Why ‘unicorns’ and retention can make the Patriots’ defense better – ESPN – New England Patriots Blog

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

1. Water retention defense: When the midfielder is patriotic Mac Jones Stepping off the field after the last day of mandatory minicamp practice, he turned to a guest and said, “The defense really took us down today.”

Jones also mentioned how difficult it is to face defense on a daily basis, saying: “They throw the sink at you. [Playcaller] Steve [Belichick] stay in there all night drawing something that looks like what you saw, but it’s something else.”

Jones’ remarks highlight one of the obvious themes of the Patriots’ spring activities: The defense, which is already one of the NFL’s better units in 2022, could get even better this season. this award.

With so much media attention paid to Jones, new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and how the Patriots aimed to turn last year’s offensive struggles, sometimes overlooked, are Head coach Bill Belichick brought in nearly the entire defensive unit in 2023.

Consider this: The Patriots team only had one defensive officer leave last year (safely Devin McCourty‘retired), at least in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

The buffalo billWith three defensive departures, there is the second least.

Those numbers are still subject to change with roster cuts, injury attrition, contract likelihood (e.g. defensive tackles) Lawrence guy did not report to the mandatory minicamp) and legal issues (e.g. corners Jack Jones was arrested on friday day weapon charges), but based on the current snapshot, the value of continuity was evident in the Spring activities of the Patriots.

“OTAs, that’s where some of the boys really start to learn defensively, what the coach asks of you, the expectations, the standards. But we already know that,” safety Jabrill peppers speak.

“So we’re looking to get ahead. How can we disguise? Cognitive things. The things we might not have necessarily worked so hard on last year, let’s try to take the next step.”

Peppers, who Belichick spoke to last week by saying he was a “much different player” in his second year with the team, added: “I’ve never been part of something as fast So.”

Counting receivers DeVante Parker in that category too — from the opposite side of the script line.

“I never saw that until I came here [in 2022]. They get a little bit more advanced with everything they do,” he said.

The Patriots defense was the backbone of last season’s 8-9 campaign and may need to return in 2023 as New England play against the league’s toughest schedule, according to ESPN’s Football Strength Index.

Among the areas where D ranked highly last year, according to ESPN Stats & Information:

• Third in terms of efficiency (64.9)

• Third on layoff rate (8%)

• Tied to fifth place with the fewest first kills allowed per game (18.5)

• Scored seven defensive TDs, the most in franchise history and the most tied by any team in the past 10 seasons

• One of only two teams with 30 buys and 50 sacks (join Cowboys)

outside defender Matthew Judon, who led the team with 15.5 bags last season, said the Patriots have many “unicorns” who can take on a variety of roles and positions. He credits the coaching staff for putting versatile players in position for success and says with good health the unit will be able to “be better off against any attacking personnel”.

At least, the defense is entering training camp in high spirits.

“We’re really excited,” Peppers said. “Nothing we did last year was important, but we know how defensive we can be if we do.”

2. Decision of D-Hop: Receiver DeAndre Hopkins‘ visit to New England is over no dealbut that doesn’t mean the road is over for the two sides to get closer at the start of training camp.

EQUAL Jason McCourty said on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football”: “I spoke to a number of people on the team who felt really good about that visit. Obviously nothing is certain, I’m not saying he’s going to the Patriots team, but I feel once he’s there, in the building… [I think it showed] Hopkins wants to play for Bill Belichick.”

The guard said patriots Mack Wilson Sr.: “A great player. Obviously some of the best hands ever. I feel like he still has the ball. We’ll see what picks he makes – hopefully it’s here. .”

3. Hopkins Market: Hopkins’ visits with the Titans and Patriots come as most of the teams are completing off-season programs and will be out of action for about a month. So if you are Hopkins, and not present Odell Beckham Jr.-type of offer to consider (one year, $15 million with offers up to $18 million), not much difference between signing now or a month from now. So he might as well wait and see if anything happens between now and (possibly into) training camp that could bring the market for him closer to a Beckham-style deal.

4. JuJu and Mac: Receiver JuJu Smith-SchusterThe team’s number 7 shirt is currently hanging in the Patriots pro shop, although the new player has not yet started training. Smith-Schuster and the club have taken a cautious approach due to a lingering knee injury from last season, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t working hard behind the scenes.

“I feel like he’s really been bought into the offense. He was always learning,” Jones said. “He is dealing with some business [but] we always talk about offense, certain plays, things that he likes. I think that’s good, the conversations always help to see it the way he sees it.”

Scene in the Patriots pro shop: JuJu Smith-Schuster is locked to the number 7. pic.twitter.com/IFz1Mva8U5

– Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 16, 2023

5. Folktales: veteran striker folk nick Hopefully the NFL’s new warm-up rule, allowing a fair catch at the 25-yard line, will change the way teams approach the game.

“I would say being #1 on the hit list, there will be more hits,” Folk said. “Now, when you kick this oblong-shaped ball, you don’t know it. It’s a tough kick to perfect. You are at the mercy of football.

Folklore adds that there are six phases of special teams (hit the ball, return the ball, tee off, return the ball, score and save the goal) and the new rule is essentially 5.5 because it reduces one half the impact of the tee shots.

“I don’t know if anyone will do anything in pre-season to show what their plans are,” he said. “Will be very interesting.”

6. Mapu’s intelligence: Peppers impressed with rookie Marte Mapu (third round, Sacramento State), who stood out in spring practice by lining up in both defence and safety. “Smart, smart guy,” Peppers said. “You could say that he not only wanted to understand his job but also wanted to understand the whole defence. When you understand that conceptually, it allows you to play faster.” Next step for Mapu: full medical clearance from a torn right pectoral muscle, leaving him wearing a red non-contact jersey in the spring.

7. Montgomery’s Gesture: Veteran running back / recipient Ty Montgomery visited holy sites in Israel last year and said it awakened something in him mentally to want to help others. So from June 6 to 16 this year, he funded 11 individuals who had just come out of the foster care system. His plans are to do something similar in the coming years and hope to schedule after the mandatory minicamp so he can join the trip.

8. Rothstein’s role: Mac Jones said last week that the Patriots’ third-year assistant coach, Evan Rothstein, has been working with the quarterbacks, along with O’Brien. Rothstein, 35, was Matt Patricia’s assistant head coach/research & analysis with the Lions, and is coming to New England with Patricia in 2021. “OB and Evan have done a great job coaching them. me,” Jones said. “It’s all about coming together as one.”

9. Loss of Lawing: Condolences to new Patriots coach Will Lawing, whose father Brad – a longtime football assistant in South Carolina – passed away Thursday at the age of 65. Brad Lawing has been described as “”bigger than personality” who recruited and trained some of the biggest stars of Game of Thrones, a team that included John Abraham And Jadeveon clown.

10. Did you know? Mapu, the Patriots’ third pick, is a grandson late Teenager Seau.