Mac makes the cut as captain
Joins Slater, Wise, Bentley, McCourty and Andrews
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. >>
From rookie starter to second-year captain.
Mac Jones is one of the Patriots’ six captains for the 2022 season, coach Bill Belichick announced before practice Wednesday. Jones is joined by longtime captains Matthew Slater, Devin McCourty and David Andrews, plus defensive lineman Deatrich Wise and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. Jones and Wise are first-time captains.
“I think it’s really cool,” Jones said before the team’s practice at Palm Beach Atlantic University. “I think I have a lot of work to do, I want to become a better leader and I think we have great guys around us that make everything better. So great coaches, great org and we’ve just gotta build and learn from the older guys like I did when I first got here, and continue to do that and hopefully some of the younger guys can come to me.
This will be Bentley’s second season as a captain, after being selected in 2020. He handed his role off last season to veteran Dont’a Hightower, who opted out of the 2020 season and is currently out of football. McCourty and Slater are entering their 12th consecutive seasons as captains, while this marks Andrews’ sixth straight leading the offense.
During the offseason, Jones was widely praised for his leadership and work ethic, as he traveled the country working out with teammates. Last week, Pats wideout Jakobi Meyers said he’s also elevated his command inside the building. Outside linebacker Matt Judon provided more specifics on Wednesday.
“I think Deatrich is the first person in every day, Mac probably the second,” Judon said. And then just how they are in the rooms, our meeting rooms, and just the knowledge and jewels they drop. I think they’re going to do a great job as leaders for us and especially spokesmen for the locker room.”
And now, they’ve been recognized for it.
“I think it’s great, but you’ve got to be yourself,” Jones said. “And that’s what is important to be is just being myself. I’m plenty good enough, and I just need to continue to grow and try and figure out how to get better as a player and a leader and a person and all that stuff.”
Wynn, Montgomery limited in return
The Patriots released their first injury report of the season Wednesday, and it brought good news.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, running back/ wide receiver Ty Montgomery and offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn were the only players listed. All three were limited during a fully padded practice. Meyers and Montgomery are dealing with knee injuries, while Wynn has an iffy back.
Montgomery practiced for the first time since Aug. 26, when he was carted off the field during the Patriots’ preseason finale at Las Vegas. Wynn is back after sitting out most of the team’s practices the past three weeks. Meyers appeared to tweak his knee in the same game Montgomery got hurt, but hasn’t missed a practice.
In Miami, the Dolphins listed 11 players as limited, including star left tackle Terron Armstead (veteran rest), wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (quad) and running back Chase Edmonds (groin).
Judon: No need to admire Tua
Matt Judon does not admire Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Or any opposing player, for that matter.
The Patriots’ top pass rusher dismissed a question about what aspects of Tagovailoa’s game he admired Wednesday by saying he feels no need to praise the third-year quarterback ahead of this weekend’s season opener.
“I don’t really gotta admire his game. I just gotta face him,” Judon said. “He’s an opponent. Gotta respect everybody you play. That’s the league we play in, we respect everybody. But I don’t really got praise for him. He’s a good quarterback, fits their system.
“He’s a starter in this league. He knows how to make plays.”
Tagovailoa went 2-0 against Judon’s defense last season and won his first meeting with the Patriots in December 2020. But the Patriots have limited his passing impact in those meetings, allowing just 456 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while snatching two interceptions. Tagovailoa has also run for three scores against the Pats and averaged 16 rushing yards per game.
As Miami’s starter last year. Tagovailoa completed 67.8% of his passes for 2,653 yards, 16 touchdowns and 10 picks.
“Productive player, knows how to use his weapons, receivers, backs,”
Bill Belichick said Wednesday of Tagovailoa. “Makes a lot of good critical plays, goal line, third-and -one, fourth-and-one. … Smart football player.”
Judon later emphasized he respects all NFL players, but stops his enthusiasm for opponents there.
“I think my mind for my opponents is more respect. I think ‘admire’ is kind of a crazy word to use for an opponent,” he added. “But I respect everybody in this league. You know, from the long snapper to the quarterback. Whoever is getting paid the most, whoever is getting paid the least, we all are one of the 53 (on a team).”
Parker downplays revenge game
DeVante Parker spent the first seven seasons of his career in Miami before being traded to New England
this spring.
He sure sounds like a Patriot now.
Asked Wednesday about facing off against his old team, Parker kept his comments brief and to the point.
“Things happen,” he said. “You move forward.”
What about the positive experiences in South Florida, a local reporter asked?
“I ain’t thinking about the past. I’m thinking right now,” he replied. “I’m not worried about the past. I’m worried about right now.”
The Pats acquired Parker and the Dolphins’ 2022 fifth-round pick for a 2023 third-rounder. Parker’s exit followed a mass influx of offensive talent into Miami this offseason, with All-Pro wideout Tyreek Hill arriving via trade and former Saints All-Pro offensive tackle Terron Armstead and Cowboys receiver Cedrick Wilson signing in free agency.
Last season, the injuryprone Parker appeared in just 10 games and caught 40 passes for 515 yards and two touchdowns.