Patriots training camp notebook: Passing game a focus on Day 9
Saturday’s Patriots training camp practice saw the team throw the ball a lot, which means it was a notable day for the quarterbacks and wide receivers.
The third block of Patriots training camp practices wrapped up on Saturday. It was another hot day in Foxborough, and the team was back in full pads.
Saturday’s practice script continued the focus of the week which has been situational football. On top of that, one-minute drills were added to the two-minute drills ran on Friday.
It was also a heavy passing day, with 46 total attempts between the four quarterbacks over the two-hour practice – with most of the reps going to Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. That meant a busy day for both the quarterbacks and the receivers.
We’ll mainly focus on those positions, but hit on other key points in today’s Patriots training camp notebook…
Running clock
There were four running clock drives during Saturday’s Patriots training camp practice. Jacoby Brissett got a two-minute drill early in practice, and then towards the end of the day Brissett, Drake Maye, and Joe Milton each got one one-minute drill.
Brissett’s two-minute drill had an awkward ending. At one point he threw deep to Hunter Henry, who made a diving one-handed catch near the sideline. Had the play stood, Brissett would have had plenty of time left in the red zone to punch the ball in. However, the coaches ruled Brissett would have been sacked, and moved the ball back. That left Brissett looking deep for Jalen Reagor on a go ball. Alex Austin broke the pass up in the end zone and Jaylinn Hawkins picked the ball off on the deflection, ending the drive.
Brissett’s one-minute period went much better. He hit KJ Osborn on a deep go on the first play, and after two throws in the flat connected with Henry over the middle for a touchdown.
Maye went next, and went three-and-out with a throwaway, an overthrow, a seemingly good timing throw where JuJu Smith-Schuster didn’t get out of his route in time, and then had his fourth-down pass batted down at the line. On Milton’s drive he picked up one first down on a catch-and-run touchdown, then ran out of downs before getting to field goal range.
Red zone rookie
Through four padded practices here’s one trend that’s developed with Drake Maye – he’s at his best in the red zone. He completed two of his three passes in red zone 11-on-11 work, flashing impressive ball speed to fit a throw between two defenders to hit Ja’Lynn Polk for a touchdown. His lone incompletion was a similar throw that was a drop from tight end Mitchell Wilcox. He was also 3-of-5 in 7-on-7s with another drop factoring in there.
Outside of the red zone though he was 3-of-11 in 11-on-11s. The biggest issue at this point seems to be the ball not coming out quickly enough, and on multiple plays he left the pocket to buy time only to end up throwing the ball away. His processing remains a work in progress.
Veteran miscommunication
Jacoby Brissett’s day had highs and lows. He looked excellent in the one-minute situation, and finished the day 10-of-14 overall. However he did throw two picks. In addition to the one on the two-minute drill he was also intercepted in the red zone by Alex Austin. That appeared to be due to a miscommunication, as tight end Austin Hooper broke off his route in the opposite direction of the ball.
WATCH: Barth & Lazar react to Day 9 of Patriots training camp
Red zone threat emerging?
After a quieter start to camp, wide receiver KJ Osborn has come on strong the last few days. In particular he’s been noticeable in the red zone. Whether it’s been getting open on the goal line or making contested catches in the back of the end zone, he’s been one of the favorite targets of both Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye in those situations. Add in the deep catch on Saturday – one of five total grabs on the day – and he’s had himself a solid week.
Multiple changes on the offensive line
Saturday’s practice saw the Patriots’ top offensive line change once again – but this time by necessity. Chuks Okorafor, who has been the top right tackle for the last week, wasn’t in pads. That saw Caedan Wallace move up to top right tackle, while Vederian Lowe remains on the left side.
On the second unit, recent signing Kellen Diesch saw increased reps. UDFA Charles Turner also got some time at center in place of Atonio Mafi, who has struggled making the move from guard this summer.
Judon in his element
Matthew Judon continues to practice despite uncertainty about his contract. Saturday might have been his best practice of the summer. He had multiple stops in the run game early, and mixed in a few pressures later as well.
Perhaps more notable was Judon’s mood on the field. He didn’t look like a player that was forced to be out there – he looked like he was having fun. That included chasing Antonio Gibson 40-plus yards down the field after the whistle to a dance to taunt the offense when Jacoby Brissett’s deep throw to Hunter Henry was ruled back. Does that mean a contract is coming? Not definitively, but it sure looks like the temperature has cooled.
Purcell mixing right in
The Patriots made a few signings this week, with the most experienced player being defensive tackle Mike Purcell. Purcell is working right into the mix, getting some reps with the projected top defense on Saturday. The Patriots will need to reconfigure their defensive line plan with Christian Barmore’s absence, and it looks like Purcell could be a part of that. The Patriots have a chance to put a real powerful line on the field on early downs with Purcell (6-foot-3, 328 pounds), Davon Godchaux (6-foot-3, 330 pounds), and Daniel Ekuale (6-foot-3, 310 pounds).
Marco Wilson earning time
Throughout the week – and especially since Marcus Jones got hurt on Thursday – the Patriots rotated third cornerbacks joining Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones on the field. The last two days it’s looked like most of those reps have gone to Marco Wilson. One of the Patriots’ more veteran cornerbacks who signed with the team late last year, he looks like he’s building momentum heading into the third preseason game.
Joey Slye wins the day
The kicker battle got a little bit tighter on Saturday, with a good day for Joey Slye. First, Slye was the only kicker to get an attempt during simulated game reps, drilling a 57-yarder with room to spare. Then in the live field goal reps at the end of practice, he went 4-of-4 from 27, 32, 39, and 42 yards. Meanwhile, Chad Ryland went 3-of-4 (from the same distances) pulling his 39-yard kick to the right.
With Saturday’s kicks, Ryland is now 20-of-22 this summer. Slye is 19-of-23 but with the longest make with the 57-yarder.
Punt hang times
We got some team period punts from Bryce Baringer on Saturday. Here are the hang times.
4.25 seconds
4.48
4.81
4.39
4.51
4.55
4.85
4.97
Baringer also looked to be working on coffin corner kicks, and had a few go out of bounds inside the 10.
Attendance
New absences on Saturday were wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, tackles Chuks Okorafor and Calvin Anderson, and safety Joshuah Bledsoe. Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald reported after practice that Thornton’s injury “is not considered to be long-term or serious.” Thornton did join the team on the field at one point as an observer, as did Okorafor.
Other absences were defensive backs Marcus Jones and Marte Mapu, tight end Jaheim Bell, and defensive tackle Christian Barmore, as well as PUP players Kendrick Bourne, Sione Takitaki, Cole Strange, and Jake Andrews.
What’s next?
The Patriots will be off on Sunday. They’re back on the field Monday to begin a game week, with the preseason opener on Thursday against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium.
