New England Patriots WR DeVante Parker solidifying role with big plays, contested grabs

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There are quick-hit thoughts and notes about the New England Pats and the National Football League.

This is the first thing. During the first four days of training camp, the red zone was a priority, and it quickly became apparent that veteran receiver DeVante Parker is a big part of the plans.

When the space gets tight on the field, the catch radius of a 6-foot-3, 219-pound target likeParker stands out.

Hunter Henry said that big body could make a lot of plays. Adding a guy like that will take a little pressure off everybody else.

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In a 7-on-7 drill, the ball was spotted on the 10-yard line and Jones in the shotgun split the field wide to his left.

The eight-year veteran was not open when Jones threw the ball. In order to avoid grabbing, Mills had him locked up.

But Jones delivered a perfect back- shoulder throw, andParker adjusted to it, toe-tapping his feet along the left boundary.

Mac can see where the defenseman is. "He puts it in a great spot and I'm able to come down to it," saidParker, who has led the NFL in tight-window catches over the past five seasons.

This is likely what Bill Belichick wanted when he traded a fifth-round pick and a third-round pick to the Dolphins for a fifth-round pick and a third-round pick.

The Pats might not have a clear-cut No. 1 receiver, but they could have a deep, diverse group with the addition of Tyquan Thornton in the second round.

When the Pats drafted N'Keal Harry at the end of the first round in 2019, they thought they'd get a player who could fill a role. On July 12th, Harry was traded to the Bears for a seventh-round pick in the 2023 draft.

Thousands of people have packed the bleachers and hillside each day at the training camp, and the energy has been fed off by the 29-year-old. He gestured to the crowd and raised his arms in the air after catching a tight window in the red zone.

Mills has often been assigned to cover him. You like to watch that.

There are two On Monday, the first day of full pads, is an important day for the team. The real start of training camp is that day. Davon Godchaux, a defensive tackle, said players at his position can't do much before that point. "That's when we're playing real football, seeing big guys in the trenches, hearing those pads clapping, and us on the back end, jamming them up a little."

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There are three. It's only a matter of time before the team becomes his as teammates are noticing a difference in Jones in his second season. Trent Brown said that he was more commanding than he was a year ago. One of the first players to arrive for practice is Jones who gives himself 15-20 minutes to loosen up.

There are four. The way it's been so far in training camp, it seems to have more of a permanent feeling, especially when Brown said he was at left tackle.

There are five. There are concerns about the corner. There is a significant question at the corner opposite Mills, where veteran Terrance Mitchell received the first opportunity of camp. Mitchell has been with six teams in nine years. Then there's 32-year-old Malcolm Butler, who feels like he's already knocked off the rust after not playing for a year. They are the two options in front of Jack Jones.

There are six. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson is seven pounds lighter than he was a year ago. It's more than just the number as he carries the weight. He said he feels better after getting a lot more lean. One of Stevenson's goals in the off-season was to be a pass-catcher in space. Stevenson is giving himself a chance to stay on the field.

Video: Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson, who said he is 225 pounds (7 pounds down from when he reported last year), on being leaner in 2022. pic.twitter.com/q8k1SOyTvd

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 28, 2022

There are seven. Is it possible to be simple and successful? It was their optimism about changes to streamline the attack that was the most common thread after the first stretch of practices. It is simpler, easier to learn, and you can play faster. Mac Jones said that they were doing a lot of good things to get up there and snap the ball quickly.

There are eight. Brown predicts a "breakout year" for Uche, the 2020 second-round pick who played just three snaps in last season's playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. Uche was at his best at Michigan when he was in the 230s, and it looks like he's back in that range now despite being listed on the roster at 241. In the early days of camp, Uche is covering running backs in the flat.

There are nine. About 200 media credentials were issued by the team for training camp over the first four days, a reflection of how many reporters, camera operators etc. have been in attendance each day.

There are ten. Were you aware? A 61.9 touchdown percentage in the red zone was the 11th highest in the country. The Bills had the highest number of trips and touchdown of any team in the league.