FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots’ second minicamp session is in the books. Here’s what went down:
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Maurice Harris flashes at receiver: Price covered most of this already, but Harris was all over the field making catches from a variety of positions — wide, slot and in the flat out of speed option. It felt like yesterday was N'Keal Harry's day for a heavy workload, and today was Harris' day. Could it be Dontrelle Inman's day on Thursday? Harris was solid, I wouldn't say he was anything flashy. Just steady. Caught the ball well, especially in traffic (as much as you can get in shells and without the threat of getting lit up). Not a ton of speed, but a solid target.
Patriots mix it up in front seven: Probably the two things that surprised me the most from the defense was a) Kyle Van Noy and Dont'a Hightower played exclusively on the edge, and that b) Brandon King actually got a heavy workload as a subpackage linebacker. On the latter, King may have been listed as a linebacker last season, but he never sniffed the field in that capacity. From the looks of thing, that might change this season but, then again, that just might be as a sub for Patrick Chung. I don't think I saw Van Noy or Hightower take a snap at inside linebacker, that was pretty much a rotation with Elandon Roberts and Jamie Collins, and then Ja'Whaun Bentley and, finally, Calvin Munson. There was also a ton of amoeba work with rushers coming from all over place. The Patriots also showed a variety of formations with just one down linemen and players like Collins as de facto linemen. They basically had five-plus linebackers on the field.
Jake Bailey stakes his claim in punting competition: Many people were surprised when the Patriots drafted Bailey in the fifth round after incumbent Ryan Allen re-signed following an outstanding Super Bowl. After watching Bailey punt on Wednesday — both went at the same time twice on different fields — you shouldn't be surprised. Bailey displayed a huge leg with a ton of hangtime that dwarfed Allen. And Bailey, as opposed to big-legged but inconsistent UDFA Corey Bojorquez (who lost to Allen last season and then punted the whole season for the Bills), kicked with a nice spiral and seemed to punt directionally fairly well. Give Round 1 decisively to Bailey. On the kicks I was able to time (nine for Allen, 12 for Bailey), Bailey averaged 4.64 seconds (three times over 5 seconds) while Allen checked in at 4.1 (best time was 4.59).
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Not spotted: Sony Michel, Nick Brossette, Deatrich Wise, Patrick Chung and Demaryius Thomas.
Red non-contact jerseys: None, other than the four quarterbacks
New injuries: CB J.C. Jackson pulled up lame after a drill late in practice.
Limited: Isaiah Wynn. Nate Ebner was present but not dressed.
Dress code: Per rules, shorts, shells and helmets. No hitting
HANDS TEAM
- Jarrett Stidham had to run for a botched shotgun snap -- second straight day the youngster had to do a lap.
- Drops: N'Keal Harry, Ryan Davis,
- Pass breakups: Stephon Gilmore (2), Jamie Collins, Duke Dawson, Jonathan Jones, Terrence Brooks.
- Interceptions: Jason McCourty.
- Maurice Harris had a leaping catch over Jonathan Jones and another when he was covered well by Gilmore.
- James White absolutely faked LB Christian Sam out of his shorts and was wide open by 15 yards down the right sideline ... and then Etling overthrew him by 10 yards.
- Jake Bailey had about a 50-yard punt that was in the air for 5.32 seconds. I must have said, "Holy cow," four times when he punted.
- The cornerback rotation appeared to be: Left CB — Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson; RCB — Stephon Gilmore, Keion Crossen (with a little Terrence Brooks); Slot — Jonathan Jones, Duke Dawson.
- It was Devin McCourty with Obi Melifonwu again as the starting safeties. Duron Harmon and Brooks were next.
- The 5-2 was John Simon, Lawrence Guy, Danny Shelton, Michael Bennett, Hightower; Elandon Roberts/Bentley, Jamie Collins. Next group was: Van Noy, Adam Butler, Mike Pennel, Keionta Davis, Derek Rivers; Bentley/Roberts and Munson.
- Offensive line was: Joe Thuney, Brian Schwenke/Ted Karras, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon. Second group: Cedrick Lang/Cole Croston, Hjalte Froholdt, Karras, Schwenke, Croston.
- There weren't many competitive periods in this practice. It's not even worth talking much about who looked good and who didn't.
- As far as the stars go, Tom Brady was sharp, but all the QBs held onto the ball and completed passes like 7 seconds after the snap multiple times.
- Brandon Bolden showed nice burst running the ball.
- The QBs were under a lot of pressure.
- Harry made one nice catch at the back of the end zone that may or may not have been a touchdown.
- Benjamin Watson fought the ball.
- Small thing, but Gunner Olszewski was the first guy on the field for the second straight day. Not the sort of thing that'll end up winning him a roster spot, but for a guy at the back end of the roster, it'll win you points with the coaching staff if a practice squad spot is up for grabs down the road.
- Troy Brown and Deion Branch were on the field for the second consecutive day working mostly with the receivers and punt returners.
