[ad_1]
The first of five consecutive training days is on the books, and it has been an eventful day for the New England Patriots. But while the surprise absence of quarterback Cam Newton due to an apparent “misunderstanding” of Covid-19 protocols grabbed the headlines, it was far from the only notable development.
With that said, let’s clean up the notebook of what was Day 16 of the Patriots’ training camp.
Bill Belichick provides update on Stephon Gilmore’s status with the Patriots
Ahead of Monday’s practice, head coach Bill Belichick held a 20-minute press conference. Among the topics mentioned was the continued absence of star cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who remains on the list physically unable to perform after a partially ripped quad ended its 2020 season in mid-December.
Gilmore has been spotted on several occasions training away from the rest of the squad, but so far he has yet to return to the pitch. On Monday, Belichick provided a minor update on the veteran defender’s current situation.
“I know Steph worked extremely hard. See him here all the time, and he’s doing other things while we’re training, so we don’t really see him on the training ground, but you know he’s done everything he can do, ” Belichick said.
“The things that he hasn’t been able to do, he hasn’t been able to do. I would say it’s day to day. We just keep trying to put the days together and stack them together. When he’s ready to be there, then he’ll be there. If he’s not ready to be there, then he’ll be working on things he can work on to try and prepare to be there. We’re just going to take it day by day.
Gilmore’s injury status isn’t the only concern at the moment. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year has also pulled out of the mandatory minicamp in a contract dispute, and the two sides have yet to find common ground.
Still, Gilmore is present at Gillette Stadium and is working on an apparent return to the field.
“I know he’s doing what he can. I know we’re doing what we can, and when he’s ready he’s ready. If he’s not ready, then I don’t think he’s a smart move for any of us. We’re not going to do this, and we shouldn’t be doing it. We’ll take it as it comes, ”Belichick said.
“There are still other preparations and other things that we can do in terms of communication and planning and film study and that kind of thing that we do as well. This is true for all players who don’t participate, and we have quite a few that fall into this category. Looks like we still have someone. The same goes for all other teams. So for these players and for the team the best thing is for this player to focus on what he can do.
Yodny Cajuste is happy to see the Patriots support Haiti
Patriots offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste has close ties to Haiti, which was recently hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people and left more than 12,000 hospitalized. His entire family except his mother and two brothers live in the country, and he spoke of the current situation on Monday.
“Things are not going very well there at the moment,” Cajuste said.
The Patriots sent one of their team planes to Haiti on Saturday to help deliver supplies and medical equipment. The belief is that more than 600,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
“I’m happy to see that we were able to fly our team’s plane to send things to help,” said Cajuste. “Anything we can help make things better there, because things are really bad there right now.”
Isaiah Wynn explains what it looks like to face Matthew Judon and Josh Uche
The Patriots have invested considerable resources in their defensive front seven during the offseason, improving both their run defense and the pass rush. In practice, the group faces another top-notch unit: an offensive line that could be among the best in the NFL this season.
One of its members, left tackle Isaiah Wynn, spoke of the challenge of facing two of New England’s talented passer in particular on Monday.
“They are both good edge players,” Wynn said of Matthew Judon and Yodny Cajuste. “They both play physically and they’re both quick on the edge. Just having a chance to go against them in practice is quite helpful. You know, iron sharpens iron. So being able to go against them – they were able to improve me and vice versa.
While Uche is in his second year in the system after being drafted in 2020, Judon arrived via free agency in March. Both are expected to play an important role for the Patriots this season.
“They are both very good players, and I think they work to be better every day,” Wynn said of them.
JJ Taylor compares 2020 to 2021
Running back JJ Taylor is pushing hard towards the Patriots’ 53-man roster this summer, leading the team in the all-round yards after two of his three preseason games. The former free agent rookie therefore appears to be making the infamous second-year jump.
On Monday, he spoke about the differences between his rookie season and his sophomore year in the system.
“Personally, the rookie year has been very stressful,” said Taylor. “We had no opportunity to come early, and no opportunity to meet all the guys. Everything was virtual. It was a difficult transition, but it taught me more than I could ask for. “
Taylor joined the Patriots shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. As a result of the pandemic, the league has been forced to cancel off-season training and preseason games, creating a difficult environment for newbie players in particular.
While Covid-19 still dominates life in the NFL – just ask Cam Newton – the league as a whole is slowly returning to normal. As a result, Taylor and the other sophomores in the New England roster are in a better position than they were a year ago.
“It’s more like regular football,” he said. “Being around guys, being able to be around teammates and training, and coming together. It just seems normal.
Mac Jones doesn’t care about the starting position
With Cam Newton out until Thursday, Mac Jones will likely continue to take the bulk of the practice reps. But while the first-round rookie was now elevated to QB1 for the time being, his goal isn’t to eventually win the starting role.
Appearing on WEEIs Ordway, Merloni and Fauria show, he called becoming a starter “more of a future thing”.
“Today I’m just trying to learn the games that I missed in training,” he said. “This is really my goal. Fix them and go to the next day. I think I’m starting to get it right. I’m just here to be a good teammate and help the quarterback room. When I’m there I need to run the games and I can continue to improve in that area – and I will. It’s just a learning experience and I am ready to take on any role I need to play.
On Monday, Jones was set to play the role of the best quarterback – one he’ll keep until Newton is cleared to return.
[ad_2]
Source link