{"id":134565,"date":"2022-08-04T17:13:29","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T21:13:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=134565"},"modified":"2022-08-04T17:13:29","modified_gmt":"2022-08-04T21:13:29","slug":"patriots-training-camp-what-we-did-and-didnt-learn-in-week-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/08\/04\/patriots-training-camp-what-we-did-and-didnt-learn-in-week-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots Training Camp: What We Did (And Didn\u2019t) Learn In Week 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some things never change at\u00a0<\/span>New England Patriots<\/span><\/a>\u00a0training camp. Bill Belichick always swings his whistle, players sign autographs for their adoring fans, and we, the Patriots punditocracy, are perpetually flush with questions and observations surrounding the team.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the mass exodus of institutional knowledge from the team on the coaching staff and the roster in 2022, the Patriots look far different than they did in years past. At training camp this year, there is no Josh McDaniels, Carmen Bricillo, or Mick Lombardi, nor are their Patriots cornerstones like Dont’a Hightower<\/a>, Jaime Collins, or Kyle Van Noy<\/a> on the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, while the absence of those players and coaches is the most pronounced, several other notable observations have piqued my interest over the last handful of practices and revealed a lot about the Patriots.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matt Patricia Is Calling Plays At Patriots Training Camp<\/span><\/h2>\n

Coach’s New Role<\/h3>\n

After months of speculation, we know who the Patriots chose as their play-caller. Bill Belichick<\/a> anointed Matt Patricia<\/a>, former defensive coordinator, and Detroit Lions head coach, as their offensive signal caller.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though Patricia has experience coaching offense for the Patriots as both an offensive assistant (2004) and assistant offensive line coach (2005), spent the majority of his career coaching defense. This is not to say that Patricia is incapable of calling plays and coaching the offense, but it is a significant step down from their previous play caller Josh McDaniels.<\/span><\/p>\n

All reports indicate (and my eyes even saw!) Patricia relayed plays to Mac Jones<\/a> or backup quarterback Bailey Zappe before the offense took the huddle. Joe Judge, on the other hand, worked exclusively with the quarterbacks and filled in for Patricia only briefly during 7-on-7 drills when Patricia dealt with the offensive line.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is not to say the production of offense or the development of Mac Jones is kaput, but it solidifies a decision many speculated could create problems for the Patriots down the line. Whether or not it will remains to be seen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tyquan Thornton Can Play<\/span><\/h3>\n

Second-round draft pick Tyquan Thornton<\/a> is balling at practice. <\/span>Critiqued for his slender build and skinny wrists, the former Baylor University speedster continues to make a name for himself on the field. In a position battle with Nelson Agholor<\/a>, Jakobi Meyers<\/a>, Kendrick Bourne<\/a>, and newly added Devante Parker, Thornton has held his own. He looks fast, poised, and impressive in his route running.<\/span><\/p>\n

His\u00a0<\/span>play at camp<\/span><\/a> is a welcome sign for fans who were worried about his role on the depth chart. Many believed there were too many mouths to feed offensively. But with his deep-threat potential differentiating himself from the other receivers, Thornton should have no problem seeing targets. Who knows? Maybe Thornton can become Jones’ next favorite target in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Happy to be back.#PatsCamp<\/a> | #ForeverNE<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6cymMPrncY<\/a><\/p>\n

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 28, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n