FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — As much as we’d love to focus on the Jacoby Brissett-Drake Maye quarterback competition, it was a non-story during Monday’s New England Patriots training camp practice.
With Thursday’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers looming, New England heavily focused on the running game, situational football, and actual tackling. This was the most physical practice since the start of camp, and none of the quarterbacks were asked to do anything particularly difficult.
Let’s get into everything that stood out on Day 10 of Patriots training camp.
Patriots Practice Observations for Monday, Aug. 5
Attire
Full pads.
Attendance
The following players were absent from practice:
- LB Sione Takitaki (PUP)
- OL Jake Andrews (PUP)
- OL Cole Strange (PUP)
- DT Christian Barmore
- S/LB Marte Mapu
- CB Marcus Jones
- DB Joshuah Bledsoe
- WR Kendrick Bourne
- OT Chukwuma Okorafor
- LB Josh Uche
Okorafor and Uche missed their second consecutive practice due to undisclosed injuries. Jones and Bledsoe missed their third consecutive practice.
Barmore, who was diagnosed with blood clots on Sunday, has now missed six consecutive practices. It’s unclear whether he’ll return at any point this season.
Mapu hasn’t practiced since the start of camp. He’s watched in street clothes every day, and his injury situation remains a mystery.
Jake Andrews is dealing with an undisclosed injury. We haven’t seen him down on the rehab field, and it’s fair to wonder whether he’s dealing with a long-term injury.
Strange continues to rehab from a torn patellar tendon suffered late last season. He might sit out half the 2024 season, if not the entire campaign.
Bourne once again participated in the stretching portion but didn’t wear pads and spent the rest of practice on the rehab field.
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Takitaki is still recovering from an offseason knee scope, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. The veteran linebacker previously said he wouldn’t miss a single day of camp, but he’s yet to appear in a single practice.
Here are some additional injury notes:
- Shaun Wade shed the non-contact jersey for the first time since the start of camp, but DeMario Douglas still wore one.
- Calvin Anderson and Tyquan Thornton both returned after missing Saturday’s practice.
- Jaheim Bell returned after missing four consecutive practices due to an undisclosed injury.
- Receiver JaQuae Jackson was shaken up after taking a big hit during 11-on-11s.
Matthew Judon Watch
Matthew Judon, who’s gone public with his desire for a new contract, was a full participant for the fourth consecutive practice. He played well and was engaged throughout, even though he didn’t see a ton of work during team drills.
However, Judon’s post-practice news conference saw him recruit Jahlani Tavai, dodge some answers about his contract, and give interesting answers to others.
Here's how Matthew Judon (and Jahlani Tavai) handled the first few questions about Judon's contract status. pic.twitter.com/sUIb9klAd4
— Dakota Randall (@DakRandall) August 5, 2024
Patriots’ QB Training Camp Battle | Day 10
(Note: I don’t track quarterback stats when the offense is working off cards.)
Jacoby Brissett
11-on-11s: 10 of 13, one interception
7-on-7s: zero reps
Honestly, I considered not even including the QB stats, as they require so much context. The Patriots appeared to emphasize short-yardage scenarios on a day that saw running plays on 24 of 48 snaps. Many of the throws seem to be by design, and one 11-on-11 period saw the Patriots run a limited pass rush with a coach communicating at the line.
So, there isn’t much to go on. Even Brissett’s interception — a ball tipped by Jabrill Peppers that landed in Ja’Whaun Bentley’s hands — came on a play that saw defensive end Keion White line up as a fullback. And there were other trick plays in this practice, including a flea flicker.
Nevertheless, Brissett made some good plays, including a touchdown throw to Tyquan Thornton during red-zone 11-on-11s. He saw all the first-team reps and remains the clear No. 1 quarterback.
Drake Maye
11-on-11s: 5 for 10, two scrambles, one interception, one sack
7-on-7s: zero reps
Maye’s practice stats require similar context.
His interception came on a tip drill during an adjusted 11-on-11 period. He also was working with Zuri Henry as one of his tackles and saw work with the third-team line, likely a move to get everyone ready for potential lineups during the preseason game.
I also want to give Maye credit for finally pushing the ball down the field (he had a nice deep throw that K.J. Osborn didn’t catch), but the play might’ve been scripted.
Joe Milton III
11-on-11s: 4 for 7, one drop
7-on-7s: zero reps
Joe Milton III’s practice wasn’t noteworthy, aside from his once again repping ahead of Bailey Zappe. The rookie made some nice throws in this practice but was running a simplified offense.
Bailey Zappe
11-on-11s: 2 for 3
7-on-7s: zero reps
Zappe continues to be a non-factor, but he made some nice throws during receiver-cornerback 1-on-1s.
Best and Worst Performances From Day 10 of Patriots Training Camp
LB Ja’Whaun Bentley | STUD
This isn’t about his opportunistic interception of Brissett. Rather, it’s about Ja’Whaun Bentley being a physical tone-setter during a practice that saw the Patriots’ front seven dominate the offensive line and shut down the running game.
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Bentley’s played a lot of football over the last few seasons, but he’s looked fresh and motivated early in camp. He remains a force against the run.
WR Tyquan Thornton | STUD
Thornton was limited after missing Saturday’s practice due to an undisclosed injury, but he was one of the starting receivers for the first 11-on-11 period — which was a good sign. His touchdown grab also was one of the offense’s only highlights.
TE Hunter Henry | STUD
The veteran tight end caught two balls during team drills and again was one of Brissett’s more trusted downfield targets. Hunter Henry is trending upward and reminding everyone that he’s still a very good TE, even if he’s no longer one of the position’s elite talents.
Run Blocking | DUD
We’ll give the offensive line some slack, as it appeared the Patriots called several runs in short-yardage situations. The defense knew what was coming, and it loaded up.
However, I gave the offense 10 run-stuffs on 24 rush attempts, which is a putrid ratio. There was hardly any push up front, especially when the first-team line wasn’t on the field.
The O-line had been playing well, but Monday was rough.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster | DUD
JuJu Smith-Schuster was invisible during team drills and also dropped a catchable ball during 1-on-1s. His legs are gone, and so are his hands — a bad combination.
I can’t see any way Smith-Schuster makes this team unless the receiving corps suffers multiple injuries. He did author one highlight, though — an impressive win against rookie Marcellas Dial Jr. during 1-on-1s.
JuJu Smith-Schuster puts the MOVES on Marcellas Dial in 1v1s
– #patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/gUziaV6HeX
— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 5, 2024
LB Matthew Judon | DUD
This has nothing to do with Judon’s practice performance and everything to do with how he’s conducted himself during his contract dispute.
It’s been a roller-coaster, from Judon being wildly honest early in camp to appearing to throw a tantrum last week. Monday represented another low point, as he trolled reporters at the start of his media availability before giving a series of remarks that created more questions than answers.
The whole thing has become a sideshow, and the Patriots must find a way to end it — for better or for worse.
Assorted Patriots’ Notes and Highlights From Day 10 of Camp
- Robert Kraft and Jon Bon Jovi both attended practice. Fittingly, “Livin’ on a Prayer” was part of the practice playlist.
- Alex Austin got a lot of work as the No. 2 cornerback.
- There was some offensive trickery in this practice, including a flea flicker and other stuff we aren’t allowed to report on.
- These were the top offensive line combinations, from left to right:
First group: Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, David Andrews/Nick Leverett, Mike Onwenu, Calvin Anderson
Second group: Caedan Wallace/Zuri Henry, Layden Robinson, Nick Leverett, Michael Jordan, Zuri Henry/Caedan Wallace - Wallace and Henry began practice as the second-team left and right tackles, respectively, but the Patriots eventually flipped the pairings.
- This was Lowe’s fourth consecutive practice as the top left tackle. That follows Wallace’s four-practice run in the same role, so it’ll be interesting to see when/if the Patriots throw the combinations back into a blender.
- Leverett again rotated with Andrews as the top center. Andrews doesn’t appear to be injured, so the Patriots might be managing the veteran’s workload.
- Jonathan Jones, Ja’Lynn Polk, Christian Gonzalez, and Jalen Reagor were some of the top performers during receiver-corner 1-on-1s.
- Defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. also saw reps as a fullback.
- Bentley, Jabrill Peppers, Shaun Wade, and Mikey Victor all had pass breakups. Armon Watts had a sack.
- Here are additional highlights from Monday’s practice. The Patriots will return to the field on Tuesday.
Kayshon Boutte with a win vs Isaiah Bolden in 1v1s
Gets the feet in bounds too
– #patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/0CJXbPSVua
— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 5, 2024
Javon Baker 1v1 is UNFAIR 🔥
– #patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/XDbtS4nag9
— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 5, 2024
Drake Maye throwing bombs at Patriots Training Camp
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/LfmqfMH9G3— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 5, 2024
Drake Maye with a great pass to the corner of the end zone to Jalen Reagor
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/zZAPeBn2hS— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 5, 2024
What a CATCH by KJ Osborn 🔥
The Veteran continues to show his catch radius
– #patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
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— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 5, 2024
Ja’Lynn Polk brings it down after a great pass from Drake Maye
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/WtwMblHSVj— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 5, 2024
Christian Gonzalez hits a dance after locking down JaQuae Jackson in 1v1s 🔒
– #patriots #nfl #newenglandpatriots
Patriots Coverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/7k4QgXf3gH
— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 5, 2024
Jacoby Brissett coaching the offense during Patriots Training Camp
–#patriots #newenglandpatriots #nfl
PatriotsvCoverage Powered by @Gametime @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/jwuIflJBtL— Patriots on CLNS Media (@PatriotsCLNS) August 5, 2024