FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 4, before it slows down a little bit with the stadium practice on Monday night and likely and off day on Tuesday, is in the books. Let's run it down.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Michael Bennett jumps right in: We'll have more on this in a column, but Bennett wasted no time showing up from Hawaii by jumping right into drills (not exactly sure how he could do that, maybe he just waived his rights, because the CBA mandates players stay out of pads for their first two days after reporting). He won his two one-on-one reps against Marcus Cannon and Ted Karras, and he also had back-to-back run stuffs against the first-team offense. Welcome, Mr. Bennett.
Dan Skipper gets bulk of LT reps: As usual, I was the butt of a few jokes when I went on Felger & Mazz Thursday and gave the name of Dan Skipper when asked which players have caught my eye. But, as usual, I was right. Skipper got almost all the first-team left tackle reps today at practice as Joe Thuney went back to his normal LG spot, at least for a day.
Defense dominates in goalline drills: It's not unusual for the defense to be ahead of the offense early in training camp — before all the changes for the Patriots this season — and that continued on Sunday as the defense won 5 of 6 sessions:
- Devin McCourty stopped Maurice Harris at the 1-yard line on a pass from Brady;
- Lawrence Guy stuffed Brandon Bolden;
- Danny Shelton and Ja'Whaun Bentley stuffed James White;
- Brian Hoyer threw a pick to Obi Melifonwu;
- Damien Harris scored;
- Christian Sam and Terez Hall stuffed Harris.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
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: DE Michael Bennett (personal).
Out: DL Byron Cowart (unknown), WR Dontrell Inman (unknown).
Limited: RB Sony Michel, C David Andrews, DE Deatrich Wise.
New injuries: None.
DRESS CODE
Full pads.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
1:55.
QB STATS
Tom Brady: 10 of 13.
Brian Hoyer: 7 of 11, INT.
Jarrett Stidham: 1-2
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: Brian Hoyer.
Drops: None.
Pass breakups: Crossen
Interception: Melifonwu (Hoyer).
TOP PLAYS
- Braxton Berrios catching a pass from Tom Brady. That was the first time ever and it means a lot.
- Bennett had a terrific swim move inside in 11 on 11 and left the offensive line grasping at air.
- Brandon Bolden had a nice run over the starting left side of the line and appeared to score from about 25 yards out.
- Hoyer threw a deep dime to UDFA WR Gunner Olszewski, and later a touchdown in half-speed hurry up work.
Defense
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Offense
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Decisive victories: Nick Thurman over JJ Dielman.
Heavyweight bouts (starting-caliber players)
Bennett pushed Cannon straight back.
Mason stoned Guy.
Thuney just stopped Butler cold.
Cannon and Van Noy had a good 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.
- No punts today. Only kicking work was kickoff returns and coverage.
THREE UP
DE Michael Bennett: Didn't participate much in his first day back but, when he did, he was very impactful. Patriots are going to have some fun with him this year.
LB Christian Sam: Had two big stuffs, including one on the goal line, in this practice. Crowded group at LB but he's garnering some attention.
WR Maurice Harris: There's little doubt he's been the best receiver of the bunch by a good margin to this point. Brady seems to be looking for him, and he keeps delivering.
THREE DOWN
G/C Ted Karras: Had a rough go in one-on-ones (0 for 2) and the interior wasn't able to get much push on the goalline with him out there.
WR Braxton Berrios: While it was notable he finally caught a pass from Brady (two, actually), he still hasn't impressed very much. He's been wallpaper to this point. Even his highlight today — a juggling catch — was actually a ball he should have caught the first time. Still wants to body catch too many passes. UDFA Gunner Olszewski has shown up more.
QB Tom Brady: His stats might have been good but he had some really poor throws, including one way behind Ben Watson when Brady got happy feet, and another not close when the two miscommunicated. Couldn't find room to operate on the goal line either.
QUICK HITS
- Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower worked as the ILBs at one point.
- Terrence Brooks continues to play a lot of first-team defense as the box safety.
- Mike Pennel is a force inside in team drills, but he's average in 1-on-1s.
- When the Patriots went hurry up, the personnel was James White, Ben Watson, Harris, Phillip Dorsett, Berrios.
- Sorry, but Brandon Bolden is a good NFL running back.
- Starting o-line, from left: Dan Skipper, Thuney, Karras, Mason, Cannon. Backups: Cedrick Lang, Tyler Gauthier, James Ferentz, Dielman, Tyree St. Louis.
- Berrios was yelled at after a rep against air for running a route too shallow.
- Brady took Chase Winovich behind the practice fields after practice, had him get his helmet and tossed him a blocking pad. Brady threw passes and Winovich would hit the QB after he released the pass. One Michigan Man helping another.
- Jayson Tatum and Brad Stevens were at practice.
SCHEDULE
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
Thursday: 9:15 a.m. walkthrough, 9:25 a.m. practice
Friday: TBA
