Callahan: The Patriots’ preseason finale shouldn’t dampen a successful summer

The Patriots’ to-do list at the start of the summer was longer than a grocery list coming back from vacation.

In order, those to-dos were: elevate Mac Jones. Install a new offense. Restore the trust that fractured last year across the locker room and coaching staff. Refine a defense that will face virtually every elite quarterback in the league this season. Determine whether any of the rookies can start, let alone contribute.

All told, over close to 20 practices and three preseason games, most of the boxes on Bill Belichick’s list have been checked. The cupboard is largely full.

It’s mission, mostly, accomplished.

This summer, Jones sprayed completions all over the field during some of his best practices as a pro. He shredded defenses in Foxboro and Green Bay, where he dominated the Packers for long stretches of back-to-back joint sessions. Teammates already believe he’s “way better.”

Jones is calm and confident, a stark departure from the exasperated quarterback who bailed at the first sign of pressure and spooked himself into sacks last year. And that wasn’t even limited to the regular season.

I mean last August, when Jones’ miserable performance in the team’s preseason finale at Las Vegas foretold a disastrous campaign to come.

Patriots’ preseason finale attendance include three surprise absences

But now, Bill O’Brien’s offense has afforded him every answer again, specifically against blitz pressure. The system is sleek and fits its available talent. O’Brien has stocked the cabinets with RPOs and a play-action scheme that mirrors his run game.

Imagine that.

Jones’ weapons, while largely unspectacular, look to be nearing their ceiling. The Patriots might actually roster six receivers, including rookies Demario Douglas (already a made man) and Kayshon Boutte. The slim and speedy Tyquan Thornton could get shelved on injured reserve, but unlike in 2022, that won’t dramatically curb the dynamism of the offense.

The Pats have Douglas or Mike Gesicki or JuJu Smith-Schuster to spice up their Sundays and frustrate defenses. All of those newbies have bought in, a reflection of the improved messaging and coaching. Part of that is the collaborative dynamic O’Brien has introduced to the offensive meeting rooms instead of the shut-up-and-do-as-you’re-told ways of former offensive assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.

“I can’t state more emphatically that these guys have done a great job of learning and working with us, and we work with them,” O’Brien said earlier this month. “And I think it’s just really been a good process to this point.”

Relatedly, the Pats have wisely played the long game with their best players; specifically resting Rhamondre Stevenson to start training camp instead of running him into the ground. Before Christmas Eve last year, Stevenson averaged 51 rush yards after contact per game. That fell to 27 yards over the last three weeks, all must-win games where the Patriots instead went 1-2.

Left tackle Trent Brown and edge rusher Matt Judon were also kept on pitch counts as they dealt with injury and contract issues, respectively, at the start of camp. The Patriots realize they’re no longer the team that famously plays its best after Thanksgiving, and haven’t been since 2017. To turn back the clock, they must work smarter, not harder.

The Patriots even got Stevenson some help, signing Ezekiel Elliott last week. Elliott still hasn’t seen a snap of game action, since Belichick sat most of his best players for Friday’s finale at Tennessee. But he has eaten more off his practice plate, specifically snaps at the goal line and on passing downs during 11-on-11 periods.

The Pats are playing to Elliott’s remaining strengths: short-yardage running and blitz pickup. Another shrewd move.

Defensively, it’s possible the Patriots could field their best pass rush of the Belichick era. Second-round rookie Keion White has reinforced a defensive front whose backups gave the Titans’ starters problems Friday night. Between him, Judon, Josh Uche, Christian Barmore and Deatrich Wise, third-and-long – maybe even medium – figure to be a nightmare for opponents.

The Pats defense might ascend again to a top-5 ranking. But that’s only if first-round rookie corner Christian Gonzalez proves to be a capable starter. And if Jonathan Jones returns to health. And if Jack Jones, who still faces several felony gun charges, isn’t suspended or placed on the Commissioner’s exempt list before the opener.

Patriots’ offensive line suffers another apparent injury in preseason finale

Corner is the only lingering question for Belichick’s pride and joy. And a significant one at that, with two of the NFL’s best receiver duos – A.J. Brown/DeVonta Smith and Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle – waiting in Weeks 1 and 2. Naturally, uncertainty stretches across the line of scrimmage, too.

Riley Reiff, the Patriots’ projected starting right tackle, has been playing right guard for two weeks. His replacement is a fourth-round rookie playing out of position with the top offense. Oh, and Reiff got banged up in Friday’s preseason finale, when none of the Pats’ backups could sustain blocks for much longer than a blink.

The roster remains flawed in a way that was predictable as far back as early May. O’Brien has been laying a foundation to work around that offensive line for weeks, if not months.

But in that time, the Patriots have fought to find themselves, to better themselves and begin to reclaim their standing in the league. Most of what they’ve learned – especially against the backdrop of last year – should encourage. It’s been a good summer.

Now, camp is over. The time has come to go back to real life.