Matt Slater stood in front of his locker late Friday night and attempted to give us a lesson in the reasons for the preseason.

Especially now since there are just three exhibition games instead of the dreadful four.

“I think you have to have a greater sense of urgency since you’ve only got three dress rehearsals,” Slater said.

“These games are really important and I don’t know if people really understand the importance of getting your timing, gaining confidence, playing with your teammates in game situations, communication and all of that is important.”

It’s simple logic, he said.

“We don’t have as many chances as we did before, so I think we have to come to work with some good urgency.”

OK, we’ll buy some of it. Preseason games like Friday’s 20-10 Patriots win over the Carolina Panthers (ugh, bad team) meant different things to different players.

But the risks outweigh the rewards. Tyquan Thornton, the Patriots No. 2 draft choice that they were hoping would bolster the receiving corps and give New England a deep threat, is now out for what looks like at least a third of the season with what has been reported as a collarbone injury. Ouch.

And Carolina rookie Matt Corral suffered a foot injury that could actually end his season. Double ouch.

Panthers coach Matt Rhule is so sold on Baker Mayfield as his starting quarterback he didn’t need to see him or his veteran challenger Sam “Seeing Ghosts” Darnold. So the fans who paid full price at Gillette – or some kind of price as season ticket holders usually try to get what they can for these rather than waste their time – got to see Corral and the immortal P.J. Walker.

And Patriot fans got rookie QB Bailey Zappe all second half, with his pick six toss. Ugh.

The drama we all were observing was who was going to call the plays – assistants Joe Judge or Matt Patricia? Patricia was the answer, although Belichick had fun with the media afterward. Grins all around about “the Process.” It’s starting to be considered as horrendous as “The Decision.”

“It’s a process,” Belichick said with a grin.

Patriots starting QB Mac Jones went three and out his first two series but then directed a TD drive highlighted by a beautiful 45-yard pass to Nelson Agholor. Funny, we all thought Agholor could be expendable but now there are some whispers about Kendrick Bourne, who suddenly “wasn’t available” on Friday night, the coach said. Stay tuned.

Of course, what would a preseason game be without a street signing turned star. That was the case for Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, a former Saint scrub who has size, is finally healthy and seems to be fitting in. Enough to make the team? We’ll see.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Kalon Barnes (35) brings down New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe during the second half of Friday night’s preseason game at Gillette Stadium. (AP photo)

Friday was yours truly’s first foray into the Patriots locker room since Tom Brady’s last game as a Patriot in January of 2020. Covid restrictions, which now seem to be non-existent. Belichick described the communication between Patricia and Jones in getting the plays relayed, etc. “as normal”. And that’s how everything else seemed.

The next time we see the Patriots inside Gillette Stadium will be on Sept. 25, when they host the Baltimore Ravens in the home opener.

Then we’ll see how all this complaining about the offense, etc. has been valid, because once the lights come on, things seem a whole lot different.

One preseason game left, and it’s in Vegas. And we say what happens this Friday in Vegas should stay in Vegas, that’s for sure.

Tom King may be reached @Telegraph_TomK, or tking@nashuatelegraph.com