Michel may be in mix
Rookie hopes to debut vs. Jags
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
FOXBORO — Sony Michel hasn’t been officially activated for tomorrow’s clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the Patriots rookie running back knows what he will be up against if he does get the call for his NFL debut.
While Michel was churning out all-purpose yards for Georgia last year, Jacksonville was second in the NFL in total defense (286.1 ypg.), points allowed (16.8) and sacks (55). And the Jaguars now have the thirdrated defense in the AFC following their opening victory over the Giants.
“They have a great defense and they are fast,” Michel said after practice yesterday. “They run to the ball well and they are trying to create turnovers. I’m excited about (tomorrow’s) game.”
The 5-foot-11, 215-pound first-round draft pick suffered a knee injury early in training camp and missed the four preseason games and the regular seson opener against Houston.
The Patriots’ lack of depth at running back could dictate whether Michel plays tomorrow. Jeremy Hill was lost for the season with a torn ACL and Rex Burkhead suffered a concussion against the Texans. James White is primarily a third down back so the Patriots brought in former Eagle Kenjon Barner to add depth.
“I’ll be excited whenever my day comes but it’s all preparation and our preparation the week for that game,” Michel said. “That’s going to matter how I play and how I feel about that game.
“As a football player you want to get that first hit out of the way but practice is the best way to simulate it all.”
Getting hang of it
Fielding punts is a teachable skill so fundamental that even a 66-year-old NFL head coach can do it.
“It comes easier to some than others but in the end, you can learn how to catch punts,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. “I feel like I can catch punts because I know where the ball is going to go.
“I might drop it but I can pick up the direction and get under the ball and I think it is a learned skill. I don’t think you have to have a lot of experience doing it but when you understand where the ball is going to go and where to catch it is matter of concentration.”
The Patriots need a replacement for Riley McCarron, who was cut after mishandling a punt in the fourth quarter against the Texans.
The short list of potential replacements includes Barner, who handled 27 punts for the Eagles in 2017, and strong safety Patrick Chung. The guy Belichick would prefer to see deep on each change of possession is serving a four-game suspension.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman was a quarterback at Kent State and never handled a punt before being drafted by the Patriots in 2009.
Edelman has fielded 157 punts in his career with 52 fair catches for 1,832 yards (11.7) with a long of 94 and four touchdowns in the regular season. He has 29 returns for 366 yards in the playoffs.
Right Guy
Tackle Lawrence Guy has become a mainstay on the Patriots defensive front alongside Malcom Brown and flanked by ends Trey Flowers and Adrian Clayborn.
Guy came to the Patriots from the Ravens as an unrestricted free agent before last season and played in 16 games with 15 starts. He finished the regular season with 58 tackles and a sack and added 14 tackles and a sack in the playoffs.
The 6-4, 315-pound eighth year pro out of Arizona State picked up where he left off against the Texans. Guy registered five tackles and put the heat on quarterback Deshaun Watson.
“Lawrence is an experienced player,” said Belichick. “He does a good job recognizing all the little things that all good players do in those interior spots.
“He doesn’t get fooled often on the different types of plays that teams try to run. Good defensive linemen are able to figure out the differences and react properly.”
Harmon fined
Safety Duron Harmon was fined $26,739 for his hit on Houston wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, which drew a flag for unnecessary roughness . . . .
Michel, Burkhead, tackle Marcus Cannon (calf) and defensive back Keion Crossen (hamstring) are listed as questionable on the injury report. Tight end Jacob Hollister (hamstring), who missed the opener, was a full participant in practice and will play.