10 Things We’ve Learned About 2018 Pats

Four days, four training camp practices. Not that many, but enough to get some answers to some of the questions of the offseason.

I’ll be back at Gillette tonight for the in-stadium practice, which I’m very much looking forward to… sitting in a seat and not getting baked by the sun. Usually, these are special teams and autograph sessions. Still, I bet we get a good chance to see more of the Allen-Bojorquez competition. Despite one bad shank, Bojorquez very well could be in the lead.

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Here are 10 more things we’ve learned about the 2018 Patriots.

1. Trent Brown can play left tackle — Pretty sure I fell into the groupthink that Brown was too big to move like Nate Solder, but he’s been everything you could ask these first four practice. The other good news is Isaiah Wynn looks awesome too. Different, but awesome.
2. Eric Rowe is starting with Gilmore — Had penciled in Jason McCourty to slide in but so far he’s been on the second team. Rowe is system-experienced and having vets set the communication standard is a classic Belichick move. See Brandon Bolden taking first-team snaps as a running back during a changeover year at the position.
3. Duke Dawson could see slot corner time on defense — Dawson is getting plenty of work in the slot as the Patriots shift through various personnel packages. I keep getting him confused with Elandon Roberts because they’re the same height and both wear 52.
4. Malcom Brown not with the ones — Still not sure if this is just delayed recovery for Brown but Shelton and Guy have been the first interior duo in all team situations. Pats didn’t pick up his option for a fifth season so he’s playing for a contract.
5. The wide receiver situation is still murky — Edelman and Hogan have been reliable, their usual selves. I continue to look for something to get really excited about with Philip Dorsett. Cordarrelle Patterson had two spectacular catches and appears to be cementing his spot as an offensive threat. Jordan Matthews has had cramping issues the last two days that have cost him reps. He’s big and has caught just about everything I’ve seen thrown at him. How does Kenny Britt fit in? We got a ways to go for clarity, as Berrios stands around chomping at the bit for reps.
6. The defense looks tougher — Between Danny Shelton and Adrian Clayborn, along with the return of Dont’a Hightower and suddenly this looks like an imposing defense. They not only look imposing, they’ve been playing imposing, with two goal-line stops Sunday and a pick-six from their own end zone Saturday but Duron Harmon.
7. Julian Edelman looks pretty much 100% — He’s got no knee brace and a new facemask and Edelman looks exactly like he did the last time we saw him before he tore his ACL. How the Matthews-Dorsett-Britt of it all works out matters a lot less with Edelman a full go.
8. Tom Brady still Tom Brady — With a healthy receiver competition going on, Brady’s targets have been varied but he’s looked comfortable throwing to all of them. Some of his deep balls have been absolutely picturesque.
9. JC Jackson only current undrafted with a shot — Jackson remains on the second team of the defense, playing with Jason McCourty. The only other undrafted sniffing the fringes of second-team reps is AJ Moore.
10. Sony Michel will need time — He put the ball on the ground twice in the first three practices before starting to show some of his speed on a screen pass on Sunday. With Burkhead looking fully healthy, and Gillislee and Hill trading punches in the short-yardage battle, Michel could be looking at limited early-season carries as he earns trust with the ball and in pass protection.