EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:1. Jacas' motor: The short-handed Patriots defense is likely to turn to rookie outside linebacker Gabe Jacas as a starter in Sunday's road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS), which might have been a concern a couple of weeks ago. But the second-round pick from Illinois has been one of the team's early-season surprises, which had Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers praising his relentlessness as the conversation surrounding Jacas has shifted as quickly as he darts to the football.Jacas, 22, has a motor-always-runs-hot play style. It has contributed to the Patriots (1-1) allowing just 16 points, helped him break the NFL's longest QB streak without an interception by recording the first pick against Rodgers since Week 10 of last season, and will be a key against Trevor Lawrence & Co. in Jacksonville with starting outside linebacker Dre'Mont Jones (shoulder) ailing."That really came from when I started wrestling -- having that relentless mindset to not be denied," said Jacas, who was a two-time state championship grappler in high school."And also having my brother [Khaliq] as a coach. He coached me that at an early age -- always run to the football, always having that motor. You never know what can happen if you run to the ball. Ever since then, running to the ball has been something that I do adamantly -- just like last game, stuff like that happens."Coach Mike Vrabel highlighted Jacas' hustle interception as an example of his improvement and willingness to take coaching.When defending a prior similar slip screen, Jacas ran to the quarterback and jumped in the air. Vrabel and outside linebackers coach Mike Smith told him the more effective approach is to put his foot in the ground, retrace and run to the football -- which is what he did against Rodgers.In addition, Vrabel spotlighted Jacas' strong play to tie up Steelers left tackle Troy Fautanu (2024 first-round pick), which freed up looping linebacker Christian Elliss for a crunching sack of Rodgers that was heard across the NFL.That Jacas would be involved in so many impact plays felt like a longshot a few weeks ago. He missed the entire spring after undergoing a knee procedure, which contributed to a contract impasse that led to him not signing his deal until a couple days into training camp.Then he was playing catch-up, which showed throughout the preseason when his aggressiveness had him out of position multiple times. But he had 19 snaps in the season-opening loss at Seattle (three tackles, sack), then saw a major uptick in playing time last week against the Steelers (49 snaps, 2 tackles, INT).Smith, the outside linebackers coach, said Jacas has benefited from the transition from the preseason to more game-planning in the regular season. He has consistently expressed his belief in Jacas, whose pass rush win rate of 8% shows there's still room for improvement, calling him "meaner than a wet mule."Jacas is studious, too."Gabe is that guy you can just tell he loves football -- the questions he asks, him needing to get an understanding of all the plays and how to do things right and how to get better," second-year starting outside linebacker Elijah Ponder said. "He pays attention to detail and he's ready to learn, he's very coachable. I can't wait to see what his future holds."As for the immediate future, Jacas said he is excited to return to Florida for Sunday's game, albeit well north of where he grew up in Fort Pierce. He is expecting to have a large contingent of family and friends in attendance, which includes his high school wrestling coach Pat Seidel, mother Paula Henry and siblings -- including his oldest brother Khaliq.Having Khaliq in attendance for the second week in a row has added meaning of Jacas, who explained that Khaliq tutored him at Fort Pierce High School after finishing his playing career at Florida International in 2019."I was a sophomore going into my junior year and he wanted to help me and coach me," Jacas said. "At first, it was more so volunteering, then he took over as D-line coach. Ever since then, he coached me for two years. I have a lot to give thanks to him for."So, too, do the Patriots, because they are now relying on Jacas quicker than anticipated.2. Injury comparison: The Patriots have placed 16 players on injured reserve (including the injury settlement to seventh-round pick Jam Miller) in the 2026 league year, with starting right guard Mike Onwenu (ankle) and reserve safety Dell Pettus (ankle) going on the list in back-to-back days last week, and then outside linebacker Quintayvious Hutchins (knee) landing there Friday. In 2025, the Patriots placed 16 players on IR the entire season. 3. Maye check-in: One of the themes for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye through the first two games is that defenses are testing his willingness to be patient and drive the ball down the field -- sometimes playing a Cover 6 scheme with two deep safeties to take away the deep ball. Maye acknowledged he lost patience in the season opener when he threw three fourth-quarter interceptions, and quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant shared his view that Maye "settled down a little bit" in Week 2 against the Steelers."Hopefully we can build off it," Grant said.4. Wilson rebound?: One way to help Maye is a sturdier interior of the pocket in pass protection. Center Jared Wilson, the 2025 third-round pick out of Georgia, is coming off a game that Vrabel said wasn't one of his best performances, adding: "I think he can protect better. I know he can protect better. I've seen him protect better."The Patriots also had to turn to veteran Greg Van Roten at right guard after Onwenu broke his right ankle, and he was also knocking off some rust. Vrabel said Van Roten is in line to start at that spot Sunday against the Jaguars.5. Lomu's impression: First-round draft pick Caleb Lomu, who grew up in Gilbert, Arizona, and attended Utah, talked about his "bests" and "worsts" of acclimating to New England:Best: "When you're in Boston, not including the driving, the people are amazing. The food is great; Mastro's has been a top restaurant. There's so many things to do. It's such a clean city, too, which I love. You really feel that everyone is a fan of the Patriots; they're coming up to you, super polite. I love how involved everyone is with the team, which makes it such a cool atmosphere."Worst: "Just last week, I have to go get my wife from Logan [Airport] and it said 40 minutes. But then I get to the tunnel where you are going under water, and it ended up taking an hour, 10 minutes to get there. Which is the worst it's ever been. Then it took another hour, 10 minutes to get back. So I'd say that's the worst part of my experience so far in Boston -- the traffic."6. Ramirez's reaction: Recently signed Patriots outside linebacker Jose Ramirez had been cut by the Eagles on Aug. 30, and after clearing waivers the following day, he said he had a flight to return home that night. That's when he heard from Patriots scouting administration coordinator Courtney Weiner, who he said apologized for the timing of booking a 6 a.m. flight the next morning for him to come join New England's practice squad.The soft-spoken Ramirez described his reaction this way: After not breaking through with the Buccaneers (2023-2024), playing for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in 2025 and getting caught in a numbers crunch with the Eagles this spring, he would have walked to Foxborough if that's what was asked of him.While injuries in front of him opened his path to a roster spot in New England, coaches also said Ramirez (four career NFL games played) was exemplary on the scout team in recent weeks.7. Tommy's touch: Nice touch from backup quarterback Tommy DeVito, who stopped by the offensive line's weekly dinner Thursday at an Italian restaurant near Gillette Stadium. The linemen said they appreciated his presence, with DeVito relaying that is important time for him -- along with Maye and rookie quarterback Behren Morton -- to build bonds with the big guys up front.8. Tavai time: Players and coaches were looking forward to seeing former Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai before Sunday's game, as Tavai is filling a core special teams role for the Jaguars after playing the past five seasons in New England. Vrabel said he enjoyed coaching Tavai and getting to know him and his family. Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer added: "I love Jahlani -- he was such a good player for us and a really good guy to have in the room. He's playing fast and it will be fun to see him in another uniform."9. Crafty Meyers: Jaguars receiver Jakobi Meyers faces the Patriots for the third time since beginning his career in New England (2019-22), and he has totaled 13 catches for 158 yards and one touchdown in those games. Patriots defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr used one word to describe his route running -- "crafty" -- in addition to touting his physicality.10. Did You Know: Rookie Patriots linebacker Namdi Obiazor's five special teams tackles are tied for the most by a New England player through his first two games since cornerback Willie Andrews (Baylor) had five in 2006. Since 2000 across the NFL, the most special teams tackles for any rookie in his first three games was eight -- by Colts defensive back Donald Strickland (2003).
