Patriots training camp notebook: Moving forward on Day 13
Monday’s Patriots training camp practice seemed to be about the team getting ready for Tuesday’s joint practice with the Eagles.
On Monday, New England Patriots training camp resumed as the team took the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium. It was a bit of a toned-down tempo from the past few practices, with players in shorts and shells and the full practice only lasting 90 minutes.
Why the break in what’s been an otherwise-intense summer at Patriots training camp? The Patriots seemed to use Monday as a day to get ready for their lone joint practice of the summer, which is Tuesday against the Eagles – and by extension, their Week 2 preseason game against Philly at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
That all being said, there was still 90 minutes of football the team worked through on Monday. Keeping in mind this was a less-impactful practice than most of the days over the previous two weeks, let’s take a look at what stood out in today’s Patriots training camp notebook…
Step forward for Drake Maye
Monday’s practice setting seemed to be beneficial for rookie Drake Maye, who had one of this better days of camp. The biggest thing that stood out about his performance was how well he threw the ball with anticipation. During one red zone period Maye threw back-to-back touchdowns on timing patterns, hitting fellow rookies Javon Baker and Jaheim Bell just as they were coming out of their breaks, creating windows in otherwise-tight coverage.
Maye finished the day 8-of-13 total in team drills, and 5-of-8 in 11-on-11s. Now he’ll have to keep that level of play up when pads come back on, and against stronger competition tomorrow.
Other quarterback notes
Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett took a bit of a step back. After arguably his best day of the summer on Sunday he was more erratic on Monday, and threw more uncatchable balls than he has in other practices. It was nothing overly alarming, and not enough to close the gap between him and Drake Maye, but it wasn’t the kind of day he’ll want to make a habit.
As for the other two quarterbacks, their reps were limited. Joe Milton got just two drives in 11s, one of which saw him get picked off by rookie Dell Pettus thanks to a batted ball at the line from Joe Giles-Harris. Meanwhile, Bailey Zappe didn’t get any reps in team drills.
Catch of the day
There weren’t too many downfield connections with the Patriots spending most of the day in the red zone, but one early in practices gets the nod as the play of the day. Ja’Lynn Polk was running a slot fade, with Isaiah Bolden in tight coverage. Joe Milton threw a 50/50 ball, and Polk was able to get to the highpoint first, fading away and holding onto the ball as he hit the ground. Polk’s progress this summer has been as more of a non-flashy chain-mover, but this was an example of him flexing a different part of his game.
WATCH: Zolak & Barth react to Day 13 of Patriots training camp
A shift at tight end
With Hunter Henry out after leaving Sunday’s practice early, there were more snaps available at the tight end position. For most of camp Mitchell Wilcox has looked like the third tight end behind Henry and Austin Hooper, but on Monday more reps went to La’Michael Pettway and rookie Jaheim Bell – who played well in the preseason opener. This could be a sign the coaching staff is opening up the battle for that third tight end spot.
Penalties an issue
For the second day in a row there was an NFL referee crew at practice – and today they were put to work. There were multiple penalties on both sides of the ball, with the offense getting called for multiple false starts and the defense for multiple offsides. Those kind of pre-snap penalties – on offense in particular – were an issue for the Patriots in the preseason game, and now the players have the added eyes of a real referee crew after only having the coaching call things out to start camp. It’s something the Patriots will need to clean up before the season opener.
Another lap
In addition to the penalties, the entire defense had to run an additional lap when the unit lined up with only 10 players during one 11-on-11 red zone drill. Jerod Mayo stepped in before the ball could be snapped, communicated something to the players, then sent them running to the other end of the field.
On this lap – which was actually the first of the day for the defense, Matthew Judon (who was one of the 10 players lined up in the formation at the time) led the unit sprinting out in front with cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino. Everything Judon does seems to be under a microscope as his contract situation remains seemingly unsolved, so add him sprinting a punishment lap to the list.
Play to the whistle
Monday’s practice included a teachable moment for UDFA Mikey Victor. In red zone 11-on-11s, Victor was in coverage against fellow rookie Javon Baker. Drake Maye threw a fade to Baker in the back corner of the end zone, and Victor made an impressive play to meet Baker at the catch point and knock the ball away. However, Victor didn’t track the ball after the pass breakup and may have had an interception after the deflection. Jabrill Peppers came over and seemed to make that point to the rookie.
Victor has strung together a few good practices now, and had another pass breakup earlier on Monday. But plays like that one stand out as he tries to make a push towards a roster spot.
Hang times
Bryce Baringer continued what has been an impressive summer in another team punt period on Monday. Here are his hang times…
4.20 seconds
5.03
4.81
4.78
4.54
3.92
4.66
4.92
4.56
Attendance
As mentioned above, Hunter Henry missed Monday’s practice after leaving early on Sunday with what looked like a leg injury. In addition to Henry, Shaun Wade wasn’t on the field on Monday after playing a more limited role on Monday. Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, John Morgan, Marte Mapu and Christian Barmore all remain out as well.
What’s next?
The Patriots host the Eagles for their lone joint practice of the summer on Tuesday. It’s a slightly earlier start time than the rest of Patriots training camp – practice begins at 10:30 a.m., with gates opening to fans at 9:30.
