The ‘limited sample size’ for evaluating the Patriots got a little less limited on Thursday, with the second day of Patriots training camp. There’s still a long way to go before the team has a meaningful game, but the biggest thing about Day 2 is it serves as a chance to check the initial reads from Day 1.
On Day 1, the big takeaway was the struggle of the offense. Given the way camp – and the season went – last year, it was easy to start drawing parallels.
However, for this practice the offense did what it couldn’t in the early practices last year – bounce back. They didn’t definitively win the day but there was a healthy back-and-forth between the two sides in another practice that consisted exclusively of red zone work.
Who made the plays on a back-and-forth day? What else stood out? Let’s take a look…
Mac Jones’ day
QB Mac Jones throws a pass on the second day of Patriots Training Camp (Katie Bennert/98.5 The Sports Hub)
With it being an up-and-down day for the offense, it was an up-and-down day for Mac Jones. His highlights were mixed (and for some overshadowed) by a low lowlight as he went 6-for-14 in what was again mostly low red zone work.
His highlights included multiple impressive touch throws on back-shoulder concepts. He also seems to be building good chemistry with JuJu Smith-Schuster, who caught two passes including a touchdown on Thursday.
However, there was also a moment that was reminiscent of 2022. Set up inside the three yard line the Patriots called a designed rollout for Jones to his right, which the defense anticipated perfectly. It was a play Jones probably should have burned, but instead he tried cutting back inside before throwing the ball across his body, where it was intercepted by Kyle Dugger. It was Dugger’s second interception in as many days in camp.
Spectacular catches
Jul 26, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) makes a catch during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Some of those completions by Mac Jones were good plays by both the quarterback and receiver. The first two highlight plays of camp were made on Day 2, with spectacular catches from DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki.
Parker’s catch saw him run a back-shoulder fade to the back corner of the end zone. With Marcus Jones close in coverage, Parker went up and high-pointed the ball at its apex, before toe-tapping both feet to complete the catch.
Gesicki’s catch was also a high-point. Running a cross along the end line, Jones threw the ball up to Gesicki to get it over a defender between the two. Gesicki was able to climb the ladder and secure the catch.
These are just two plays, but they show what should be a strength of the Patriots’ passing game this year – size. Seven of the nine wide receivers currently on the Patriots’ roster are 6-feet or taller, with four of the nine standing over 6-foot-2. Then there’s Gesicki who is listed at 6-foot-6, and 6-foot-5 Hunter Henry.
If the Patriots are smart, they’ll use that size to their advantage this year. Fades and 50-50 balls should be a regular part of their offense, and they showed a glimpse into why that is on Thursday.
Wide receiver side group
JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne chat at Patriots Training camp. (Katie Bennert/98.5 The Sports Hub)
During a special teams period on Thursday, Parker, Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, and Tyquan Thornton all went onto a side field to throw with all three of the team’s quarterbacks. It’s no surprise that these four are at the top of the depth chart, but his further illustrated the gap between then and the rest of the players at the position when it comes to a potential roster spot. To this point, it doesn’t look like any leader has really emerged for the fifth wide receiver spot.
Demario Douglas’ growth
Jul 26, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (60) makes a catch during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
While there’s no clear leader for that fifth wide receiver spot, Demario Douglas has certainly put himself in a good position early on. The coaching staff has given him plenty of reps, and he seems to be making the most of those opportunities.
One thing that stands out about Douglas right now is his size. Last fall in college Douglas was listed at 179 pounds. The Patriots’ training camp roster has him up to 192, and having seen him at the Shrine Bowl back in January and seeing him now, that seems about right. He added significant muscle in the offseason, and still is moving well with the extra mass on his frame.
First NFL test for Christian Gonzalez
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez runs through a resistance-band drill at Patriots training camp. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Patriots first-round pick Christian Gonzalez spent most of Thursday’s practice matched up with Smith-Schuster in coverage. Smith-Schuster is a good test for Gonzalez as he gets acclimated to NFL competition.
Smith-Schuster got Gonzalez a few times in their matchups – including once for a touchdown catch – but Gonzalez certainly held his own and seemed to win more total reps than Smith-Schuster did. That’s an encouraging sign early on, given that as a first-round pick Gonzalez should be expected to step into a starting role right away this year.
Jahlani Tavai making plays
Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai (48) works against a resistance rope at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The final 11-on-11 period of Thursday’s practice featured the most high-impact reps of training camp so far. This time the team started from the high red zone, and worked with down and distance markers to simulate the end of a drive.
One of the standouts from that period was linebacker Jahlani Tavai. He had a pass breakup in coverage working against Pierre Strong, and also used a swim-move to earn a would-be sack of Bailey Zappe.
At this time last year, it was clear the Patriots’ coaching staff was still trying to figure out the best way to utilize Tavai within the defensive system. That clicked late in camp, and he spent the season as a strong-side edge setter on early downs – a role he played well. He’ll likely be back in that role again this season, but it will be interested to see if he keeps making plays in passing-down situations.
First injury of camp
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery II (14) takes a hand-off from quarterback Mac Jones (10) during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, injuries are a reality when it comes to football and training camp is no exception. After a clean day on Wednesday, Thursday saw the first injury of the summer for the Patriots.
Early in practice, wide receiver Ty Montgomery collided with linebacker Terez Hall while trying to work his way back to a ball thrown behind him from Trace McSorley. It was a lower-body collision, potentially knee-to-knee.
Montgomery got up slowly and limped to the next drill, but did run a few routes during the next period. While he was moving fine during plays, he did still seem hindered when subbed out, and continued to flex and shake his left leg. Shortly after he joined the training staff, who worked on his left leg and put a sleeve over his knee. He stayed on the field and did a bit of individual running after that, but did not return to team drills. Hall left practice early as well.
The fact neither player left the field directly to head back inside the stadium is an encouraging sign. We’ll see if either or both players are on the field for the team’s third practice tomorrow.
Attendance
Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson during positional drills at training camp. (Katie Bennert/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Aside from Montgomery and Hall leaving early, the Patriots’ attendance was mostly unchanged from Wednesday. None of the players from the PUP (Mike Onwenu, Cody Davis) or NFI (Calvin Anderson, DaMarcus Mitchell) lists returned. Matthew Judon was one again limited as well. In the only change, Rhamondre Stevenson was also limited. With Stevenson not taking part in team drills, Pierre Strong saw an expanded workload.
What’s next?
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick heads to the podium for a morning press conference before training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots will have their third training camp practice on Friday morning. Practice is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. with Belichick speaking to the media beforehand. Gates open for the public at 8:00.
