<\/p>\n
One of the themes of the New England Patriots\u2019 2025 training camp thus far is established veterans losing starting roles. First was Cole Strange, who saw his left guard job go to rookie Jared Wilson; next was Kyle Dugger, who went from starting safety to scout team player within a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
Could Keion White be the latest to fall victim to this process? Based on this week\u2019s practices that might indeed be the case.<\/p>\n
Typically lining up as a starting edge opposite Harold Landry earlier in training camp, White found himself relegated to second-string behind K\u2019Lavon Chaisson. It remains to be seen whether the move is temporary or permanent, but it was in itself a noteworthy development given White\u2019s supposed game-wrecking abilities as well as Strange and Dugger both seemingly falling out of favor before him.<\/p>\n
At least publicly, however, the Patriots\u2019 coaching staff is doing the opposite of ringing alarm bells: it keeps singing White\u2019s praises despite his recent change in role.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing I love about Keion, he\u2019s just physical and probably one of the smartest kids I\u2019ve ever had in a room,\u201d outside linebackers coach Mike Smith told reporters ahead of Tuesday\u2019s practice. \u201cJust loves football, is eager to learn. Every day is something special. He\u2019s got a ways to go \u2014 I shouldn\u2019t say a ways, but he\u2019s got some learning still to continue to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams also stressed the need for additional development heading into White\u2019s third season.<\/p>\n
\u201cBig, physical guy. Still a young player that has some development to do,\u201d Williams said. \u201cBut I like where he is right now. So, he\u2019s working hard and doing the things that we ask him to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
A second-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2023, White flashed his immense upside right out of the gate; in his NFL debut, he registered some wins against none other than future Hall of Fame right tackle Lane Johnson. Since then, he continued being a disruptive and versatile presence along New England\u2019s defensive line.<\/p>\n
That versatility, however, is something the Patriots\u2019 new staff is trying to dial back a bit. After he regularly moved between the inside and the edge over his first two seasons in the league, the hope is that stability \u2014 \u201chaving a home\u201d as Smith called it \u2014 will further help unlock his potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s bounced inside, he\u2019s bounced outside, he\u2019s going back inside. He\u2019s had a different coach this year, a different coach last year,\u201d Smith said. \u201cKeion being in one spot is going to benefit him so much, because he\u2019s another kid that is an extremely violent human being. Offensive linemen know when he\u2019s in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Early in training camp, White was in most of the time; he was a mainstay on defense and looked the part. However, he has started to cool off a bit leading up to his apparent demotion in favor of Chaisson.<\/p>\n
In spite of that change \u2014 and again, there is no telling yet whether it will stick \u2014 the Patriots still see a bright future for the 26-year-old; or, as Smith put it:<\/p>\n
\u201cLike I said from the beginning with that kid, when it all comes together, you better watch out.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The third-year defender recently was removed from the starting defensive lineup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":30996,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-england-patriots"],"yoast_head":"\n