Bill Belichick: Patriots rookies are in deep water

Rookies are off to a late start due to Covid-19. Bill Belichick says it hasn’t been easy for the first-year players.

After losing multiple veteran players in free agency, the Patriots had eight players opt out last month due to Covid-19. The roster turnover has opened up multiple opportunities for new and younger Patriots players to step up and play a role early this coming season.

The only problem is that the coronavirus health pandemic has these rookies off to an extremely late start.

Unlike past offseasons, the Patriots didn’t have a single practice in May or June. In that time, teams typically have OTAs and minicamp where players have up to 10 practices. On top of that, rookies didn’t have rookie minicamp, which helps the first-year players acclimate to their new surroundings. Instead, players have been at Gillette Stadium last week for strength and conditioning. On Friday, the team will have their first full-team practice, but pads won’t be on.

The late start has created a difficult environment for a group of rookies that the Patriots would like to count on. As Bill Belichick said on Friday, these first-year players are currently swimming up stream.

"I think all of our rookies have worked extremely hard. They’re in deep water, turbulent water and it’s going to get rougher," Belichick said. "Just in terms of the volume and the level of competition, becoming a professional athlete and the full day and consecutive days that get strung together with very high demands both physically, mentally and rest and recovery and all that. I think all the guys are adjusting to it. They’re all working hard at it. It’s a really hardworking group. There haven’t been any problems.

"They’re just doing the best they can, but they’re swimming. They’re in deep water and their eyes get open every day as we move up in the process and we’re still along way from anything close to real football. We’re doing more now than we did before. Each day is an acclimation day and adjustment day for them. I think they’re just trying to keep their head above water and try to swim or paddle in the right direction, knowing that they’re not really able to keep up but they’re doing the best they can and they’re way, way ahead of where they were a week ago, two weeks ago, a month ago, two months ago. A lot of progress there, but a long way to go."

This year, the Patriots have several rookies who could make an impact. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the team’s first five draft picks be in position to play early.

Top pick, Kyle Dugger is in position to play snaps after strong safety Patrick Chung opted out of the 2020 season. Dugger, drafted in the second round, is competing with Adrian Philips and Terrence Brooks for playing time. The Pats also traded safety Duron Harmon this offseason so there’s room for two new players to step up in the safety depth chart.

The Patriots next two picks were linebackers Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings. This offseason, the Pats lost veterans Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts in free agency. Last month, Dont’a Hightower opted out. If there’s one position where you’re almost guaranteed to see rookies play, it’s at linebacker.

At the end of the third round, the Pats drafted two tight ends – Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene. With Matt LaCosse opted out, there’s room for one of these newcomers to play major offensive snaps. With fullback Dan Vitale opting out and fullback James Develin retiring, we could also see Keene play some fullback. There’s also rookie kicker Justin Rohrwasser. He won’t have a single preseason game to kick in before the regular season starts.

On Friday, Belichick said he felt like his team has maximized their time in terms of what they’ve been allowed to do, but added, "Last night would’ve been our first preseason game. We haven’t even had a team full-speed practice yet let a lone in pads."

This will certainly be a tough challenge for all Patriots newcomers, but the opportunity is there. Belichick said he’ll have a better evaluation of the rookies when pads come on next Monday and the teams closer to real football.

"They’re really all in the same boat. It’s a hardworking, conscientious, diligent group," Belichick said. "They have a lot that they’re going to have to absorb. We’ll get a much better evaluation of where they are in the next week to 10 days when things start happening on the football field and we start playing some football."

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ