Patriots training camp notebook: No pads, no problem for defense on Day 2

Notes and reactions from Day 2 of Patriots training camp. FOXBORO -- New England Patriots training camp continued on Thursday, with Day 2 of practice. As part of the build up to the start of the season the Patriots practiced for slightly longer on Day 2 than they did on Day 1, going for an hour and 45 minutes. The defense was the story on Day 2 of camp. Whether it was at the line of scrimmage or in the secondary (and sometimes both) they were making plays all day. Of course, the offense had its moments. Multiple players in the middle of position and roster battles that had a quiet first day made more of an impact on Thursday. Let's get into all of that and more with news, notes, and observations from Day 2 of Patriots training camp... Tough day for the offensive line Vederian Lowe takes the field for Patriots training camp. (Jake Seymour/98.5 The Sports Hub) The offensive line is the Patriots' biggest question coming into training camp, and those issues were on full display on Thursday. During 11-on-11s every quarterback faced regular pressure, which limited the offense's ability to build on what they did yesterday. In particular, the Patriots' right tackle position remains on the spotlight. On Wednesday it was Calvin Anderson and rookie Caedan Wallace rotating at that spot. Thursday saw Vederian Lowe step in for most of the reps, with Wallace getting some time as well. Anderson repped more at left tackle on Thursday. It wasn't just the tackle position that struggled on Thursday. The final competitive snap of the day featured a bad snap from Atonio Mafi, who is battling for the backup center job. That's the second bad snap in as many days, with Nick Leverett leaving one short on Wednesday. Change in the quarterback rotation Joe Milton saw increased reps during Thursday's Patriots training camp practice. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports There was a change in the distribution of quarterback reps on Thursday - but not at the top of the depth chart. Instead the movement was in the battle for the third QB spot between Bailey Zappe and rookie Joe Milton. On Wednesday, Zappe repped before Milton in team drills, with Milton not getting any snaps in 11-on-11. That flipped on Thursday, with Milton going before Zappe in 7-on-7 work, then getting a chance in 11s when Zappe didn't. Alternating could be how the Patriots are balancing the snaps between the two to maximize time for Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. Whether it's that or Milton passing Zappe in the eyes of the coaches will be something to look for as the week goes on. As for the quarterback performances, it was a similar up-and-down day from all of the players at the position. The offensive line issues made making plays in structure tough, and resulted in more checkdowns and short throws. Calling the cadence Drake Maye drops back to pass during Patriots training camp. (Kris Craig/The Providence Journal/USA Today Network) Back in the spring the Patriots spent time working with the quarterbacks on cadence - the string of words quarterbacks say before the snap - and hard counts. That may seem like a simple thing, but it can be a tool and even a weapon for a quarterback in Alex Van Pelt's offense (with Aaron Rodgers being the prime example). Towards the end of Thursday's practice they dedicated a short period to working on this again, with each quarterback getting a few snaps to try and draw the defense offsides. Tyquan Thornton pops Day 2 of Patriots training camp was a busy one for Tyquan Thornton. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports Prior to Wednesday's practice, head coach Jerod Mayo talked about wide receiver Tyquan Thornton needing to "put it all together" as he enters his third NFL training camp. Thornton made good progress in that regard on Thursday. He caught five passes on the day, and was heavily involved in a 7-on-7 period catching passes from both Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. The big question for Thornton this summer will be consistency and availability. He's been derailed the last two summers by injuries, and struggled once the pads came on. Thursday was a good start at building a foundation, but he'll need to keep it up as the practices get more intense. WATCH: Scott Zolak & Alex Barth react to Day 2 of Patriots training camp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33F8s293mOs&t=17s Click here to subscribe to the Sports Hub YouTube channel Expanded role for Schooler? Brenden Schooler has been working more with the defense during Patriots training camp this year. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports On defense, Brenden Schooler's usage has stood out through two days. He's worked regularly as a deep safety, mostly with the second and third units but at times with the first. Does this signal a change coming for Schooler as he enters his third NFL season. In the post-Bill Belichick era, the Patriots may change their approach to special teams-specific players. With deep safety depth thin, Schooler being at least an emergency option on the back end could help solidify his roster spot. It's not like Schooler has never played defense before. He was a starting safety for Texas his final year in college in 2021. Cornerback battle update Isaiah Bolden has gotten plenty of chances early on in Patriots training camp. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports Coming into camp the top of the Patriots cornerback depth chart seemed pretty set with Jonathan Jones, Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, and Alex Austin. The only question was alignment, and so far Jon Jones has spent time both on the boundary and in the slot. Meanwhile, there was the question of who the one or two other players would be to round out the depth chart. Early on, second-year cornerback Isaiah Bolden has been given plenty of chances by the coaching staff. Bolden's ability to also play in the slot, play safety, and return kicks should help him as well. Play of the day Marcus Jones made the play of the day during Thursday's Patriots training camp practice. (Credit: 98.5 The Sports Hub) That cornerback group was responsible for the play of the day, which came early in practice. Ja'Lynn Polk ran a slot fade, with Marcus Jones on him up the field. Jacoby Brissett put the ball up high for the 6-foot-1 Polk to get the ball over the 5-foot-9 Jones. Polk had the ball initially, but Jones made a physical play on the way down to knock it free. Attendance Running back Antonio Gibson was back at Patriots training camp practice on Thursday. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports Running back Antonio Gibson returned to practice on Thursday after starting the summer on NFI, but was limited in his return. Wide receiver DeMario Douglas was limited as well, only taking part in individual drills. Other than that, the Patriots had perfect attendance for the second day in a row. What's next? Players stretching during Patriots training camp. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports The Patriots will be back on the practice fields on Friday, with an official 11:00 a.m. start time for the day. Head coach Jerod Mayo is scheduled to speak before practice. It will be their final day of the first block of practices, with an off day scheduled for Saturday.