FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 7 is in the books. Here's what went down:
FREE PRACTICE REPORT FROM SATURDAY.
TWO THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Patterson, McCarron make move at WR: With Kenny Britt still out, Julian Edelman's suspension looming and Jordan Matthews released, the Patriots are looking at their options at receiver and the beneficiaries have been Cordarrelle Patterson and Riley McCarron. Both saw a dramatic uptick in their opportunities and showed well. Might not last all that long because the Patriots are signing well-traveled veteran receiver Eric Decker to a one-year deal, a league source confirmed. But both had an active day.
Who has more fun than the Patriots?!: NO-body! Lane Johnson eat your heart out. The practice ended with the first-team offense and defense switching roles on the goal line with Patrick Chung running some sort of gadget offense. He was 0-for-2 with Chris Hogan getting a pass breakup and Tom Brady looming as a safety close by.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: WR Kenny Britt (leg), S Nate Ebner (knee), CB Cyrus Jones (knee), CB Jonathan Jones (Achilles), WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee).
- Patterson made a terrific one-handed grab in a passing drill over Jason McCourty. Maybe the best catch of camp so far.
- Will Tye made a sweet one-handed grab on a pass from Brady in an early drill.
- Hoyer deep to Dorsett on an impressive deep ball out of the slot. Really nice play.
- Well-executed red-zone play for the offense there where the D fell for a fake handoff and Brady found White in the end zone. Fooled the D, and Wise looked angry that he fell for the trickery.
- James White somehow came up with a ball from Brady in traffic. Looked like there was no room.
- Hoyer and Patterson connected on a great pass play where Patterson just sped by Richards on a deep ball. Patterson pumped his fist and celebrated on what would have been a touchdown throw.
- Belichick offered five to Clayborn after he did a nice job setting the edge in a running drill. Good sign for the veteran.
- Good showing by some of the receivers in a blocking drill, including Braxton Berrios. Phillip Dorsett also connected, but also got shoved out of the way on one play. Same with Cordarrelle Patterson.
- Danny Shelton is still starting next to Lawrence Guy.
- Devin McCourty sat out some team stuff for Patrick Chung.
- Nice counter run to the house by Rex Burkhead with James Develin sealing the hole.
- The Patriots worked a lot on blitzing today in team drills, and different pressure games with offensive/defensive lines. Thought the offensive line held up well.
- Drew Rosenhaus -- agent for Rob Gronkowski, Trent Brown and Phillip Dorsett -- was present for practice. He chatted with his players, as well as owner Robert Kraft and personnel chief Nick Caserio.
