Patriots secondary works through communication issues at training camp

For the first two practices of the week at Patriots training camp, it was the offense making fundamental mistakes and taking penalty laps.

On Thursday, it was the defense's turn to have a jog around the field.

Shedding the full pads for shells in Thursday's practice, the offense had a better day, highlighted by promising efforts from their rookie quarterbacks, Drake Maye and Joe Milton III. The defense has often looked closer to season-ready than the offense, which isn't terribly surprising. But Thursday was a small sign that the secondary may have some communication problems to correct.

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As the defensive backs lined up against Milton during a 7-on-7 red zone period, the play was stopped before it could start. Safeties Brenden Schooler and Jaylinn Hawkins had animated reactions toward each other, while cornerback Jonathan Jones appeared to run on the field late. Something went awry for the unit.

The end result: the entire defense running a penalty lap.

All defensive backs huddled up with coaches for an impromptu meeting after the mistake, which the team is clearly taking more seriously than a single practice snap would indicate. If the Patriots defense under new coordinator DeMarcus Covington is going to look and operate similarly to how it did under Bill Belichick, coverages will change from game-to-game and even play-to-play, so communication will be key.

"It's something we harp on, is communicating," Jones said after practice Thursday. "Linebackers communicate up front, safeties communicate on the back end. Early in practice we weren't doing that, so, you know, we got our punishment for not doing that.

"It makes guys hone in and know what to do, communicate first, and then execute. That's always the gameplan."

The communication breakdown was a small indicator that the Patriots secondary lacks experience, and experience playing together. Jones is entering his ninth season, while no other cornerback on the team has more than three full seasons in the league. Safety Jabrill Peppers is entering his eighth season, but was limited in practice and unavailable for team drills. Hawkins is in his first season with the Pats, while Schooler is increasing his defensive reps after two seasons as a pure special teamer.

That's not to say the Patriots secondary lacks talent. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez is coming off a promising rookie season that was cut short by injury after four games, while Jones has been a mainstay who can play both inside and outside. Second-year pro Alex Austin has looked like a find in his short time with the Pats. Peppers and Kyle Dugger should make for a formidable safety duo.

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The group just needs to get the communication down, which takes time and reps. And head coach Jerod Mayo is hoping those penalty laps on sweltering 90-degree days will linger in their minds, and push them toward correcting their mistakes and improving.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.