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If training camp wasn’t already an indicator that football is right around the corner, the New England Patriots put on pads for the first time this summer on the fifth day of training camp, Thursday, July 30, after a day off on Wednesday.
Before practice started for the day, head coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference addressing the availability of cornerback Carlton Davis, rookie Gabe Jacas and linebacker Harold Landry III, among other things.
Vrabel provided a positive update on Jacas, saying that he’s closer to returning to play. Despite not being on the field, Jacas has been attentive in meetings and went to the facilities on his off day on Wednesday to work with defensive assistant Mike Smith and continued to get familiar with the playbook, according to Vrabel.
Vrabel provided less-positive news regarding Landry and Davis’ health and potential return to the field.
“[Davis] won’t be out there today,” Vrabel said. “I wouldn’t expect to see him or any of the PUP [physically unable to perform] guys.”
“I probably would say Gabe’s closer to coming back than Harold is."
There has been no official confirmation that Davis was placed on the PUP list, so if Davis fails to practice on Friday, it could be a sign that the injury is affecting Davis more than previously thought.
Despite the on-and-off rainfall that dampened Thursday’s practice, the team was welcomed by a decently sized crowd.
The crowd made its presence felt when the receivers took on the secondary in a one-on-one red zone drill right in front of the giant hill behind the end zone. On one of the first plays of the drill, quarterback Drake Maye hit receiver A.J. Brown in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Brown made the catch despite heavy coverage from cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Maye consistently hit Brown throughout the day as the duo looked in sync after days of frustrating overthrows and seemingly miscommunicated routes. Maye completed three of his four attempts to Brown across the one-on-one drill and 11-on-11s.
The only incompletion was on the first play of 11-on-11s, when Maye tried to start the drill off with a bang, targeting Brown in the corner of the end zone. The pass was just out of reach for Brown, who was covered by Gonzalez.
Another standout connection during drills was between Maye and rookie tight end Eli Raridon. Maye and Raridon connected multiple times throughout the day but the most notable one was on a bootleg from Maye, where he found a crossing Raridon who was able to turn upfield for extra yards.
Prior to training camp, Raridon was viewed as the No. 3 tight end on the depth chart, but a season-ending injury to Julian Hill has opened the door for Raridon to be the No. 2 behind Hunter Henry.
The defining play of practice surprisingly wasn't made by any of the projected starters. During 11-on-11s, backup quarterback Tommy DeVito targeted wide receiver Kyle Williams along the right side of the end zone. Williams somehow adjusted his body in midair to make a one-handed snag that surely would have ended up on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays if video recording was allowed during the play.
For the past few practices, it was wide receiver Kayshon Boutte who had made the plays of the day, but the wide receiver was mostly quiet on Thursday. Boutte spoke to the media today for the first time since training camp started and fueled the fire of his trade rumors.
“I think my main focus is just that I’m here today,” Boutte said. “I’m here today. My feet are here today. If I’m somewhere else next week, a week after, that’s kind of what it is. It’s part of the business.”
It was announced in June that Boutte was interested in a trade following the additions of Brown and Romeo Doubs, which could lead to a potentially diminished role for Boutte. He reiterated, however, that despite the rumors, he wants to be with the team this year.
DeVito also was involved in another notable play during the practice. He targeted wide receiver Efton Chism III almost exactly in the same spot as he had to Williams and Chism, despite being just 5 feet 10 inches tall, “Moss-ed” his defender, Mike Brown (listed at 6 feet 1 inch), and came down with the catch for a touchdown.
Though the rain usually affects the passing game as quarterbacks and receivers alike have difficulty holding on to the ball, it was the run game that was lackluster on Thursday.
Many rushing attempts were stopped almost immediately at the line of scrimmage, and a couple of fumbles were lost during the session. It’s a concerning sight, but with Thursday being the first day of padded practices and the weather not ideal, a pass can be given for now. If this issue persists during future practices, though, the Patriots may be in serious trouble.
Both the offense and defense found success in Thursday’s practice but with better conditions forecast for Friday, one side of the ball could prevail over the other as the team continues to prepare to defend its AFC Championship and avenge its Super Bowl loss.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rain doesn't stop the Drake Maye and A.J. Brown connection from shining
Continue reading...
Before practice started for the day, head coach Mike Vrabel held a press conference addressing the availability of cornerback Carlton Davis, rookie Gabe Jacas and linebacker Harold Landry III, among other things.
Vrabel provided a positive update on Jacas, saying that he’s closer to returning to play. Despite not being on the field, Jacas has been attentive in meetings and went to the facilities on his off day on Wednesday to work with defensive assistant Mike Smith and continued to get familiar with the playbook, according to Vrabel.
Vrabel provided less-positive news regarding Landry and Davis’ health and potential return to the field.
“[Davis] won’t be out there today,” Vrabel said. “I wouldn’t expect to see him or any of the PUP [physically unable to perform] guys.”
“I probably would say Gabe’s closer to coming back than Harold is."
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There has been no official confirmation that Davis was placed on the PUP list, so if Davis fails to practice on Friday, it could be a sign that the injury is affecting Davis more than previously thought.
Despite the on-and-off rainfall that dampened Thursday’s practice, the team was welcomed by a decently sized crowd.
The crowd made its presence felt when the receivers took on the secondary in a one-on-one red zone drill right in front of the giant hill behind the end zone. On one of the first plays of the drill, quarterback Drake Maye hit receiver A.J. Brown in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Brown made the catch despite heavy coverage from cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Maye consistently hit Brown throughout the day as the duo looked in sync after days of frustrating overthrows and seemingly miscommunicated routes. Maye completed three of his four attempts to Brown across the one-on-one drill and 11-on-11s.
The only incompletion was on the first play of 11-on-11s, when Maye tried to start the drill off with a bang, targeting Brown in the corner of the end zone. The pass was just out of reach for Brown, who was covered by Gonzalez.
Another standout connection during drills was between Maye and rookie tight end Eli Raridon. Maye and Raridon connected multiple times throughout the day but the most notable one was on a bootleg from Maye, where he found a crossing Raridon who was able to turn upfield for extra yards.
You must be registered for see images
Prior to training camp, Raridon was viewed as the No. 3 tight end on the depth chart, but a season-ending injury to Julian Hill has opened the door for Raridon to be the No. 2 behind Hunter Henry.
The defining play of practice surprisingly wasn't made by any of the projected starters. During 11-on-11s, backup quarterback Tommy DeVito targeted wide receiver Kyle Williams along the right side of the end zone. Williams somehow adjusted his body in midair to make a one-handed snag that surely would have ended up on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays if video recording was allowed during the play.
For the past few practices, it was wide receiver Kayshon Boutte who had made the plays of the day, but the wide receiver was mostly quiet on Thursday. Boutte spoke to the media today for the first time since training camp started and fueled the fire of his trade rumors.
“I think my main focus is just that I’m here today,” Boutte said. “I’m here today. My feet are here today. If I’m somewhere else next week, a week after, that’s kind of what it is. It’s part of the business.”
It was announced in June that Boutte was interested in a trade following the additions of Brown and Romeo Doubs, which could lead to a potentially diminished role for Boutte. He reiterated, however, that despite the rumors, he wants to be with the team this year.
DeVito also was involved in another notable play during the practice. He targeted wide receiver Efton Chism III almost exactly in the same spot as he had to Williams and Chism, despite being just 5 feet 10 inches tall, “Moss-ed” his defender, Mike Brown (listed at 6 feet 1 inch), and came down with the catch for a touchdown.
Though the rain usually affects the passing game as quarterbacks and receivers alike have difficulty holding on to the ball, it was the run game that was lackluster on Thursday.
Many rushing attempts were stopped almost immediately at the line of scrimmage, and a couple of fumbles were lost during the session. It’s a concerning sight, but with Thursday being the first day of padded practices and the weather not ideal, a pass can be given for now. If this issue persists during future practices, though, the Patriots may be in serious trouble.
Both the offense and defense found success in Thursday’s practice but with better conditions forecast for Friday, one side of the ball could prevail over the other as the team continues to prepare to defend its AFC Championship and avenge its Super Bowl loss.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rain doesn't stop the Drake Maye and A.J. Brown connection from shining
Continue reading...
