ALLEN PARK, Mich. —Practice No. 10 is in the books from the Home of the Lions and it was a much more spirited affair. Let’s break it all down.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Offense struggles overall but has its moments: Tom Brady and the passing offense couldn't have started worse in red zone 7-on-7. Brady's first pass was late and into the back of a linebacker. The next pass was picked off as he tried to force it to Matt LaCosse. Final pass was short of the goal line. On the next set, Brady was 0 for 2. Not good. But later in the practice, in 11-on-11 work, Brady rallied with two touchdown tosses to Braxton Berrios and a great 32-yard touchdown strike to Phillip Dorsett.
N'Keal Harry leaves with hamstring injury but returns: The team's first-round pick scared a lot of people when he dove for a pass and didn't immediately get up. He had to be helped off the field by trainer Jim Whalen. After some stretching and running under Whalen's watchful eye, Harry returned to practice fully. That was a welcomed sight.
Newcomers step up: After being basically persona non grata on Monday, Braxton Berrios was very much in Brady's plans today as he was targeted several times and mostly delivered. On the defensive side, Chase Winovich and Shilique Calhoun had some splash plays as they brought a little more juice to the proceedings. I think that hard part had something to do with it: the younger players are used to playing effectively when practices aren't that competitive. With the pace up today, the youngsters were able to let their hair down a little bit.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: DB Nate Ebner, WR Demaryius Thomas, DB Ken Webster, WR Cam Meredith.
Non-football injury list: WR Julian Edelman, OT Yodny Cajuste.
Red non-contact jerseys: Patrick Chung and the QBs.
Returned to practice: S Patrick Chung (shoulder).
Out: TE Lance Kendricks (head), RB Rex Burkhead (unknown)
Limited: C David Andrews, LT Isaiah Wynn, LB Kyle Van Noy.
New injuries: WR N'Keal Harry (right hamstring - returned).
DRESS CODE
Full pads.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
2:10.
QB STATS
Tom Brady: 10 of 17 in 1-on-1s. 1-4, INT in 7-on-7. 5 of 10 in 11 on 11.
Brian Hoyer: 2 of 3 in 11-on-11.
Jarrett Stidham: 0 of 1 in 11-on-11.
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: Stidham/Michel on a toss.
Drops: Braxton Berrios.
Pass breakups: Jamie Collins (2), Duron Harmon (2), Obi Melifonwu, D’Angelo Ross, Joejuan Williams, Stephon Gilmore, Keion Crossen.
Interception: None.
TOP PLAYS
- Ryan Allen had a punt blocked when Ja'Whaun Bentley was his personal protector. Didn't look like Matt Patricia was thrilled his guys went all out and hit Allen.
- In one-on-ones, Berrios had a great stutter/hesitation step to create space (rare for him) on a deep pass over the top from Brady.
- Berrios did have a great diving catch that the officials originally waved off but then they gave it to him.
- Chase Winovich had a great speed inside move that left Lions starting LT Taylor Decker grasping for air. The Michigan fans in attendance were pretty happy.
- N'Keal Harry had a tremendous one-handed catch from Jarrett Stidham.
- Brady showed great touch on a deep pass down left side for a touchdown to Phillip Dorsett.
Defense
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Decisive victories
Winovich with a quick inside move against Taylor Decker.
Rivers with speed around Andrew Donnal.
Wise embarrassed Matt Nelson, who is a converted DL and plays like it.
Overall, not a great day for this unit, especially the starters. Pass rush will always be a concern.
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.
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- Allen's first attempt was blocked.
- This was a short-field situation so the goal was to pin the Lions deep.
- Allen's punt was caught at the 7-yard line.
- Bailey's first punt was a beauty that hit at the 3 but a diving Jonathan Jones couldn't keep it out of the end zone. Had his foot on the line as he tipped it.
- Bailey's second punt was fielded at the 6.
- Good job by both punters.
THREE UP
WR Braxton Berrios: After getting the Joey Galloway treatment on Monday, Brady really looked for Berrios on Tuesday and he did a good job making the most of his chances. He caught two touchdown passes and, in 1-on-1s, used a great stutter/hesitation step to get a lot of space against the defender.
DE Deatrich Wise: It's been a slow start for Wise after getting off the PUP list for the end, but he arrived on Tuesday with two great wins in 1-on-1s and he was also impactful when he got into 11-on-11.
Edge Chase Winovich: Had a dominating win in 1-on-1s and continued that into team play as he starts to get more comfortable with the scheme.
THREE DOWN
CB Jonathan Jones: It was a tough day for both slots, but Jones had the rougher day as he was victimized by Danny Amendola and others several times as the Lions had a good day on offense.
CB Duke Dawson: Like Jones, Dawson also seemed to have a tough day at the office as he allowed several receptions. Seems like he's losing a bit of confidence.
DE Adam Butler: Surprisingly, Butler, an undersized end known mostly for his sub pass rush, has been used more and more in base defense as an end. In the past, teams have run right at him with great success. That continued on Tuesday as the Lions ran for huge gains right over Butler twice in three plays. Also lost his only 1-on-1 rep.
QUICK HITS
- After making a great move get open in 1-on-1s, Berrios received a perfect pass from Brady but couldn't bring it in. A tough catch to make, but one he needs to haul in.
- Starting base defense was Guy, Shelton, Butler; Calhoun, Hightower, Roberts, Simon; D. McCourty, Harmon; Gilmore, J. McCourty.
- Rivers, Collins, Jones entered in sub.
- There were a couple of skirmishes. The biggest was James Ferentz and PJ Johnson. Patricia kicked Johnson out of practice.
Hoyer complete to Harry.
Clock. Hoyer as issue with helmet, leaves, Brady enters.
Brady incomplete to White.
Hoyer throwaway.
Field goal good.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday: 9:15 a.m. joint practice with Lions (likely walkthrough)
Thursday: Patriots at Lions, 7:30 p.m.
