Patriots training camp notebook: Mac Jones’ best day yet on Day 8

Author Alex Barth

August 5th, 2021 2:08 PM

It’s been quite the week for Mac Jones. Tuesday’s first padded practice was his worst so far in New England – Jones was 1-for-6 throwing the ball with one interception and another pass broken up. Wednesday’s unpadded practice was better, with Jones taking the majority of the reps and completing 17-of-23 passes with just one pick. Still, the question lingered about Jones’ struggle in a full-contact drill.

On Thursday, Jones seemed to put that question to bed, and made Tuesday’s blip on the radar seem like a coincidental bad day, and not a sign of things to come. Once again, Jones was given more quality reps than Newton, completing 15-of-19 passes, with two on-target balls being dropped. He also had no interceptions during the session.

Jones’ success on Thursday crossed a number of different situations, as the Patriots went through a varied practice in the rain. That included 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 work, both in a full field setting and the red zone. Jones’ also got a chance to run a two-minute drill.

One target Jones seems to be developing a particular chemistry with is Hunter Henry. The two connected for two more completions on Thursday, including a great touch pass on a deep crosser that led Henry, during the heaviest rain of the day.

There were still rookie moments for Jones on Day 8 – namely a botched snap that sent him and center Marcus Martin on a lap – but overall it was probably the best performance from Jones we’ve seen since he arrived in Foxborough.

Here’s more observations from Day 8 of Patriots training camp…

• Cam Newton takes a back seat once again

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  It was another so-so day for Cam Newton, as he once again took a back seat to Jones in terms of the total workload. Newton finished the day 5-of-11, although two of his passes were dropped.
  
  Perhaps it was the rain, but Newton's accuracy seemed to falter at times on Thursday after being a strength for most of camp. A few throws came up short, or were down at the shoes of his receivers.
  
  Despite the drop in playing time, Newton still feels like the starting quarterback. His consistent command of the offense remains a defining trait, especially after Bill Belichick's comments last week. Yet with the first preseason game a week away, Jones is building momentum at the right time.

• Side session

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  There haven't been as many side throwing sessions during Patriots training camp this year, but we saw two today. The first featured the two new tight ends, Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry. But instead of throwing regular passes, the group seemed specifically focused on block-and-release routes. That play has traditionally been an integral part of the Patriots' offense, and while it wasn't as prevalent last year it stands to reason the team would like to bring it back.
  
  The second side session once again featured those two tight ends, but his time running more traditional routes. Both tight ends seem to be more and more productive as camp has gone on.

• No. 1 cornerback?

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  J.C. Jackson has been all over the field the last few days. The 25-year-old has three pass breakups on Thursday, after having an interception and two more pass breakups yesterday. He's had seven total pass breakups this camp.
  
  Seeing Jackson get off to a hot start is a great development for a Patriots team that is still without Stephon Gilmore as he rehabs from a torn quad he suffered late last season. There will still be questions about this cornerback group even when Gilmore returns, but if Jackson can help lighten the load, it will go a long way.
• Ball security

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  With conditions on the field less than ideal, ball control was a focus for the entire team. Offensive players had the football punched at by coaches with long pads, while defensive players practiced recovering fumbles on a slippery surface.
  
  Outside of a handful of drops, there were two incidents of weak ball security. In his biggest mistake of the day, Mac Jones fumbled a snap from center Marcus Martin, which resulted in both players running a lap.
  
  During 1-on-1 live tackling drills, Ja'Whaun Bentley forced a fumble working against tight end David Wells. It's the third turnover forced by Bentley in four days, after a pair of interceptions earlier this week.

• Extended look at Quinn Nordin

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  Towards the end of practice, the Patriots had an extended 11-on-11 field goal period. With Nick Folk not present, it was the first extended look at UDFA rookie Quinn Nordin in a game-like setting.
  
  With rain pouring down, Nordin finished 6-of-8, with one of his attempts deflecting off the upright and in, with another one deflected by Matt Judon at the line. All of the kicks were from intermediate range.

• Injury tracker

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  The Patriots were without eight non-PUP/NFI players at Thursday's practice. Devin Ross was the newest addition, after pulling up late in yesterday's session.
  
  Christian Barmore also missed practice. Barmore was hurt late in Tuesday's practice, but was a full participate on Wednesday. D'Angelo Ross, Cody Davis, and Nick Folk were also absent for the first time.
  
  Ted Karras, Raekwon McMillan, and Akeem Spence all missed practice as well, and have now missed multiple sessions. Kyle Van Noy remains in a red non-contact jersey.
• Notable Quotables

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  Cam Newton on preparing for preseason games: "It's still training camp. That mentality is just keep taking each day to get better. I don't know if this is a trick question or anything else. That's all it is. Once you understand that, preseason game or not, you just have to make sure that we are putting the best product on the field that gives us the best chance of competing at a high level and winning."
  
  Mac Jones on if he's enjoying training camp: "(Chuckle), yeah. I mean, I like to compete, like you said, and everybody on this team likes to compete. And, at the end of the day, we’re trying to have fun, and it’s fun when you play with urgency, and you go fast, and put the defense on their heels, and then people start making plays . . . that’s what makes football fun. But when you’re moping around, or whatever, it all starts with the quarterback. I’m starting to realize that even more, how important it is in this offense, and learning from Brian and Cam, and everybody, just how they do it, because they have great energy, so, yeah, just get the ball to the speedy players and let them run. And when they score, celebrate. That’s what you’re supposed to do. It’s football."
  
  Joejuan Williams on his relationship with Stephon Gilmore: "I can call him up. I can call him up for anything, especially this offseason. Me and him talked a lot more. I thought we got a lot closer. He has taken on that coaching role. I ask him about anything. I can call him about anything at any time of the day and he'll give me an answer. That’s really been my big brother these past three years."
  
  Myles Bryant on working with Stephon Gilmore: "Oh yes. Even though Steph is naturally a quiet guy, he’s always willing to share information. I thank him for that, I think other guys in the locker room thank him for that. His insight, his intellect on the game and how to play the cornerback position is obviously one of the best. So just having him in the room, having the opportunity to learn from him has been great."

For more on Day 8 of Patriots training camp, check out the Patriots recap podcast featuring Barstool Sports’ Jerry Thornton.

MORE: Day 7 training camp notebook

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Author Alex Barth

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