After two weeks of training camp and 11 practices of hitting each other, on Thursday night, the Patriots get to set their eyes on someone else. In New England football is back, against the New York Giants Patriots opening their preseason slate at Gillette Stadium.
Not much has gone well or looked good in camp for the fault, unfortunately. And for another week we may not get our first look at the original Patriots offense, with Mac Jones maybe sitting out the exhibition list against the Giants.
That would be a big disaster, but there is plenty to watch for when the Pats get things going Thursday night. We’re getting closer to some real football, but we’re still a month away. And preseason opener should give us somewhat of a glimpse of what is ahead on Thursday night’s.
The New Guys.
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There’s a group of them, but the two we’re most charmed about catch passes. On Thursday night it’d be so nice to see new heir DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton in game, over the last few weeks as both have been rare bright spots on offense.
Parker gives the Pats a experienced receiver who can go up and get the ball. Thornton is a beginner who has some absolutely flaming speed and he’s been turning heads (and breaking ankles) in camp.
Strange is also on the list, considering he’ll be starting in Week 1, and beginner corners Marcus Jones and Jack Jones could be in line for some serious playing time during the season. After being accomplished from Cleveland for Chase Winovich, we’ll also be looking to see what Mack Wilson can bring to the linebacking corps.
The Offensive Line.
The offensive line has been rather outrageous in camp. They’ve struggled to section. They’ve struggled to open holes. They’ve struggled to protect quarterbacks. It has had a opposing trickle down to the rest of the breach. After Monday’s practice the struggles of the line and breach as a whole prompted David Andrews to call an offense-only meeting, and the long-time captain was extremely charged as he marked the team.
Things will look better in game action maybe, when there’s an original opponent on the other side and talent take over. Or, maybe it’s for the best that Mac doesn’t play just yet…
Big Question At Corner.
Leaving Jalen Mills to take over as the No. 1 corner, J.C. Jackson is gone. Last year, he played well at the end of his first season in New England , but he didn’t look like a top corner. Maybe that will change after a year in the system.
But the big question is who will be the No. 2 corner opposite Mills. We can predict if the first team defense takes the field Thursday. Veterans Malcolm Butler (welcome back) and Terrance Mitchell are contesting for the gig, with Mitchell picking off a pair of passes in camp so far. The two Joneses could also make a action for a shot opposite Mills.
The Pass-Catching Back.
As we all know that Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson will lead the charge out of the backfield. But after last season’s hip surgery, James White is now here near ready to play football again and with Brandon Bolden signing with Vegas, the Patriots have no clear-cut pass-catching running back.
That will start to get consider in the coming weeks. Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris and J.J. Taylor are all conditional for time out of the backfield, and showing off their capability to burden in a wheel route and break some goods will absolutely help their cause.
