Patriots training camp updates: Quick observations from Day 6
In a lighter session, the Patriots O-line continued to look shaky, but Mac Jones had some impressive throws.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots returned to the fields behind Gillette Stadium on Tuesday morning for the team’s sixth full practice of training camp.
Here are some quick takeaways from Tuesday’s practice in Foxborough:
Patriots lighten workload
After a physical practice on Monday that resulted in a slew of injuries, Bill Belichick and the Patriots opted to dial things back on Tuesday morning at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots went back to practicing in shells Tuesday, shedding the pads and full-contract drills they rolled out the previous morning.
According to the NFL league rules, teams can roll out three-straight days of practices in pads. But with New England currently scheduled to practice six straight days, Belichick and his staff needed to slot in another non-padded session this week.
“Try to balance it,” Belichick said when asked about weighing the benefits and risks of a physical practice. “(We) talk to the players, show them examples of what we want, what we don’t. Just keep talking about it so everybody understands… try to make sure that everybody is working competitively but in a safe way.”
A few critical absences limited just how much progress New England’s first-team offense could build some momentum, especially in terms of the offensive line.
During the initial 11v11 passing drill, the Patriots operated at a walkthrough pace. However, New England continues to move beyond strictly red-zone work, allowing Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, and Trace McSorely to open things up a bit more.
Things started to ramp up in 11v11 as the practice progressed, with Jones making a few impressive downfield throws. Still, New England’s pass rush did plenty of damage against a banged-up O-line.
Mac Jones went 7-for-10 on throws during 11v11 drills, while Bailey Zappe went 5-for-10.
Attendance report
Monday’s practice put a toll on New England’s 90-man roster.
WR Jalen Hurd, DB Brad Hawkins, OG Chasen Hines and LB Terez Hall were all absent on Tuesday, while running back Ty Montgomery remains out with a nagging injury. Hurd, Hawkins, Hines, and Hall were all banged up during Monday’s practice. Both Cody Davis and Mike Onewnu remain on the PUP, while offensive lineman Calvin Anderson remains on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
Second-year starting guard Cole Strange was the most consequential loss from Monday’s practice, exiting the session early after getting tangled up with Lawrence Guy on a blocking drill.
Strange was back out on the field Tuesday while sporting a knee brace, but did not participate in practice.
But New England’s O-line was without yet another starter on Tuesday, as starting LT Trent Brown once again didn’t participate and spent almost all of the morning on the lower conditioning fields.
Some good news?
There were a few positives in terms of Tuesday’s attendance report. After spending most of Monday’s session in the lower conditioning fields, both Matthew Judon and Rhamondre Stevenson were full participants during today’s practice.
Stevenson was regularly involved in both 7v7 and 11v11 drills, while Judon recorded at least one expected tackle for loss in Tuesday’s non-contact practice.
Rookie offensive lineman Jake Andrews also returned Tuesday after missing the last two practices.
A banged-up O-line looms large over Patriots offense
Despite Tuesday’s lighter session, it was a pretty productive practice for Mac Jones and the Patriots offense. After a lot of checkdowns and short feeds on Monday, Jones opened things up with more downfield throws on Tuesday, and went 3-for-4 on red-zone passes, with touchdowns from Stevenson and Hunter Henry.
Even with some solid play on both sides of the ball Tuesday, a non-padded practice does cover up what might be New England’s most pressing issue so far in camp: the offensive line.
With Brown limited, Strange banged up, and both Onewnu (PUP) and Anderson (NFI) not available, the Patriots had to roll out a starting O-line of Riley Reiff (LT), rookie Atonio Mafi (LG), David Andrews (C), Bill Murray (RG), and Conor McDermott (RT).
If this personnel remains in place, it remains to be seen just how much New England will gain from padded practices, especially when it comes to red-zone rushing plays.
“I’m not a medical doctor. I have my doctorate degrees that were honorary but I’m not a medical doctor,” Belichick said of Anderson’s injury status. “It’s always hard in those situations. If everything goes perfectly, that’s one thing. If something comes up, if there’s a setback or there’s change, that’s something else.
“So I’m not going to sit here and try to play fortune teller and looking into a crystal ball and say this guy’s going to be healthy. I can’t do that. Day-to-day. If they’re better today, then we do more tomorrow. If they’re better tomorrow, then we do more the next day. We review it, revise it and go forward. I don’t know. You tell me how it’s going to go. I’m not sure.”
Even with Jones’s strong morning, New England’s defense still made a number of plays, with Mack Wilson and Jack Jones both recording a number of pass breakups.
New England’s pass rush feasted against a decimated O-line, recording at least six “sacks.” Bailey Zappe was knocked for at least four of those sacks, and struggled to fall into much of a rhythm on Tuesday.
Play of the day
Mac Jones opened one of New England’s 11v11 drills with a fantastic throw to DeVante Parker. The big-bodied wideout leaped over Christian Gonzalez and reeled in a 25-yard catch.
On the defensive side of the ball, Mack Wilson went full extension to bat down a Jones pass intended for Mike Gesicki on a crossing route. Great anticipation and athleticism from the Patriots linebacker, who also recorded another pass breakup against rookie Kayshon Boutte.
Odds and ends
Marcus Jones nearly picked off Mac Jones on an ill-advised throw to JuJu Smith-Schuster during 7v7s. Jones put his hands on his helmet immediately after releasing the ball.
Even though New England’s first 11v11 drill was operating at a slow pace, tight end Matt Sokol earned some valuable reps with Jones and the first-team offense. He’s going to make a good case for New England’s No. 3 TE spot.
Marte Mapu practiced once again in a red, non-contact jersey. But the rookie was once again a force on New England’s first-team defense. Slotted in at linebacker for a third-straight day, Mapu regularly found himself behind the line of scrimmage, recording what would have been a tackle for loss against Rhamondre Stevenson.
A strong day for Jack Jones, who recorded a pass breakup against DeVante Parker in the end zone. He earned quite a few snaps alongside Christian Gonzalez. It still remains to be seen if Jones will be available to play this season, but his defensive instincts are impressive.
LIVE UPDATES:
11:02 a.m.: Jack Jones with a PBU against Parker in the red zone. Jones is lining up with Christian Gonzalez.
10:55 a.m.: Really impressive play by Mack Wilson to jump up and bat down a Jones pass intender for Mike Gesicki.
10:47 a.m.: Marte Mapu once again starting with the first-team defense at linebacker. Still wearing a red, non-contact jersey.
10:45 a.m.: DeVante Parker with a nice snag over Christian Gonzalez
10:35 a.m.: Mac Jones goes 3-for-4 on his initial 7v7 drill, with Marcus Jones nearly picking him off on a throw intended for JuJu Smith-Schuster.
10:25 a.m.: Looks like Stevenson is a go for practice today. He spent Monday’s practice working on the lower conditioning fields. Matt Judon also a full participant.
10:20 a.m.: Very slow pace to practice so far. Patriots still operating at a walkthrough pace during 11v11 drills.
10:12 a.m.: Patriots begin practice with walkthrough 11v11s. Tight end Matt Sokol getting involved as he tries to land a job as New England’s No. 3 TE.
10:02 a.m.: Going to be tough to glean a lot from New England’s first team offense again today, especially with both Brown and Strange unavailable.
Today’s starting O-Line: LT Reiff – LG Mafi – C David Andrews – RG Murray – RT McDermott
9:52 a.m.: Once again Ty Montgomery is not practicing. Jalen Hurd, Brad Hawkins, Chasen Hines and Terez Hall are also not here. Michael Onewnu, Cody Davis and Calvin Anderson still not activated.
Cole Strange doesn’t seem to be practicing, but he’s here on the field.
Seems like Trent Brown will also be limited once again.
9:44 a.m.: Cole Strange is back at practice, sporting a new knee brace. We’ll see how involved he is in practice.
9:42 a.m.: Bill Belichick said that rookie Sidy Sow will be listed as a tackle this season. Some more depth at a thin position for New England, but it sure seems like the Patriots need to add at that spot.
9:42 a.m.: Belichick with some praise for second-year back Kevin Harris.
“He’s doing way better than he was last year.”
9:40 a.m.: Should be a lighter practice today. Belichick said the team will practice in shells after a physical session on Monday.
9:36 a.m.: Mac Jones and Matt Judon are the first players on the field for practice.
9:35 a.m.: Here he is.
9:20 a.m.: Perfect conditions once again at Gillette. Belichick expected to speak shortly.
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