Patriots training camp live updates: Quick takeaways from Day 2 as offense struggles
It was another sluggish showing from Mac Jones and the Patriots offense on Thursday.
FOXBOROUGH — After returning to the fields behind Gillette Stadium for the first day of 2023 training camp on Wednesday morning, Bill Belichick and the Patriots were back at it on Thursday in Foxborough.
Here are some quick takeaways from Thursday’s practice at a muggy Gillette Stadium:
Sluggish start for Jones and Patriots offense
After a lackluster showing from Mac Jones (5-of-10 on throws) in Day 1 of camp, Thursday’s session wasn’t much better.
Once again, the Patriots primarily focused on red-zone reps on Thursday, with Jones going 0-for-4 during 7v7 drills. Plenty of corner routes for Jones, with DeVante Parker just out of bounds on a catch over Marcus Jones. Bailey Zappe was 3-for-4 during 7v7 plays.
Jones was a bit better during 11-on-11s, opening his sequence with an impressive TD throw to Parker. But he ended his day with a red-zone interception to Kyle Dugger — the safety’s second pick in as many days. Jones immediately dropped to the field for push-ups after the infraction.
Jones went 6-for-14 on throws on Thursday, including at least three “sacks” during 11v11s. Zappe went 10-for-15, with all of his reps against the second-team defense.
It’s been a slow start for New England’s offense out of the gate, with the first-team defense not giving up much during red-zone reps.
Belichick expects slow ramp up to camp
As he strode up to the podium at the start of Thursday’s practice, Bill Belichick noted that the “dog days” of camp are already upon us.
That wasn’t a testament to the muggy, 90-degree temps that hovered over the practice fields on Thursday. Rather, it was in reference to the slower pace that the Patriots plan to operate at over these first few days of camp.
With live contact and pads not getting put on until next week, Belichick acknowledged that the Patriots view these first few days as extensions of OTAs.
Yes, the Patriots did once again run the expected scrimmages and both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
But for now, the priority for Belichick’s coaches is to shake off the rust and continue to instill plays and schemes into their 2023 gameplan. Expect the competition to ramp up next week, especially for roster battles along the offensive line, wide receiver and in the secondary.
Hunter Henry earns high praise from Belichick
Hunter Henry has been a regular standout in OTAs/minicamp and now training camp, with Bill O’Brien regularly rolling him out in two TE sets next to Mike Gesicki. A dependable red-zone threat for Jones during the QBs rookie season in 2021, Henry was praised by Belichick as one of “our best” performers during offseason workouts.
“He was here every day, consistency. Made a lot of improvement this year,” Belichick said. “Last year he was coming off surgery but this year he had a really good, productive offseason from a strength and conditioning standpoint.”
Given New England’s red-zone woes last season, having a healthy Henry in place should significantly boost the Patriots’ odds of converting in critical areas of their offensive drives.
TIght end Matt Sokol also had a strong morning, with the veteran reeling in an contested touchdown over Jalen Mills during 7v7s. Zappe delivered the pass in tight coverage.
Demario Douglas – early riser?
A lot of the focus on the Patriots rookies revolves around the defense, especially with Christian Gonzalez and Marte Mapu. But sixth-round selection Demario Douglas is also seeing his stock rise out the gate.
The shifty wideout has spent plenty of his time taking reps with New England’s primary group of receivers, reeling in catches from Mac Jones with a wideout personnel that also included JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton.
Judon, Stevenson limited; other odds and ends
No changes for the Patriots in terms of their attendance report from Wednesday. No Mike Onwenu (PUP), Cody Davis (PUP), and Calvin Anderson. Both Matthew Judon and Rhamondre Stevenson were limited
Matthew Judon was primarily working on the lower fields and was limited in his reps.
Both Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones were New England’s top outside corners on Thursday, with Jon Jones earning reps with the first team in the slot. Gonzalez had plenty of head-to-head matchups with JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was working primarily out of the slot.
Jack Jones, who had a pass breakup, was with the second-team defense.
No changes to the Patriots O-line configuration, with Bill Murray starting at RG in place of the injured Onwenu. Riley Reiff at RT.
Rookie kicker Chad Ryland went 5-for-5 on kicks to close out practice.
Follow along here for all of the latest news, updates, plays and more from Thursday’s practice at Gillette Stadium.
LIVE UPDATES:
11:21: a.m.: Dugger strike again
Bit of a better start for Mac Jones in 11-on-11 — but he also threw a red-zone interception to Kyle Dugger for the second straight day. Had a nice backthrow touchdown to DeVante Parker.
10:41 a.m.: Week 2 practice dates announced
For those looking to make it to Gillette next week for training camp, here are the Week 2 practice dates and starting times.
10:38 a.m.: Shaky start in 7v7s
Not the best showing from Mac Jones at the start of 7v7 drills in the red zone. He went 0-for-4 on throws, with DeVante Parker just out of bounds on a catch over Marcus Jones.
Bailey Zappe was 3-of-4 on throws, including a contested TD catch from Matt Sokol.
10:30 a.m.: Douglas getting some reps
After getting a few snaps with the starters on Wednesday, 2023 sixth-round pick Demario Douglas earned a few more reps with Mac Jones on Thursday. Nice start to camp for the Libery wideout.
10:26 a.m.: Judon, Stevenson limited
No changes in terms of attendance, but worth noting that Matt Judon and Rhamondre Stevenson are limited and working out in the lower fields at Gillette.
10:18 a.m.: Belichick on “trust” with Mac Jones?
Bill Belichick did not say much in terms of Mac Jones’s fresh start in 2023? As for the trust Belichick has in his QB1?
Of course, Belichick didn’t take the bait.
“Yeah, I’ll keep all my conversations between the players private,” Belichick said prior to Thursday’s training camp practice. “For respect for the players.”
9:53 a.m.: Attendance report
Same attendance as yesterday for the Patriots. No Mike Onwenu (PUP), Cody Davis (PUP), and Calvin Anderson. Rookie Marte Mapu still in a non-contact jersey.
9:50 a.m.: Dalvin Cook to visit Patriots?
Free agent RB Dalvin Cook might be set to visit the Jets, but one report has the Pro Bowler looking to also make a trip to Foxborough.
Belichick declined to shed much light on it, as he usually does with players not on the roster.
9:44 a.m.: First battle of camp?
Bill Belichick vs. the mic.
9:42 a.m.: Belichick on Patrice Bergeron’s retirement
Belichick had some high praise for Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron, who announced his retirement on Tuesday.
“He was their Devin McCourty,” Belichick notes.
9:37 a.m.: Belichick on clean slate with Mac Jones
As expected, Bill Belichick did not offer much in terms of talk of a fresh start with Mac Jones — which is something that Jones touched on yesterday. Belichick opted to keep things in house as far as conversations with players.
9:35 a.m.: Still in OTAs
With live contact not on the docket in training camp until next week, Belichick acknowledged that the Pats are still running “OTAs” at this stage of camp. Primarily focused on installation of plays and schemes. A slow ramp-up, as expected.
9:30 a.m.: First arrivals
As expected, Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe are the first on the field for Day 2 of practice. Matthew Judon, donning a red sweatshirt, also draws a large cheer.
Plenty of fans in attendance, despite the high humidity and pending rain later this afternoon.
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