Bill Belichick is as blunt with the incoming class of New England Patriots rookies as he can. Making it to the NFL is the culmination of a dream for rookies, but the real work begins once they get the call from a club – whether it’s in the concept or not. The difficulty level they encountered in 2020 up to and including unusual levels is ratcheted up by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, although they have so far had no physical access to their coaches or teammates, having made the entire offseason virtual prior to training camps at the end of July.
In addition, there will be no pre-season games to help them acclimatize and / or be worthy of a roster spot. This provides a definite edge for veterans, but Belichick loves the progress he sees in his rookies, especially considering the list of unique challenges they face this offseason.
“I think all of our rookies have worked extremely hard,” Belichick said via Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. “They’re in deep water – turbulent water – and it’s going to get rougher, just what the volume and level of competition are, becoming a professional athlete, and the whole day and consecutive days that come together shit high demands as well. physically, mentally as well as rest and recovery and all that.I think all the boys adapt to it.They all work hard at it.
“It’s a very hard working group. There have been no problems. They just do the best they can, but they swim. They are in deep water and their eyes are opened every day when we go into the process, and we are still a long way from anything close to real football. “
However, there will be opportunities for the rookies to make their presence known, more for the Patriots than any other organization in the NFL, the club saw a league-high number of eight players opt out due to concerns over COVID-19.
That list includes high-profile players like linebacker D’onta Hightower and attacking tackle Marcus Cannon, who likely added value to Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings, the team of 60th and 87th overall pick, respectively. And with safety, even Patrick Chung, who picked a second round, could and should see Kyle Dugger more and more direct playing time, but none of this changes the handicaps created by lack of a preseason and a shortened training camp. Things will pick up soon with padded practices starting on Monday, August 17th. Belichick closely supervised his first-years in preparation for all that followed.
“We are doing more now than we did before,” he said. “Every day is an acclimatization day and adjustment day for them. I think they’re just trying to keep their heads above water and try to swim or paddle in the right direction, knowing they are not really able to keep up” You do the best they can and they are away, far ahead of where they were a week ago, two weeks ago, a month ago, two months ago. Lots of progress there, but a long way to go.
“But they’re really all in the same boat. It’s a hardworking, conscientious, eager group. They have a lot that they will have to absorb. We will get a much better evaluation of where they are in the new week up to 10 days. when things start happening on the football field and we start playing some football. “
Belichick beats at the bit to see what his rookies can do, but he also understands that this is a year in which they are really behind the eight ball. That said, the six-time Super Bowl winner will not rule him out any less because he lacks several key veterans.
If anything, he will demand more, and everyone involved will be better prepared.
