FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 3 is in the books after an (sigh) abbreviated session.
Let's run through it.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Derek Rivers indicates he's not done yet: Certainly hasn't been the greatest start to an NFL career for 2017 third-round pick Derek Rivers, who lost his rookie season to an ACL tear and then played in just six games last season with two tackles (one sack). With a lot of competition on this roster, Rivers was going to flash early to keep his spot ... mission accomplished on the first day in pads. Rivers was a perfect 2-0 in his 1 on 1 reps, including one victory over starter Marcus Cannon. His other win was against Tyree St. Louis (yes, a new guy but not a total stiff). That's a great way to start for Rivers, who needs a big camp and preseason.
Really short practice: Ok, we get it. NFL training camp will never be the same. The latest example was Saturday's practice, the first day in pads. Normally, after two break-in days in shells, Saturday would represent the first real practice of training camp. Well, this one went barely over an hour and there was little heavy lifting by anyone. This has to be a new-age choice aimed at keeping early pulls and tears to a minimum. Of course, with two joint practices coming, the Patriots are likely saving their bullets for those sessions.
Sony Michel back on the field: He didn't take part in team sessions, but just seeing No. 26 back in pads was a welcome sight. "Feels good, just working on getting it stronger. There's always room for improvement," Michel said of his scoped knee.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
New player: OL J.J. Dielman (No. 63 ... they didn't retire Dan Connolly's number?!).
Physically unable to perform list: OT Cole Croston, DB Nate Ebner, WR Demaryius Thomas, DB Ken Webster.
Non-football injury list: WR Julian Edelman, OT Yodny Cajuste.
Red non-contact jerseys: S Patrick Chung (left shoulder) and the QBs.
Returned to practice: RB Sony Michel (limited), C David Andrews (very limited), DE Deatrich Wise (very limited), QB Tom Brady.
Out: DL Byron Cowart (unknown).
New injuries: None.
DRESS CODE
Full pads.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
1:08
QB STATS
Tom Brady: 0 for 4.
Brian Hoyer: 2 of 2
Jarrett Stidham: 1 of 1.
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: Maurice Harris (punt).
Drops: None.
Pass breakups: Gilmore, Jackson/J. McCourty
Interception: None.
TOP PLAYS
- Not a whole lot, but J.C. Jackson and Jason McCourty converged to Malachi Crunch Phillip Dorsett on an absolute dime in the breadbasket from Tom Brady.
- Christian Sam busted through the line and really thudded James White.
- N'Keal Harry had a great catch over J.C. Jackson for a touchdown from Brian Hoyer.
- Jake Bailey had a punt with a hang time of 4.81 seconds that Maurice Harris had to catch and muff at the 1-yard line.
Defense
[table id=299 /]
Offense
[table id=298 /]
Decisive victories: DT Nick Thurman over C Tyler Gauthier.
Heavyweight bouts (starting-caliber players)
Mason and Guy had a draw.
Rivers beat Cannon.
Mason stoned Butler.
Cannon and Van Noy had a draw.
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.
[table id=300 /]
Yes, Bailey had a shank, but then he hit a beautiful rocket to the 1-yard line.
THREE UP
Edge Derek Rivers: Needed to get off to a good start and did. Now he needs to stack success.
RB Damien Harris: Thought he looked really quick and nimble with good cutting ability when the ball was down on the goal line.
OL J.J. Dielman, James Ferentz: Both went 2 for 2 in their one-on-one reps. Good showing from the interior linemen.
TWO DOWN
QB Tom Brady: Was 0 for 4 with three passes that weren't even close. There might have been a reason for that...
QUICK HITS
- Terrence Brooks started at safety next to Devin McCourty. Interesting.
- Lawrence Guy trucked Marcus Cannon in a run drill.
- FB Jackob Johnson slammed LB Calvin Munson in the hole on the goal line to set up Harris for a TD.
- Starting o-line: Thuney, Ferentz, Karras, Mason, Cannon.
- Backups: Skipper/Lang, Dielman, Gauthier, Froholdt, St. Louis.
- At one point on goal line against an empty backfield, the defense had one player with his hand down.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)SCHEDULE
Sunday: 9:15 a.m. walkthrough, 9:25 a.m. practice
Monday: 4:30 p.m. Patriots HOF induction, 7 p.m. in-stadium practice for season ticket holders, Foxboro residents
Tuesday: TBA (likely off)
Wednesday: TBA
Tuesday: 9:15 a.m. walkthrough, 9:25 a.m. practice
