The New England Patriots have begun trickling back into Gillette Stadium as the start of training camp is right around the corner.
To help set the stage for anything not covered in our positional previews and our Patriots player profile series, welcome to this week’s Sunday Patriots Notes.
Gonzo’s recognition
After spending the majority of his rookie season on the sideline with an injury, Christian Gonzalez caught the league’s attention his sophomore season.
The Patriots top corner was ranked 84th in the NFL’s Top 100.
Then, Gonzalez earned a spot on ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler’s top-10 cornerback ranking.
“I think Gonzo is the next great one,” a veteran NFL assistant said. “Skills, patience, length. He’s the closest thing to Pat [Surtain II]. Smooth, big athlete, travels a lot, can matchup against the best guy.”
The All-Pro finished sixth in positional voting, although at least one voter — from a group of executives, coaches and scouts — ranked Gonzalez first.
Surtain, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, was one of the few who ranked ahead of Gonzalez. That group also consisted of Derek Stingley Jr., Denzel Ward, Trent McDuffie, and Sauce Gardner, who recently became the league’s highest paid cornerback — perhaps setting the market for Gonzalez’s extension next offseason.
“He’s got the size and coverage skills to put him on the outside and he can handle himself, and he can also come up and play run support and play within the construct of the defense,” an NFL coordinator told ESPN about Gonzalez.
Moses leading
Throughout the Patriots offseason program, it was clear that veteran offensive tackle Morgan Moses was a leader among the offensive line. Moses often stayed late after practice to talk through different techniques with New England’s younger lineman — with No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell often being part of the group.
“I think Morgan has done a great job. It’s the right type of message, the right type of leadership which he’s been able to give to us,” offensive line coach Doug Marrone said on Forged in Foxboro.
No PUP
During his recovery from a torn ACL, wide receiver Stefon Diggs has set his sights on suiting up Week 1 for the Patriots. With the team not placing him on the Physically Unable to Perform list ahead of training camp, the receiver appears to continue to progress well in his recovery.
Throughout the offseason program, Diggs appeared to be moving well just seven months since the injury. He did not, however, take part of full team drills in the spring.
Thirty-Two
With TreVeyon Henderson signing his contract, the Patriots have their full draft class signed ahead of training camp. When the back now takes the field, he will continue to do so rocking No. 32 — the number his grandfather wore when he himself played running back, and the rookie has carried on the tradition since he passed away.
“I didn’t get a chance to see him and so, I just try to carry on that legacy to really make [my mom] smile — put a smile on her face,” Henderson said. “It means a lot, you know, there are times where I wanted to go back to my high school and I was like, no, I’ll keep it for my mom.”
Maye arrives
Ready to get back to work, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was among a group of players that arrived back at Gillette Stadium early on Thursday. All quarterbacks, in addition too rookies, returned to the facility on Saturday.
It was a break well spent for Maye, who married longtime girlfriend Ann Michael Hudson in June, honeymooned in St. Lucia, and then attended Wimbledon. Maye then got back to work in North Carolina with a handful of Patriots teammates, who also made sure to spend time together off the field at the lake and in the pool.
Setting up the week ahead
With QBs, rookies, and a handful of others back in Foxboro, non-rehabbing veterans will officially report on Tuesday. Mike Vrabel and a handful of players will then address the media.
New England’s first practice of the summer will then begin on Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:15 a.m. ET (beginning earlier than last season’s typical 11 a.m. start time). The Patriots will wrap up the week with additional sessions Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
More from patspulpit.com:
- WATCH: New Patriots WR Brandin Cooks makes ridiculous one-handed grab against the Jaguars
- Patriots release first depth chart of the season; list Mike Gilleslee as the number five running back
- Patriots-Jaguars Monday joint practice notes: WR Brandin Cooks puts on a show
- Patriots 2017 training camp: 08/07 live news feed, updates and open thread
- New England Patriots links 8/07/17 - Pats-Jags joint practices kick off preseason
- Former Patriots, Texans NT Vince Wilfork announces retirement
- Patriots 2017 training camp: Four things to watch during joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars
