Patriots training camp live updates: Quick observations from Day 11
The Patriots will host the Houston Texans later this week in their preseason opener.
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots returned to the fields behind Gillette Stadium on Monday afternoon for their 11th full practice of training camp.
Here are some quick takeaways from Monday’s practice in Foxborough:
The offensive line continued to struggle amid poor weather.
After a muggy start to training camp, the conditions devolved in a major way on Monday — with rain falling on the practice fields in Foxborough during the two-hour practice.
Granted, lackluster conditions are routinely a highlight for Bill Belichick and his coaching staff during camp, given the added challenge it presents to the players ahead of the regular-season slate.
As expected, players struggled to deal with the slippery conditions, be it cutting during 1v1 drills or corralling catches. Further complicating things was a strong showing from New England’s defensive backs — with five pass break-ups recorded during these sessions.
But rain or shine, New England’s O-line continues to be a black hole during competitive team drills.
After recording eight “sacks” on Sunday, it looked like New England’s defense recorded at least another five on Monday against Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, and Trace McSorley.
With New England’s patchwork O-line unable to get much traction, New England’s QB struggles to get into a groove — either making rushed throws or getting entire plays wiped out due to pressure.
At one point, Bailey Zappe had back-to-back throws batted down at the line of scrimmage off of pressure from Anfernee Jennings and Christian Barmore.
Mac Jones completed 10-of-14 throws during 11v11s on Monday, while Bailey Zappe was 7-for-14 with an interception.
Attendance Report
After missing Sunday’s practice, center David Andrews was back at practice and was a full participant on Monday.
Veterans Matthew Slater and Jonathan Jones did not practice on Monday and have now missed two practices in a row. Jones did later take in Monday’s practice while wearing workout clothes, most likely after a conditioning session.
Cole Strange, Ty Montgomery, and Bill Murray were also not present, with Murray a new absence. Mike Onewnu and Cody Davis remain on the PUP list, while Calvin Anderson is still ruled out with an NFI (non-football injury).
Trent Brown returned … in some capacity.
The state of New England’s offensive line has been one of the more pressing questions facing the Patriots so far in camp.
But New England finally received a bit of good news on Monday, as Trent Brown participated in a few team drills for the first time in over a week. The Patriots’ hulking left tackle has spent most of camp down on the lower conditioning fields, but was back with the team’s top unit during a few drills, with Conor McDermott taking reps at right tackle.
But as the session went on, Brown did take a lesser role by avoiding first-team reps. Riley Reiff took over for him at left tackle during those team sessions. For most of Monday’s practice, New England’s first-team offensive line was Reiff (LT) – Mafi (LG) – Andrews (C) – Russey (RG) – McDermott (RT). Unsurprisingly, New England’s O-line labored as the practice went on.
New England still needs Brown to play at a high level and remain engaged over the span of a 17-game season.
Malik Cunningham earned reps at QB.
Former Louisville QB Malik Cunningham is trying to land a spot on New England’s roster as a wide receiver, but he saw some reps at QB during an 11v11 drill on Monday.
The former standout collegiate QB at Louisville looked like he was operating under center under a scout-team period, perhaps as an early preview of the Texans during Thursday’s preseason opener.
We haven’t seen much from Cunningham at QB this summer, but the 24-year-old was elusive during his reps on Monday — giving New England an added dynamic and challenge during competitive team drills.
Plays of the Day
During 1v1 drills, defensive lineman Christian Barmore just about launched offensive lineman Kody Russey. Russey never stood a chance.
For the second practice in a row, Mac Jones found DeVante Parker with a deep ball — with the big-bodied wideout beating Isaiah Bolden in coverage and bringing the ball in along the sideline for a 35-yard pickup.
In the final minutes of practice, rookie Kayshon Boutte reeled in an impressive one-handed touchdown catch off a throw from Cunningham. Might have been the best snag of camp by a Patriot, with Boutte continuing to pop with each new practice.
Odds and ends
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was spotted at Monday’s practice. He spent the start of practice chatting with Bill Belichick.
Both Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster failed to record a catch during their 1v1 drills. The weather conditions sure didn’t help.
Rookie offensive lineman Sidy Sow had a rough go during 1v1 drills, losing all three of his reps. Deatrich Wise easily handled him during their head-to-head matchup.
Tight end Scotty Washington had a strong day. Hunter Henry remains at the top of the depth chart, but Washington reeled in a diving catch against Adrian Phillips during 1v1s, then snagged another reception along the sideline during 11v11s.
Matthew Judon did not take part in 1v1 reps against the Patriots’ O-line, but was a regular participant once the team drills ramped up on Monday. He seems to be a full-go since getting his contract reworked on Friday.
With the Texans arriving at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, the Patriots worked off of cards for some of Monday’s 11v11 session in anticipation of a new opponent.
Some throwback tunes during Monday’s practice, with both Motley Crüe, Toto, and Don Henley blasting on the speakers during the Patriots’ team drills.
What’s next?
The Patriots will hold one more full-team practice before their preseason opener, with the team scheduled to return to the practice fields on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
LIVE UPDATES:
2:41: Kayson Boutte with an impressive one-hand touchdown grab off a pass from Malik Cunningham.
2:30: Poor overthrow by Mac Jones on a pass directed toward DeVante Parker. He beat Jack Jones in coverage, but didn’t have a shot to bring that one in.
2:15: Malik Cunningham, who is trying to land a spot on New England’s roster as a WR, is seeing reps at QB during an 11v11 drill. Interesting move for the former QB.
2:10: A pretty rough showing from Bailey Zappe today. He had an off throw that was easily picked by Marcus Jones during 11v11.
2:00: Another impressive sideline catch from DeVante Parker, this time over Isaiah Bolden. About a 30-yard pickup on a throw from Mac Jones.
1:58: Jack Jones breaks up a pass intended for Smith-Schuster on Jones’ first throw of 11v11s.
1:50: New England’s first-team offensive line was Reiff (LT) – Mafi (LG) – Andrews (C) – Russey (RG) – McDermott.
1:44: Trent Brown isn’t taking part in full team drills. Neither did Matthew Judon.
1:40: During OL vs. DL drills, Christian Barmore just barreled over rookie Kody Russey.
1:40: Scotty Washington with a diving catch over Adrian Phillips.
1:35: Douglas continues to carve up Marcus Jones on 1v1 drills.
1:30: Once again, Demario Douglas is back practicing with the main unit on offense.
1:19: Looks like Trent Brown is practicing today. He’s in at LT, with Conor McDermott over at RT on the top unit.
1:08: No Matthew Slater or Jonathan Jones for the second straight practice.
Cole Strange, Ty Montgomery, Cody Davis, Mike Onewnu, Calvin Anderson and Billy Murray also not here. Murray is a new absence.
1:01: Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is here.
12:57: As expected, Belichick has little to add as far as Jack Jones’ exit on Thursday.
12:52: Belichick on Matt Judon’s contract restructure: “Yeah, I’m not gonna get into any contract talks. Before, during, or after.”
12:49: David Andrews is back here in full pads after missing Sunday’s practice.
12:48: Trent Brown is here, but doesn’t look like he has his full gear on. Could be yet another day where he’s limited in terms of participation.
12:44: Refs are on hand for today’s practice. Will be interesting to see if we have a scrimmage-like practice.
12:36: Looks like a full-padded practice for New England today.
12:35: Bailey Zappe is the first QB on the field for New England.
12:30: Will be interesting to see if we get more ball-security drills today amid the slippery conditions.
12:25: Chad Ryland and Bryce Baringer are the first ones on the field at a drizzly Foxborough.
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