Following two days off after their preseason opener against the Houston Texans on Thursday, the New England Patriots returned to the practice fields on Sunday for their 13th practice of 2023 training camp – despite mother nature’s best efforts.
It was a 3:30 p.m. start to practice, which began with a 10 minute(ish) stretch period. That was followed by positional drills. About halfway through the positional drills period there was a booming clap of thunder. Bill Belichick gathered the team at midfield briefly, and then the team ducked inside Gillette Stadium for what ended up being a 30 minute rain delay.
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Once the Patriots got back on the field, there was a heavy focus on situational work in the non-padded practice. The team did multiple kickoff drills, and then got into 11-on-11 work that consisted exclusively of either two-minute drills or working in the red zone.
Within all of that, there was a chance to make observations about changes the team has made, likely adjusting to what they saw in Thursday night’s preseason opener and the ensuing film. We’ll go over those as we breakdown Day 13, but first let’s reset who was on the field…
Attendance
Patriots OL Cole Strange arrives for training camp practice. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
The Patriots finally got one of their offensive line starters back on Sunday. Cole Strange took part in the practice – his first time doing so since injuring his knee in the first padded practice of the year two weeks ago. However, he was limited to just individual drills, and did not take part in 11-on-11 work.
There were also two new absences at practice, with offensive lineman Kody Russey and running back Pierre Strong not taking part in the session. Russey suffered an injury during Thursday night’s preseason opener, and there has not been an update on his condition since. Strong had nine touches for 33 yards in the preseason opener on Thursday night, but didn’t seem to suffer any apparent injury. Ty Montgomery, Jonathan Jones, Bill Murray, Mike Onwenu (PUP), Cody Davis (PUP), and Calvin Anderson (NFI) all remain out.
Shuffling on the offensive line
Tackle Riley Reiff takes the field at Patriots training camp. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Without Cole Strange on the field, rookie Atonio Mafi continued to rep at left guard. But it’s what was happening at the right guard spot that stood out more.
For the first time this training camp, we saw veteran offensive lineman Riley Reiff getting reps at guard – specifically right guard. This comes after he’d spent most of camp bouncing between left and right tackle.
It’s an adjustment that makes sense, as most of Reiff’s struggles so far in camp have been related to setting the edge of the pocket in the passing game, and having pass rushers get around him with speed moves. At guard, he’ll be able to play more ‘in a phonebooth,’ something he’s done well to this point highlighted by his success in one-on-ones.
With Reiff working at right guard, rookie Sidy Sow saw more time at right tackle. Sow, a fourth-round pick, is working to make the move to tackle after playing primarily guard during his time at Eastern Michigan.
This switch helps fill the gap created by Mike Onwenu’s absence as he continues to rehab from offseason ankle surgery. The question is – is this just a preseason look, or the team getting ready to potentially use this look in the regular season if Onwenu has to open the season on PUP.
More looks for Malik Cunningham
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (16) during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Rookie quarterback/wide receiver Malik Cunningham was one of the most impressive players in the Patriots’ preseason opener on Thursday night. Based on Sunday’s practice, the coaching staff took notice. Cunningham saw increased reps at multiple spots.
For positional drills, Cunningham worked with the receivers as he has all of camp to this point. The first few team reps of practice though saw Cunningham leading the offense as a shotgun quarterback. He took part in a handful of reps from this look – all runs. Later in practice, he caught a pass during red zone drills.
Mac and Mike
New England Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki (88) makes a catch during training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
For most of the practice, it was Mac Jones playing quarterback for the Patriots. Given the nature of two-minute drills he was throwing the ball downfield quite a bit. Twice, he hit tight end Mike Gesicki in tight windows. This built on a trend that began last week, of the two starting to connect regularly on chemistry throws.
Gonzo got ’em
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (50) sprints during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
Jones’ lone miscue of the day came in the red zone. He tried targeting JuJu Smith-Schuster in the back corner of the end zone on a fade, but Christian Gonzalez read the ball well and was able to get in better position to make a play on it than Smith-Schuster. That resulted in the rookie’s second interception of camp.
What’s next?
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 10: Head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on August 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
The Patriots will be back on the practice fields on Monday for what is expected to be a full session. It will be their final practice in Foxborough for the remainder of training camp – with joint practices in Green Bay on Wednesday and Thursday of this week leading up to Saturday’s preseason game. From there, they’ll head to Nashville for a final round of joint practices and the preseason finale.
