Guregian: N’Keal Harry looking like the Patriots’ poster boy for consistency

FOXBORO — Pop quiz: Which Patriots player has been the most consistent thus far in training camp?

The choices are:

A. Cam Newton

B. Mac Jones

C. N’Keal Harry

D. None of the above.

While “D” would seem the likely guess, the answer is C. Wide receiver N’Keal Harry has basically accomplished what the quarterbacks are still striving to do — put together a stack of good practices.

During the past week, consistency is a word that’s been tossed around quite a bit by Bill Belichick and the Patriots coaching staff.

It’s a necessary trait, and one Belichick & Co. will be constantly looking for during training camp.

And thus far, one week into camp, Harry has been the poster boy for the slogan, especially of late.

This is the same N’Keal Harry whose agent made an unusual public trade request in an attempt to get the receiver out of New England last month.

Go figure.

The past two days, Harry has really come alive, making many crowd-pleasing plays, showing off his strength and athleticism to reel in passes from both Cam Newton and Mac Jones.

He hasn’t been on the same roller coaster ride that’s defined the quarterback competition, with Newton and Jones taking turns having good and bad days. He hasn’t had a split personality, like Good Cam, Bad Cam.

Instead, Harry has been putting one good practice on top of another.

He’s been in the group of stackers as a steady presence.

So how did he get there?

For starters, Harry has been on the field every day, which wasn’t the case during his prior camps due to various injuries. He’s not only been present, but has also consistently stood out.

The much-maligned Patriots first-round draft pick, who has underwhelmed with two disappointing seasons in Foxboro, followed up his eye-catching performance Tuesday by pulling in all six targets he saw in competitive team drills on Wednesday.

Among his highlights was slipping past top defender J.C. Jackson on a slant, and fully extending to haul in a bullet from Newton. On Tuesday, he was once again a contested catch machine. His best was a twisting mid-air grab of a Newton bomb in the end zone.

After essentially being a bust his first two seasons, it’s almost like watching an episode from the old game show, To Tell the Truth: “Will the real N’Keal Harry, please stand up?”

If what we’ve witnessed the first week of training camp is the real Harry, there’s not much reason to trade him. And if Belichick decides to cut bait, this version of Harry should net a better return.

Whatever the case, it’s one of the more positive developments of training camp thus far. At the very least, Harry has looked closer to being a top pick, even though he still has a long way to go to live up to his standing.

“I know what was reported, and all that stuff, but I just know N’Keal is a guy that I’ve grown to really admire and love,” receivers coach Mick Lombardi said after practice. “He’s a player on our team and in our room, and I think really highly of N’Keal for how he comes in here and works. I have a great relationship with N’Keal. We are business-first. He comes in here and works extremely hard, and I appreciate that.”

Given the trade demand, as well as his failure thus far to live up to his draft grade, Harry has been under even more of a microscope during this camp.

While he may feel he would do better elsewhere, which was part of the agent’s open narrative, Harry and Belichick have spoken, and seem to have reached some kind of accord.

It does speak well that Harry’s responded, and appears on course to make a contribution in the offense, whether here, or elsewhere.

While he hasn’t cured his issues with gaining separation against man-coverage, he’s finally utilized some of his gifts, taking advantage of his athleticism to make some incredibly acrobatic catches.

Troy Brown, who is working with the receivers along with special teams returners, couldn’t be happier with Harry’s progress.

“I think all of our guys have gotten more comfortable. But N’Keal, he came into camp with a great attitude, ready to go, in shape. And he’s out here just like the rest of the guys in the group,” said Brown. “He’s fighting for a spot and he’s done everything so far that we’ve asked him to do.”

He’s had perfect attendance, fought for throws, and made plays only a few other receivers have the ability to make, and he’s done all that with regularity.

In the Patriots world, it’s hard to ask for more than that.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3xjsGI0