New England patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne he probably had to do a double take when he saw the quarterback Mac Jones.
Bourne noted that Jones is missing something he brought with him when he arrived in New England as Alabama’s first round pick last year.
“His stomach is gone and he’s really fine,” laughed Bourne after the team’s organized activity on Monday on the training grounds behind Gillette Stadium. “Now he is definitely a professional pro.
“When you’re a beginner, you just don’t know it until you tackle it for a year. So he’s definitely in much better shape than he’s ever been. He’s just dominating in conditioning, and he’s just awesome to watch. So he’s going to be in. able to endure more in a match and face more “.
According to Jones, conditioning is an area he prioritized after a rookie season that saw him pitch for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns (with 13 interceptions) as he led his team to 10 regular season wins and one place. to the playoffs.
“I think every year you want to do like a self-assessment: how you felt through the games and the body fat, all that stuff,” Jones said. “For me, just cleaning up my diet and I’ve learned more this off-season than I probably ever have about nutrition, sleep, wellness, all of those things.”
Jones said he focused on “eating healthy, eliminating many things that are bad for my diet, but at the same time I need to maintain my weight and be able to take shots, so there’s a good balance for every player. Every player is different and, for me, I’ve definitely cut body fat a bit, and I’ll have a chance to regain mass before the season starts and be able to absorb the blows. “
While Jones might be sporting a bit of a new look, he’ll be making a bout quarterback that also has a new look. Josh McDaniels, the Patriots’ longtime offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, has become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
While the team has yet to announce another offensive coordinator, coach Bill Belichick, Joe Judge and Matt Patricia appeared to be responsible for the attack at different times on Monday.
Judge, fired as head coach of the New York Giants after last season, is listed by the Patriots as an attacking assistant. Patricia, the former Detroit Lions head coach, is designated by the team as a senior football advisor.
Jones said the fact that the team has not yet announced an attacking coordinator doesn’t worry him.
“It’s not my decision to make and we have a lot of time for all of that, so right now it’s about the guys and me being on the same page,” he said. “Running back, tight ends, receivers and then working with the offensive line doing a few things with them just to make sure we’re all on the same page.
“So it always comes back to the players and we are excited to grow together and learn from whoever is coaching us.”
Jones said he’s pleased with a body-capturing pass that has added wide receivers DeVante Parker (acquired in a swap with the Miami Dolphins) and Tyquan Thornton (a Baylor second-round pick) this season.
“I’m really happy with the group we have,” Jones said. “I’ve had a chance to work with all of them during the off season in various locations and here and everything, so I’m very happy with everyone and we have a small group again. DeVante did a great job joining and working in a new one. He’s quite familiar with the Dolphins and all, but we’re happy to have him and anyone who can contribute to our team … So it’s a good group and we just have to keep elevating each other and pushing each other. more and compete “.
Associated Press Report.
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