Patriots training camp battles: Which CB will roam opposite Gonzalez? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Editor’s Note: With training camp kicking off next week, Patriots Insider Phil Perry is taking a look at key position battles to watch on the practice fields outside Gillette Stadium. First up: Cornerback.
The Patriots have a clear and obvious path to competitive football in 2024, and it starts with their defense.
The 2023 iteration of the team lost six games in which their opponents scored 21 points or fewer. That included three consecutive losses to the Colts, Giants and Chargers where New England never gave up more than 10 points.
While the two most important Belichicks — Bill and Steve, the latter serving as the Patriots’ play-caller since 2019 — have been removed from the equation on the defensive side of the ball in Foxboro, new head coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington remain to run a scheme that will be rooted in recognizable philosophies.
Arguably their best player, Christian Barmore, is back with a new contract. Two of their most dynamic playmakers, safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, return as well.
And those impressive 2023 numbers — they ranked ninth in DVOA — were generated in spite of the fact that two of the team’s most talented defenders at the two most important defensive positions in the sport were injured for the vast majority of the season.
Matthew Judon suffered a torn bicep that robbed the veteran pass-rusher of 13 games. Rookie corner Christian Gonzalez was also knocked out in Week 4 with a shoulder injury after an impressive first month of his pro career.
Because Gonzalez did enough to establish himself as a clear-cut starter in limited playing time last season, one of the biggest question marks in training camp on the defensive side of the ball — outside of Judon’s contractual future — will be which Patriots corner will play opposite Gonzalez in New England’s scheme.
The favorite
While Jonathan…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-training-camp-battles-cb-201233847.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-07-15 20:12:33
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