The New England Patriots wrapped up their first block on training camp practices on Friday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. It was their third practice of the summer, and final before their first day off.
With an extra recovery day built into the schedule, the Patriots upped the intensity during Friday’s practice. The schedule also allowed for more physicality. Per the NFL CBA, this was the first day the Patriots were eligible to practice in ‘shells.’ Shells are a slimmed-down version of regular football pads, and mark what is somewhat of a halfway point between the ‘shirts and shorts’ practices the Patriots had the first two days, and the fully padded practices that will begin next week.
Practicing in shells allowed for added (but not full) contact between both pass catchers and defenders, as well as linemen and rushers. It also allowed the team to mix in a few basic run calls during 11-on-11s, keeping the defense on their toes in the red zone.
So, what and who stood out in the practice with the highest-impact reps so far? Here’s a look…
The Christian Gonzalez Practiceᵀᴹ
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez runs through a resistance-band drill at Patriots training camp. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
It’s not that rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez was bad the first two days of Patriots training camp – he wasn’t. We actually highlighted a few of his reps against JuJu Smith-Schuster yesterday. But on Friday Gonzalez showed another level, and some of the traits that made him the Patriots’ first-round pick back in the spring.
Gonzalez had multiple pass breakups on the day, playing physically at the catch point. He also had smothering coverage reps against Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, and Tyquan Thornton in 11-on-11 red zone drills.
One practice doesn’t make a player, but Gonzalez has shown high-ceiling flashes early on in Patriots training camp. To this point, he’s living up to the significant hype his draft selection drew back in April.
Judon’s back
New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon sprints during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
In another good sign for the Patriots’ defense, Matthew Judon was a full participant in Friday’s practice. Judon was on the field for all team drills, splitting his time between the first and second team. This is after he had been limited the first two days, and didn’t take part in any team drills in either of those first two practices.
After practice, Judon told reporters that his limited status wasn’t related to his current contract, which currently has Judon being paid well under market value. Instead, he said he’s working with the training staff to build up his stamina for when fully-padded practices begin.
Attendance
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
With Judon and Rhamondre Stevenson no longer limited, there were no limited players for the Patriots on Friday. Every player on the field was a full-go.
However, there were two new absences for the Patriots. One was Ty Montgomery, who didn’t finish Thursday’s practice after suffering an apparent leg injury. Prior to Friday’s practice, Bill Belichick described Montgomery’s status as “day-to-day.” The other new absence was Christian Barmore, who was
This probably explains Christian Barmore’s absence from practice today. (via his IG) pic.twitter.com/VM9unJLMNu
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) July 28, 2023?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">welcoming a new addition to his family on what was his own 24th birthday.Meanwhile, Mike Onwenu, Cody Davis, Calvin Anderson, and DaMarcus Mitchell all remain out. Onwenu and Davis are on the PUP list, while Anderson and Mitchell are on NFI.
Vertical, but not horizonal, separation
Tyquan Thornton at New England Patriots training camp. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Through three days of practice now, Mac Jones has certainly gotten plenty of reps throwing into tight windows. Traditional wide receiver separation has been limited to this point. While they may be a result of the condensed space of working in the low red zone, it’s not like they’ll have more space in red zone situations come the regular season.
Jumps balls and contested catches continue to be the staple of the Patriots’ passing game. DeVante Parker made a few more high-point catches on Friday, and Hunter Henry made the catch of the day when he fought through tight coverage from Adrian Phillips to make a touchdown catch on a back-shoulder throw up the seam.
For the field stretchers, the results have been more limited. That includes Tyquan Thornton, who has yet to record a catch in 11-on-11s. While red zone isn’t an area of the field Thornton’s skillset traditionally translates best – his speed makes him more of a between the 20s player – if he’s going to take the jump to being a true ‘No. 1 wide receiver’ he’ll need to be able to make plays in the red zone as well.
The one exception from that group has been rookie sixth-round pick Demario Douglas. Douglas doesn’t have many reps against the Patriots’ projected starters, but he’s made the most of the chances he’s been given. The shifty Liberty receiver is angling for an expanded role as camp goes on.
A change at tackle
Tackle Riley Reiff takes the field at Patriots training camp. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Figuring out the right tackle position is one of the most important tasks for the Patriots in this training camp. Three days into practice, things have already started changing at the position.
Veteran free agent signing Riley Reiff was working with the presumed starters in that spot through the first two days, but had a rough go of it – relative to a non-padded practice – on Thursday. On Friday, Reiff split his reps with returning veteran Conor McDermott.
Given the Patriots gave Reiff, 34, $4.1 million in guaranteed money back in the spring, it makes sense he came into camp as the leader for the job. But McDermott has more experience in the system and is built more like a traditional Patriots right tackle, with Reiff a converted left tackle. There’s still a long way to go in terms of padded practices, but Reiff looks like he’ll have work to do if he wants to win the starting job.
Notable role for new signing
Patriots linebacker Diego Fagot arrives for training camp practice. (Jim Louth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
Linebacker Diego Fagot is one of the newest Patriots, having signed with the team this past Monday. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Navy product spent last summer with the Baltimore Ravens, but doesn’t have extensive NFL experience.
Given Fagot’s size, tenacity, and lack of NFL experience, he seemed to be in line for a role as a core special teamer in New England. Those players, such as Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler, etc. may be listed at other positions but generally all practice together during positional drills. However, Fagot has been practicing mainly with linebackers during this periods, and only working on special teams during team drills.
Fagot’s easiest path to the roster seems to be through special teams rather than defense, so this stands out. Is it simply a matter of him catching up on what he missed this spring? Or does the team have bigger plans for him?
Special teams competitions
Punters Corliss Waitman and Bryce Baringer wait on a snap from long snapper Tucker Addington at Patriots training camp. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
The Patriots hadn’t done a ton of special teams work through the first two days of training camp, but spent a good amount of time working on kickoffs on Friday. Through both periods of kickoff work, punter Corliss Waitman handled most of the kickoff duties with Nick Folk rotating in as well. Neither rookie kicker Chad Ryland nor rookie punter Bryce Baringer saw reps during that period.
Later on, the Patriots ran a team field goal drill. The presumed starters were lined up at about the 25 yard line and had live reps, with Folk kicking the ball from the hold. The second group with Ryland only using it as a mental rep and not making contact with the ball.
That feels like a sign that the two veterans are in the lead in their respective position battles. This Friday’s in-stadium practice, which usually features a focus on special teams, should give us a real strong indication of where things stand at both spots.
What’s next?
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches squads practice during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots will have their first off day of training camp on Saturday. They’ll be back on the practice fields on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET, with the first padded practice scheduled for the following day.
