Sometimes a quarterback makes a play that the defense simply cannot defend. For the first two days of New England Patriots minicamp, quarterback Mac Jones has hammered the defense with that kind of play.
Specifically, Jones and receiver Tre Nixon have been unbeatable on a deep post.
On three separate occasions, Jones had dropped the ball into a bucket to Nixon for a 65 or 70-yard pickup. Nixon has come from the slot across the field for a deep post route — so deep he has ended up on the left side of the field. That’s where Jones has found him for three massive completions over the first two days of minicamp. Nixon beat cornerbacks Jonathan Jones then Shaun Wade and then Jones again. On Day 1, Jonathan Jones and Nixon went to the ground but Nixon nabbed it. On day 2, Jones hit Nixon perfectly in-stride early in practice then found Nixon for a one-handed grab over Jon Jones hanging like a cape in coverage.
It has been that kind of minicamp for the young quarterback. Mac Jones looks mighty comfortable in this offense. And, somewhat surprising, he has looked mighty comfortable throwing to slot receiver Nixon, a seventh-round draft choice in 2021. There were exceptions, including a misfire and ensuing interception to cornerback Malcolm Butler. All in all, it was a good day.
Here are more observations.