Tag: Patriots 2023 Training camp

Patriots’ scheduled dates and times for second week of training camp

Mark your calendars and set your clocks for the second week of Patriots training camp

The first week of New England Patriots training camp is in the books, and it’s time to look ahead to the second week of festivities, which is expected to include padded practices for the first time.

Coach Bill Belichick set the first week up to be an extended version of OTAs with the team focusing primarily on red zone work. It was a bit of an unorthodox approach, but at the same time, it’s hard to argue against it for a team that finished dead last in red zone touchdown scoring percentage last season.

However, things are expected to open up more starting on Monday, when the team likely practices in pads. Here’s how the second week schedule of training camp shakes out, via NESN’s Zack Cox:

Monday, July 31, 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 2, 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 3, 9 a.m.

The upcoming week of work should give us a better idea of where the Patriots currently stand on both sides of the football. In the words of safety Jalen Mills, it’s “back to real football now.”

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Leftover notes from Day 3 of Patriots training camp practice

Leftover notes from Patriots’ third day of practice

It was another day of non-padded red zone work for the New England Patriots in Day 3 of training camp on Friday.

Coach Bill Belichick has stayed true to his word that the team would emphasize that particular area with more of an extended OTAs feel to the first week of practice.

So those waiting to see how the new-look Patriots react to real football situations with the pads on will have to wait until next week. However, there were still things of note to take away from the team’s third day of practice, which seemed productive overall for both the defense and offense.

Here are some leftover notes from the practice:

Lawrence Guy shuts down contract questions and keeps focus on team

Lawrence Guy is not commenting on his contract situation with the Patriots

New England Patriots defensive tackle Lawrence Guy appears to be avoiding any contract drama after skipping out on the spring practices.

Guy spoke with the media and elaborated a bit on why he missed OTAs. Contract negotiations are reportedly ongoing, but right now, he is focused on being on the field with his teammates.

“Me and my agent have been in discussions with this organization and we’re gonna keep that private between us,” Guy said about his contract situation, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Dakota Randall. “…I’m here, I got a big smile on my face. I’m gonna do whatever I can for the organization and work as hard as I can. … We play this game to be on the field and be a brotherhood.”

Guy has been a consistent piece on the Patriots’ defensive line. He had another strong year last season, recording 46 combined tackles and two sacks. He looks to return to a New England defensive line unit that should be one of the stronger positional groups in the NFL.

He is obviously expected to be a key piece, among others, such as Christian Barmore. Guy has served as a model of consistency for the Patriots’ organization during his seven-year run with the team, and that should not change anytime soon.

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5 takeaways from Day 2 of Patriots training camp practice

5 takeaways from Day 2 of Patriots training camp

The New England Patriots were back on the practice field on Thursday for Day 2 of training camp.

In many ways, it felt like a carryover from Wednesday’s practice with the team focusing more on red zone work. Coach Bill Belichick mentioned the first week was an extension of minicamp and OTAs, but the team is expected to up the intensity and bring out the pads next week.

The story of the day was once again about the defense dominating. Granted, quarterback Mac Jones and the offense had a few nice plays in 11-on-11s, but for the most part, they struggled against a stingy Patriots defense that appeared tough to fend off at every level.

Here are six takeaways from Day 2 of Patriots training camp:

7 takeaways from Patriots’ first training camp practice

The Patriots kick-started training camp on Wednesday. Here are seven takeaways from their first practice

The smell of football was finally in the air again on Wednesday, as the New England Patriots returned to the field for their first official day of training camp.

There was a different buzz in the air, despite all of the gloom and doom talk throughout the offseason. The attendance was great, and Patriots newcomer JuJu Smith-Schuster served as the team’s personal hype man on the field.

Overall, it was a lively atmosphere that ultimately put the excitement for the return of football into perspective.

There was also a sense of normalcy with Bill O’Brien calling the offense. The team looked as energized as ever, and the fans were happy to see them kick-start their journey towards the regular season opener against the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in September.

Here are seven takeaways from the Patriots’ first training camp practice:

Patriots rookie Jake Andrews could have big role at training camp

Could rookie Jake Andrews be in line for a big role in New England?

After being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, rookie center Jake Andrews could be in store for a major role heading into training camp.

Patriots offensive guard Mike Onwenu is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, and he is currently on the PUP list. This could open up an opportunity for Andrews to step in and make an impact. In addition to playing center, he also played right guard at Troy in 2020 and 2021. The positional versatility could be important for Andrews as he looks to make his mark in New England.

Troy coach Jon Sumrall recently spoke about the competitive fire Andrews brings to an offensive line.

“He’s made up of the right stuff and has the right kind of wiring, if you will,” Sumrall said, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “Extremely tough. Dependable. A tremendous teammate. Loves the game and the details of what goes into being a great O-lineman. It’s a lot of fun as a football coach to coach a Jake Andrews-type guy.”

Andrews could end up being a tremendous value pick and exactly what the Patriots need with Onwenu out to start training camp.

New England’s offensive line allowed 41 sacks last season. A youth movement may be needed at the positional group with players like David Andrews, Trent Brown and Riley Reiff being in the 30-plus age range.

Giving a young player like Jake Andrews the chance to learn and develop on the fly could be important for the future.

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Bill Belichick briefly touched on Jack Jones’ status after June arrest

Bill Belichick provided a brief update on Jack Jones’ training camp availability

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The New England Patriots are set to start training camp on Wednesday, and according to coach Bill Belichick, second-year cornerback Jack Jones will be on the field.

In June, Jones was arrested at the Logan International Airport for allegedly attempting to bring firearms onto a plane.

He was charged with two counts of the following offenses: possession of a concealed weapon in a secure area of the airport, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding device.

After the arrest, he was released on $30,000 bail and given an Aug. 18 court date, which is a day before the Patriots’ second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

However, despite all of the swirling legal drama, the former fourth-round draft pick is expected to be in attendance at the start of the Patriots’ training camp.

“Jack will be out there,” Belichick told media members on Tuesday, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “It’s a legal situation that I can’t comment on that is ongoing.”

Jones faces possible jail time for the alleged incident.

As for the Patriots, they appear to be approaching everything with a business as usual mentality, while letting things play out in the legal system.

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New England Patriots’ 90-man roster ahead of training camp

Here’s every player on the Patriots’ 90-man roster ahead of training camp

The New England Patriots are merely days away from opening training camp and embarking on their 2023 regular season journey.

Things aren’t as rocky on the personnel side of things with the team bringing Bill O’Brien back into the fold to coach the offensive side of the ball, but there’s still a lingering uncertainty from a player standpoint.

The talent is limited in New England, and O’Brien will have to be a miracle-worker to some extent to even keep the team in the hunt. Let’s hope the old adage that defense wins championships rings true for these Patriots, because that’s pretty much all they have to go on these days.

Here’s the team’s full 90-man roster ahead of training camp:

3 Patriots players placed on PUP list ahead of training camp

Here are the three Patriots players that landed on the PUP list

The New England Patriots are set to open training camp this week with at least three players on the physically unable to perform list.

Offensive guard Michael Onwenu, safety/special-teamer Cody Davis and defensive tackle Justus Tavai were all placed on the PUP list ahead of the first week of practice.

Onwenu potentially missing time is a tough blow considering he’s the best offensive lineman on the team. Pro Football Focus ranked him among the best guards in the league last season. He missed all of the spring practices after undergoing ankle surgery in the offseason.

The Patriots could have to lean on rookies Jake Andrews, Sidy Sow and Atonio Mafi until Onwenu is back on his feet.

Meanwhile, Davis has been a key special teams contributor, and Tavai, who is the brother of Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai, is an undrafted rookie that was re-signed by the team in June after initially being released.

The next-man-up mentality is already in full effect for the Patriots before the helmets and shoulder pads come on.

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Patriots announce practice times for first week of training camp

Practice times for the Patriots’ first week of training camp are set

The 2023 New England Patriots officially announced their practice times for their first week of training camp.

New England will have four initial dates on the schedule, starting Wednesday, July 26.

The organization will also hold practices on July 27, July 28 and July 30. The Wednesday, Thursday and Friday dates will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday’s time is to be determined.

This is the unofficial start of the NFL season, before the Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the season opener on September 10. New England will be facing the hardest schedule in the league, as they look to have a bounce-back year in 2023.

Training camp will give fans their first look at a New England team with new personnel. Here’s to hoping things are far better than they were around this time last year.

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