{"id":69261,"date":"2019-07-29T06:36:06","date_gmt":"2019-07-29T10:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=69261"},"modified":"2021-05-30T20:55:41","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T00:55:41","slug":"new-england-patriots-training-camp-takeaways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/07\/29\/new-england-patriots-training-camp-takeaways\/","title":{"rendered":"Early New England Patriots Training Camp Takeaways"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Football is right around the corner as the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/patriots\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New England Patriots<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>New England Patriots Training Camp Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3>Maurice Harris Is Good<\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/EdelJu00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Julian Edelman<\/a><\/strong> is out with a thumb injury, meaning that all the other receivers on the depth chart have the chance to gain <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BradTo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s trust. Right now, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HarrMa05.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maurice Harris<\/a><\/strong> is the one making the most of the opportunity. According to NESN\u2019s <strong>Zack Cox<\/strong>, Harris has caught 10 of his 14 targets while displaying impressive chemistry with Brady. Harris\u2019 10 receptions lead the team, with the next closest target being <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=WhitJa02,WhitJa20&amp;search=James+White&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James White<\/a><\/strong> and his six receptions.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Updated Patriots catch stats through four practices. Maurice Harris has nearly as many as the rest of the wideouts combined. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ChvgxBBsv2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/ChvgxBBsv2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Zack Cox (@zm_cox) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/zm_cox\/status\/1155552330349236226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As mentioned in <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2019\/06\/05\/maurice-harris-new-england-patriots-minicamp-film-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a previous article<\/a>, 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\u2019s offense is notoriously difficult to learn, yet Harris has done it in the course of the off-season.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Wrote this in my notebook for today that you should definitely read but it\u2019s been pretty remarkable watching Maurice Harris pick up the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Patriots?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Patriots<\/a> offense this quickly and build chemistry with Brady. Not a lot of guys have done that.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ezlazar\/status\/1155549976916910082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>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\u2019t be surprised if he ends up starting opposite Edelman in Week One.<\/p>\n<h3>Obi Melifonwu Playing Up to Potential<\/h3>\n<p>One of the most interesting players on the roster is safety <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MeliOb00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Obi Melifonwu<\/a><\/strong>. Melifonwu is a Massachusetts native and a physical freak of nature. The safety initially joined the NFL as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/raiders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Oakland Raiders<\/a> second-round pick in 2017 but didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Obi Melifonwu (INT) and Keion Crossen (two PBUs) both had good days in coverage.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Zack Cox (@zm_cox) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/zm_cox\/status\/1155497685920751623?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s stood out in coverage whenever targeted. Melifonwu won\u2019t steal a starting job from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McCoDe99.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Devin McCourty<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/ChunPa99.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Chung<\/a><\/strong>, but he can make the roster as the fourth safety if he continues to impress.<\/p>\n<h3>Left Tackle Is An Issue<\/h3>\n<p>The biggest issue on the team right now is finding a suitable left tackle. <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2019\/07\/19\/isaiah-wynn-new-england-patriots-training-camp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Isaiah Wynn<\/strong><\/a> isn\u2019t ready to practice and third-round rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2019\/01\/28\/2019-nfl-draft-prospect-yodny-cajuste\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Yodny Cajuste<\/strong><\/a> is still on the non-football injury list. When healthy, these two will be the top two options to protect Tom Brady\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>Left guard <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/ThunJo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Thuney<\/a><\/strong> spent the first three practices as the first-team left tackle. Thuney played some tackle in college, but he\u2019s traditionally undersized for the position. The Patriots tried to give <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SkipDa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dan Skipper<\/a><\/strong> a chance to win the job on Day Four, but the career journeyman reportedly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patspulpit.com\/2019\/7\/28\/8933944\/new-england-patriots-2019-training-camp-recap-5-winners-3-losers-sunday-practice-bennett-skipper\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">had a bad day<\/a> in protection. Wynn should be back before long, but New England should consider adding a guy like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PennDo20.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donald Penn<\/a><\/strong> into the mix.<\/p>\n<p>Main photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"_wJXCLcLRN1HAEryRjxcXQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1157844761\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'_wJXCLcLRN1HAEryRjxcXQ',sig:'JSczA6O1zR9JcafWg-amoc893CrxXs8NR40yngFlNQ0=',w:'594px',h:'398px',items:'1157844761',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Early New England Patriots Training Camp Takeaways: Find out who&#8217;s standing out in early practice sessions for the defending Super Bowl champions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2376,"featured_media":69265,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,5],"tags":[61,3623,3875,5319,38,40,1950,4699],"class_list":["post-69261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","category-patriots","tag-football","tag-isaiah-wynn","tag-joe-thuney","tag-maurice-harris","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-nfl","tag-obi-melifonwu","tag-yodny-cajuste"],"modified_by":"David Latham, Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2376"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69261"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69261\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}