Patriots training camp live updates: Quick observations from Day 8
The Patriots shuffled their personnel on Thursday to make things a bit tougher on Mac Jones.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots returned to the fields behind Gillette Stadium on Thursday morning for their eighth full practice of training camp.
Here are some quick takeaways from Thursday practice in Foxborough:
Patriots make things tougher on Mac Jones
Mac Jones and the Patriots’ first-team offense had far and away their best practice on Wednesday morning at Gillette, with New England’s QB1 completing 13-of-15 pass attempts.
Given the gains made over the last few days, the Patriots coaching staff opted to ramp up the adversity for Jones Thursday in what was another competitive, padded practice.
During extended 11-on-11 drills, the Patriots shuffled up their personnel.
After spending most of camp with the full first-team, Jones worked primarily with the second-team wideouts and tight ends against the first-team defense during 11v11s.
Rhamondre Stevenson worked with Mac Jones, as did the first-team offensive line — although “first-team” is a bit of a loose term, given that three expected starters did not participate on Thursday.
Bailey Zappe was working with the backup O-line and running backs, but also had plenty of reps with New England’s top offensive weapons.
Jones completed 19-of-25 throws, but was knocked for another interception by way of safety Kyle Dugger (his third of camp). Jonathan Jones nearly had another pick after Jones threw an ill-advised ball into traffic while trying to find Demario Douglas.
Red-zone drills saw Jones back with most of his first-team regulars, with the QB hitting Kendrick Bourne for a toe-tapping touchdown with Christian Gonzalez in coverage. JuJu Smith-Schuster also reeled in yet another red-zone score from Jones.
A few stumbles from the offense as New England opted to challenge Jones a bit more, but that red-zone showing from Jones should offer plenty of optimism — especially given how putrid the red-zone offense looked during the first days of camp.
Bailey Zappe completed 13 of 17 pass attempts.
Brown, Judon limited again
Another practice, another session where two key cogs on the Patriots roster didn’t factor into competitive drills.
As the Patriots’ roster made their way out to practice fields, both Trent Brown and Matthew Judon arrived without helmets and were limited throughout the morning. This marks the fourth-straight day where Brown has been limited.
Shortly after drills started to ramp up, Tyquan Thornton left for the conditioning fields for the second straight year. DaMarcus Mitchell, Brad Hawkins, and Chasen Hines were also limited.
Starting guard Cole Strange missed yet another practice after tweaking something in his leg on Monday and was joined by other extended absences in LB Terez Hall and RB Ty Montgomery. Both Cody Davis and Mike Onewnu remain on the PUP, while offensive lineman Calvin Anderson remains on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
Strange and Montgomery were later spotted on the field, but did not participate.
As for good news, Rhamondre Stevenson was a full participant being limited for an extended stretch on Wednesday. He was as advertised during competitive drills.
O-line reserves hold their own during 1v1s
Let’s face it, New England’s decimated O-line might be the most pressing question surrounding the Patriots over the first two weeks of practice. But with Brown, Strange and Onewnu either hurt or limited, it has given a number of reserve lineman a chance to hold their own, especially a slew of younger players.
Rookie Atonio Mafi held his own during a 1v1 battle against Davon Godchaux, while Riley Reiff had a win over Deatrich Wise. Bill Murray did have another rough day in 1v1 battles, with Mafi leapfrogging him on the depth chart at right tackle.
New England desperately needs players like Brown, Strange and Onewmu back in order to stabilize things. But a number of other O-linemen are at least getting some much-needed reps out of the gate.
Unfortunately, 11v11s was a different story — with New England’s defense regularly forcing “sacks” and pressures against both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. The Patriots need more bodies back on that O-line, especially with preseason action right around the corner.
Douglas might be early star of camp
The Demario Douglas hype train continues. He carved up Marcus Jones in coverage, breaking free for two catches during 1v1 sessions. The top question mark for the 2023 sixth-round pick revolves around his 5-foot-8 frame and whether he can take the punishment that comes in the NFL ranks.
But Douglas was a menace during a live-tackling drill, with Quandre Mosely, Shaun Wade, and Rodney Randle all struggling to bring him down.
Play of the Day
Mac Jones hit Tre Nixon for a 45-yard pickup during 11v11s with both Christian Gonzalez and Jabrill Peppers in coverage. Might have been his best throw of camp.
On the defensive side of the ball, rookie Christian Gonzalez blew up Raleigh Webb on a short screen during 11v11s. The Patriots defense absolutely lost it on the sidelines.
Odds and ends
Patriots legend Julian Edelman was on hand for Thursday’s practice — not in pads, of course. He spent most of the practice on the sidelines between the two practice fields, chatting with Bill Belichick, Joe Judge and a number of other coaches.
A lighter, healthy Hunter Henry continues to dominate in 1v1 matchups and competitive drills. Jones is hitting him with throws where the big-bodied tight end can elevate over defensive backs.
During 11v11 drills, Ja’Whaun Bentley forced a fumble against tight end Matt Sokol. One of the few missteps for the tight end so far during camp.
New England will work out CJ Marable on Thursday, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston. Marable, 26, played college football at both Presbyterian College and Coastal Carolina, and has spent the last two seasons with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL.
Rookie Keion White has been building this week, accounting for at least two “sacks” against a weakened O-line during 11v11s.
Jonathan Jones broke up another red-zone touchdown with an athletic move to tip a pass that was intended for 6-foot-3 DeVante Parker.
Marte Mapu was in a red, non-contact jersey once again — as was tight end Johnny Lumpkin.
With Thornton limited, rookie wideout Kayshon Boutte had another solid practice with added reps. Boutte reeled in a red-zone score with a top-tapping catch in the end zone off a throw from Zappe.
Rookie kicker Chad Ryland connected on all seven of his field-goal attempts during practice.
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Follow along here for all of the latest news, updates, plays and more from Thursday’s practice in Foxborough.
LIVE UPDATES:
11:12: Isaiah Bolden is another rookie having a solid camp. He’s lined up opposite Christian Gonzalez on a few snaps during 11v11s. Broke up a deep ball against Parker.
11:02: Adrian Phillips picks off Bailey Zappe in the end zone.
10:51: Mac Jones hits Kendrick Bourne for a nice red-zone TD. Bourne keeps it on the end zone with Gonzalez in coverage. JuJu Smith-Schuster reels in another red-zone score for the second straight day.
10:47: Jack Jones is back at practice. He’s speaking with Matt Groh on the sidelines.
10:41: Patriots really mixing up their personnel today during 11v11s. Mac Jones with his “starting” O-line and Stevenson, but second-team wideouts and tight ends. Zappe with O-line reserves but top weapons.
10:39: Christian Gonzalez drew cheers from the sidelines after blowing up Raleigh Webb during 11v11s.
10:30 a.m.: Kyle Dugger picks off Mac Jones during 11v11s. A dip in accuracy for Mac Jones today, with Jonathan Jones nearly snagging an interception earlier.
10:24: Looks like CB Jack Jones was just kicked out of practice. Was steamed after giving up a completion to Kendrick Bourne. Peppers talked to him as he made his way off the field.
10:21: Mac Jones hit Tre Nixon for a 45-yard pickup during 11v11s with both Christian Gonzalez and Jabrill Peppers in coverage. Might have been his best throw of camp.
Strong throw by Jones after a great practice on Wednesday, but he also threw one ball to Douglas in traffic that was almost picked off by Jonathan Jones.
10:15: Hang time updates, courtesy of 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Alex Barth:
10:11: The Patriots are doing live tackling drills … and surprise, surprise — Demario Douglas is hard to bring down.
10:04: Demario “Pop” Douglas continues to pop during 1v1s. He reeled in two catches against Marcus Jones.
10:03 a.m.: The O-line depth is an obvious concern, but a few reserves have stood out during 1v1 battles. Atoni Mafi held his own against Godchaux, Reiff battled with Wise.
9:59 a.m.: Another limited practice for second-year WR Tyquan Thornton. He’s heading down to the conditioning fields.
9:56 a.m.: Hunter Henry with an impressive catch over Adrian Phillips during 1v1s — he’s continued to have a very strong camp.
9:53 a.m.: Cole Strange not spotted again, so three starting O-linemen are not accounted for in Brown, Strange and Onewnu.
9:50 a.m.: Jack Jones is a late arrival, but he’s taking part in practice.
9:45 a.m.: Cole Strange, Ty Montgomery, and Terez Hall still absent. Onwenu, Calvin Anderson and Cody Davis still not cleared. Trent Brown and Matt Judon are here, but doesn’t seem like they’re participating.
9:34 a.m.: Julian Edelman sighting here at practice — not in pads.
9:30 a.m. Looks like another padded practice for the Patriots.
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