Patriots LBS Mcmillan, Mcgrone ready to take over in the middle

Veteran linebacker Raekwon Mcmillan impressed the Patriots enough last summer to land a one-year contract extension in the middle of his recovery from a torn ACL that sidelined him for the season.

Now back on the field, Mcmillan is starting in the middle of Bill Belichick’s defense during OTAS and eager to make an impact.

“After sitting back and watching last year, I’m ready to go this year,” he said Monday.

Mcmillan credited the coaching he’s received from Pats assistants Jerod Mayo and Steve Belichick, whom he called two of the best NFL coaches he’s had in the NFL. The sixth-year linebacker described Belichick as “cerebral” and said Mayo brings daily energy to get the linebackers room motivated. Despite last playing in 2020, when he logged 27 tackles, a pass breakup and one forced fumble for the Raiders, Mcmillan should be in the mix to start this year.

He started 28 games over two prior seasons in Miami, the latter under former Pats assistant Brian Flores. But to return to the starting lineup, Mcmillan will need to fight off second-year linebacker Cameron Mcgrone, who also missed all of last season.

Mcgrone has drawn rave reviews from Patriots decision-makers both publicly and privately. The 2021 fifth-round pick recovered from his own torn ACL last November, when he practiced with the team for two weeks before reverting to injured reserve.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald

Jets: Wilson already showing improvement:zach Wilson’s mental growth was evident during the Jets’ second day of OTAS in Florham Park, N.J. The Jets’ OTAS only competition drills featured 7-on-7. For the majority of Wilson’s reps, he showed slightly more decisiveness, which shows more command of the offense.

“He clearly has much better understanding,” coach Robert Saleh said. “It just clicks differently in year two.”

Wilson did a solid job of going through his reads and quickly finding his checkdowns if his early options weren’t available, something that was inconsistent throughout his rookie season.

The early improvement wasn’t much, but it was noticeable, and since those small details within QB play are harder to detect in non-padded practice, that shows progress. “I would say it’s more of just you’re comfortable,” Wilson said.

— DJ Biene-aime, New York Daily News