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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. A stronger end from Judon: One of many unsolved Patriots mysteries of 2021 is what contributed to linebacker Matthew Judon‘s lack of manufacturing down the homestretch.
Judon totaled 12.5 sacks via his first 13 video games however was held with no sack in his ultimate 5 video games, which coincided with the Patriots’ 1-4 near the season. He had simply two quarterback hits over that stretch.
Whereas Judon spent a five-day stint on the COVID-19 checklist between the Week 16 and 17 video games, he beforehand downplayed that as an element. Now, as he prepares for the 2022 season, after tuning up in Friday evening’s preseason finale by enjoying 14 snaps and registering a deal with and quarterback hit in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders, he has a stronger end on his thoughts.
In his debut interview on sports activities radio WEEI’s “Gresh and Keefe” program, Judon was requested for one space he is trying so as to add to his recreation, and he mentioned: “Conditioning down the stretch. It is a lengthy season, and I bought to be recent. I’ve been asking some older veterans how they did it, how they went via and made it via yr upon yr being nice, all through the entire season. That is a giant factor I am engaged on.”
It is sensible, contemplating Judon performed a career-high 877 defensive snaps final season. That was considerably greater than his earlier excessive of 793 in 2019 with the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2020, the season earlier than he signed a four-year, $56 million contract with the Patriots, Judon performed solely 565 defensive snaps.
This yr, the Patriots have not proven any indicators they intend to lighten Judon’s function, maybe aside from taking him off the punt-rush unit. He is a fixture on early downs — the place he supplies a mixture of edge-setting in opposition to the run and cross rush — and within the staff’s extra rush-specific packages.
“Matt’s bought a whole lot of good vitality, loves soccer, performs exhausting,” Patriots coach Invoice Belichick mentioned. “He works properly with everyone and is an effective communicator. A troublesome, bodily soccer participant.”
There would not look like appreciable depth behind Judon, with 2020 third-round decide Anfernee Jennings rising as a prime backup and 2020 second-rounder Josh Uche profiling as extra of a pass-rush specialist. Hopes that 2021 third-round decide Ronnie Perkins can be a part of that group have been dashed when he was positioned on injured reserve due to an undisclosed harm final week.
Judon mentioned the Patriots are decided to play with a “downhill mentality” they usually “need to be aggressive, assault the road of scrimmage and knock it again.”
Judon’s skill to take action — from the beginning of the season via the tip — can be essential if the protection delivers in these areas. And given a number of the preseason struggles from the Mac Jones-led offense, the Patriots would possibly have to lean on the protection extra to purchase extra time for the offense to search out its groove.
2. Montgomery’s harm: Belichick mentioned veteran operating again Ty Montgomery, who was carted to the locker room after injuring an ankle throughout Friday’s preseason recreation, traveled house with the staff from Las Vegas. Montgomery was scheduled to endure extra testing to find out the severity of the harm. He appeared like a lock to make the roster as a 3rd possibility behind Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, and if the harm sidelines him for an prolonged interval, Belichick should assess how comfy he is likely to be turning to rookies Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris, whom he mentioned did some “encouraging issues” Friday evening.
3. QB breakdown: Belichick famous how the Patriots view joint practices as extensions of preseason video games, so between two with the Panthers after which two with the Raiders, these have been 4 alternatives to judge gamers along with three preseason video games. At quarterback, rookie Bailey Zappe simply performed probably the most snaps in video games (119), adopted by Jones (41) and Brian Hoyer (30). That mirrored how most of Jones’ work got here within the joint practices.
4. Scouting Kenny Pickett: The Patriots go to the Steelers in Week 2 of the common season, which is why Sunday’s Steelers-Lions preseason finale figures to be of explicit curiosity to Belichick & Co. Steelers first-round decide Kenny Pickett is making a cost to win the beginning job over Mitch Trubisky, and what unfolds Sunday goes to be a big think about Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s determination. It is a prime NFL storyline, with a big trickle-down impact in New England — with some similarities to how Jones made his cost to finally win the job over Cam Newton final season.
5. Trent at LT: Why did the Patriots transfer Trent Brown from proper deal with to left deal with this yr? A part of it is likely to be tied to protecting Brown motivated, however Michael Lombardi, former Patriots assistant to the top coach, relayed notable perception when he mentioned on his “GM Shuffle” podcast: “One of many issues I feel individuals lose sight is when you’ve got a left deal with that may run-block, it units a special tempo. The Patriots did that to run the ball left. It provides them a greater likelihood to actually dominate the road of scrimmage going to your left.” Rhamondre Stevenson‘s 13-yard run on Friday evening, with Brown out in entrance, was a very good instance of that.
6. Wynn’s future: Offensive deal with Isaiah Wynn‘s future in New England grew to become a hot-button matter when Albert Breer of SI.com reported the Patriots talked to different groups about him as a commerce risk. The timing of these talks looks like vital context, because it is sensible the Patriots explored it within the spring when Wynn wasn’t a part of the offseason program and the staff was eyeing choices to create salary-cap house. However after getting a more in-depth take a look at backups Justin Herron and Yodny Cajuste all through coaching camp, buying and selling Wynn appears too dangerous now except a staff blows them away with a suggestion.
7. Signal of the instances: “The most important downside with communication is the phantasm it is going down.” These phrases are on an indication within the Patriots’ offensive line assembly room, in line with Patriots beginning heart David Andrews, who mentioned it displays how linemen are all the time making an attempt to enhance their communication and studying the way to work collectively. As Friday evening confirmed, there is a lengthy option to go, with the O-line’s inconsistency among the many prime issues.
8. Kraft’s HOF wait: It was disappointing information for Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft final week when the late modern coach Don Coryell was introduced because the Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist from a gaggle of 12 coaches and contributors. Meaning Kraft should wait one other yr. As a part of the method amongst voters, the group of 12 was diminished in a number of cuts, and Kraft was a part of the ultimate lower to 4 this yr. That’s the reason some imagine it’s extra a matter of “when” than “if” for Kraft.
9. Group service award: The Patriots’ Premiere Kickoff Gala is scheduled for Thursday evening on the sphere at Gillette Stadium, and the celebrated Ron Burton Group Service Award can be offered. It’s typically mentioned by Belichick that one of many pillars of being a Patriot is optimistic contributions locally, and there’s no scarcity of high quality candidates, with sixth-year defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. amongst them.
10. Do you know? Zappe is the thirteenth quarterback drafted by the Patriots underneath Belichick (2000-present) and the primary participant at any place from Western Kentucky to be drafted by the franchise.