Patriots
From Efton Chism’s rise to Mike Vrabel’s bloody cheek, listed here are seven shocking issues we noticed at camp and the video games.
Cutdown day has arrived, the a part of the 12 months the place media can watch full practices is over, and now it’s time to replicate on just a few surprises from this preseason.
There have been optimistic surprises, resembling rookies stepping up in sudden roles. There have been detrimental surprises resembling veterans dropping their jobs or seeing lowered enjoying time.
There was even a coaching camp scuffle with a twist this 12 months.
So, listed here are seven issues that had been shocking to see at this 12 months’s coaching camp.
TreVeyon Henderson’s explosiveness
Henderson has been the breakout star of camp. He took a kick return 100 yards for a landing on his first NFL preseason contact, setting the tone for what turned a superb preseason for the rookie.
He scored in two of the three preseason video games. He’s demonstrated that his explosiveness interprets into a number of areas, whether or not it’s the kick return sport, a change of tempo within the operating sport from Rhamondre Stevenson’s energy, or getting open downfield on wheel routes. He’s not afraid to combine it up in move safety.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels mentioned Henderson is among the many quickest operating backs he has ever coached with the Patriots. It reveals. New England hasn’t had a weapon fairly like him shortly
Kyle Dugger’s slide down the depth chart
For the majority of his Patriots profession, Dugger has been probably the most productive defensive gamers on the group. He additionally emerged as a quiet chief within the locker room.
Seeing him fall down the depth chart behind rookie Craig Woodson and veteran Jaylinn Hawkins was definitely a shock. It’s not like he simply bought demoted to being a backup, the Patriots had a number of gamers that they performed over him at factors this summer season.
Coach Mike Vrabel was even requested if he’s take into account switching Dugger to linebacker, which he didn’t rule out.
Dugger is coming off of a excessive ankle sprain that has hampered his efficiency, nevertheless it doesn’t change how huge the hole is between how the earlier teaching workers and the present workers view him.
A a lot improved, however nonetheless streaky Drake Maye
Maye, for probably the most half, seems to be like a totally completely different quarterback. He’s extra assured. He has usually been decisive and correct.
He had a protracted streak in camp with out throwing an interception. His bodily items, the dimensions, the quickness, and the sturdy arm are all there.
The large problem that stood out with him this summer season was botched snaps. There have been loads of them. A part of that’s on him, and a part of it’s on the facilities he has been working with. However, snapping the ball is a primary a part of the sport and it was shocking to see that be as huge of a difficulty because it was.
He had a fumble in one of many preseason video games that Vrabel mentioned was a poor determination. Maye tried to get a throw off with a defender lunging at his legs and he misplaced the soccer. He additionally had a number of throws in observe that went proper to defenders that had been dropped.
General, it was a optimistic preseason for Maye, however his streakiness was noticeable.
Mike Vrabel’s bloody cheek
This one may not be as a lot of a shock to some, contemplating Vrabel’s fame and persona.
However, when was the final time we noticed a coach bleeding throughout a coaching camp observe?
Vrabel mentioned he was attempting to diffuse a scuffle. Henderson threw an aggressive move block and Campbell and Vrabel mentioned they had been attempting to get a Washington participant off of Henderson.
Vrabel ended up on the backside of the pile and had a bloody cheek to point out for it.
Efton Chism’s emergence
Th undrafted rookie from FCS-level Japanese Washington wound up being the Patriots’ main receiver within the preseason, bolstering his probabilities at making the roster.
The percentages had been lengthy towards Chism from the start, not simply because he’s undersized and comes from a small college, but additionally as a result of the Patriots have been actively attempting to revamp the huge receiver room by way of free-agency and the draft.
Chism discovered a technique to produce in observe and video games this summer season, and it ought to at the least power a tricky determination on whether or not or to not preserve him.
Ok’Lavon Chaisson forcing a platoon scenario on the sting
Keion White confirmed loads of promise firstly of final season, posting 4 sacks within the first two video games. His manufacturing dropped off after that.
Nonetheless, it appeared as if the 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive finish could be in place to begin.
Now, it feels like Vrabel is contemplating extra of a platoon scenario on the sting.
“Effectively, there’ll be a rotation,” Vrabel mentioned. “We’re going to play loads of guys on protection. I imply, I’ve had loads of conversations with Keion and love how he works and love how he competes.
“And so, we’re going to wish him, we’re going to wish all three of them, 4 of them, 5 of them, nonetheless many guys will help us on the sting and have an effect on the quarterback. So, I believe when all the pieces is alleged and finished, the snaps are going to be fairly even and equal.”
Vrabel introduced in former Tennessee Titan Harold Landry for pass-rush assist off the sting.
The large shock with this group, nonetheless, has been the efficiency of Ok’Lavon Chaisson, the previous first-rounder who bounced round with a number of groups earlier than touchdown with New England within the offseason. Chaisson has performed his manner into some sudden snaps, forcing the Patriots to rethink their technique on the place.
DJ James’s nostril for the ball
DJ James made the primary interception of coaching camp observe, and the primary interception of the preseason opener towards Washington.
The 2024 sixth-round choose performed on the observe squad final 12 months and wasn’t well-known heading into camp.
He made some performs that put him on the radar this summer season.
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