In what is likely their final competitive training camp practice of the summer (pending a potential one-off session on Monday), the Patriots took the field in Las Vegas Wednesday morning for their second of two joint practices against the Raiders. Here’s highlights and analysis from those in Nevada…
Taking attendance
No Tyquan Thornton, Kristian Wilkerson or Harvey Langi at the second Patriots-Raiders joint practice.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 24, 2022
Shaun Wade and Bill Murray back in pads.
Final practice of the season that will be open to reporters. pic.twitter.com/HNjFNhlLxQHarvey Langi remains the only unexplained absence at camp. Kristian Wilkerson and Tyquan Thornton are both dealing with injuries.
(Click here to subscribe to the Sports Hub Patriots Podcast and Patriots Audio on 98.5 The Sports Hub.)A strong start for the offensive line
Some highlights from #Patriots OL vs #Raiders DL in 1s:
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 24, 2022
- Isaiah Wynn got the split with Maxx Crosby. Crosby won first rep, Wynn won second
- Gave Trent Brown the W over Chandler Jones
- Onwenu went 2-0. Clear win against Kyle PekoAfter struggling on Tuesday, the Patriots’ offensive linemen got things started on a positive note Wednesday. The pass rush duo of Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones is one of the best in football, so those are big wins for Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown. Wynn and Brown have both been under the microscope recently – Wynn after missing a week and a half of practice and potential trade talks, and Brown after what was reported to be a disciplinary benching Friday night.
Jalen Mills bouncing back
Really nice showing in 1-on-1s for Jalen Mills in the red zone. Broke up a pass to Davante Adams on the first rep of the drill. Then forced incompletions while on Keelan Cole and Tyron Johnson. Ran Johnson’s route. PBU.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 24, 2022
Mills 3-0 one day after going 0-3. Not easy in that spot.Tuesday was arguably Jalen Mills’ worst day of camp. That’s not entirely surprising as he’s tasked with guarding one of the truly elite outside receivers in the game in Davante Adams. It looks like he’s off to a better start Wednesday.
Video of Mills’ rep against Adams
Jalen Mills @greengoblin with the pass breakup on Davante Adams. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/9OVP3UprGR
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) August 24, 2022Checking in on the other corners
Great bounce-back by Jalen Mills in 1-on-1s. Won both of his reps vs. Davante Adams and Tyron Johnson with two PBUs.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 24, 2022
Myles Bryant lost two to Hunter Renfrow, then beat Renfrow (PBU) and Keelan Cole.
Jack Jones, Terrance Mitchell and Justin Bethel also had PBUsMyles Bryant is currently battling with rookie Marcus Jones for the starting slot cornerback role, assuming Jonathan Jones continues playing on the boundary. This was a rough drill for him.
Offense getting back on the same page?
Mac Jones went 4-for-6 in the first 7-on-7 of the day. Red zone.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 24, 2022
Spread the ball around to Damien Harris, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and Ty Montgomery. Two throws broken up by Vegas.
Ball out on time. Better than some 7-on-7s we’ve seen lately where timing is an issue.The first team drill of the day featured a 7-on-7’s period. Kendrick Bourne was back with the first unit, as was Damien Harris.
Davante Adams takes over 7-on-7’s
Davante Adams again looking like Davante Adams in red-zone 7-on-7s. Beat Jon Jones for two TDs and Marcus Jones and Jalen Mills once apiece.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 24, 2022
Derek Carr 4-for-5 when targeting Adams with a Terrance Mitchell PBU.After struggling in 1-on-1’s, Davante Adams once again gave the Patriots’ cornerbacks issues in the first team drill. Terrance Mitchell won the lone rep against him. Mitchell had been seeing less first team reps since the start of camp, with Jonathan Jones moving to the boundary.
Back-and-forth first 11-on-11 period
#Patriots defense in 11-on-11s:
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 24, 2022
- Patriots won 5 of 9 snaps, allowed 2 TDs and a big inside run.
- Matt Judon earned a sack, run stuff and PBU.
- Davante Adams smoked Jack Jones for a long TD, Mack Hollins beat Terrance Mitchell for another.The Patriots’ defense won its first full team drill, in terms of snaps won. However, the Raiders were able to break off a few big plays as well.
Back to square one for the offense
#Patriots offense bombed in its first 11-on-11 period.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 24, 2022
- Stevenson run
- Meyers bubble screen no gain
- Sack
- Meyers bubble screen
- Sack
- Henry catch
- Montgomery inside run
- Timeout
- Incomplete Agholor
- Sack https://t.co/QBFUIvY7HHAnother tough 11-on-11 period for the Patriots offense. Once again, they struggle to protect Mac Jones.
Players leaving practice
Nelson Agholor, Isaiah Wynn and Damien Harris have all headed off the field with Patriots staffers during today’s session. All under their own power.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 24, 2022
Justin Herron subbed in for Wynn at right tackle.A handful of the Patriots’ starters appear to have left practice early. Yesterday, players left then returned due to the significant heat. Herron filling in for Wynn at right tackle stands out – that had been Yodny Cajuste when Wynn was out the last week and a half, and Cajuste had performed well.
Play of the day
Play of the day so far for #Patriots O: Jakobi Meyers with an over the shoulder grab in the red zone for a TD. Mac floated the pass into the back of the end zone, and Meyers fought off tight coverage by Tre’von Moehrig.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 24, 2022
Pats offense was better on second 11s/hurry up drive.Agholor and Wynn return
Agholor and Wynn now back on the sideline
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 24, 2022As mentioned above, the heat has caused players to periodically come off the field during practice. That may be the case here.
Progress for the offense
Slow start for the Patriots offense today, but they’ve picked it up.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 24, 2022
First series of 11-on-11:
Positive Stevenson run
Short completion to Stevenson
RPO to Meyers for no gain
Maxx Crosby sack
Completion to Henry
Completion to Montgomery
Timeout
Incomplete to Agholor
C. Jones sack https://t.co/oSt7AoDy2kThe Patriots’ offense built some momentum during their second drive. However, it still ended in a sack.
Patriots reach the end zone
Two passes to Stevenson helped set up the impressive Meyers TD on the next series.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 24, 2022
In a hurry-up period — 1:40 left on their own 25 — Patriots settled for a FG:
Screen to Parker
Crosser to J. Smith
M. Jones scramble
Spike
Complete to Montgomery
Incomplete
Folk from 46 yards out https://t.co/t2R0j3t5asNow working against the clock, the Patriots’ offense had more success. That included their first trip to the end zone of the day.
Meyers finds the end zone again
#Patriots starting offense has made some plays in the red zone today. Meyers has two TDs and Montgomery just ended the series with another TD.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 24, 2022It’s been a strong finish to practice for the Patriots’ offense. They’re ending things on a high note.
Patriots end on a high note
Mac Jones just capped off a nice drive for the Patriots by hitting Hunter Henry for a touchdown. Patriots offense definitely has been much better over the last few 11-on-11 periods
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 24, 2022That’s a wrap on Patriots joint practices with the Raiders. Next up is the preseason finale on Friday.
Mac Jones’ numbers
Encouraging stuff from the Patriots’ offense here. Much better over the second half of practice. Two nice touchdown passes to Meyers and another to Henry on the last play of the day.
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) August 24, 2022
Mac Jones 20 of 25 in 11s and 4 of 6 on 7s
