What I've learned in the preseason thus far

Through two weeks of the preseason, there's been lots of positives to talk about surrounding this Patriots team. I mean from Patriots fan standards from a person who was born after the Y2K, I can only imagine we can only get better from here. Just to refresh, the Patriots are coming off a 7-9 season where it is fair to call that team a competitive team, but not a good team. Only four of the teams games were both losses that resulted in a game that was not decided by one score. The rest were either wins or close losses. Yes, I know it is preseason, but this looks like a different Patriots team thus far and I've made some opening of the year observations with this squad.

1. Mac Jones is NFL ready right now

233 yards, no turnovers, the second highest qualifying 2021 first round QB in terms of rating, and 2nd in completion percentage in the same category as the Rating stat. You gotta be a hater to not be impressed by what you've seen from the 15th overall selection. Jones has shown great poise in the pocket and has demonstrated an understanding of the Patriots offense. He's done a great job of "climbing" the pocket and keeping his eyes down field when edge rushers put the pressure on him. Mac keeps the ball out of harms way and does not try to force throws and instead is willing to take the check down and he is able to get to those reads quickly before defensive backs can commit to the flat. We've seen Jones develop relationships with guys like Kristian Wilkerson, Sony Michel, and JJ Taylor over the last two games. But to reiterate, I think my biggest takeaway within the takeaway is that Mac Jones has shown excellent poise and intelligence for a rookie Quarterback and with that combined with his accuracy is something to be very excited about going forward.

2. This Runningback room is the deepest and best in football

We knew that this was an elite unit on this team, but I didn't know they were this good. There's something positive to say about all these guys : Damien Harris just looks more powerful and quicker than he was last season and Bill Belichick even commented on Harris saying: “I think Damien’s a player that improved a lot from Year 1 to Year 2,” Belichick said before Thursday’s training camp practice. “This year, he’s in a little different role. Now he has an opportunity to compete for a lead spot, and he’s embraced that.” Sony Michel looks even better than his 5.7 yards per carry season last season where he finished 2nd amongst non QBs in YPC only trailing Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins. Michel has showcased his cut back ability and the Patriots even got him involved as a pass catcher last week against Philadelphia which caught every Patriots' fans eyes. Sony seems to have a chip on his shoulder after the Patriots deferred on his fifth year player option. Then there's maybe THE story of the preseason, Rhamondre Stevenson. The man loves the end zone as he's racked up four TDs in two games and leads all running backs in the NFL with 193 yards, the next closest player has 136. Stevenson loves contact as he broke 10 tackles last week according to PFF and he has also displayed a great cutback ability. My question to the rest of the league is: How did the NFL allow this man to fall to the fourth round? Sorry that's another premature take. Lastly there's 2020 undrafted Free Agent with JJ Taylor. JJ balled out last week as he racked up over 100 yards of total offense with a TD and one electric spin move. Everyone wants to see this and its actually true: JJ Taylor deserves a spot on this team. He has completely earned it. His 8 catches in the preseason shows that he can come in and catch the ball out of the backfield to take the work load off of James White, who we haven't seen much of and Taylor also can be a returner as well. If you haven't gotten the point already, this RB group is so talented and well rounded and yes, the best in football.

3. Cam Newton is still QB1

I am excited and you should be excited about Mac Jones, but this is still Cam's team until further notice. Newton was limited in his playing time against the Washington, but he still went 4/7 for 49 yards and looked to be in command of the offense and was able to make a couple connections with James White in that games. Cam then decided to play some of his best football as a Patriot against Philadelphia as he went 8/9 for 103 yards and a TD to Jakobi Meyers. Newton was throwing bullets and like Mac, showed some excellent pocket movement and presence as he would slide up in the pocket before making a few great first down throws. Newton is 12/16 this preseason and oh yeah, we haven't even seen him run the ball ONCE yet. If Cam continues to throw the ball the way he did in the Philly game, we got ourselves a football team.

4. This is the best defense in football

Look I'm a homer, but i don't care I've seen enough and this is the best defense in the National Football League and they are playing without their best player. Matthew Judon is a beast and has constantly been around the ball and in the Quarterback's face and it even led to a strip sack of Joe Flacco in last week's game. Judon already looks like he's going to be worth the contract. Chase Winovich also impressed last week as he had four tackles and two sacks, back to back games of two sacks dating back to week 17 against the Jets by the way. Winovich is in a very important season and will be splitting reps this season with a bunch of edge defenders. I've also been reminded about how good this secondary is as JC Jackson and Joejuan Williams have been great during the preseason and took turns locking up Devonta Smith last week. On top of that Kyle Dugger looks like he has taken a step in pass coverage as he had a near oick against Philadelphia on a fourth down play deep in the redzone and showed great anticipatory skills to get to the ball. Jalen Mills, another Free Agency addition, looked great last week and will provide the Patriots with another guy who can play almost anywhere on the field and will be a weapon in nickel looks.

With positives there are always negatives and my negatives for the preseason aren't crazy concerning, nor too much of a factor but are still negatives nonetheless.

1. Quinn Nordin is not the guy

Many people believed that Nick Folk's job was in jeopardy after Nordin had an impressive 10/10 showing in the Patriot's In stadium practice held exclusively for Foxboro residents and season ticket holders and going 3/3 in Field Goals against Washington, but against Philly he was a mess. Nordin missed 3 kicks and has now missed a field goal and three extra points in the preseason in total and is completely in his own head right now. Nordin cannot be trusted as the teams starting kicker, but I do think it is possible he ends up on the practice squad to open the season.

2. The Tight End Health going forward

Please do not say I'm worried about the Tight Ends, we have two top 10 tight ends, but I am a little concerned about their health going forward and what the rest of the depth chart looks like without them. If Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry both end up reaggravating their injuries down the road, the Patriots will be down to Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene, or someone else. I did not like what I saw from Asiasi last game against the Eagles and had one somewhat weak effort on a potential TD, but the defensive back did make a nice play on the ball. I still believe there is a ways to go with Asiasi's development and more so for Dalton Keene who is hurt right now on top of all that. So just hope that the top two guys can stay healthy this season and if they do, watch out because the Patriots have the best TE group in the NFL.