Tyquan Thornton reveals indicators he may finish Patriots’ early-round WR woes – New England Patriots Weblog

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Thornton’s match: Given the newest chapter of the Patriots’ shaky historical past deciding on receivers early within the draft — once they whiffed on N’Keal Harry on the finish of the 2019 first spherical — the standing of 2022 second-round decide Tyquan Thornton has been a notable storyline via 9 coaching camp practices.

Simply because the Patriots chosen Harry over Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf in 2019, they nabbed Thornton this 12 months earlier than a run of receivers that included George Pickens (Steelers), Alec Pierce (Colts) and Skyy Moore (Chiefs).

There are early indicators {that a} 2019-type state of affairs is not repeating itself.

“It has been thrilling to observe him develop, actually, as a result of he got here in a little bit questionable,” fellow receiver Jakobi Meyers mentioned. “Then he began getting actual. Actual proficient. I am joyful he is with us.”

The 6-foot-2, 182-pound Thornton, who was the quickest receiver on the 2022 NFL mix (4.28 seconds within the 40-yard sprint), acknowledged that his arrival within the spring got here with some preliminary turbulence.

“The primary week was sort of tough for lots of us, simply coming from having that transition from school to the NFL ,” he mentioned, including that he quickly settled right into a extra constant routine.

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In doing so, receivers coach Ross Douglas mentioned of Thornton final week: “He is gotten higher each single time he is stepped on the sector. He really has a whole lot of items. It is not simply his velocity. His capacity to vary path, ball abilities. He has a very good angle and the fellows within the room have embraced him. His growth can be key and we’ll get him there.”

Thornton’s dependable arms and skill to trace the deep ball have persistently proven up in 1-on-1 drills. Now comes the problem of transferring that into 11-on-11 drills, the place he is most frequently working behind Meyers, DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne — a foursome that seems locked in atop the depth chart.

Thornton, who has been buoyed by a small part of followers supporting him every day, has additionally labored as a gunner masking punts — a task that would add worth and assist solidify a spot on the 46-man game-day roster.

“I like the place he’s mentally,” Agholor mentioned. “He has a progress mindset, practices actually laborious, takes good notes.”

Added cornerback Jalen Mills: “Everyone knows he is quick. I feel the largest factor for me, he is simply not working go routes each single play. You see him working his short-to-intermediate routes as nicely.”

2. Mac & Choose: Final 12 months, at any time when quarterback Mac Jones got here to the sideline, he was normally shoulder-to-shoulder with former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Their connection was critical in Jones’ profitable rookie season. Who that can be in 2022 may come into sharper focus throughout Thursday’s preseason opener in opposition to the Giants, and it is prone to be quarterbacks coach Joe Choose.

“You possibly can’t fast-forward a relationship,” Choose mentioned when requested about Jones. “You must construct on it on daily basis. That is available in constructing belief, that is available in studying one another and the best way to work with one another, and what that man wants to assist him be at his finest. That is my precedence. To me, it is all about open communication … He is an clever participant. He is a really laborious employee. He is aware of what he likes, he is keen to let you know. However he is additionally keen to strive something if it is best for the group. He is been enjoyable to work with.”

3. ‘Inching alongside’: How massive of a deal to make in regards to the early inconsistency of the offense? That query lingers, as there have been extra “no probability” performs — through which Jones and rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe have merely tucked the soccer or thrown it away — than the norm for a Invoice Belichick-coached group. A part of that appears associated to the Patriots experimenting with new issues. Belichick mentioned late final week that the group was “inching alongside” whereas including there are “miles to go” — which appears to replicate the place the offense is thru 9 practices.

4. Kraft’s candidacy: Belichick touted proprietor Robert Kraft’s Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame candidacy in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio’s “Movin’ The Chains” program. Kraft is a semifinalist, and whereas there is not any set standards for Corridor of Famers, Belichick highlighted three layers that bolster Kraft’s case.

“He is an exceptional proprietor,” Belichick mentioned. “You have a look at what he is executed throughout the board. He is made nice contributions to the league, in issues just like the CBA and different insurance policies, and the expansion of the league. He is clearly executed an amazing job right here in New England, simply protecting the group in New England and never letting it out of right here, and the success he is had. And off the sector — simply the philanthropy and contributions he is made to the group.

“You could possibly put him within the Corridor of Fame for any a type of. Mix all three collectively and hopefully we’ll be celebrating in Canton subsequent 12 months.”

5. Godchaux’s worth: Belichick opened eyes when he referred to Davon Godchaux as “top-of-the-line defensive linemen within the league” after the Patriots signed him to a two-year, $20.8 million extension. Defensive position coach DeMarcus Covington added context in explaining how Godchaux’s work is not simply detectable, however important to the protection: “His capacity to cease the run, defeat blockers and push the pocket to have an effect on the quarterback is [among] one of the best within the league.”

6. Jonnu’s turnaround: Tight finish Jonnu Smith‘s 2021 manufacturing did not measure as much as the four-year, $50 million contract he had signed as a free agent, however there are indicators that might be altering. “He had a terrific offseason for us,” Choose mentioned. Final 12 months, the Patriots ran simply 190 of their offensive performs (18%) with each Smith and fellow tight finish Hunter Henry on the sector, based on ESPN’s Stats & Data. That quantity ought to enhance in 2022.

7. Rookie #’s coming: Belichick’s annual custom of placing rookies in unconventional jersey numbers ends for 2022 this week with the group’s first preseason sport, as league guidelines do not permit for issues like Thornton, a receiver, sporting No. 51. “It is going to be actual unhappy,” Thornton mentioned with a smile. “I really feel like 51 is part of me now — that massive, previous jersey and I am working round. I used to be having enjoyable with it.”

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8. Fellowship in motion: As Covington answered questions from reporters final week, Arkansas graduate assistant coach Keith Jones seemed over his shoulder. It was a snapshot of the Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship in action; Jones performed for Covington at Tennessee-Martin in 2015 and has been working at Patriots coaching camp this summer time as a fellowship coach. “I all the time was taught as you proceed to climb, you assist pull others up,” Covington mentioned.

9. Butler follow-up: When the Dolphins launched former Patriots defensive sort out Adam Butler with a failed bodily designation final week, some puzzled if that would imply a return to New England for the inside pass-rusher. That is unlikely within the short-term, sources say, as Butler should first deal with a lingering shoulder difficulty from final season. In the meantime, LaBryan Ray (Alabama) has caught the attention as a Butler-type chance — an undrafted free agent making a cost for a roster spot resulting from his pass-rushing abilities.

10. Do you know? This 12 months marks the primary time since 2004 the Patriots will not conclude their preseason with a sport in opposition to the Giants.