Patriots coaching camp battles: Which CB will roam reverse Gonzalez? initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Boston
Editor’s Word: With coaching camp kicking off subsequent week, Patriots Insider Phil Perry is having a look at key place battles to observe on the observe fields exterior Gillette Stadium. First up: Cornerback.
The Patriots have a transparent and apparent path to aggressive soccer in 2024, and it begins with their protection.
The 2023 iteration of the workforce misplaced six video games through which their opponents scored 21 factors or fewer. That included three consecutive losses to the Colts, Giants and Chargers the place New England by no means gave up greater than 10 factors.
Whereas the 2 most vital Belichicks — Invoice and Steve, the latter serving because the Patriots’ play-caller since 2019 — have been faraway from the equation on the defensive facet of the ball in Foxboro, new head coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington stay to run a scheme that might be rooted in recognizable philosophies.
Arguably their greatest participant, Christian Barmore, is again with a brand new contract. Two of their most dynamic playmakers, safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, return as nicely.
And people spectacular 2023 numbers — they ranked ninth in DVOA — have been generated despite the truth that two of the workforce’s most proficient defenders on the two most vital defensive positions within the sport have been injured for the overwhelming majority of the season.
Matthew Judon suffered a torn bicep that robbed the veteran pass-rusher of 13 video games. Rookie nook Christian Gonzalez was additionally knocked out in Week 4 with a shoulder damage after a powerful first month of his professional profession.
As a result of Gonzalez did sufficient to determine himself as a clear-cut starter in restricted enjoying time final season, one of many greatest query marks in coaching camp on the defensive facet of the ball — exterior of Judon’s contractual future — might be which Patriots nook will play reverse Gonzalez in New England’s scheme.
The favourite
Whereas Jonathan Jones’ greatest spot on the sector is the “star” position — in Patriots communicate, that is the slot nook — he may very nicely find yourself enjoying on the surface as soon as once more. Jones performed 92 % of his nook snaps out extensive final season, per Professional Soccer Focus. In 2022, he was an outdoor man as nicely, enjoying 94 % of his performs on the market.
The Patriots know what they’ve in Jones as an outdoor nook. Groups attempt to assault his 5-foot-10 body alongside the sideline at occasions, however he is good and nonetheless has loads of pace to have the ability to problem burners down the sector now going into his ninth season. He allowed a passer ranking of 86.0 final season when focused.
Ought to Jones find yourself enjoying reverse Gonzalez, that will then open the door for Marcus Jones to play within the slot at that “star” place.
The ‘keep in mind me?’ possibility
Talking of Marcus Jones, it is vital to level out that the Patriots view the third-year nook as having positional versatility within the secondary. He is much more vertically-challenged than Jonathan Jones at 5-foot-8, however Mayo and Covington may choose to play the 2022 third-rounder exterior.
We have seen it earlier than. Marcus Jones performed 282 of his 389 complete defensive snaps exterior as a rookie. Earlier than getting injured final season, he performed about three quarters of his performs out extensive, per PFF.
It was again in 2022 that Jones stood out late within the season for his play on the surface — each good and dangerous. He helped stymie Davante Adams in Las Vegas however then a few week later towards Cincinnati at occasions had a troublesome time with Tee Higgins’ top.
Maybe they’d be comfy with Marcus Jones exterior solely in sure matchups, however one may envision a state of affairs through which there are two Joneses on the sector with Gonzalez in 2024.
The darkish horse
Alex Austin noticed simply over 30 snaps within the slot or within the field final season as he took on a extra vital position starting in Week 15. He performed exterior on 183 performs and did sufficient to warrant himself higher consideration for an actual position this offseason. He allowed a passer ranking of 79.2 final season, intercepting one cross and breaking apart two extra on 22 targets.
“Once we completed up final 12 months he was a type of guys like — look, that is an NFL participant,” Mayo mentioned earlier this offseason of Austin. “It’s good to see him coming again in form and making performs.”
At 6-foot-1, Austin has extra of a prototypical construct to play on the surface than both Jones, and he impressed at occasions with tight protection throughout shorts-and-T-shirts passing drills within the spring. However with only a handful of video games below his belt as an undrafted rookie out of Oregon State final 12 months, he is much less of a certain factor and must proceed to open eyes in camp to get himself into the dialog as a possible starter.
There are others who may burst onto the scene with good camps, together with second-year nook Isaiah Bolden, veterans Shaun Wade and Marco Wilson, newcomers Mikey Victor, Kaleb Ford-Dement and Azizi Hearn and rookie Marcellas Dial.
But when this protection goes to take care of its standing as arguably one of many 10 greatest in soccer — doubtlessly permitting the Patriots to have a aggressive season within the course of — then possibly going with a trusted possibility reverse Gonzalez is the very best path for them. That would imply rolling with Jonathan Jones totally on the surface for a 3rd straight season.
Which may then open the door for Marcus Jones to deal with slot duties. Final 12 months’s major slot defender was Myles Bryant, who signed with the Texans within the offseason.
