FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 11 is in the books with Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Cassidy looking on, so let's get to it ...
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Isaiah Wynn takes a big step: Up until Monday, all we've seen 2018 first-round pick and presumed left tackle starter Isaiah Wynn do at practice was take a few walkthrough reps, and then do a lot of watching. That changed on Monday as Wynn, finally, on the 17th day of training camp, took competitive reps both in 1-on-1s and team drills. How'd he look? Have to admit, Wynn looked pretty good. As a shorter tackle, he's obviously closer to the ground, but he's really solid when he's low and he keeps his feet moving. He's very stout as well. Kind of reminds me of Brian Waters. Like the former right guard, Wynn also got after it in the run game with good push down the field.
N'Keal Harry, Matt LaCosse not present: Both players who exited the Lions game with injuries — Harry (right leg) and LaCosse (ankle) — were not spotted on the field Monday. And considering the Patriots traded for reserve Falcons tight end Eric Saubert, it appears that LaCosse will be out for a while at a minimum. Harry being out is not unusual. Better to be smart with him, considering the catch radius he showed the other night.
Emotions starting to bubble over (mostly with Michael Bennett): During 1-on-1s, Marcus Cannon and Bennett had a great rep that basically looked like two sumo wrestlers going toe to toe — there wasn't much room to operate, and there was a lot of pushing and pulling. That seemed to be in the back of Bennett's mind when he engaged with Dan Skipper during a running drill where a blocker and defender went one-on-one at the point of attack. Skipper largely handled Bennett, who didn't like being driven back. Bennett responded with a push and then a borderline punch to Skipper's face. They were separated, and then Skipper had the final "word" when he flashed double middle fingers at Bennett. Yeah, I think the players are ready for camp to be over.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: WR Demaryius Thomas, WR Cam Meredith.
Non-football injury list: WR Julian Edelman, OT Yodny Cajuste.
Red non-contact jerseys: Patrick Chung, Lance Kendricks and the QBs.
Returned to practice: DB Nate Ebner, Kendricks. RB Rex Burkhead, DB Ken Webster.
Out: WR N'Keal Harry (right leg), TE Matt LaCosse (left ankle), CB D'Angelo Ross (waived/injured).
Limited: TE Stephen Anderson.
New injuries: LB Brandon King (hand) looked to be getting some treatment.
DRESS CODE
Full pads.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
1:50.
QB STATS
Tom Brady: 7 of 9 in competitive 11-on-11s.
Brian Hoyer: 4 of 9.
Jarrett Stidham: 2 of 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: None.
Drops: Maurice Harris, Danny Etling.
Pass breakups: Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty, Branding King, Joejuan Williams, Keion Crossen.
Interception: J.C. Jackson (Stidham), Joejuan Williams (Brady), Williams (Stidham), Stephon Gilmore (Brady), Patrick Chung (Brady), Gilmore (Stidham), Jamie Collins (Hoyer).
TOP PLAYS
- Braxton Berrios with a diving completion over the shoulder from Tom Brady, showing great concentration as he juggled the ball through tight coverage from Duke Dawson.
- Fresh off of an interception to Stephon Gilmore, Brady fired a pass straight into Patrick Chung's hands as he ran in stride for a would-be pick 6.
- To cap off a very efficient drive, Jakobi Meyers caught a touchdown from Brady with a diving, extended grab in the back of the end zone.
- Brady starts off the 11 on 11 period with a sailing ball to Maurice Harris near-sideline, hauling it in over the head of Gilmore. Harris earned some loud praise from Brady.
- Jamie Collins came up with another big play as he anticipated a screen and picked off an ugly pass from Brian Hoyer.
- Hoyer finishes his hurry-up drive with a shot to the extended arms of Dontrelle Inman, smothered by Keion Crossen, for the touchdown.
- Meyers and Brady showed off how much they're in sync when Meyers basically stopped on a crossing route so Brady could throw him a back-shoulder pass, and it worked perfectly. That's Edelman-esque.
— Liam Hoye
Defense
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Offense
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Decisive victories
Cannon tossed Davis to the ground.
Heavyweight bouts (starting-caliber players)
Thuney handled Butler.
Bennett powered through Cannon after an initial stalemate. Good stuff.
The offensive line just kicked the crap out of the defense. Completely shut them down.
Wynn looked good on his first rep. 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.
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- The results, again, speak for themselves.
- There was a lot of work both into and with the wind.
- Bailey appeared to hold on all the field goals.
- Bailey got kickoff work and his leg looked strong.
THREE UP
CB Joejuan Williams: The second-round pick had his best practice by far with two interceptions and a pass breakup. He appeared much more confident and physical. Was basically a blanket all over the field.
LT Isaiah Wynn: Not only did he take real reps, but he looked pretty good. Now the big test is seeing how he recovers tomorrow. If it's all good, Wynn should take some reps in Tennessee.
WR Jakobi Meyers: That stop-backshoulder catch he had from Brady was really eye-opening and is borderline miraculous for an inside rookie receiver in this offense. And he had a killer diving catch. Just all him The Natural.
THREE DOWN
P Ryan Allen: Of his five punts in his competition against Bailey, Allen had three with under 4 seconds of hangtime. Bailey's lowest was 4.35.
DT Byron Cowart: After showing steady progress, Cowart took a step back with an 0-for-2 performance in 1-on-1s. If he wants to unseat a guy like Adam Butler, Cowart is going to need flash in pass rush.
QB Tom Brady: Even though they weren't all his fault, he did throw four interceptions.
QUICK HITS
- There weren't a ton of competitive periods. A lot of work against cards, which have the opponents' plays for a "look."
- Find it hilarious and totally on brand that Bill Belichick barely gave Jarrett Stidham any team reps today. Belichick was basically saying, "Hey Jarrett, get enough smoke blown up your skirt the past couple days? Welcome back, rookie."
- Adam Butler keeps showing up on special teams. That's key for a roster spot.
- Butler was also on the first-team sub defense next to Michael Bennett with Shilique Calhoun and John Simon on either side.
- Calhoun is being treated like a starter, and he's earned that.
- Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower got a lot of run together. It's like old times.
- Duke Dawson looks to be splitting time between safety and cornerback.
- Duron Harmon is getting fewer and fewer snaps with the first-team defense. Terrence Brooks is getting more and more.
- With Wynn back, Dan Skipper got some reps at right tackle. That means he's being seriously considered for the swing tackle role.
- Patriots worked on their one-word hurry-up offense, and it looked really good.
- The offense also spent a lot of the practice working on deceptive players.
- Cole Croston was back on the field wearing No. 74. He replaced impressive UDFA CB D'Angelo Ross, who was waived/injured and will revert to IR if he clears waivers.
- Interesting to watch Meyers throw balls up to the cornerbacks as they work on interceptions. Nice arm on Meyers, but not a great spiral.
SCHEDULE
Tuesday: Final public practice, 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday: Joint session at Titans, 10:50 a.m.
Thursday: Joint session at Titans, 10:50 a.m.
Friday: Off.
Saturday: Patriots at Titans, 7 p.m.