Football is right around the corner as the New England Patriots training camp is in full swing. While the season opener is still over a month away, the Patriots already have a few interesting storylines from their summer sessions. A new face at wide receiver is turning heads, while a backup safety is stealing the show in the secondary.
New England Patriots Training Camp Takeaways
Maurice Harris Is Good
Julian Edelman is out with a thumb injury, meaning that all the other receivers on the depth chart have the chance to gain Tom Brady’s trust. Right now, Maurice Harris is the one making the most of the opportunity. According to NESN’s Zack Cox, Harris has caught 10 of his 14 targets while displaying impressive chemistry with Brady. Harris’ 10 receptions lead the team, with the next closest target being James White and his six receptions.
Updated Patriots catch stats through four practices. Maurice Harris has nearly as many as the rest of the wideouts combined. pic.twitter.com/ChvgxBBsv2
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) July 28, 2019
As mentioned in a previous article, Maurice Harris is a big-bodied wide receiver who excels at overpowering defenders and winning at the point of attack. However, the true sign that Harris has a home in this offense comes from Brady himself. Harris has already picked up the offense and developed a rapport with the six-time Super Bowl champion. New England’s offense is notoriously difficult to learn, yet Harris has done it in the course of the off-season.
Wrote this in my notebook for today that you should definitely read but it’s been pretty remarkable watching Maurice Harris pick up the #Patriots offense this quickly and build chemistry with Brady. Not a lot of guys have done that.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) July 28, 2019
Julian Edelman is the unquestioned star of the receiver room, but the rest of the depth chart is wide open. If Harris can continue to build on this success, don’t be surprised if he ends up starting opposite Edelman in Week One.
Obi Melifonwu Playing Up to Potential
One of the most interesting players on the roster is safety Obi Melifonwu. Melifonwu is a Massachusetts native and a physical freak of nature. The safety initially joined the NFL as the Oakland Raiders second-round pick in 2017 but didn’t last with the silver and black. Melifonwu spent the early part of 2018 on the injured reserve before the Raiders outright released him. New England took a risk on the athletic marvel, carrying him on the roster for the remainder of 2018.
Obi Melifonwu (INT) and Keion Crossen (two PBUs) both had good days in coverage.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) July 28, 2019
That gamble appears to already be paying off for New England. Melifonwu has reportedly been one of the defensive stars, recording three interceptions through the first four practices. Interception totals can be fluky and deceiving, but all reports state that he’s stood out in coverage whenever targeted. Melifonwu won’t steal a starting job from Devin McCourty or Patrick Chung, but he can make the roster as the fourth safety if he continues to impress.
Left Tackle Is An Issue
The biggest issue on the team right now is finding a suitable left tackle. Isaiah Wynn isn’t ready to practice and third-round rookie Yodny Cajuste is still on the non-football injury list. When healthy, these two will be the top two options to protect Tom Brady’s blindside. However, neither guy has ever played an NFL snap, and both are coming off serious injuries. In their absence, New England has gotten creative.
Left guard Joe Thuney spent the first three practices as the first-team left tackle. Thuney played some tackle in college, but he’s traditionally undersized for the position. The Patriots tried to give Dan Skipper a chance to win the job on Day Four, but the career journeyman reportedly had a bad day in protection. Wynn should be back before long, but New England should consider adding a guy like Donald Penn into the mix.
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