Unbuilt QB Malik Cunningham Brings Fascinating Skill Set to Patriots – ESPN – New England Patriots Blog

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Quick thoughts and notes around New England Patriots and the NFL:

1. Cunningham at QB: The Patriots had an untrained free agent make their opening-day list of 53 for 19 years in a row, tying the Broncos for the longest record in the NFL.

In the class of 2023 smaller than usual, Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham represents the best chance for that sequence to continue — and the possibilities are a very attractive dual-threat option.

“He’s going to be one of the most dynamic players on the pitch,” said Lance Taylor, Cunningham’s offensive coordinator at Louisville last season and now head coach of Western Michigan. “He can turn a bad play into a run and play exceptionally faster than anyone I have ever seen, especially in midfield. He is very unique with his skill set.

“I have been lucky enough to be around some great midfielders, with Orange Newton, and Rex Ryan Era Jets, and some great college quarterbacks. He is one of the most dynamic and explosive players you will get.”

The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Cunningham started 47 games in Louisville, where the former Patriots player Branch of Deion serves as director of player development and alumni relations. He was given a scholarship by Alabama as a safe bet but chose Louisville because he wanted to play quarterback and move on. Baltimore Crows‘ lamar Jackson.

He ended his career 692 to 1,105 in 9,664 yards with 70 touches and 29 interceptions, but he was the fastest and most agile ball carrier, 619 in total. made in 3,184 yards and 50 touchdowns.

The Patriots, the team that finished 32nd in the red zone last season, 28th in the first knockdown and scored just 31 offensive touchdowns, could benefit from the hot style Cunningham offers at school university.

Perhaps new attack coordinator Bill O’Brien has in mind the read option package. Maybe it’s a utility game for a must-have situation. It could be game planning and helping the defense as it prepares to face dynamic midfielders like the Eagles’ Jalen hurtsstarting in Week 1. Or it could be as simple as providing midfield supplies, which is always good business given the value of the position.

Cunningham is currently fourth on the New England depth chart following Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and recently signed Follow McSorley. The Patriots have made three quarterbacks on the opening-day roster each season for the past four seasons, so there’s a clear path for Montgomery, Alabama, home of the McSorley pick-and-dropper and maintain the streak the team’s unimproved game.

“I think he is a midfielder, first and foremost. He absolutely has the skills and tools to be able to play at that level,” Taylor said. “Whatever role he is asked to do, he will thrive in it. That’s one thing that I found in him, there isn’t anything we can give him that he can’t do or figure out and be good at.”

Cunningham, who served as captain in 2022, was one of the most sought-after freelance agents after the draft. His contract includes $200,000 in security, which is on par with the draft option at the end of the round.

“Malik is a great leader, prepares properly, loves football, is a great teammate,” Taylor said. “He is a quiet leader, but when needed, he can definitely give orders and show presence with that voice.

“I think one of the things that stood out to me when I first met him, we were going through conditioning exercises in the summer and he was winning every drill with the receiver, running back and skilled people, the fastest people on our team. He is a competitor.”

2. Goodbye: The Patriots don’t play against an opponent who will bid farewell in 2023, which some see as an advantage due to rest considerations. In contrast, the Rams and 49ers play against the top four opponents in the league who are about to part with them. This marks the first time since 2013, the Patriots won’t face an opponent about to say goodbye, according to an analysis by ESPN.

3. Rookies under the sights: First round draft selection Christian Gonzalez and the rest of the Patriots’ rookie class came to town last week for the rest of spring, and like every team but the Rams, they went to a rookie minicamp. Coach Bill Belichick, who is never afraid to be the outlier, is one of the few coaches to keep his rookie minicamps private from reporters; only the Patriots, Ravens, and Raiders closed rookie practice to reporters. Belichick will open its doors to reporters for the first time on May 25.

4. Legacy of the Patriots: How do NFL schedulers view the Patriots coming out on the 8-9 season? Onnie Bose, vice president of broadcasting, talks about rallying New England fixtures: “They have a game everywhere — on every primetime pack, an international, a potential NFL Network, a CBS two-game, a Fox double-header — and I think which is illustrative of a team that can play in a lot of places. The team’s legacy and the competitiveness of the AFC East contribute to that.”

5. Brady Bucks: The Patriots’ Defense Solution Davon Godchaux joke that brave catThe return of the Patriots in the home opener against the Eagles, as part of an invitation from owner Robert Kraft so fans can thank him, means it will be a hot ticket. . Turns out this is currently the most requested ticket of the entire NFL season. According to Vivid Seats, the average ticket price for the game is $807, followed by the Cowboys at 49ers ($501). “We want to win every game, but that game we have to win,” Godchaux said.

6. Out-of-season registration: There was a moment in the patriots’ media room last week that reflected one of the key benefits of the team’s voluntary protest program (which will enter its fifth Monday). It comes as the paver/captain Ja’Whaun Bentley Answering questions from reporters and newly contracted support/special team Chris’ Board of Directors wait aside. Bentley was asked about Board, leading to a chuckle between the two. As Bentley later said, a successful off-season program is when players begin to build relationships that can carry them into the season.

7. Mac on the go: run backwards James Robinson, who signed a two-year contract with the Patriots in free agency, noted Jones in quarterback on the team’s protest program. “That man can run for a long time,” Robinson said with a laugh. Robinson isn’t the only Patriot to take note of Jones’ conditions and work ethic this season, but perhaps equally notable is what another person close to Jones relayed: Attitude Jones’ everyday seems closer to what teammates witnessed during his successful rookie season than to last season’s struggles.

8. They say: “At the end of the draft day, [Patriots president] Jonathan [Kraft] and I was talking, and I said, ‘This is a wonderful, wonderful manuscript. I’m really optimistic about the team.’ And he said, ‘You say it every year!’ But I really believe it. We were able to get to the top seven picks that we identified before the draft. I think it gives us a good balance of our needs. I think engaging our free agent and bringing in Bill O’Brien would make a big difference. — owner Robert Kraft, on the NFL Network

9. Belichick and the Navy: Given his close relationship with the US Naval Academy, the worst case scenario for Belichick is that the Patriots will play a road game on December 10, which means he will be leaving. with the same team in the annual Army- Navy Game, which will be held at Gillette Stadium on December 9. The Patriots instead visit the Steelers on Thursday, December 7, creating a good-bye weekend for Belichick to enjoy a game rich in tradition at his hometown stadium.

10. Did you know?: The last time the Patriots started a home season against an NFC team — as they will in 2023 with the visit of the defending NFC Eagles champions — was in 2000. That was the first year Belichick did. coach; New England lost to Tampa Bay at home with a score of 21-16. Furthermore, with the team hosting Miami in Week 2, this season marks the first time since 1995 that the team will open with two consecutive home games.