New England Patriots Bill Belichick understands that the 2020 rookie class has a particularly uphill climb at the beginning of their NFL careers.
A typical offseason for a first-year player would include a rookie minicamp, an OTA program, followed by a full-team minicamp ahead of training camp and preseason games, providing months of reps in preparation for Week 1.
However, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a uniquely atypical and completely altered NFL offseason calendar, depriving inexperienced players of crucial hands-on work with teammates and coaches. You can only accomplish and learn so much over Zoom.
In a video conference with the media on Thursday, the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach said that the Patriots' rookies have been putting in the requisite amount of effort, but inevitably find themselves “in deep water, in turbulent water” (via ProFootballTalk).
Additionally, he warned that things will only get more challenging for them as the team begins ramping up the practice schedule in the coming days.
The Patriots will need at least some of their rookies to get up to speed as best they can. In classic Belichickian fashion, the organization drafted two tight ends in the third round—Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keane—who currently occupy the top two spots on the team's tight-end depth chart. Plus, a slew of Patriots defensive players have opted out of the 2020 season, opening up opportunities at linebacker for second-round pick Josh Uche and third-rounder Anfernee Jennings.
Belichick and the Patriots are slated to kickoff their season on Sept. 13 in a matchup with the Miami Dolphins. It will be the first Patriots season to begin without quarterback Tom Brady under center since 2001.
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