More erasing of Bill Belichick is apparent during Patriots training camp

Since Bill Belichick departed the Patriots and Jerod Mayo was announced as his replacement, it was expected we would see several changes made around Gillette Stadium and how things were conducted under new leadership.

The legendary coach was known to run a tight ship during his New England tenure; from practices to game days, it was all serious nearly all the time. It drew various responses from players; some thrived in a stricter environment, while others floundered or took issue with the high expectations and low tolerance of anything deemed outside the norm.

Because Mayo was a player coached by Belichick and then worked alongside him since he started his coaching career, he saw and dealt with the best and worst parts of what a Belichick-run Patriots team had been. So, it was fair to assume he would implement bits and pieces of that once he took over coaching duties in Foxboro.

That has been the case so far, but it's very apparent that there is a much more relaxed vibe inside and outside the building, something several players have commended their new head coach for among their various praises.

But the changes to the building have not been the only ones noticeable over the last several months. Those changes are also evident in Mayo's first training camp as the team's head coach, which ESPN's Mike Reiss has noted over the past week.

Noticeable changes are made to the Patriots facility during training camp

Now that the Patriots have a "player's coach" steering the ship, the laid-back atmosphere has continued into the summer. Reiss detailed some of the most noticeable changes made during practices, some of which would likely never have occurred under the former regime.

It's another layer into the Jerod Mayo era and the erasure of aspects of what a Belichick-run Patriots team had been for the last two decades. Thus far, the players are vocalizing their appreciation and excitement regarding the changes, which is a far cry from the attitude in the locker room over the past few years.

Players earned awards this offseason for added perks at summer practices

The Patriots announced 13 winners of offseason awards on Monday, revealing the factors that led to those players being rewarded and the prizes they were set to receive.

"Winners were selected for demonstrating consistency, a positive attitude, showing improvement and motivating others this spring, and the list features a balanced cross-section of Patriot veterans and younger players, along with some free-agent newcomers.

In addition to contributing to the daily practice music playlist, the offseason award winners will get a golf cart ride to and from the training camp fields, one custom meal cooked by the team chef and their photos displayed inside the team facilities."

The winners of the new awards were David Andrews, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Jacoby Brissett, DeMario Douglas, Christian Gonzalez, Hunter Henry, Nick Leverett, Raekwon McMillan, K.J. Osborn, Jabrill Peppers, Brenden Schooler, Keion White, and Deatrich Wise Jr.

This appears to be a continued effort by Mayo to uplift the team's morale and keep players actively engaged in developing and maintaining a brotherhood in the locker room.

Music throughout the entirety of practices

Music has always been part of the Patriots camps, but this year is a bit different. Mayo discussed the change by revealing that the players choose the playlists to maintain excitement on the field and a positive locker room.

Practice start time has been pushed back

Belichick historically loved to get an early start for practice, having the players take the field at 9:30 a.m. But Mayo has pushed it back 90 minutes, with practice beginning at 11 a.m. The head coach implemented it to give them more meeting time in the morning before taking the field.

More focus on competition incorporated into daily practices

Reiss noted the increase of "7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills that pit the offense vs. the defense." Belichick typically did this more sparingly, but Mayo has incorporated it into every practice thus far.

Practice time and intensity will vary

Throughout Belichick's time in New England, practices were predictable in length and what the players were undertaking that day. That won't be relevant in the Mayo era, as he explained his belief in 'undulating the schedule' and' continuing to confuse the body.'

Reiss described it as "some shorter practices with higher intensity, or longer practices with slower periods within." It's Mayo's attempt at making things more enjoyable for the players and avoiding complacency or boredom.

Players aren't asked to stick to the "Patriot way" when speaking with reporters

One of the more memorable aspects of Belichick's tenure was the seemingly unwritten rule of how to conduct yourself in interviews and press conferences. Typically, players and coaches were expected to be as tight-lipped as possible and give the most generic and minimally detailed responses to questions.

That's not a tradition Mayo intends to continue, stating, "I don't want to put a cap on it. If the guy feels a certain type of way, he has the privilege to come out here and tell you how he feels."

A new player lounge was made

After making headlines by adding a basketball hoop into the locker room, Mayo had a lounge added to the building that includes "billiards, PlayStation and a ping-pong table, among other things."

Mayo discussed how the idea of a lounge came about, using his years of experience as one of the Patriots defensive coaches to explain why he wanted it added.

"I think it's important to create those spaces. One thing I've noticed over the past, let's say five years, is a lot of times when guys get a break they just go to their locker and get on their phone; they're scrolling through social media and there's really no interaction. That is also a time where they build camaraderie."

Despite the countless changes and improvements made so far, players have remained far more positive and excited than we have seen in quite some time. They've expressed their admiration for what Mayo brings to the table and the effort he has put into creating a better atmosphere, which could mean more changes will be added during his tenure.

Although some outside the stadium are concerned about the type of coach Mayo appears to be, the players have responded well, and that's what really matters. If they perform at a high level during the 2024 season, that would put any worries to rest, right?

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