Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Backfield depth: In describing why the Patriots invested a significant asset to bring aboard a backup, coach Bill Belichick once said, “Nobody needs insurance until you need insurance.”
At the time, he was speaking of No. 3 quarterback Jacoby Brissett being activated off injured reserve late in the 2016 season. Fast-forward to the present and Belichick’s words also fit with running back Damien Harris.
• 2. Hughes in coaching pipeline: Today’s coaching assistants often become tomorrow’s position coaches and coordinators, and with that in mind, the addition of Tyler Hughes to Belichick’s coaching staff this offseason is a notable development. Hughes has a variety of coaching experience at multiple levels, having served as a head coach in college (Snow and Minot State) and high school (Bountiful in Utah). In 2012, he was a quality control assistant at Ohio State under Urban Meyer. In that role with the Buckeyes, Hughes performed advanced scouting, film analysis and data analytics to increase offensive efficiency and productivity. 3. Remembering Reche’s ’06 season: Kevin Faulk, who is in the Patriots Hall of Fame, said one of his primary recollections of being Reche Caldwell’s teammate during the 2006 season was his big smile. “He was always laughing, always enjoyable to be around, always smiling and he had those big eyes,” Faulk recalled. “He was always willing to help a friend.”
Caldwell had joined the Patriots after four seasons with the Chargers, and totaled a career-high 61 receptions for 760 yards and four touchdowns. A dropped pass in an AFC Championship Game loss to the Colts was one blip over an otherwise solid season. That drop haunted Caldwell into his post-playing career, because up to that point, Faulk remembered how uplifting the 2006 season had been for him. “He got the best out of himself that year. I don’t think it shocked him, he knew he could do it, but that had been good for him because it really boosted his confidence,” he said. 4. Michel hurt by first-round perception: If Michel, the 31st pick in 2018, was selected two picks later — making him a second-rounder instead of a fringe first-rounder — would the perception of his first two seasons be viewed a bit differently? I say yes. Michel has been solid (but not spectacular) as the Patriots’ lead back through two seasons. But because he carries the first-round tag with him, it never seems good enough in the view of some. 5. Slater’s perspective: Special-teams captain Relive the NFL’s greatest games, original series and more. Watch on ESPN+ So if Slater, 34, was in position to do the same to help rally communities in challenging times, what would he say? He shared his message during Tuesday’s Boston Uncornered’s virtual fundraising event that honored teammate Devin McCourty. “When you start looking at people as individuals — not necessarily men/women, not necessarily black/white, not necessarily Democrat/Republican — who they are, what their story is, what their life journey has been like, just try to connect and meet with them where they are. I think we’ve kind of moved away from that, with where we are in our society now. I hope that we can kind of move back in that direction. I have a lot of hope and faith that is something we can move toward as we navigate this uncertain time.” 6. Setting the pace on signings: Through Thursday, a total of about 60 draft picks had been signed, 10 of whom were from the Patriots, the first team to finalize contracts for its entire draft class. This was a result of the team aggressively coordinating remote physical examinations between team doctors and local physicians in the players’ areas. 7. Vrabel’s compliment to Belichick: Titans coach and five-time Patriots Hall of Fame finalist Mike Vrabel joined “The Camera Guys” of NBC Boston for an entertaining, lighthearted interview last week, and shared a compliment of Belichick not often highlighted: His self-deprecating sense of humor. Vrabel reflected on how he used to poke fun at Belichick’s affinity for the 1980s Giants defenses, among other things, telling co-hosts Bill Messina and Glenn Gleason: “One thing I always appreciated [that] Bill did is you can’t ever take yourself too seriously, and you have to be able to laugh at yourself to be able to be part of a team. That’s the same type of culture we’re trying to have here. When they imitate and make fun of me, at least I know they’re listening to me.” 8. Scar still connected: Longtime Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is happy in retirement, but he also remains connected to the organization in a non-coaching capacity. For example, on Friday, Scarnecchia volunteered as part of the team’s second Soup R Bowl event at Gillette Stadium, which benefited 1,500 local military, veterans and their families.
