Why This Patriot Has Been First On Field Every Day In Training Camp

FOXBORO, Mass. — Mac Jones has been one of the first players on the field in multiple Patriots practices this summer.

But he’s never been the first.

At all seven of New England’s training camp practices to date, that honor has gone to veteran cornerback Terrance Mitchell, who strides onto the field in his blue No. 39 jersey before many of his teammates have even left the locker room.

Why the daily early arrival? Mitchell explained his reasoning when speaking with reporters after Wednesday’s practice.

“I just like getting out there, getting loose, trying to get ready for practice the best way I can,” he said with a smile. “… Just get some air, let the sun hit me. Just try to get my mind ready. Just be out here, take a couple deep breaths. Just get ready for practice.”

What’s he thinking about while he’s out there, surrounded only by team staffers and green grass?

“What I want to do, what I want to work on today for practice,” Mitchell explained. “Maybe listen to a little music or something. Just get ready.”

On Wednesday, Mitchell’s routine featured a bit of pre-practice yoga.

“Just holding a little sumo squat,” he said. “Shoot, today I held it pretty long. … I ain’t have a clock on me. I felt pretty loose, though.”

To Mitchell, putting himself in the proper headspace for practice is vital.

“I was taught at a young age that the game is 80-20 — 80% mental, 20% physical,” he said. “Sometimes 90-10. So a lot of that mental — that’s big.”

Mitchell’s methods seem to be having the desired effect thus far.

A self-described “gun for hire” who started 16 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2020 and 13 for the Houston Texans last season, the 30-year-old looks like an early favorite to earn one of the Patriots’ starting outside cornerback spots. He intercepted one Jones pass on Monday and another on Wednesday, capitalizing on an apparent miscommunication between the quarterback and wide receiver DeVante Parker.

“That’s what winning teams do,” Mitchell said. “They take the ball away.”

NESN.com’s coverage of New England Patriots preseason is presented by Cross Insurance, protecting your team since 1954.