FOXBOROUGH — And we're back!
Practice No. 1 of the Patriots' 2019 season is in the books, let's run it down for you.
FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Running backs increasingly involved in the passing game: In what was largely a lighter practice for the first day back, probably the most surprising thing when it comes to scheme was that the backs were way more involved in the pass game during a practice where the medium red zone (around the 10- to 5-yard line) was an obvious point of emphasis. And we're not just talking about them getting the ball, we're talking about two running backs being part of the red zone package and going out on routes. With James White and Rex Burkhead healthy, and with Rob Gronkowski gone and the receiver group in flux, we figured this might be the case.
Isaiah Wynn back on field but eases in: In a great sight for Patriots fans, 2018 first-round pick Isaiah Wynn was back on the field and working as the starting left tackle during non-competitive situations. In team periods, Joe Thuney shifted to LT with Dan Skipper. Figured Wynn would be eased in.
Caserio still in the mix: If the Patriots are waiting out Nick Caserio until he goes to the Texans as their next GM, they sure had a funny way of showing it as Caserio played his usual role of being involved in practice and coaching some of the players up.
Etling has moved from QB to WR: We noted during minicamps that the former seventh-round pick seemed to be working at receiver and tight end in private workouts after practice, and it seems like Danny Etling has followed through on that move. Instead of wearing the normal red jersey for a QB, Etling is now wearing all white and was with the receivers all practice.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)TAKING ATTENDANCE
Reserve/retired: C Brian Schwenke.
Physically unable to perform list: OT Cole Croston, DB Nate Ebner, RB Sony Michel, WR Demaryius Thomas, DB Ken Webster, DE Deatrich Wise.
Non-football injury list: WR Julian Edelman, OT Yodny Cajuste.
Red non-contact jerseys: S Patrick Chung (left shoulder) and the QBs.
Out: DE Michael Bennett, C David Andrews.
Limited: OT Isaiah Wynn.
New injuries: WR Phillip Dorsett (leg) was shaken up but was in on the next play.
DRESS CODE
Shells.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
1:50.
QB STATS
Tom Brady: 20 of 30, 2 INTs.
Brian Hoyer: 3 of 6.
Jarrett Stidham: 1 of 3.
Note: I do not have the number of reps that some other writers have because I do not count when the offense is "working off cards." Those are plays when an assistant coach literally brings out a play on a card and shows it to one side of the ball. They are not running their own plays so since there are so many x-factors — including the receiver running the right route, and blockers executing correctly — so I do not count those reps.
HANDS TEAM
Fumbles: Jarrett Stidham.
Drops: Ben Watson.
Pass breakups: J.C. Jackson, Ja'Whaun Bentley, D'Angelo Ross, Jonathan Jones, Keion Crossen.
Interception: Jonathan Jones (Brady), Jason McCourty (Brady).
TOP PLAYS
- Brady's first real competitive rep of camp was picked off by Jones, who Brady thought held Berrios.
- Ryan Davis made a great leaping catch over Bentley.
- Dontrelle Inman came up with a contested pass over Jackson.
- Nice snag late by Jakobi Meyers.
- Jackson dove to break up a pass to Maurice Harris.
SHANK IT OFF
For now, there's a punting competition going on between the incumbent, Ryan Allen, and fifth-round challenger, Jake Bailey, so we're going to cover the hell out of it because Bedard's a nerd like that.
- No punting today, but it was noteworthy that Bailey took half the kickoff reps from Stephen Gostkowski, and Allen was the holder on field goals.
TWO UP
WR Jakobi Meyers: OK, Mr. Undrafted Guy, you have my attention now. After flashing a little in minicamps, Meyers continued to take another step with a handful of standout catches. Not the biggest of guys (though 6-1 1/2 and 203 pounds isn't small, he just doesn't play that big), but he has great body control and has Velcro hands.
RBs in the pass game: Not only were they heavily involved, but they were just flat-out good. They're all tough to cover, have good hands and run good routes. One thing to keep an eye on: Damien Harris has really good quicks out of the backfield already, and he's just getting started. He's a little James White but bigger. This could give Harris a big edge on Sony Michel if there's a competition.
THREE DOWN
Backup quarterbacks: Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham were largely not sharp in this practice. Hoyer didn't come close on a few; Stidham held onto the ball a lot. Don't think Brady is feeling any pressure and he could holdout for a billion dollars.
CB Duke Dawson: I wouldn't call this a terrible day or anything but with so much talent in the secondary, I thought it was noteworthy I didn't see Dawson break up any passes and he gave up several completions. Will need to ramp up to hang with these guys.
TE Lance Kendricks: Underwhelmed, as expected. Faded a pass route and was undercut by Jonathan Jones.
QUICK HITS
- Brady and N'Keal Harry did a lot of talking between drills. Josh McDaniels got involved instructing Harry on back-shoulder throws in the end zone.
- Brandon Bolden was the lead kickoff returner, followed by Phillip Dorsett, Braxton Berrios and Gunner Olszewski.
- This is a new one to me: Patriots had a red zone period where they specifically worked on broken plays where the quarterbacks scrambled for several seconds.
- Mostly among the LBs, Elandon Roberts, Hightower, Bentley, Christian Sam, Calvin Munson and Brandon King were inside and off the ball. Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy, Chase Winovich, Derek Rivers, Trent Harris and Shilique Calhoun were on the outside.
- Backup o-line was LT Dan Skipper, Hjalte Froholdt, Tyler Gauthier, Tyree St. Louis, Cedrick Lang.
- Ja'Whaun Bentley looks a little soft in the body for a Patriots linebacker.
- If you squinted a bit, you'd think that TE Matt LaCosse has a lot of Gronk in him. Same sort of weird gate running down the field. Big kid.
- The team ran hills, and Bill Belichick got involved.
- After the official practice was over, some young linemen and pass rushers had a spirited (especially for a CBA-mandated no pads/contact practice) round of one-on-ones. Thought OL Tyree St. Louis did a nice job. Chase Winovich had some trouble. Seems he likes to shoot the legs of bigger tackles. Interesting.
