Thinking out loud: What to watch out for as the Patriots open training camp this week

Thinking out loud … while wondering if I’m at the age where by law I have to make a noise when I bend over …

Haven’t we always known, deep down, that actions always speak louder than words? As Patriots’ training camp opens this week, keep this in mind if Matt Judon shows up/doesn’t show up when practice begins.

As our buddy @PatsCap has pointed out on X, contract incentives can be added to a current deal to put money on par with other players and athletes in similar positions. Still, Judon has this year remaining on a current deal that is presently undervalued on the open market.

Make him play for the current pay or give him a raise commensurate with his stature and position? Considering the track record with some veterans within the new regime thus far, I’d be writing up a new deal — and a nice bonus to go with it.

Three other things I’ll be watching as camp opens: 1, Drake May; 2, the offensive line; 3, receivers that can go get it.

Yes, the schedule is difficult — much more so than a last-place team should have for the next season. But the scheduling rotation, pre-determined from Park Avenue in New York, did the Patriots no favors.

Perhaps it’s because of the color of the glasses I’m looking through, but I don’t see the doom-and-gloom/take-the-under on 4.5 wins prognostications. Said it before, so let’s say it again — if the New England defense is a top 5-caliber unit as some believe it can be, this team should be markedly better than what oddsmakers are calling for.

Let’s recall: the Patriots’ “D” finished seventh in total yards allowed a year ago, playing most of the season without Judon and first-round pick Christian Gonzalez.

So, one more thing to watch for as camp opens: 1, Is the defense really that good, or is the offense really that bad?[49ers receiver] Brandon Aiyuk [who wants out of San Francisco]? Sure. But don’t give up next year’s first-round pick for him. You might, um, need that. Just sayin’.

∎X post of the Week, from @MattGross87: “The Red Sox, like Jesus, routinely die on Friday (where they have a 4-12 record) before rising again on Sunday (where they have a 15-1 record.)”

∎If the goal was to create a social stir for an upcoming album, I get it. But Ingrid Andress’ self-professed drunken rendition of the national anthem, sung poorly before the Home Run Derby on Monday, was probably not the best career choice. For her, or for the person(s) in charge of hiring her.

∎She put Rosanne Barr and Carl Lewis’ star-spangled versions in second and third place among the all-time worst. Google any of them if you’d like to make your ears bleed.

∎Not for nuthin’, but the All-Star Game uniforms were worse than the worst. Like ever. Generic dreck. The worst part of it is, a casual fan couldn’t tell (unless you know logos, and they were obscured on their hats) what team the players played for.

More: Remember the North Providence Summer Basketball League? These filmmakers do

∎Um, hello? Anyone at MLB take a marketing class in school? Now, get off my lawn.

∎The metamorphosis of Jarren Duran into not just an All-Star player, but a star, period, continues to amaze. Two-run dinger to win the All-Star Game? First Red Sox all-star MVP since J.D. Drew 16 years ago? And just the fifth Sox all-star MVP of all time?

∎Also, the first Cape Cod League grad (Wareham Gatemen) to win an All-Star MVP since 2015. It’s a different conversation now, Jarren. Credit to you, to your training and coaching, to your abilities. But can you keep it up?

∎The Sox drafted D’Angelo Ortiz, son of Big Papi, in the 19th round of this week’s MLB Draft. And yet, he likely has a better chance to stay in his organization for a while than Bronny James, son of LeBron, does in his. He was taken by the Lakers in the NBA’s second round.

∎Many who follow baseball in Rhode Island, especially within the Red Sox organization, remember Steve Hyder. Steve was a radio broadcaster for the Pawtucket Red Sox from 2004-12, also having spent time calling baseball games for the Syracuse SkyChiefs as well as basketball and football broadcasts for Syracuse University on WSYR in upstate New York in the 1990s.

He’s a former NSMA Sportscaster of the Year in Rhode Island. Steve has been battling serious health issues for the last few years, including (but not limited to) a kidney transplant just a few short years ago. Some may recall Steve was an on-air partner of mine on the old 790 The Score midday show, balancing a daily act of bashing me (and my busting his chops) with his baseball duties.

Steve is also a UMass Amherst grad (on the track and field team) and a graduate of Newport's Rogers High School. If you are open to the idea, he could sure use a few prayers and positive thoughts his way.

∎We’re just days away from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. If you’re looking for locals to root for: URI women's hoop coach Tammi Reiss is an assistant for 3x3 women’s competition, Jamestown’s Emily Kallfelz is rowing, Barrington’s Stu McNay is sailing, and former Friar All-American Emily Sisson from Providence will run the marathon.

More: Gary Jobson on Providence's Stu McNay's chances at the 2024 Summer Olympic in Paris

In all, there are 592 athletes on Team USA from 46 states (only Maine, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming are not represented), with nearly one in five from California; 53% (314) of the athletes are women.

And if you haven’t heard, the opening ceremony won’t be held in the Olympic Stadium for the first time. Instead, the Olympic teams will be cruising down (or up?) the Seine River in front of about half a million Parisians and visitors.

It’s the same Seine River that some triathletes are refusing to compete in due to the presence earlier this summer of E Coli bacteria — at 10 times above the normal rate. Yup, they could be swimmin’ in (bleep).

∎Don’t look now, but the USA men’s basketball team — with three Boston Celtics coming off the bench — has been struggling a bit in early exhibition play. Maybe it’s the lack of team continuity. Maybe it’s the lack of Celtics in the lineup.

∎ICYMI, former Friar coach and player Tim Army is back in the NHL as an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks.My buddy “Big E” sez old age is when you have two temptations to choose from, and you pick the one that gets you home before 9 o’clock.

∎In the category of “Will This Ever End?”: more college realignment rumors are running rampant, and this time it’s hitting the ACC. The Big 12 is rumored to be the poacher, and Florida State and Clemson are the most motivated. But only because the SEC and Big Ten, for now, are saying "no thanks." Of course, if TV networks (and the $$$ that follow) say"jump," someone will. Should FSU and Clemson extricate themselves from a media rights deal within the ACC that ties them up for another 12 years, the tumbling dominoes could turn the league into the next Pac-12.

Could we actually see a scenario where Boston College, Pittsburgh and Syracuse knock on the Big East’s door, looking for refuge? Would the Big East even be receptive to former partners who once left them for dead?

Find out on the next episode of “As the (Collegiate) World Turns.”

∎Things that make you go hmmm: Former Northwestern athletic director Mike Polisky, who resigned after claims of sex trafficking and harassment at the school, earned a $1.2 million golden parachute in 2022 upon his departure — for nine days on the job. Nine.

∎Back up a Brinks’ truck for Caitlin Clark. The WNBA this week closed a new, $2.2-billion media deal with ESPN, NBC and Amazon beginning in 2026. It’s not NBA money by any stretch, but ad revenue will likely double over 2024 numbers.

∎Did you see the chaos and subsequent mess at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium for Copa America? Some say it’s a red flag for the United States when it comes to hosting the World Cup in 2026, which will include Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium. Knowing how most American security people act at stadium venues, those without tickets ain’t gettin’ anywhere close to inside, unlike what happened in South Florida where fans stampeded past security.

∎If I had paid thousands to get in, only to find I couldn’t get in because the stadium was already full of non-ticketed fans, yes, anger comes to mind. The egregious errors committed in Miami are on the event promoter/host (CONMEBOL, the South American soccer federation) being under prepared.

∎Just make sure you check all the air conditioning vents for stragglers who have lost their way, amiright? Sheesh.Jack from West Warwick asked and answered his own question. And he made good points along the way: “My question: When did the Red Sox season take a positive upswing?

∎My answer: When Cora (whom I think is an excellent manager) moved Devers into the cleanup spot. I scratch my head as to why managers place sluggers in the No. 2 hole (like Judge and Trout). Power hitters like Devers do not like to hit with someone like Duran on base, who may take off at any time. Their mindset is to knock in runs!!! Can you imagine Ted, Joe D, Mick, Stan (The Man), Willie, and Hank (to name a few) agreeing to hit in the No. 2 hole? What about the Babe or Gehrig? What are your feelings concerning this?

My feelings are — you’re a smart man, Jack.

Interested in having your questions on Rhode Island sports (and yes, that includes the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Think out loud and send your questions, comments, and local stories to jrbroadcaster@gmail.com. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/threads right here! Join me on Twitter/X, @JRbroadcaster…on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke, and on Instagram and Threads @JRbroadcaster.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What to watch out for as the Patriots open training camp this week