Back in full pads on Monday, the Patriots focused heavily on team drills during their 11th training camp practice. Even though both quarterbacks recorded high completion percentages, they were tested throughout the afternoon.

There was no better example of this than Adrian Phillips, who has looked like the team’s best defensive player through two-plus weeks. Midway through practice, Phillips snagged the lone interception of the day. Working against Jonnu Smith, he jumped an underneath route thrown with plenty of zip by Cam Newton. Phillips reacted quickly and was able to get his body in position before Smith could, grabbing what likely would have been a pick-six in a game.

Towards the end of practice, Phillips showed up in a big way once again. A Cam Newton-led two minute drill was nearing the end zone, but Phillips once again out-fought Smith to the spot and broke up a pass along the end line. It was as good of a throw as you could ask for from Newton, and Smith didn’t necessarily do anything wrong, it was just a better play by the Patriots’ 29-year-old safety.

Last week, Phillips spoke about being more comfortable in the Patriots’ system with a year of experience under his belt. “Last year I was kind of – I wouldn’t say ‘training wheels’ program – but I was still trying to learn everything, probably like halfway during the season,” he said. “So now, with it being the new year, I’m a lot more comfortable, the calls are coming a lot more quicker, a lot more easier. And it’s just – I feel comfortable.” That comfort has shown through the start of camp.

Here’s more news and notes from Day 11 of Patriots training camp…

• More defensive dominance

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  Phillips wasn't the only defensive player to get his hands on the football on Monday, Kyle Van Noy also had a pass breakup as well working against Newton. Cornerback Michael Jackson Sr. had a PBU as well, a day after recording a pair of breakups and a pick.
  
  Meanwhile, the front recorded five sacks with Matt Judon, Henry Anderson, Deatrich Wise, Josh Uche, and Bill Murray all getting to the QB. The defensive front as a whole has been nothing but dominant for the majority of camp.

• Newton regains reps

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  Cam Newton out-repped Mac Jones after Jones had the advantage in volume for three straight practices (not including Friday's walkthrough). Newton finished 11-of-17 with the interception in competitive team drills, while Jones was 11-of-14.
  
  In terms of performance, it felt like Jones had a slight edge on Monday, but both quarterbacks played well, even with top wideout Nelson Agholor a limited participant. This continues a rise for both quarterbacks, who have each been on an upward trajectory since camp started. Matt Dolloff has more on the quarterbacks here.

• Receiving backs

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  James White and Sony Michel both had standout catches on Monday, with the two plays somewhat mirroring each other. In both cases, the backs ran a wheel route up the right side, beating a linebacker to the corner. Both routes were angled towards the sideline, but Cam Newton dropped in a pair of rainbow throws, with each back making the proper last-second adjustment to haul the ball in while staying in bounds. White's catch was a diving grab while Michel's was more of a twisting catch.
  
  There's been a few moments in camp where Michel has popped as a pass catcher. He hasn't been used much in that role in New England, but with Rex Burkhead no longer with the team, there's passing play snaps to be had. We'll see once the preseason begins if Michel could make a run at that spot.
• Shuffling at center

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  Injuries have created somewhat of a carousel at the center position for the Patriots. David Andrews missed Monday's practice after suffering a hand injury on Sunday, and Ted Karras was limited, having just returned from missing about a week.
  
  Marcus Martin had filled in during Karras' absence and played well, making a push for a bottom of the depth chart offensive line spot on the 53-man roster. However, over the last few days it feels like James Ferentz has made a real run at that job, highlighted by a big day on Monday. Both Martin and Ferentz should see plenty of time in the preseason, and are a pair of players to keep an eye on.

• Injury tracker

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  As mentioned above, Agholor and Karras were both limited on Monday. Agholor missed Sunday's practice, while Karras returned late last week. Cassh Maluia, who signed with the team over the weekend, was limited as well. Akeem Spence was back and a full participant after not being spotted yesterday.
  
  Hunter Henry, Joe Cardona, David Andrews, were all out after not finishing yesterday's practice. Brandon Bolden, D'Angelo Ross, Adrian Colbert, and Nick Folk were also not spotted.

• Notable Quotables

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  J.C. Jackson on the upcoming preseason games: "These are the best times of the year right here, man. Football is back. We’ve got the fans back, so I am pretty sure all the football fans are excited."
  
  Quinn Nordin on how he challenges himself during practice: "Yeah, taking the mental reps. I remember in OTAs, we had a practice and it was raining. We played on turf in college and practice fields and everything, and I hadn't had the rain like that at practice. We were on grass, and I fell down, and I was mortified that I had fallen down. I was so embarrassed. I got a pair of spikes, and then we had -- I believe this was last week -- we had a rainy practice and I wanted to make sure that I could have a good practice when it was raining, on the grass. And I felt I did that. But it's just (about) getting better, learning and doing the best you can every day."
  
  Matt LaCosse on how he followed the team last year: "Of course, I watch every game. I tried to stay as close to it as I could. Obviously, I wasn't here, but I just tried to stay as close as I could, follow every game, try to keep up with the guys as best I could."
  
  Anfernee Jennings on getting to work with Dont'a Hightower: "He’s been a blessing. His resume speaks for itself, having an opportunity to be in a room with him and guys like Matthew Judon, Kyle Van Noy...a lot of the guys, everybody brings a little something different to the table. So, it’s good to pick their brains and see how they see the game"
  
  Shaq Mason on situational football: "Like you said, situational football is huge, Coach [Belichick] is huge on it, and it’s ingrained in us to play good situationally. So I mean, it’s a process each and every day, just going out there, just getting better at different situations each and every day."

For more on Day 11 of Patriots training camp, check out today’s recap podcast featuring Zack Cox of NESN.

MORE: Patriots roster projection 1.0

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