There were moments on a beautiful, bright, late-summer Sunday when the upgrades were evident and the promise of these new Patriots felt palpable.
One came with the 35-yard, tone-setting scamper from Damian Harris on the first snap from scrimmage. Another arrived via the throw Mac Jones made to James White on a third-down wheel route, a perfect pass floated so precisely, so softly, that when it landed in the captain’s hands he not only seemed to be catching the ball but cradling reassurance from the rookie quarterback on behalf of the region. Then there was the interception-inducing lick Matt Judon laid on Tua Tagovailoa, as well as what totaled to 14 catches (plus a touchdown) from the four targets who joined the linebacker this spring as part of the Pats’ free-agent frenzy.