renegades before their departure.

9. Seymour’s presenter: When former Patriots and Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour is enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame the weekend of Aug. 4-7, his presenter will be Titus Duren, who was the principal at Lower Richland High School (S.C.) when Seymour was a student there.

“He was a proud supporter throughout my entire career, and he’s also a pillar in the community in South Carolina. It’s a great way to tie my roots and what’s really important to me throughout my journey,” Seymour said. “He’s much more than a principal at the school. All the kids that went there, he knows their families. He was someone who really cared what everyone was doing. It wasn’t just a job for him.”

10. Did You Know: Of the four quarterbacks selected in the top 10 of the 2018 NFL draft — Baker Mayfield (No. 1), Sam Darnold (No. 3), Josh Allen (No. 7) and Josh Rosen (No. 10) — only Allen is still with his original team.

ASHBURN, Va. — The first impression of quarterback Carson Wentz left the Washington Commanders excited for the next one. They saw what they had hoped to see this spring: a strong arm that should open up their offense. The work ethic, the brains.

These attributes made Wentz attractive to the Philadelphia Eagles, who selected him No. 2 overall in 2016, and the Indianapolis Colts, who traded for him in March 2021. Now they are the attributes the Commanders point to after trading for Wentz on March 9, hoping he can solidify a position that has been a revolving door for decades.

To recap: Since winning the Super Bowl after the 1991 season, Washington has started 31 different quarterbacks — nine over the past three seasons. Also to recap: Wentz was traded in each of the past two offseasons, something that would have been difficult to fathom just a couple years ago.

Both sides need this pairing to work.

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“I’d like nothing more than to play here for a long time and have a lot of success,” Wentz said.

He is signed for three more years, but has no guaranteed money after 2022. Whether he becomes the long-term answer remains to be seen, but Washington liked what it saw this spring.

“There’s a lot of different things he’s capable of doing,” offensive coordinator Scott Turner said. “Obviously a very skilled player. You see him out at practice, he’s a big, physical guy. He can really push the ball down the field.”

For Washington, Wentz is the latest example of a quarterback offering hope.

In 2018, Alex Smith arrived via trade following one of his best seasons with Kansas City. His career changed, and was nearly ended, with a broken fibula and tibia. In 2019 Washington drafted Dwayne Haskins with the No. 15 pick overall. He was cut before the end of his second season. Last year, the organization hoped veteran free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick would be the answer — even if only temporary. He suffered a season-ending hip injury in the second quarter of the season opener.

But none of them had Wentz’s arm. Wentz is also 29, so if it clicks for him in Washington he could be here a while.

If not?

“This is probably his last opportunity, just being blunt about it, to prove that he can be a franchise quarterback in the NFL,” ESPN NFL analyst, and Hall of Fame quarterback, Troy Aikman said in May.

Said Wentz two weeks later: “I didn’t know that was said. I’m fine with it. Everyone’s got their own opinion. I don’t try to put too much pressure on myself. I always have high expectations for myself and for the offense, but I don’t try and play those types of games. I don’t have enough mental space to kind of process all that, and it can wear on you.”

What the Commanders have seen whets their appetite for training camp and the season. Coach Ron Rivera pointed to Wentz’s work ethic, and how hard he was on himself this spring. After some plays, Rivera would hear Wentz talking. The coach would turn around and realize Wentz was talking to himself about what he could have done better on a particular play.

What Rivera hears in the huddle also pleases him.

“I really like his command of our offense,” Rivera said. “When you listen to him in the huddle, you listen to him talk to his teammates about certain aspects of the play. I know it gives me confidence, but when he is in the huddle calling the plays the way he does, I know his teammates can feel the confidence.”

The coaches also like how Wentz has worked through his progressions and thrown in rhythm. During one play in minicamp, receiver Cam Sims turned as the ball arrived. But, because he took too long to get into his route, the pass surprised Sims and the ball slid through his hands. It was a lesson for the wideouts.

“Cam was worried about footing on grass instead of the technique of the route,” receivers coach Drew Terrell said. “That’s a prime example of a great throw in rhythm that we have to be there to make the play. It was right on the spot.”

Said running back J.D. McKissic of Wentz: “He learned the offense pretty fast. He’s smart, he’s intelligent, he’s getting the ball out, he can move pretty well in the pocket, too. He’s looking like that young Carson again.”

Wentz wasn’t perfect. The defense intercepted him on occasion and he misfired on some throws. And the questions about how far he can lead Washington will take time to answer.

“The beauty of coming to a new spot is you get to reinvent yourself,” quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese said. “You get to start from scratch, if there any things you didn’t like about yourself at other places. I know for myself, I’d say let’s make sure that doesn’t happen [again]. … No one is holding you to an old standard.”

In Philadelphia, Wentz had to re-emerge after backup Nick Foles stepped in for an injured Wentz in 2017 and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl title. In Indianapolis, Wentz was being compared to quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers.

There’s no such scrutiny in Washington, just optimism.

“He’s just so powerful,” Zampese said. “The ball gets up and down so fast to downfield targets. For most [QBs] on a 10-yard route it’s easy; it gets to 15-20 yards and it’s like, ‘ah.’ [Wentz] zips the ball in the same [on longer routes]. We can access the field at a quicker rate than maybe some other places can.”

Said cornerback Kendall Fuller: “He’s always asking questions: Why did you play it like this? How did you see it? Everybody knows his arm talent, but it’s the little things.”

Wentz’s optimism stems from the quality of the players around him — receivers Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson; running backs Antonio Gibson and McKissic; tight end Logan Thomas. And it stems from changes in his personal life that he said have helped him grow. He’s married (2018) and has two kids.

“Everything’s changed. You mature a little bit, you see the world a little bit differently,” Wentz said. “So, I’m always trying to learn and just build and grow as good of relationships as I can with everybody, both sides of the ball, coaches, equipment staff, training staff. I’m gonna make mistakes. I’ll be the first to admit it. And so [I’m] always trying to grow and be self-reflective and be a better person.”

Wentz’s arm doesn’t need to mature. The coaches also like how he operates their quick underneath game.

The Commanders have speed at receiver that can threaten horizontally or vertically, but at its core the Turner offense wants to go down the field. Since entering the league, Wentz ranks eighth in passing attempts of 20 air yards or more, 11th with 140 touchdown passes (eighth since 2017) and 19th in Total QBR (12th since 2017) according to ESPN Stats & Information research. During that same span, Washington’s Total QBR ranks 31st and its 98 touchdown passes rank 28th.

That’s why Zampese won’t try to change a guy who likes to throw deep.

“I want that guy,” Zampese said. “We’ve been looking for guys like this; there aren’t too many like that. It’s easier to get a guy to back off than to push a guy the other way. This is hog heaven for us. This is exactly what we wanted.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. McMillan in middle: When the Patriots lined up in their nickel defense on the first day reporters were present for spring practices, Raekwon McMillan was a top linebacker.

It was a reminder of significant personnel turnover. Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins Sr. and Kyle Van Noy are no longer with the team. And while some viewed linebacker as a top need, the Patriots surprisingly passed on the position entirely in the draft.

So that had them lining up McMillan next to thumper Ja’Whaun Bentley as an initial inside linebacker pairing. Josh Uche and trade acquisition Mack Wilson took reps as well. And 2021 fifth-round pick Cameron McGrone projects to be in the mix (he was limited in the spring by an undisclosed ailment), with Jahlani Tavai and Harvey Langi also on the depth chart.

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McMillan’s standing highlights the uncertainty — and intrigue — with coach Bill Belichick’s linebacker plans. The 6-foot-2, 242-pound Ohio State alum could land anywhere from a starter to competing for a roster spot.

In the perfect Patriots world, he will turn back the clock to 2017, when the Miami Dolphins selected him in the second round.

ESPN NFL analyst Mike Tannenbaum was Miami’s vice president of football operations at the time, and he remembers the scouting report well.

“A tough, physical player. A little bit of a throwback. Very instinctive. Good tackler. Very smart and conscientious. Football is very important to him,” he said.

But McMillan tore his right ACL covering a punt in the team’s first preseason game that year and missed his rookie season. He returned to start every game in 2018, then played in 13 contests (12 starts) under new head coach Brian Flores in 2019 before landing on IR with a hamstring injury.

The Dolphins traded him to the Raiders in the offseason for fourth- and fifth-round picks, but McMillan was more of a role player in 2020 — playing in every game but with just four starts. While those around the Raiders viewed him as smart, tough and a high-end leader, his limitations in space were a factor in his minimal role.

After signing a modest one-year deal as a free agent with the Patriots in 2021, and being praised by Belichick early in training camp, McMillan tore his left ACL covering a kickoff in practice. That wiped out his season entirely, setting up this year’s comeback attempt.

“It’s been a long year for me, but we’re moving forward,” McMillan said in May. “After sitting back and watching, I’m ready to go.”

Added Tannenbaum: “I would bet on his character and work ethic and love of game. He’s really smart. You just hope he can stay healthy.”

2. Uche’s fit: Where Uche fits in the linebacker group looks like a moving target based on spring practices. He worked off the line and on the line, and assistant coach Steve Belichick previously referred to him as “an important piece to the puzzle.” The 2020 second-round pick from Michigan played just three snaps in the playoff loss to Buffalo (not including kneel-downs) as a niche pass-rusher (his primary role in 2021), and his ability to take on a larger role with responsibilities in pass coverage could be critical.

3. Andrews’ accounting: The Patriots needed to create some cap space to sign the remainder of their draft class, and restructuring center David Andrews‘ contract provided the relief. It was a win-win scenario, with Andrews getting money now that would have been paid to him later and the team creating $2.1 million in space. There was no new money as part of the restructure.

4. Parker’s impact: Tannenbaum knows new Patriots receiver DeVante Parker well from having selected him in the first round of the 2015 draft in Miami. What might Parker bring to New England?

“You’re getting someone who can win on the outside. Big catch radius and good at high-pointing the ball. Really effective with in-breaking routes and in the red zone,” he said. “He’s a very likeable, fun-loving person who is a great teammate — always smiling, never had a bad day.

“Injuries have been a problem, and you just hope he can put it together for 17 games. I wouldn’t say his play speed is elite, but [if healthy] he’s a very good starting NFL receiver who can be scoring eight to 12 touchdowns and making contested catches.”

5. Cargile at forum: Director of pro scouting Steve Cargile represented the Patriots at the second annual Ozzie Newsome General Manager Forum on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The goal of the forum is to connect current and aspiring executives while providing a platform to help prepare, educate and identify quality minority candidates. Commissioner Roger Goodell opened by talking about growing the “pipeline of executives” with a goal of hopefully not having to host such forums in 20 years. Cargile, 40, enters his 12th season in New England, having worked his way up from an initial role as a scouting assistant.

6. Lynch’s lesson: 49ers general manager John Lynch played for the Buccaneers (1993-2003) and Broncos (2004-07), then had a brief offseason stint with the Patriots (2008), and it was that last stop that he cited when speaking at the “Preparing for a GM interview” panel on Tuesday.

Lynch was discussing player development and the importance of having everyone on the same page when he said: “There has to be buy-in across the organization. It doesn’t just stop at personnel and coaching. It’s your trainers. Your strength coaches. Your engagement people. Your community people. It’s a real holistic approach if you really want it to be successful, because you can learn from each person.

“[Players] get pulled in a lot of different directions; everyone wants to give them advice on their careers. But if you’re not tethered, sometimes that can be a detriment … and the approach can become scattered.

“That’s the Patriots. Yeah, they had Tom Brady, and that made a difference. But there are little subtle things, and I got exposed to that. I never ended up playing for them that year because I retired, but I did see things like player development [being] at the core of their success. Everyone was speaking the same language and giving that player the same message.”

7. Throwback jerseys: The Patriots are 9-3 in their throwback uniforms, which are making a comeback in 2022 after a decade-long absence. The last loss when wearing red throwbacks was to the Dolphins — 22-21 on Dec. 6, 2009 — when Brady had long TD passes to Randy Moss (58 yards) and Sam Aiken (81) but the team blew a 21-10 second-half lead against QB Chad Henne and Miami.

8. They said it: “High performance, I think we mistake what that actually looks like in the NFL. New England is a massive outlier — [playing in] nine Super Bowls in 18 years; that will never be done again. … You think about the great pairs. I think New Orleans did an amazing job — Sean Payton and Drew Brees. They went to one Super Bowl. You look at Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay, a well-run organization. One Super Bowl. Baltimore, with Ozzie and one of the best-run organizations — two Super Bowls in the past 20. Making a Super Bowl is hard. Part of the struggle is we hold that as the ultimate goal. But building a winning culture can be year after year — are you competitive?” — Kevin Demoff, chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Rams, at the Ozzie Newsome GM Forum

9. Stueber’s absence: Bill Belichick said during June’s mandatory minicamp that rookie offensive linemen Chasen Hines (sixth round) and Andrew Stueber (seventh round) weren’t ready to practice but didn’t disclose why. Fast-forward to this past Wednesday at the New England Patriots Alumni Club “Football for You” clinic, and the entire rookie class was there — except for Stueber. It remains unclear what might be holding him back.

10. Did You Know: Rob Gronkowski‘s teams had a record of 128-37 in the 165 games he played (including playoffs), which is the second-best team winning percentage (.776) for a player in NFL history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau (minimum 150 games).

The only player with a better winning percentage was former Patriots and Broncos center Dan Koppen (.781). Patriots left tackle Matt Light (.771), receiver Julian Edelman (.769), Packers/Dolphins tight end Marv Fleming (.763) and Brady (.763) with the Patriots and Bucs complete the top six.

FRISCO, Texas — In 2007, Mike McCarthy was 44 years old and in his second year as Green Bay Packers head coach. He was still learning the trade and emotions would sometimes flare, especially with a rookie kicker.

McCarthy is now 58 and facing a pressure-packed 2022 as he enters his third season as the Dallas Cowboys coach and is likely to face a similarly uncertain kicking situation that could make his emotions flare again.

With the Packers in 2007, Mason Crosby was a sixth-round pick. As 2022 begins, McCarthy isn’t quite sure who will be the Dallas kicker.

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The Cowboys have just one on their 90-man roster — Jonathan Garibay, undrafted out of Texas Tech.

In all likelihood, the Cowboys will add another kicker before flying to Oxnard, California, for training camp in July, but the assorted veterans available have résumés that don’t guarantee more success than Garibay.

It’s possible the Cowboys re-sign Chris Naggar, who was released before the rookie minicamp this spring. He has kicked in one NFL game. They will likely keep their eye on kicker battles across the NFL this the summer, and might even look to the USFL for help.

“Patience,” a smiling McCarthy said when asked what it is like to have such a quandary at kicker.

How’s his patience these days?

“Better today than I was in 2007, I’ll say that,” McCarthy said. “It was a good experience.”

In 2007, Crosby made 31 of 39 field goal attempts as the Packers made it to the NFC Championship Game. He hit a 42-yarder in his first game to beat the Philadelphia Eagles and none of his misses came in a game Green Bay lost.

In the one session he kicked during an offseason practice that was open to the media, Garibay displayed a strong leg. He made multiple kicks from 50 yards, but also had a miss from 55 and a 53-yarder ticked off the right upright. McCarthy believes the experience of snapper Jake McQuaide and holder Bryan Anger will help.

“You can definitely get a feel for his ability,” McCarthy said. “… He’s off to a good start. He’s just young.”

Crosby had a better collegiate résumé than Garibay, although Garibay did make a 62-yarder to beat Iowa State and help Texas Tech become bowl eligible. It was the longest make in FBS last season. Garibay missed just one attempt all year (15 of 16) and was a first-team All-Big 12 pick. In 2020, he made 8-of-11 tries.

“Man, as a kicker, you always dream of moments like that, just having the opportunity,” Garibay said. “I live by the saying that I’d rather be ready for an opportunity and not have it then have one and not be ready for it. I think when it came down to it, I was excited for that opportunity to kick that field goal.”

The Cowboys’ kicking situation last season was too shaky, even for a team that finished 12-5 and won the NFC East.

Greg Zuerlein missed six field goal attempts last season, when three of the Cowboys’ five losses were decided by fewer than three points. He missed at least one kick in each of those games, although he made a 56-yarder to beat the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2.

The Cowboys remained in Zuerlein’s corner, believing (hoping?) the veteran would find his form after not kicking in the offseason and through almost all of training camp because of back surgery. In March, they decided to move on from his $2.2 million salary, although they nearly re-signed him before he joined the New York Jets.

How the Cowboys are handling the position harkens back to the 1990s when they relied on former special teams coach Steve Hoffman to find a cost-effective kicker, and he mostly found them with the likes of Chris Boniol, Richie Cunningham and Lin Elliott.

In more recent years, their approach has been similar to 2011 when they had five kickers on the training camp roster — Dan Bailey, David Buehler, Dave Rayner, Shayne Graham and Kai Forbath.

Bailey, undrafted out of Oklahoma State, won the job and at one point became the most accurate kicker in NFL history. He made 32 of 37 field-goal attempts as a rookie.

Under the Bailey model, Garibay would have an inside edge.

At least for now, months before the games start when McCarthy’s patience is high.

“It means that they expect a lot from me,” Garibay said. “At the end of the day, I expect a lot from myself. … It’s a lot of mental. It’s mainly mental. There’s a lot of great guys out there that have the strength, that are really good kickers, that have power and accuracy. Just sometimes it’s a mental thing. It’s 99 percent mental and the other 1 percent is probably mental, too.

“I think there is a high expectation and I’m just trying to do like I’ve always done — focus on myself, not focus on the competition, and take it one kick at a time. That’s the mentality you’ve got to have — one for one all the time.”