Patriots training camp notebook: Game preparation on Day 17
Patriots training camp practices are starting to look more like regular season preparations as the team gets closer to Week 1.
The Patriots wrapped up their penultimate block of training camp practices on Monday at Gillette Stadium. It was a fully-padded session that ran just under the two hours we’ve seen for the majority of the summer.
Monday’s practice was structured different as well, which is the biggest takeaway from the day. For most of Patriots training camp, the team has spend the majority of each practice in competitive 11-on-11 drills. There was still some of that, but there was also what appeared to be scout team periods.
With that, the practice had less overall intensity. There were also fewer truly competitive periods, meaning there was less to take away from this practice in terms of projecting the roster and depth chart.
At the same time, it wasn’t all game prep. What stood out from the remaining competitive periods? Let’s take a look…
More shuffling of the offensive line
As has been the theme of the week, the Patriots continued shuffling their offensive line around on Monday. In particular, the rookies got more involved.
While the group that’s gotten the majority of reps started practice, tackle Caedan Wallace and guard Layden Robinson both got some chances to block for Jacoby Brissett. Wallace saw snaps at right tackle, while Robinson played left guard. While that was going on Chuks Okorafor and Sidy Sow – who have been in those spots for most of camp – repped with the second team. They went back and forth between the two looks, but Wallace and Robinson did get the top reps during a one-minute drill late in practice.
This was a rotation, so it’s too early to say the team made a full-time change. But, it’s the first time in a few weeks in a padded practice (they did some of this during their non-padded practice on Saturday) they’ve tweaked the line to any extent.
QB reps remain the same
While the offensive line did shift a bit the quarterback reps remained the same after a brief switch-up late in Saturday’s practice. However, the quarterback reps remained the same. Jacoby Brissett stuck with the top unit while Drake Maye worked with the backups. Still, Jerod Mayo didn’t close the door on Maye starting Week 1, telling reporters before practice the team still hasn’t made a decision in that regard.
However, it’s tough to see how Maye could close the gap in the time remaining, given he still really hasn’t worked with the top offense. Mayo highlighted the importance of Maye working with the top offense saying before practice “it’s very important for him to continue to build that confidence with that group, not only the offensive line, but also the receivers,” but it still hasn’t happened.
Meanwhile, Brissett did have a better day on Monday. That included one of his best throws of camp, when he hit Tyquan Thornton deep on a go-ball up the left sideline 50-plus yards downfield (Christian Gonzalez was in coverage).
Hail Mary work
One game situation thing the Patriots spent a brief amount of time working on on Monday was Hail Mary looks. They did it at half-speed, but did practice the play twice (Jacoby Brissett threw one, Drake Maye threw the other). This was more about the coaches pointing out proper technique than winning the rep, but the first one was caught by Javon Baker behind the back of the end zone, while the second was broken up by multiple defenders at the high-point.
More opportunities for the tight ends
Hunter Henry and Mitchell Wilcox remain out, and although Austin Hooper returned to practice after missing Sunday’s session he was limited on Monday. That meant more opportunities for La’Michael Pettway and rookie Jaheim Bell.
Despite that, it’s hard to say either player made much of a statement. They each had one catch, and Bell had a drop, unable to build on his positive day on Sunday. There are still a few practices and a game left, but tight end is looking more and more like a position the Patriots need to look externally at for depth.
Tyquan Thornton getting quality looks
Tyquan Thornton seemed to have worked his way back from the soft tissue injury that limited him two weeks ago, and he’s been a full participant the last few practices. While he hasn’t made the same impact he was early in camp he’s regularly been on the field with the top offense.
While his injury had some questioning his place on the roster, that doesn’t seem to be an issue. The team has him repping like a player they plan to keep on the roster, at least for now.
Chad Ryland wins the day
For the first time in over a week, Chad Ryland seemed to win the day between the kickers. Ryland was 3-of-4, with makes from 45, 49, and 52 yards after missing from 40. Meanwhile Joey Slye missed for the first time in over a week and went 3-of-5, hitting from 35 (in a live drill), 40, and 49 while missing from 45 and 52 yards. That second miss was his first miss from 50 plus this summer after hitting seven such kicks in a row (full Patriots training camp kicker stats here).
Jerod Mayo said before practice he still views the kicker competition as open. Slye’s full body of work this summer suggests he should have the edge, but Ryland narrowed the gap on Monday.
Hang times
Bryce Baringer remains one of the most consistent Patriots in camp this summer. Here are his hang times from Monday’s team punt period…
4.62 seconds
4.74
4.67
4.83
4.58
4.39
4.30
4.34
Attendance
There were no new absences for the Patriots on Monday. Wide receiver JaQuae Jackson, tight ends Hunter Henry and Mitchell Wilcox, offensive linemen Nick Leverett and Calvin Anderson, defensive lineman Christian Barmore, and linebackers Oshane Ximines and Joshua Uche, and safety Marte Mapu remain out. As mentioned above, Austin Hooper returned but was limited.
What’s next?
Tuesday is the final off day of Patriots training camp. The team will be back on the field on Wednesday, beginning the first of the final three practices of the summer.
