After a day out of pads on Tuesday, the New England Patriots returned to the field on Wednesday for what was their most intense training camp practice of the summer to this point. Back in full pads the practice schedule included a little bit of everything, with the team working on the passing game as well as the running game, with both goal line and full field periods.
In a practice that certainly seems to be geared more towards ‘evaluation’ than ‘installation’ the steady progress the offense has made through the first week of camp. That was highlighted by the play of the quarterbacks, who will get us started as we take a closer look at Day 7…
Quarterbacks heating up
Aug 1, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a pass during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
This was the second padded practice of the summer, but the first one on Monday focused heavily on the run game. That made Wednesday’s passing sessions the most competitive of the summer so far, and all three quarterbacks thrived.
Mac Jones was 13-of-15 in competitive drills. Moreso in this practice than any other he tested tight windows and more intermediate and deep routes.
One standout moment from Jones came early in practice in 11-on-11 full field work. Pressured by Jahlani Tavai, Jones rolled out to his right. Throwing on the run, he connected with rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte for a first down.
Jones then made some of his best throws late in practice, connecting for touchdowns with DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Those two reps in particular stand out because they were on timing concepts (a back-shoulder for Parker, and a quick-hitting in route for Smith-Schuster). Timing means chemistry and to see Jones show that level of chemistry with his top receivers – especially Smith-Schuster, who he’s been on the field with only a handful of times – is encouraging.
Go up and get it
New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker makes a catch during training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
What has led to the Patriots’ improved offense in recent practices? There are a number of factors, including the players getting more comfortable playing within the system and alongside each other. But there’s another, more strategic change that has stood out.
Both Patriots quarterbacks, but especially Jones, are starting to really take advantage of the height of the pass-catchers on the roster. Whether it’s Parker, Smith-Schuster, or Hunter Henry (who had a few more grabs on Wednesday to continue his strong start to camp) Jones has been giving them a chance to realistically climb the ladder against smaller defenders, and it’s worked out. This has been especially true in the red zone.
Is that a sustainable long-term offensive strategy? Probably not. The horizontal separation issues will need to be addressed at some point. But jump ball throws look like they’ll be a significant part of what the Patriots do this year offensively – especially in the red zone.
Red zone run defense
Safety Kyle Dugger at Patriots training camp. (Alex Barth/98.5 The Sports Hub)
While the offense controlled the passing game on Wednesday, the defense had its best reps against the run. At the end of practice the starting offense went against the starting defense trying to punch the ball in from the two-yard line. The defense got stops on the first three reps, with notable plays from safety Kyle Dugger and linebacker Chris Board.
After the third play, Bill Belichick took a minute to coach up linebacker-playing-fullback Jahlani Tavai. Whatever he said worked, with Kevin Harris getting across the goal line on the fourth and final rep.
Big day for the rookies
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (58) makes a catch during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
The other big storyline on Tuesday was the performance of the Patriots’ rookie class. Up and down the roster, guys seemed to be making plays.
This stood out mostly in the 1-on-1 periods, where the pass-catchers square off head-to-head against linebackers and defensive backs, and offensive and defensive linemen do the same. These sessions only take place in padded practices, and the team didn’t run any on Monday.
In the pass-catching drills, Boutte, Demario Douglas, Isaiah Bolden, and Marte Mapu all had definitive wins. In the trenches (which Matt Dolloff was following while I watched the pass-catchers), Atonio Mafi and Jake Andrews both won their battles.
It wasn’t just the one-on-ones where the rookies showed up though. We already talked about Boutte’s route adjustment to get a catch from Mac Jones above, but other rookies made plays in 11-on-11s too.
Two of those happened in the same play. With Zappe at quarterback, Douglas got himself open quickly off the line against Myles Bryant. He should have been open over the middle, but Mapu read Zappe and was able to jump in front of the quick-hitter for his second lunging PBU in as many days.
Later in the same session, Bolden made a diving interception of McSorley on an underthrown slant route. After picking up a handful of PBUs the past few days, Bolden finally had his first INT of camp.
Additionally, Mafi saw an expanded role on the offensive line. He’d been filling in at left guard since Cole Strange got hurt on Monday, but on Wednesday moved to right guard, with Kody Russey replacing Bill Murray and playing on the left side.
What about Christian Gonzalez?
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (50) sprints during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
There are a lot of rookies bunched into that previous section, but Christian Gonzalez isn’t among them. So, what did the Patriots’ top draft pick do while his classmates were having a big day?
It was an interesting day for Gonzalez. He was matched up on Parker for most of the day, both in one-on-ones and team drills. He was competitive, but Parker kept winning the reps. Gonzalez was good, and was typically in the right place and the right time, but Parker was just one step better throughout the day. It should serve as a good learning experience for the 21-year-old cornerback – we’ll see how he responds tomorrow.
Other 1-on-1 standouts
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry makes a catch while running a drill at 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
It wasn’t just the rookies who had strong showings during 1-on-1s. A few veterans stood out too.
Hunter Henry was probably the best player in the session. On his two routes, he got open deep against Dugger and Adrian Phillips.
Matt Sokol also stood out from the tight ends. He created separation against Jalen Mills, continuing to build on what’s been a strong camp.
Finally, it was a good period for Kendrick Bourne. He won on both of his routes, including one that saw him put Jack Jones on skates.
In the offensive/defensive line sessions, Christian Barmore was the most dominant lineman. Another good sign from his strong camp.
A bigger role for a surprise player
Linebacker Calvin Munson (43) during a Patriots special teams practice. (Katie Bennert, 98.5 The Sports Hub)
During numerous periods on Wednesday, linebacker Calvin Munson was working with the projected starting defense. In his two seasons with the Patriots and four seasons in the NFL, Munson has been almost exclusively a special teamer, so these reps stood out. It could be due to the team’s depth on the edge with Matthew Judon once again being limited.
Folk back on kickoffs
Nick Folk (6) takes the field for the New England Patriots before practice during 2023 training camp in Foxboro. (98.5 The Sports Hub)
Earlier this week, we highlighted how rookie kicker Chad Ryland was given kickoff duties for two separate kickoff periods of practice. On Wednesday, those reps went to veteran Nick Folk, who also got live field goal reps at the end of practice. It’s tough to get a read on the kicker battle as the splitting of reps continues.
Two-minute work
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
At the very end of practice, the Patriots spent a period working on their hurry-up offense. It was a walkthrough pace during the plays, with getting to the line between plays and getting the play-call in seemingly being the focus. In the past, Belichick has spoken about the value of two-minute drills in the preseason – both in terms of preseason games and joint practices – and it looks like the team is starting to prepare more with those situations right around the corner.
Attendance
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
There were no new absences for the Patriots during Wednesday’s practice. Ty Montgomery, Terez Hall, Mike Onwenu (PUP), Cody Davis (PUP), and Calvin Anderson (NFI) all remain out. For the second day in a row since suffering an injury on Monday, Cole Strange was briefly on the field but not in pads, and chatted with coaches before returning to the facility. The sleeve on Strange’s left knee was bigger on Wednesday than the one he was wearing on Tuesday.
Chasen Hines and Brad Hawkins both returned to practice on Wednesday. They were absent on Tuesday after getting banged up during Monday’s practice.
Once again, Trent Brown, Matthew Judon, and Rhamondre Stevenson were limited. While Brown and Judon sat out the entirety of team drills, Stevenson did take part in the goal like work at the end of practice. After practice, Stevenson told 98.5 The Sports Hub he’s been limited because the coaches are managing his workload.
What’s next?
Aug 1, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; A general view of the New England Patriots practice fields during training camp with Gillette Stadium in the background. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots will be back on the practice fields on Thursday for their final full practice of the week. That is expected to be a padded session. Practice begins at 9:45 a.m. ET.
