The second practice of the summer is in the books. Let’s clean out the notebook heading into Day 3.
The second practice of the New England Patriots’ 2024 training camp is in the books. It looked similar to the first one given that it was again part of the so-called acclimation period, leading to a heavy focus on the passing game between the 20s.
To recap the session, please make sure to check out Pats Pulpit beat writer Brian Hines’ Training Camp Notebook. Before we turn our attention to Day 3, however, let’s clean out that notebook to put an official wrap on Wednesday.
Patriots Training Camp Notebook: Day 2
Practice recap | Performances of note | Keion White presser | DeMario Douglas injury update | Pats Pulpit Training Camp Guide
Patriots are playing the long game along their offensive line: Their offensive line is one of the Patriots’ biggest concerns entering the 2024 season, and it appears they have yet to figure out their preferred combination up front. On Thursday, Chukwuma Okorafor, Sidy Sow, David Andrews, Michael Onwenu and Vederian Lowe were the top group — a change from the previous day, when Calvin Anderson was the top right tackle ahead of Lowe.
The mixing and matching is something that should be expected to continue, Okorafor pointed out after practice.
“Everything is open. Our coaches said that every day will be a different line, so we don’t really know who are going to be the guys yet,” he told reporters.
“David and Mike, we obviously know about them. But apart from them everything is open. So, we have to figure out how everyone works. I might be playing next to Nick [Leverett] tomorrow or next week. It’s just important what everybody plays like. If I’m playing next to whoever and he has to know how I play, and I need to know how he plays.”
While it seems offensive line coach Scott Peters and his assistant Robert Kugler are happy with four of the five spots at this point in time, more movement seems to be in the cards for the group. According to Anderson, that is not necessarily a bad thing, though.
“It presents challenges maybe I’m a little more familiar with having played both right and left ever since I have first gotten to the league,” he said. “That might be new for some guys, but I think it’s long-term much more beneficial when you have guys that are able to carry their characteristics over from one side to the other. I think that’s important to learn. It helps guys longer term, down in their careers, too.”
The Patriots playing the long game in having their O-linemen prepare in various positions might not be a bad idea. As the team saw first-hand last season, after all, injuries can happen quickly and derail a unit if no proper depth has been built up during the offseason.
The players themselves do not seem to be too concerned about it, either.
“In this line of work, you have to be prepared to play both sides,” said Anderson. “I’m here to show the new coaches that are here, show my teammates that I’m prepared to do that if needed.”
Okorafor, who was a 61-game starter at right tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers but is now making the move to the left, feels the same way.
“I don’t want to be the guy that talks before getting into pads, but I’ve played left and I’ve played right before; I’ve been All-American at left before,” he said. “I think you guys are all trying to make it a big deal, but to me it’s not really a big deal. Football is football. If I’m supposed to play left guard, left tackle, right guard, right tackle doesn’t really make a difference to me.”
Jerod Mayo’s focus on relationships stands out: Whether or not the results will ultimately look the part remains to be seen, but Jerod Mayo is already making a positive impact on the Patriots. The new head coach, who succeeded future Hall of Famer Bill Belichick in January, is particularly standing out due to the personal bonds he is trying to form with his players.
“Mayo, and anybody who’s been around him enough will know, he puts an emphasis on relationship. I think that helps the team culture,” said offensive tackle Calvin Anderson.
“I don’t know how other coaches are, but Mayo walks around knowing his guys. You walk around and you feel like you have a personal relationship with him. That makes it so much easier to buy in. When we’re on the field you can feel him when he’s walking through and telling us what to do. I appreciate that. It’s definitely making the culture nice.”
A former player under Belichick, Mayo was a team captain and defensive leader back in the day. He later transitioned into coaching before climbing up the organizational ladder over the last few seasons.
His style of leadership stands in contrast to the more stoic — if sometimes misrepresented — approach of his predecessor. Anderson appears to welcome the change.
“When you have a coach that prioritizes that relationship part — which gets lost in business in general but obviously in our business, too — it brings you back to why you love to play this game: the team aspect of playing football,” he said. “It’s much easier to play as a team when you have that relationship part. He emphasizes that, which I think everybody is much better for.”
Christian Gonzalez is trying to mimic Stephon Gilmore: Expectations are high for Christian Gonzalez heading into the second season of his career. While he was limited to only four games as a rookie due to a shoulder injury, his talent and upside are obvious and he appears to be on the verge of becoming a true No. 1 outside cornerback.
If so, he would follow the lead set by former Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore. As per Gonzalez himself, he has been in touch with the one-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
“One of the best to ever do it. He plays with great smarts. He knows the game really well,” said Gonzalez. “I spoke to him a couple of times. For him to tell me that and to watch his film, you can see how he played like that. I’m just trying to mimic certain things, and things like that. But it’s really cool to be able to talk to somebody like that or talk to him anytime when I need to, or just want to talk about ball.”
Gilmore spent four full seasons in New England and was one of the league’s best cornerbacks during that time. Besides the personal accolades he earned, he also helped the Patriots win a Super Bowl — something Gonzalez also set out to do.
Davon Godchaux’s participation status raises questions: After taking part in team drills during Wednesday’s session, thus seemingly indicating that he would not perform a “hold-in” as a sign of protest over his contract situation, Godchaux was a quasi-no-show on Thursday. He was not spotted early in the session, and when he did make an appearance didn’t join his teammates on the field.
No reason has been given for this lack of participation, which means that no option can be ruled out. That said, the coincidence of his inactivity as it relates to his contract status is noteworthy.
Godchaux is entering the final year of his deal in hopes of securing an extension. He is carrying a salary cap hit of $11.8 million, but ranks only 35th in the NFL in cash intake for the upcoming season with $8.3 million. He is hoping for an adjustment, and a deal that ties him to New England beyond 2024.
What Kyle Dugger wants to improve in Year 5: With a new contract extension in hand, Kyle Dugger’s role on the Patriots roster is no secret. He is expected to continue to be a leader on the field, and also take on a bigger role in that department off it. For the 28-year-old, that is one specific area he wants to improve in heading into his fifth NFL season.
“I just want to continue to be a better leader, a better communicator, and really just help the whole defense out in any way possible,” he said. “That’s really the main thing for me, especially communication-wise. I really want to help and just be consistent.”
A second-round draft pick in 2020, Dugger grew his role in the New England secondary with each season. Following Devin McCourty’s retirement last spring, he became the No. 1 guy at the safety spot: starting every game and moving all over the formation, he rarely left the field and helped the unit stay afloat even while plague by personnel issues.
His play was a big reason for that, but so was his ability to rally the forces. By his own admission, however, he is not doing so via grandiose gestures or fiery speeches echoing throughout the defensive meeting rooms.
Rather, Dugger is taking a more personal leadership approach.
“It’s a feel thing. You don’t want to force anything. You need it to be genuine,” he said. “Me, personally, I’m a 1-on-1 guy — pulling guys aside and letting them know, like, ‘Hey, pick it up.’ Not really putting them on blast in front of the room, but letting them know 1-on-1 what it is and what I expect from them and what the defense needs from them.
“Just finding those spots, reading guys, seeing where they need to pick me up guys — guys that may not get that attention during the day; pulling them aside and having a 1-on-1 with them, getting the playbook, things like that.”
It remains to be seen what the Patriots’ captaincy program will look like under new head coach Jerod Mayo, and how many players will end up wearing the newly-introduced “C” patch on their jerseys in 2024. Dugger does look like a realistic candidate to join the group in his fifth season, though.
Value of acclimation period is evident to Calvin Anderson: In their ever-evolving quest for player safety (and profit maximization), the NFL and NFLPA have changed how training camp is conducted through the years. Gone are two-a-days or heavy hitting from Day 1. Instead, camp is starting with a so-called acclimation period that is essentially a continuation of offseason workouts.
While that limits the action the first few days of the summer, it is an important step toward getting ready for collision football.
“These days are important,” explained Calvin Anderson. “Obviously, we ramp up into pads. And so, this acclimation period is really important for all the mental reps. The better you can do when you have no pads on, the easier it is when you do get pads on. Obviously, there are some limitations with not being able to hit stuff, but we benefit, I think, from those days.”
The Patriots will put on full pads next week. The expectation at the moment is that Monday will see the team ramp up the intensity in that regard.
What’s next: The Patriots will be back on the practice field on Friday at 11 a.m. ET for their final session before an off day. Doors will again open at 10. Make sure to follow Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) as well as our very own Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) and Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) for updates.