Patriots training camp updates: Quick observations from Day 7
The Patriots opted for another padded practice with contact drills on Wednesday.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots returned to the fields behind Gillette Stadium on Wednesday morning for their seventh full practice of training camp.
Here are some quick takeaways from Wednesday’s practice in Foxborough:
Offense shines in competitive, padded practice.
After a lighter session on Tuesday, the Patriots once again donned pads on Wednesday in what stood as the most productive (and competitive) session so far during camp.
Once again, a number of limited participants (especially on the O-line) hindered the ability of New England’s first-team offense/defense to really build their game in terms of rush plays.
But those absences were covered by what was a dominant passing performance from Mac Jones.
After Jones impressed in the red zone on Tuesday, New England’s offensive personnel stacked another strong showing on Wednesday.
For the first time in a long time, Jones’ offensive weapons started to gain consistent separate against New England’s defensive backs, while rookies like Demario Douglas and Marte Mapu impressed on both sides of the ball.
After the first few practices of camp saw Jones either struggle to get on the same page with his receivers or settle for checkdowns, he spread the ball all across the field on Wednesday.
Jones finished practice 13-of-15 on throws, while Bailey Zappe and New England’s second-team went 12-of-14 on throws. Jones completed passes to eight different players, including three catches from JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hunter Henry.
Jones and the Patriots’ first-team offense posted a pair of passing touchdowns during their red-zone session, with the QB hitting DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster for scores. After Smith-Schuster snagged a toe-tapping catch, Jones — his finger pointed in the air — joined his teammates in the end zone for a celebration.
Plenty to like from a unit that entered camp with plenty of question marks. For the first time in a long time, we’re starting to see some progress from New England’s offensive weapons.
Strange misses practice, key contributors spent practice on lower fields
No new revelations when it came to New England’s injury report on Wednesday.
Starting guard Cole Strange missed yet another practice after tweaking something in his leg on Monday. He was present on Tuesday but did not participate, but was not spotted on the field this morning.
LB Terez Hall and RB Ty Montgomery were also not on the field. Both Cody Davis and Mike Onewnu remain on the PUP, while offensive lineman Calvin Anderson remains on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
OL Chasen Hinds did return to practice, while both WR Ed Lee and S Brad Hawkins were back on the field, but spent most of practice in the lower conditioning fields.
But once again, the Patriots were without a number of key contributors for Wednesday’s team drills. Once again, T Trent Brown, LB Matt Judon and RB Rhamondre Stevenson were all limited and spent practice in the lower conditioning fields. Second-year wideout Tyquan Thornton later joined them on the lower fields.
Stevenson did return at the end of practice, but New England’s offense did hit a lull during goal-line scenarios.
Stock watch with Thornton?
It was another tough hit for Thornton, who has not had the strongest start to camp. Along with this recent setback, he has yet to reel in a catch from Mac Jones during full-team drills. Early on, it sure feels like a rookie like Demario Douglas is making a sustained push toward trying to leapfrog Thornton on the depth chart. Rookie Kayshon Boutte also benefited for a bump in reps.
Wideouts getting separation
Even with a few missing pieces on the O-line, the Patriots’ 1v1 battles between wideouts and defensive backs saw New England’s offensive weapons finally get some separation and eat up some yardage.
DeVante Parker had a pass broke up by Jonathan Jones, but later beat Christian Gonzalez (in tight coverage) on a wheel route. It was a well-placed ball by Mac Jones, while Parker had some trash talk for corners coach Mike Pellegrino.
Rookie Demario Douglas continues to impress with his start-and-stop acceleration and his route-running. He beat Marcus Jones on a deep ball by cutting back on a short throw, while later completely shaking off Shaun Wade with an inside cut.
Kendrick Bourne also reeled in two catches against Jack Jones in coverage, while rookie Kayshon Boutte also had two catches against Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones.
The offense won this stretch of drills, with the defense forced to do push-ups as penance.
During red-zone work, Parker reeled in another catch over Gonzalez with a contested catch. He will need to stay healthy, but Parker’s size will come in handy for a few of these tougher throws from Jones.
Play of the Day
DeVante Parker’s catch over Christian Gonzalez was exactly what you’re looking for during a competitive padded practice. Impressive athleticism by Parker, but Gonzlaez was right there in coverage against him. Have to imagine coaches on both sides of the ball were happy with both players’ collective effort.
Bailey Zappe also uncorked his best throw of camp, hitting Tre Nixon for a 40-yard floater with Jack Jones in coverage.
Odds and ends
— During the team’s stretching session, Bill Belichick had an extensive conversation with former Patriots executive Scott Pioli. Pioli and NFL Network were on hand for Wednesday’s practice.
— Linebacker Chris Board, who signed with New England in free agency, was absolutely barrelling over teammates during 1v1 special-teams drills. Expect him to make a sizable impact on special teams this season.
— During 1v1 drills between the O-line and D-line, rookie Keion White did some damage up front in battles against New England’s (admittedly diminished) offensive grouping. He blew by right tackle Conor McDermott at one point. Guard Bill Murray labored, losing in battles against Christian Barmore and Daniel Ekuale.
— Matt Sokol’s stock continues to rise. Some really good blocking from a tight end who continues to shore up that No. 3 spot on the roster.
— Best practice from Kayshon Boutte so far during training camp. Along with his two catches during 1v1 drills, Boutte also reeled in a sliding grab during 11v11s off a throw from Mac Jones.
— Another practice, another strong showing from rookie Marte Mapu. He nearly had a one-handed interception after cutting off a Demario Douglas on a quick slant throw from Zappe.
— Rookie Isaiah Bolden with a diving interception against Trace McSorely. Yet another rookie who impressed on Wednesday.
Hunter Henry continues to be Mac Jones’s most dependable target during 11v11 drills.
Follow along here for all of the latest news, updates, plays and more from Wednesday’s practice in Foxborough.
LIVE UPDATES:
11:15: Mac Jones and the offense is really cooking today. Parker just beat Gonzalez on a jump-ball in the end zone.
11:02: Seems like the Patriots will get this weekend off.
11:00: Bailey Zappe connected on a catch with Tre Nixon for about 40 yards. Jack Jones in coverage.
10:40: Keion White had a good showing in 1v1 battles against the O-line. Blew by McDermott.
10:36: Nice play by DeVante Parker to reel in catch from Mac Jones with Christian Gonzalez in coverage.
10:30 a.m.: Demario Douglas with an impressive catch over Marcus Jones. A quick cut-back to corral a ball that was going a bit short.
10:28 a.m.: A pretty extensive walkthrough right now for the Patriots with the 1s and 2s battling it out. Some good plays from TE Matt Sokol, who continues to see his stock rise.
10:21 a.m.: Tyquan Thornton is joining the group down on the lower conditioning fields.
10:18 a.m.: Today’s starting O-Line: LT Reiff – LG Mafi – C David Andrews – RG Murray – RT McDermott
10:13 a.m.: Once again, a number of key contributors on this Patriots roster will be limited today. Matt Judon, Trent Brown, Rhamondre Stevenson are all limited.
10:08 a.m.: Free-agent pickup Chris Board is absolutely barreling over people during 1v1 special-teams drills. He should make a sizable impact on special teams.
10:01 a.m.: Belichick having a chat with Scott Pioli during the team’s stretching session.
9:54 a.m.: No Cole Strange at practice today. He was present yesterday but didn’t participate. Ty Montgomery and Terez Hall are also absent, while the usual suspects in Mike Onwenu, Calvin Anderson and Cody Davis are also not here.
9:49 a.m.: Matt Judon is here, but he’s not wearing any shoulder pads. Seems like he might be limited.
9:45 a.m.: Trent Brown is here with his helmet. We’ll see if he participates in today’s padded practice.
9:42 a.m.: New WR Thyrick Pitts, added to the roster following Jalen Hurd’s retirement, is here at practice.
9:32 a.m.: Bill Belichick won’t speak today, but Mac Jones donned full pads as he made his way out on the field. A physical practice awaits.
9:30 a.m.: Rookies Bryce Baringer and Chad Ryland are the first players out on the field for the Patriots today. Mac Jones follows shortly thereafter.
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