Patriots Prep for Vikings Joint Practices

Back and Forth Kicker Battle Continues

The competition between Parker Romo and rookie Andy Borregales remains one of camp’s most intriguing storylines and Tuesday didn’t provide much clarity. Borregales went 2-for-5, including a notable miss from about 60 yards out at the end of a competitive two-minute drill that wrapped practice, while Romo finished 1-for-4 during a kicking-focused period.

Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer said consistency will ultimately decide the job. “You’ve got to earn a role, and if you earn a role through consistency and showing up every day, that’s the guy that’s going to win the job,” Springer said. He praised both kickers for competing hard but stressed that the evaluation process is far from over. “We still got a long time to go. I love how both guys are competing right now to earn a role.”

Springer also noted that versatility matters under the league’s new kickoff rules. “The more you can do, the better,” he said. “If you can put the ball in different areas, different directions, that creates more value for yourself.”

Defense Building Chemistry Before Big Test

Defensive lineman Milton Williams said the unit is trending in the right direction but still has work to do. “We just got to keep building, make sure we’re executing the call, being where we’re supposed to be, and trusting your teammates,” he said. Williams is eager for the joint practices, “It’s like a game, even more so than the preseason game. You’re hitting somebody else, and you get great work. Those are the [most fun] days.”

The trip to Minnesota will also serve as a bonding opportunity. “Everybody can’t just go home,” Williams said. “We’re all in the same hotel, so we’ll spend those extra hours together. That’s good for us to come together a little more.”

Quarterback Josh Dobbs, who spent time in Minnesota in 2023, knows what’s coming from Flores’ defense. “It’s aggressive,” Dobbs said. “He likes to blitz and keep the offense off balance. For us, we just have to go in with a plan, understand our looks, and get the ball out quickly.”


Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *