Patriots training camp notebook: Busy day on and off the field on Day 5
From a notable day for the quarterbacks to a star player not taking part in practice, Monday’s Patriots training camp practice was a busy one.
The first padded practice of Patriots training camp is usually an eventful one. This year that practice came on Monday, and it didn’t disappoint.
With the pads coming on, there’s often a noticeable uptick in the intensity of the on-field work. That was certainly the case on Day 5.
At the same time, other events playing out around the field – including players leaving early or missing practice entirely – drew headlines as well.
Let’s jump into breaking down a busy day from Foxborough, with today’s Patriots training camp notebook…
Starting up front with continuity
Through the first few days of camp, the Patriots rotated through different tackle combinations building to find a group that works. While that’s part of the process without any clear-cut starters, there also needs to be urgency in at least finding a set group to start with and let them begin to build chemistry.
As the pads come on at practice, it seems like the Patriots may have found that group. For the third practice in a row rookie Caedan Wallace repped at left tackle for the majority of the day, with Chuks Okorafor at right tackle.
Asked for a timeline on the tackle position before practice, head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters that “hopefully, going into the third preseason game, we have a good understanding of who those five [offensive line starters] will be.” So while the team still has some runway in settling on a group for Week 1, it does look like they’re ready to make an initial attempt at getting players to stick at the position.
That all being said, we still didn’t see the full projected starting offensive line on Wednesday. David Andrews didn’t participate, opening up more opportunities for free agent signing Nick Leverett at center.
One-on-ones
Offensive line versus defensive line one-on-ones are always one of the highlights of the first day of padded practices. On Monday, it was one of the first things the Patriots got to.
With the team working on split fields, Matt Dolloff watched the linemen while I watched the offense. He relayed that the most impressive players in one-on-ones were Mike Onwenu (won all three of his reps), Caedan Wallace (won three of four), and Keion White (won two of four). Onwenu had the most dominant win, working against Joshua Uche. Meanwhile Chuks Okorafor (won one of three) and Uche (won one of four) struggled.
Up and down in team drills
It was mixed results for the offensive line once team drills began. All units performed relatively well when running the ball, and multiple times Patriots running backs were able to get loose for big gains (although it’s worth noting the defense was without Christian Barmore, and Davon Godchaux wasn’t fully involved in 11-on-11s).
The passing game was hit and miss, especially with the projected second unit. Drake Maye dealt with consistent pressure. While the Patriots may have their starting tackle group in place, they now need to figure out what their backup pairing will be. Calvin Anderson and Vederian Lowe saw most of those opportunities on Monday.
WATCH: Zolak & Barth react to Monday’s Patriots training camp practice
Power backs shine with the pads on
Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson both had solid days running the football on Monday, but the real standout was Kevin Harris. Harris is in a battle with a handful of other players to be the third running back on the Patriots’ behind those two, and has certainly helped his case early in camp. With the run game a focus on Monday he saw the field well and got through the line clean regularly.
Still, some of his competitors had their moments. Working with the third team, rookie Terrell Jennings got the attention of the crowd when he lowered his shoulder into fellow rookie Dell Pettus in the open field. The contact drove Pettus back and Jennings kept going even as cornerback Azizi Hearn grabbed on as well.
Messy at times
That all sounds well and good, and a lot of it is encouraging. Still, it wasn’t a perfect day for the offense. Things got messy at times, even with simple things.
Three different players had to run laps for false starts on Monday – Rhamondre Stevenson, Chuks Okorafor, and Tyrone Wheatley. There was another offensive miscue when Atonio Mafi and Joe Milton fumbled an under center quarterback-center snap.
Drops were also an issue in the constant drizzle. In particular, tight end Mitchell Wilcox had multiple passes hit off his hands and fall incomplete. We’ve highlighted Wilcox as a sleeper for a roster spot given his involvement early on. Granted that’s due to his blocking ability and not what he brings as a receiver, but he didn’t help his case on Monday.
Free agent signing strong up front
Another player we highlighted as a potential surprise roster player is edge defender Oshane Ximines. Ximines helped his case on Monday, dominating one 11-on-11 period with two runs stuffs and a sack. With the Patriots’ defensive front and edge depth suddenly in question (more on that in a bit), Ximines is putting himself in a good position.
Brissett stacking days, Maye facing pressure
1,000 words in, and we still haven’t really touched on the quarterbacks. Typical for the first day of padded practices, but Monday was still a notable day for all four passers on the Patriots’ roster.
For Jacoby Brissett, Monday was another strong day. He looked to be in complete control of the offense, completing 13 of his 16 attempts most of which came in 11-on-11 work. That included two deep passes to wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, one on a go route on the left side of the formation early in practice3 and another on a slot fade on the right side late in the day (we’ll get to Thornton more in a bit). Both passes were dropped right in the bucket.
Meanwhile, Drake Maye struggled. He completed three of his 11 passes and was intercepted, with Kyle Dugger making a play on a ball thrown behind Mitchell Wilcox. Dugger was able to jump the route in the flat, bat the ball up in the air through contact, then pick it off on the bounce for a would-be pick-six.
Maye’s issues seem to come mostly against the blitz and under pressure, having to make quick decisions. While his physical tools have been apparent going back to the spring, he’s still working on reading and reacting to a defense at the NFL level.
As for the third quarterback battle, Joe Milton’s reps continue to increase compared to Bailey Zappe. Milton got two periods of 11-on-11 work while Zappe only got one (although Zappe replaced Milton for one play in his first period, after the fumbled snap mentioned above). Milton wasn’t flashy on Monday but one consistent, going 4-for-5 with his lone incompletion being an on-target drop by rookie Javon Baker on a slant route.
Thornton going deep
After Tyquan Thornton’s busy day on Day 2 of Patriots training camp, we pointed out that while any progress is good progress, he’d historically struggled once the pads came on. Real progress in his case is being able to make an impact during full contact.
To his credit, Thornton did that on Monday. He beat Marco Wilson and Alex Austin on his two deep catches, and got open underneath a few other times in 11s. Thornton has gotten himself
Baker keeps making plays
Another practice, another highlight catch for Javon Baker. This time the play came towards the end of the day. Working in 11-on-11, Jacoby Brissett threw him a rainbow about 40 yards down field with both the cornerback Alex Austin and safety Jaylinn Hawkins closing in. Baker leaped up to snatch the ball out of the air before either defender closed.
It wasn’t a perfect day for Baker – he had the drop from Joe Milton – but once again he was getting open regularly and recorded multiple catches in team drills. After a thumb injury limited him this spring and a lesser role at the start of camp, it no longer feels like he’s playing catch-up. Now, we’ll see where he can go from here.
Who will step up with Barmore out?
With Christian Barmore out indefinitely, the Patriots will need to find a player or players to take impact snaps at the defensive tackle position. On Monday, it was noticeable that Trysten Hill seemed to have an increased role. That came with mixed results, but it’s something to watch in the coming days.
Hill, 26, was a second-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. After his four years in Dallas Hill bounced around and joined the Patriots as a practice squad signing in October. He ended up playing in one game, recording four snaps.
Judon drama
Now that the X’s and O’s football stuff is out of the way we can get to the other big story of the day – Matthew Judon’s brief appearance and dramatic exit from Patriots practice. Judon walked out to practice without his pads on – which isn’t unusual for him – and went through his typical pre-practice routine of playing catch with fans.
However, when stretching started Judon didn’t put his jersey and helmet on and join the rest of the team as he usually does. Instead, he went and sat on a pile of equipment off to the side. As the practice got underway, Jerod Mayo went over to him and the two talked for a few minutes.
Judon wandered around the field a bit before departing the practice field quietly. However he returned later, had an animated conversation with Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh, and then left again while typing on his phone.
This all happened in the context of Judon wanting a new deal from the Patriots. Most of the players who were up for new contracts this offseason have gotten deals done. The only notable player besides Judon without a deal is defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. As Judon’s saga played out, Godchaux’s agent Drew Rosenhaus was in attendance and talking with members of the Patriots’ front office for most of practice.
Others leave early
Matthew Judon wasn’t the only player to leave practice early on Monday. Two other key defensive players did as well, for different reasons.
Jabrill Peppers suffered an apparent leg injury during the first period of practice after stretching. He left the drill and initially starting walking back towards the stadium with a member of the training staff, but turned around and instead went to the medical area in the back of the practice fields. After getting stretched out he returned, but took one light rep in an individual drill and after shaking his leg off again departed for a second time and didn’t return.
Meanwhile, Joshuah Uche left practice later in the day after getting into a scrum with Chuks Okorafor after a whistle. The two had to be separated and Uche was sent off. It’s not uncommon to see a scuffle or two on the first day of pads, with physicality building over the start of camp with little to no outlet.
Attendance
Other than the players on PUP and Christian Barmore, David Andrews was the only player not on the field for Monday’s Patriots training camp practice. No reason was given for Andrews’ absence.
Marte Mapu was limited again, as was rookie tight end Jaheim Bell. Both were on the field observing for most of practice, but not in pads.
What’s next?
Patriots training camp resumes on Tuesday, with another 11 a.m. ET practice. It’s supposed to be a drier and warmer day than it was on Monday, which could mean the passing game opens up a bit more.
