Tag: 9572

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.

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.”

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.

RENTON, Wash. — For the first time in his NFL career, running back Rashaad Penny began training camp as the Seattle Seahawks‘ projected starter.

It didn’t happen as a rookie in 2018, when Chris Carson returned from his broken leg and reclaimed the job, even though the Seahawks had just drafted Penny No. 27 overall. It didn’t happen in any of the next three seasons, as Carson entrenched himself as Seattle’s lead back while Penny was sidelined by one injury after another, including a torn ACL in December 2019 that shelved him for almost all of 2020.

So only now, with Carson out of the picture following plans to retire due to a neck injury, Penny is heading toward the start of the season as the Seahawks’ clear-cut RB1, coming off a torrid five-game stretch at the end of last season in which he led the NFL with 671 rushing yards.

“I don’t think like that,” Penny said when asked about being the clear-cut RB1 last week after the first practice of camp. “I’ve got a lot of stuff to prove to myself. Again, I’ve still got to be healthy … I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder this year, so I really don’t see anything as far as that, but I’m excited about the opportunity and we’ll just see where it goes from here.”

Penny isn’t getting ahead of himself because he knows his spot on the depth chart doesn’t mean much unless he can stay on the field. So far, so good. His only injury hiccup this offseason was a brief absence in the spring to rest what coach Pete Carroll described as a minor hamstring issue. He’s taken part in all five practices of camp and closed out the second one with a long touchdown run in which he sprinted past Seattle’s defense.

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“I think this is the best condition that he’s ever been,” Carroll said, “and I know he’s going to be flying.”

Interestingly, Carroll said the same thing last summer after Penny reported to camp on the leaner side of his weight range at 225 pounds. He came back this year at 237, which he’s played at in the past. Penny said some of that weight is muscle he’s added in his lower body but hinted that he wants to drop a few pounds this summer.

“Rashaad is in great shape,” Carroll said. “Two-thirty-seven he weighed. Just cut and sharp and fast and excited because he had such a great offseason. He looked terrific. He couldn’t wait to get out here and just run. He really wanted to show us that he could go, and he looked just like he did when we finished up at the end, so that was really fun to see that.”

That was a reference to Penny’s scorching finish to last season. With Carson on the sideline because of the neck injury — and with some motivation from Adrian Peterson — Penny ran for 208 more yards than the next-best rusher over the final five games. His six rushing touchdowns in that span tied for the league lead and were one more than he totaled to that point in three-plus seasons.

That stretch of brilliance earned Penny something that would have previously been hard to imagine — a second contract with Seattle. He tested free agency before returning on a one-year deal worth $5.75 million, all but $680,000 of which is guaranteed.

The Seahawks had added motivation to bring back Penny with Carson’s football future in doubt. The team released him a day before camp with a failed physical, a procedural move that makes him eligible to earn some of the non-guaranteed money he was set to make in 2022.

Penny, a close friend of Carson’s, called his retirement “heartbreaking.” Carroll did the same.

“I loved him on our team,” Carroll said. “It breaks my heart to not have him again, particularly with how we’re going about it.”

As in, with how much they’ve always liked to run the ball — Seattle has the NFL’s fourth-highest designed rush percentage since 2012 — and with how much of a focus that will be in their post-Russell Wilson offense. What other choice do they have than to lean on their revamped defense and run game and hope Drew Lock and/or Geno Smith can manage their way to victories?

That plan and their doubts about Carson gave the Seahawks more reason to reinforce their backfield by drafting Kenneth Walker III with one their two second-round picks. Walker has flashed his 4.38 speed and much better receiving skills than you might have assumed from a player who caught only 13 passes during his Heisman-finalist 2021 season at Michigan State.

“He’s fast,” Penny said of the 5-foot-9, 211-pound Walker. “This dude, he can play. He kind of reminds me of a smaller Chris. We’ll see when we get pads on … He fears nothing. I like the way he just wants to learn and wants to be great.”

Penny has missed 30 of a possible 69 games (including playoffs) in his career due to injury. Only twice has he carried more than 20 times in a game. So Walker figures to get plenty of work, whether by design or out of necessity. Seattle also has Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas as change-of-pace options. Their contributions on special teams make them safe bets to make the opening-day roster.

“We’re really fired up about Ken being here too now,” Carroll said. ” … It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity for us to see those guys play. It takes more than one.”

With pads coming on, the second week of camp will offer a look into whether Penny is again running with the same aggressive style that was evident during his closing surge last year.

“I feel like as far as what I did last season, it was kind of no surprise to me because I always knew what I could do,” he said. “I think the hard part was just me getting to play on Sundays … and now that I’m feeling healthy and I’m feeling at my best, I can’t wait to actually take off this year.”

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When Bill Belichick was in his second season as New England Patriots coach in 2001, Bill Russell — the Boston Celtics great who won 11 NBA championships — visited the team.

Russell’s death on Sunday at age 88 had Belichick reflecting on that visit, and current Patriots players reflecting on Russell’s legacy.

“It was great,” Belichick said. “Bill’s a great person. His comments on leadership, teamwork and unselfishness are all outstanding.”

Belichick’s close friendship with football great Jim Brown led to his connection with Russell, setting the stage for the 2001 visit. This week, the Patriots’ two longest-tenured players — Matthew Slater and Devin McCourty — shared how Russell impacted their lives.

“It’s really hard to put into words what Bill Russell meant not only to this city, but to professional sports, has meant to Black athletes, and just the progress we’ve seen in this country over the last 60 years or so,” Slater said.

“When I think of Bill Russell, I don’t think of, necessarily, the championships. Or the Celtics and the winning, which is a legacy that speaks for itself. I think of what he did for Black athletes. I’m a beneficiary of the actions of men and women like Bill Russell, who are willing to step out on the limb and advocate for Black athletes and Black Americans, and push for change, push for equality.”

Slater was referencing, among other things, how Russell boycotted a 1961 exhibition game to protest discrimination.

For McCourty, who describes himself as a “huge basketball fan”, playing professional football in New England drew him closer to Russell.

“Coming here, and just learning his story, initially all you know is ‘Bill Russell, a champion, and winner.’ But just his willingness and vulnerability to be very open about what he went through and wanting change,” McCourty said.

“As an athlete that gets to play in this area, I drew a lot of inspiration and motivation from how he viewed things. I think the road he paved for Black athletes to be able to be successful in this city, and sports in general; I think about his life … he wasn’t just a great athlete, but he was a better person. All of us here, we strive to be like Bill Russell.”

In an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio, Belichick shared more detail on the time Russell visited the Patriots.

“He’s a big Patriots fan and gave us a lot of support, and he was just a tremendous person to talk to. I’ve learned an awful lot from Bill Russell. Very fortunate to have had a relationship with him,” Belichick said.

“Obviously he was a great player and there was a lot of attention on him, but how he tried to deflect that and enhance other players, how to help other players play better, what he could do to help his teammates.

“Ultimately his role changed from player to coach, to some combination of both, and so he talked a lot about how being a leader — and how being a coach combined with being a player — was really the ultimate in trying to help the team.

“And when you have veteran players on every team, which we had at that time and still have now; how those players are more than just good players, they’re mentors, they’re leaders. They have to find ways to help other players play better and still sustain their level of play. And that’s what the great players do. And we’ve had a lot of them, but Bill really put it into a great perspective.”

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.

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%).

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Derwin James Jr. stood alongside pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on the sideline when the Los Angeles Chargers opened training camp this week.

But when Bosa and Mack jogged onto the field, James stayed behind.

A key playmaker on the Bolts’ revamped defense, James won’t be participating in practices until an agreement is reached on a contract extension. The safety is currently scheduled to earn $9 million this season in the final year of his rookie deal.

“There is full respect on both sides,” coach Brandon Staley said about ongoing negotiations between the Chargers and James’ agent, David Mulugheta. “They know how much we love Derwin. Derwin knows how much we love him. We’re just working through that process right now.”

James, 25, is not expected to be made available to reporters until an agreement is reached. However, while representing the Chargers at a charitable event four days before reporting to training camp, James told ESPN, “Yeah, for sure,” when asked if felt good about where negotiations stood.

James is anticipated to earn a deal that will place him among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL. Through four practices, James has stepped onto the field only for walk-throughs and to support teammates during position group drills. He’s received plenty of support in return.

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“I’ve been talking to him on the side, obviously, and he’s — I think — doing the right thing,” said Bosa, who agreed to terms on an extension two years ago, only hours ahead of the deadline to report to training camp. “He obviously deserves whatever he’s going to get. He puts in 100 percent every single day. He’s just making the best decision for him right now.”

A two-time first-team All-Pro selection, James’ versatility and leadership is needed among a unit that struggled last season but now has lofty expectations following the offseason acquisitions of Mack, cornerback J.C. Jackson and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day.

Navigating his first contract hold-in as a head coach, Staley has attempted to express patience with the process and shied away from providing any expectation of when he’d like James to return to practice.

“Derwin has played so much NFL football, he’s probably the least of our concerns,” said Staley, who finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs in his first season as coach. “We’re going to just let this process play out. As I mentioned, and I believe it’s true, it’s just part of the NFL — when you’re dealing with some of the best players and contracts like this, it takes some time. We’re working through it.”

In 15 games last season, James recorded 117 tackles (tied for No. 3 in NFL among all defensive backs), intercepted two passes, forced three fumbles and had two sacks.

The 17th overall pick in the 2018 draft, James earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition as a rookie before playing only five games the following season because of a foot injury and missing the entire 2020 season because of a knee injury.

Following his second Pro Bowl appearance last February, James underwent surgery on his left labrum and was limited through the offseason program. He told ESPN before camp that he felt healthy.

“This is the best I’ve felt in the last four years,” James said. “And I can’t wait to go.”

Teammates cannot wait to have him.

“That’s a guy that we definitely need,” receiver Keenan Allen said. “He’s the heart of the defense, heart of the team pretty much.”