Patriots training camp live updates: Quick observations from Day 3
The Patriots' defense still held the edge over the new-look offense Friday.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots rounded out their first week of training camp on Friday morning at the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium.
Here are some quick takeaways from Friday’s practice in Foxborough:
Defensive backs shine during 7v7 and 11v11 drills
The Patriots did open up the offensive playbook a bit more on Friday morning, with Mac Jones going 3-for-5 during 7v7 drills and 5-for-10 on 11v11s.
However, it’s clear that the defense is still far ahead of the offense at this stage of camp, especially when it comes to the secondary.
In total, the Patriots recorded eight pass breakups, with Jonathan Jones in particularly dominating with two break-ups against DeVante Parker during Mac Jones’s 11v11 drills. The Patriots’ other projected outside corner in Christian Gonzalez also impressed.
It was always expected that the Patriots offense was going to need some time to mesh, but New England’s receivers have labored when it comes to gaining separation against defenders. Some of that might be a testament to the defense, but it’s worth monitoring as the preseason continues.
Bailey Zappe went 2-for-6 during 7v7s and 4-for-11 during 11v11s.
Ramp-up begins
The Patriots will still not take part in live contact until next week, but Friday did see Bill Belichick’s team start to ramp things up. During drills, players wore shells (soft shoulder pads) and started to implement more run-game plays under some sweltering conditions at Gillette Stadium.
Matthew Judon more involved with main group
After being limited over the first two practices of training camp, Matthew Judon was far more involved during Friday’s session. The veteran pass rusher was primarily putting in reps in the lower fields with other limited participants on Days 1 and 2, but Judon took part in a number of drills while donning shells with the rest of the main group on Friday. He later participated in 11v11 drills.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson also took part in drills on Friday after being limited on Thursday. LBs DaMarcus Mitchell (NFI) and Terez Hall left for the lower conditioning field early into practice.
It remains to be seen what prompted Judon’s limited availability on Wednesday and Thursday. Bill Belichick would not acknowledge if Judon is dealing with an injury.
“We have different players that are at different stages of participation,” Belichick noted.
Montgomery “day to day,” Barmore misses practice
One of the Patriots’ more intriguing weapons on offense didn’t participate in practice on Friday, with Belichick acknowledging that Ty Montgomery is “day to day” with an ailment. Montgomery, who could serve as a dependable pass-catching option out of the backfield this season, appeared to get banged up during Thursday’s session.
Montgomery did not finish yesterday’s practice after colliding with linebacker Terez Hall while trying to reel in a Trace McSorley pass in the end zone.
Defense lineman Christian Barmore also did not practice on Friday, although he had a valid reason — as seen on his Instagram account.
Once again, Mike Onewnu, Calvin Anderson, and Cody Davis did not practice on Friday. Rookie Marte Mapu practiced in a red jersey as he recovers from offseason surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.
Play of the day
Mac Jones got off to an impressive start during 7v7 drills, dropping a perfect feed to Hunter Henry on a fade route. The 20-yard TD landed right into the tight end’s hands, who tumbled into the end zone with Adrian Phillips tight in coverage.
Odds and ends
Belichick had high praise for second-year guard Cole Strange, who has tacked plenty more muscle onto his frame this offseason. Belichick noted that Strange is “light years” ahead of where he was last season. New England’s head coach also said that fellow second-year players in Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong have also made major strides.
Rookie Christian Gonzalez continues to impressive in a featured role in New England’s top defensive group. After spending most of Day 2 covering JuJu Smith-Schuster, Gonzalez had a nice pass breakup against Tyquan Thornton during 7v7 drills. His tight coverage against Bourne also led to an incompletion during 7v7s.
Some shuffling on the offensive line, as Conor McDermott appeared to leapfrog Riley Reiff at right tackle. Reiff was knocked for a “sack” against rookie Keion White during 11v11 drills.
Rookie Demario Douglas continues to see plenty of reps with New England’s primary group of offense weapons, which includes players like Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Tyquan Thornton.
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