JONES SHINES, MORE FROM DAY 1
Top targets in team drills: Ty Montgomery 7, Mike Gesicki 6, Hunter Henry 6, Tre Nixon 6, J.J. Taylor 5
gPenalties: Kendrick Bourne (illegal formation)
gForget any talk of a quarterback competition. Jones took all of the starting reps in team drills. He was more accurate and decisive.
gHe also dumped several checkdowns, which were a function of good coverage and sometimes disguise. Backup running backs J.J. Taylor and newly minted slot receiver Ty Montgomery benefited most.
gMontgomery’s role bears watching in light of James Robinson’s release. He was the Pats’ top third-down back in last year’s season opener before suffering a season-ending shoulder surgery.
gThe Patriots’ top personnel grouping in team drills was a two-tight package featuring Rhamondre Stevenson, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki.
gTheir starting offensive line from left to right: Calvin Anderson, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Bill Murray/ Jake Andrews and Conor McDermott.
gRight guard Mike Onwenu should return to his starting spot once he returns to health. He is not expected to participate in minicamp after undergoing ankle surgery.
gJake Andrews also took reps at backup center, a job that should be his to lose. Fellow fourth-round rookie Sidy Sow took reps at offensive tackle.
gBill O’Brien unleashed several creative screens in two team periods that looked purposed to work on that chapter of his playbook. Bourne, Montgomery and the running backs were the most common targets.
gLater, Bourne burst through the secondary for a touchdown scored against the blitz, a score he celebrated with Parker. On a lower note, Montgomery replaced him after Bourne committed the starting offense’s only pre-snap penalty of the day.
gJones’ first incompletion during competitive periods was a hospital ball that led Gesicki right into Josh Uche’s zone. Uche registered the pass breakup merely by standing there as Gesicki carried his left-to-right crossing route straight into him.
gLater, Jones looked a bit careless in a closing 2-minute drill where the defense was supposed to yield completions. He joked about his two picks in the drill after practice.
gTRE NIXON
Starting personnel used during 11-on-11 periods: defensive linemen Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore, Carl Davis and Daniel Ekuale; linebackers Matt Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Josh Uche and Jahlani Tavai and defensive backs Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jonathan Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Jack Jones, Jalen Mills, Marcus Jones and Jabrill Peppers.
Interceptions: Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips Pass breakups: Jack Jones 2, Christian Gonzalez, Josh Uche, Deatrich Wise, Mack Wilson, Marte Mapu, Isaiah Bolden
Would-be sacks: Matt Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Christian Barmore
Penalties: Carl Davis (offsides)
The interceptions for Dugger and Phillips were both bad flips Mac Jones made during a closing 2-minute drill that was supposed to be defended at a slower tempo, as Jones loudly reminded the defense after Dugger’s pick.
That said, it was a strong overall day for the secondary. Gonzalez looked like a natural running with the starting unit, Jack Jones draped himself over most of his assigned receivers. Both of them rotated with Jonathan Jones at outside corner, where Marcus Jones took a few snaps while the elder Jones bumped inside.
Gonzalez earned his pass breakup knocking a sideline pass away from DeVante Parker during the 2-minute drill. Moments earlier, Jack Jones batted away another pass to Parker on an in-breaking route. Jones’ first pass deflection came at the expense of undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham.
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