FOXBOROUGH — A closer look at Practice No. 1 for the 2020 Patriots, complete with QB stats, QB Of The Day Award, top plays, punt times, 3 up/3 down and odds and ends:
ONE MORE THING YOU NEED TO KNOW (FIRST FOUR HERE)
Josh Uche seems to off to fast mental start: The Patriots' second pick of the draft (60th overall) may have a ways to go physically as far as playing linebacker for the Patriots — his quickness and arm length stand out, but he seems really small and light for that area with New England's scheme — but mentally he's very sharp. Not sure I've seen a rookie — possibly Jerod Mayo, but that's not even for sure — look so at home in a first practice. He was on top of all the checks and calls. At one point, he motioned for Derek Rivers to switch with him and kick inside. Uche also told Lawrence Guy to move over a gap at one point. To me, that is very impressive for a rookie. It seems the team isn't sure where Uche will ultimately play (he's listed as a linebacker), but if he's that in tune with the scheme, that will certainly help him find a spot quicker than most rookies.
"Josh can tell you about Josh," said former Michigan teammate Chase Winovich. "It’s been great. You can tell it’s a learning experience for any of the rookies. I’m trying to help as much as I can with that process especially in the linebacker room."
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: RB Sony Michel (foot), RB Lamar Miller (knee)
Red non-contact jerseys: QBs.
Missing from practice: DT Beau Allen, WR Jeff Thomas, LB Anfernee Jennings.
NEW PLAYERS: TE Alex Ellis, TE Paul Roberts, OL Ben Braden.
DRESS CODE
Full pads.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
1:30.
QB STATS
(Today's stats will not count due to lack of competitiveness.)
From 11-on-11s:
Jarrett Stidham: 3 of 3
Cam Newton: 1 of 2 with a Derek Rivers sack.
Brian Hoyer: 1 of 3.
Bedard's QB winner of the day: Stidham.
Seemed to have a much better grasp of the offense than a season ago, and he checked the play several times. Didn't really have many high-danger throws, but he looked the most comfortable.
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: J.J. Taylor.
Drops: Dalton Keene, Taylor.
Pass breakups: None.
Interception: None.
TOP PLAYS
- Hoyer deep left to Ross on a ball that hung up in the air a little.
- Newton showing off his arm on a skinny post TD to Ross during two-minute drills.
• Newbie Ben Braden struggled on a few reps.
• Rookie Justin Herron adjusted well to T/E games.
• Cajuste had some issues and got a lot of coaching.
• Brandon Copeland beat Froholdt.
• David Andrews over Nick Thurman.
• Winovich big-time over Eluemunor.
• Butler decided advantage over Froholdt.
FOUR UP
RB Damien Harris: When there's only three running backs on a run-heavy day, you're going to get a lot of opportunities. Harris seemed to stand out with his vision and cutbacks, although he seems a little bigger than last year. Not quite as fast right now.
WR Devin Ross: Caught a TD from Newton and a deep pass from Hoyer and looked good getting off the line.
FB Jakob Johnson: Johnson, who started to grow into the starting FB role because sustaining his own season-ending injury, looks like a brick sh&thouse this season. He's put on a lot of muscle and threw his weight around from the get-go on middle runs, and he was moving people. Looked great and showed a ton of potential, even caught both his passes out of the backfield.
OL Hjlate Froholdt: The 2019 third-round pick had a rough rookie year with a subpar camp and then injury, but he looks to be back in the good graces because his versatility his being highlighted. Was a bit inconsistent, but had some very nice blocks on middle runs. Pulled well.
THREE DOWN
OL Yodny Cajuste: The 2019 third-round pick certainly looks the part of a starting offensive lineman, but he made a few mistakes and gave up a big Newton sack by Rivers. He seems to be losing reps to other players already, but it's just the first day.
Rookie TEs Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene: Asiasi looked like a rookie as he was tentative and thinking through everything. Keene was a little better but he dropped a seam pass from Hoyer and seemed to get pushed back when asked to block inside.
QUICK HITS
- Front seven seemed to struggle a lot in the running game. Inside backers got blown up, edge was soft. A lot of teachable moments.
- Ryan Izzo is still struggling to block on the edge.
- The defense set a very soft edge and the coaches let them know about it.
- Julian Edelman talked all sorts of trash, especially to JC Jackson.
- Thought the offense carried the day and was much more physical up front than the defense.
- Cody Davis looks like he will have a major role on offense.
- Ja'Whaun Bentley did a nice job running the defense. Coaches didn't point out any glaring problems with alignment.
