FOXBOROUGH, Mass — The New England Patriots might have gotten their first win of the season, but they know that getting their second is going to be no easy feat.
Preparation for the Jacksonville Jaguars is fully underway, so here's what I'm hearing:
'Progress' is key word on offense
The Patriots' offense has not quite lived up to its full potential, having only scored 23 points over their first two games, but offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels isn't concerned.
“I think it’s normal,” McDaniels said Thursday. “This time of the year is generally an extension of the work you’ve done in training camp, and whether it’s one aspect of the game in terms of situational play, or last year I thought we made progress in the running game as we got along. There’s been many years — I know I’ve
lived through a bunch of them — where you start — we all have high expectations and hopes for starting the season looking a certain way, and what it requires is just a lot of the hard work and improvement.
“I don’t know that anybody’s where they want to be at this point in time, but the progress you make going forward is really the most important part of our journey. So I didn’t hear what he said, but I’m sure it’s to something to that extent, and that’s what we’re here doing.”
Meanwhile, it's 'improving' for the defense
As for defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr, he used a different word when asked how he would assess the defense.
"We're improving. I'm going to be big on that word: improving," Kuhr said. "Just focus on the process and let's keep improving. And we're trying to improve today from yesterday to tomorrow, and hopefully that leads into game day."
Preparing to see a familiar face
The Patriots will be lining up against a familiar face on Sunday.
Jahlani Tavai spent the past five seasons with the Patriots before being released in March ahead of free agency. Then, in August, he signed with the Jaguars.
"I love Jahlani. He was such a good player for us, and a really good guy to have in the room," Springer said. "He's a great player, and he's doing some really good things in Jacksonville. They got him playing really hard. He's playing fast. And it'll be fun to see him n Sunday in another uniform."
Brenden Schooler back at practice
For the second straight day, Brenden Schooler was out at practice. The special teams ace started the season on the physically unable to perform list and cannot step on the field for a game until Week 5. But, based on a rule change, he is able to begin practicing.
And it's a welcome addition to the practice fields for special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer.
"Really good. Glad to have him back," Springer said. "Always wish he were playing, but until then, he's going to be the best practice player he can be. He's done a great job with us, helping our young guys. He's in every meeting, talking to guys and giving his input on what he sees, and he's like having another coach out there."
Jaguars' Parker Washington is a dangerous returner
While Jacksonville has numerous key players that can make a difference at any moment, there is one in particular that earned high praise from Springer and Kuhr.
And that just so happened to be wide receiver Parker Washington.
"Parker Washington is elite. He's a top-three guy in my opinion in the NFL," Springer said. "He's unbelievable on offense, but he's also unbelievable on special teams. And he's not scared.He's out there for a reason. He's a starting receiver. He doesn't have to be out there, but you can tell the mentality that he has for the team, he's a team guy. So much respect for what he does on the punt return unit."
"Obviously, Parker Washington, he's crushing it right now," Kuhr later added. "He's a great player. You can tell he's very motivated out there. He's making a lot of plays."
Patriots practice attendance
The Patriots were missing four players during Thursday's practice - edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder), safety Craig Woodson (shoulder), edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins (knee), and Eli Raridon (thigh).
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones returned to practice after missing Wednesday due to a personal reason.
Replacing Mike Onwenu
With Mike Onwenu suffering an ankle injury that has led to him being placed on injured reserve with reports indicating that his season is over, the team will now need someone to fill in at right guard.
Among the top candidates are Greg Van Roten, Ben Brown and Walter Rouse.
"Every one of them works really hard," McDaniels said. "Obviously, Greg, I've had some experience with Greg in the past. But Greg played some football the other day when Mike went down, and then I have a lot of experience with Ben from last year. And Rouse is doing a good job of learning our system and being ready to go. I love the fact that you have multiple guys that are competing for the opportunity to get in there and perform. I mean, that's what you want on your football team whenever something happens and you have to have the next man step up."
Other notes
- Jeremy Springer on LB Namdi Obiazor: "Taking advantage of his opportunities. He's playing to our identity... He's being disruptive on the ball, so all the things Coach Vrabel talks about from the team culture, he's doing that right now."
- Josh McDaniels: “It takes 11 people on offense to make a good play go. That’s what it takes. It always has required that. [Maye] has to do his part, we have to do our part around him. We have to do a good job as coaches of putting our group in the right position. But every good play is the sum of a lot of guys do."
- Zak Kuhr on Elijah Ponder: "We ask a lot of guys to do a lot of things, and I think they step up to that challenge. I think they take pride in their versatility, and I think Elijah takes pride in that, and he just takes pride in his craft in general. He's really owned it, and he wants to play well. He wants to do well, not only for himself, but for the team. He's a great teammate, and I think he's handled it really well."
- Jeremy Springer on FB Reggie Gilliam: "From the second we got Reggie, I was probably the happiest guy in the room because he's done it throughout his career. He's a true pro. He's never too up, too down. He's so level-headed. He's extremely smart. He's another coach on the field."
- Zak Kuhr on Jose Ramirez: "He's worked his butt off. He looked great on the show team, and obviously we don't care how you got here. We care what you do when you get here, and we believe in giving those guys roles when they've earned it. He's been nothing but great since he's been in there. He's working his ass off. Everything we ask of him, he goes above and beyond, and we're proud of him."
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: What I’m hearing at Gillette Stadium: Thursday rumblings (Week 3)
