1 –Jonathan Jones is the experienced present at the cornerback position, the veteran leader who’s seen a lot over his eight-plus seasons in New England as he developed from an undrafted rookie to a guy many teammates and coaches have touted as one of the most underrated players in the NFL.
He’s played alongside elite talents like Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore and a fellow rookie free agent-turned-mainstay star like Malcolm Butler.
Jones knows what it takes at the cornerback spot, one of the true premium positions in the NFL these days. So his assessment of Patriots second-year former first-round pick Christian Gonzalez -- the clear Foxborough future at the position -- can be taken as an expert opinion, one that should only excite New England fans even more in regards to the young budding star defensive back.
“He has every attribute that you want in a corner,” Jones said at the conclusion of New England veteran mini-camp last week. “And so he’s just continuing to build just his mental game. Physically he’s what you want in a corner. He’s just gonna continue developing. He’s gonna be one of the best players in the game.”
While Gonzalez’ status within the league will declare itself in due time, there is no question that he’s penciled in as the No. 1 cornerback in New England. This, after earning rave reviews as the Defensive Rookie of the Month last September before missing the remainder of the season to injury.
Jones knows that while Gonzalez has all the talent in the world and showed that potential for three-plus games last fall as a rookie there will be a learning curve and possible bumps in his developmental road.
“As a player when you first go out there coaches don’t have a scouting report on you,” Jones explained. “As you build, and there’s some tape out there on you, they’re gonna see your weaknesses and that becomes your job as a player to work on the weaknesses, the things that teams want to attack you on and you’re forever doing that throughout your career. Trying to evolve as a player. That’s something he’ll learn to continue to do.”
That evaluation will come with elite challenges on the other side of the field on a weekly basis in 2024. Gonzalez could see Cincy’s Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins in Week 1, Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf in Week 2, New York’s Garrett Wilson in Week 3, San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk in Week 4 and right on down the line of some of the best players in the game.
But, at least one veteran teammate thinks that’s exactly what Gonzalez is going to be, something he showed a brief sampling of that last September that he’ll need to build on this fall.
2 – While Gonzalez and Jones will be the top of the cornerback depth chart on DeMarcus Covington’s defense this fall, there is a lot of competition to fill out the depth roles at the position. Based on spring action, guys like Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden and Azizi Hearn are in the mix at the spot that’s a bit top heavy in terms of talent. But Jones knows firsthand that guys can come seemingly out of nowhere to become significant contributors, as undrafted player Myles Bryant did in recent years before leaving via free agency this spring.
“They’re competing,” Jones said with a positive tone in his voice. “It’s an honor to watch them, to sit back and see them grow from coming out playing last year, getting some time under their belt. And they are building on it. They are coming in this year and improving. Proving to themselves and also to their teammates they want to continue to get better.”
3 – There were certainly plenty of highlights during Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony this past week at Gillette Stadium. Jay-Z kicked things off. Kenny Chesney was at home at the home of the six-time Super Bowl champs as he appropriately performed “Boys of Fall.” And Brady’s speech after receiving his red jacket hit the mark for so many in so many ways.
But no aspect of the night may have been more surprisingly memorable than the seemingly out-of-nowhere ovation that Randy Moss got from the 60,000 Foxborough Faithful that left the Hall of Fame receiver with tears running down his face. It was a truly unique, unscripted moment for the ages in Patriot Nation.
4 – Without question the loudest ovation of the Brady ceremony came when Bill Belichick took to the stage late in the evening. Plenty has transpired since Belichick and Robert Kraft’s Patriots parted ways this winter, but those in attendance made obvious their appreciation for the coach’s tenure in New England that developed Brady and brought the six-ring dynasty to town.
As surprising as this may be, Mr. “SnapFace” himself Belichick took to social media, Instagram in particular via the account of his charitable foundation, to show his appreciation to Patriot Nation.
“More humbled and appreciative for this touching moment than you’ll ever know. Thank you, Patriots fans. – BB”
5 – The NFL is a business. That’s obvious at all times, from massive TV contracts for the league to massive extensions signed by quarterbacks. Money is as prevalent in football talk these days as touchdowns and tackles are.
So it’s no surprise that the Patriots are dealing with business issues this spring. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson wants an extension, and thinks that he and the team are actually close to making that happen. Matthew Judon wants a lucrative contract extension, too, but isn’t going to go through what he described as “trash” measures he took last summer by not taking part in practices.
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux is, on the other hand, willing to stage a so-called “hold-in” as he tries to push the point on his desire for a new contract. Godchaux was in his helmet and jersey for last-week’s mini-camp but did not take part other than a little conditioning work on a side field.
“There are guys that, obviously, they want to redo contracts and stuff like that,” first-year New England head coach Jerod Mayo said at mini-camp. “And not just DG, it's a bunch of guys that want to do those things, and we're working through it. Eliot [Wolf] and his staff, they do a great job as far as handling that. I don't get into the player contracts. What I will say is one thing I've learned is sometimes the value that the team has on a person is a little bit different than the value that the market has on a person. So, those are just things I'm learning, guys. Like I told you guys before, I'm green, but I'm learning. I'm evolving, and these are the conversations that have to be had.”
6 – Literally the final play of mini-camp, final play of spring work, saw No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye hit second-round fellow rookie Ja’Lynn Polk in the back right corner of the end zone for a touchdown as time expired on the practice and theoretical end-of-game situation. In many ways it was the perfect way to send the team off into the break before training camp. And a taste of what could be things to come for the future of the New England offense.
“There was on second left. End of the game. I’m putting myself in those situations, just like it’s going to be in the season,” Polk said. “Feeling myself in those shoes. Going up there and making a play for my team.
When the team is out there on that last drive and counting on you, I want everybody to put that chip on my shoulder for me to go out there and make that play.
“It was awesome.”
7 – Other than the rookies sticking around for a couple more weeks of work as a group, the end of training camp marked the end of spring work for the Patriots. Now, the players have a month-plus to themselves and their families prior to returning to Gillette for training camp in late July.
But Jones made it clear that he would advise his teammates, especially the younger ones, not to treat the coming weeks as time-off or vacation time.
“Try to not sleep in till 10 o’clock. I know the guys without kids, that’s a little easier for them to do. But just to keep a routine,” Jones said. “It will be here before you know it. Try to stay in shape. Work out hard. Just stay on it. Keep football on your mind. Don’t get too far away from it. Enjoy time with your family but keep football on your mind.”