FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 7 finished earlier today, and there was a lot to break down. Let's run down all you need to know: all the stats, one-on-one pass rushes and punting charts, 3 up/down, and odds and ends:
TWO MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW (After the earlier post)
Newton not sharp as offensive progression ticks up: Before Monday's practice, there wasn't a whole lot of heavy lifting when it came to the Patriots' offense for Cam Newton. They were giving it to him piece by piece, and sort of building a wall from the bottom up. Monday was different, this was when they started putting things together. How did Newton do? Better than you think, given that context. This was sort of the first run through for the offense — we saw them go down the field in regular and two-minute – and Newton operated the offense pretty well. Obviously Brian Hoyer was more comfortable given his vast experience, but Newton did a nice job keeping things moving. He only had to call timeout once, and no one seemed to be bothered by it.
Offensive line early standout group of camp: We talked about this some this past weekend and the persona of the offense, but the offensive line — and just about all of it down to the depth pieces — has dominated more often than not in this camp, and Monday's second one-on-one pass rush session of camp was just another reminder. The offensive line completely dominated the defensive front to the tune of a 13-2-6 record. The only defenders who won their reps were Deatrich Wise against Joe Thuney, and Rashod Berry over Justin Herron. The full results and charts are down below.
Gilmore not believed to be a holdout: There were some rumors that Stephon Gilmore's extended absence (five days now) could be related to his contract, which is not guaranteed this season or next. Bill Belichick was asked on WEEI if Gilmore was holding out. "He's excused," said Belichick, who also mentioned that protocols (Covid) needed to be followed before Gilmore could be on the field.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: RB Sony Michel (foot), RB Lamar Miller (knee).
Red non-contact jerseys: QBs.
Returned to practice:
Out: S Adrian Phillips, CB Stephon Gilmore, RT Yodny Cajuste, DT Beau Allen, TE Jake Burt, WR Jeff Thomas.
Limited: S Kyle Dugger, QB Jarrett Stidham, WR Jakobi Meyers.
New injuries: LB Cassh Maluia suffered a right shoulder injury after getting tangled up with TE Devin Asiasi and did not return. He's been in the mix inside and an obvious Belichick favorite. ... LB Terez Hall, who has also had a good camp, walked to the locker room by himself early in practice and did not return.
DRESS CODE
Full pads.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
2:00 in a relentless sun.
QB STATS
Cam Newton: 10 for 19, INT, fumble
Brian Hoyer: 11 for 14
Jarrett Stidham: 2 of 3
QB Of The Day Award: Hoyer, but only because Newton wasn't sharp throwing the ball and that had more to do with the fact that this a major uptick in offensive installation. The workload probably had something to do with Newton's interception, and his fumble was a fluke thing.
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: Newton, Gunner Olszewski
Drops: Harry.
Pass breakups: Michael Jackson, JC Jackson.
Interception: Jackson (Newton).
TOP PLAYS
- In a 3-on-3 blocking drill, Adam Butler got under Korey Cunningham's pads and tossed him out da club.
- Not sure who was the victim, but Josh Uche whipped someone and got the rest of the defenders all hot and bothered.
- Harry's back-shoulder touchdown catch against Joejuan Williams.
- Wynn: Beat Calhoun.
- Mason: Tied with Guy twice.
- Thuney: Decisive win over Butler.
- Onwenu over Butler.
- Braden over Wise.
Decisive victories
- Thuney put Butler on the ground.
- Wynn almost bench pressed Uche to the ground.
QUICK HITS
- Jedd Fisch called the offensive plays today while Josh McDaniels was in more of a teaching role today with the quarterbacks. Belichick did similar with the front seven personnel. He instructed the linebackers during walkthroughs, and gave several pointers. At another point, he gave Byron Cowart some personal teaching and then when he was better on the next rep, Belichick gave him a thumbs up. Kind of cool to see Belichick the teacher in action.
- Newton actually threw deep twice today — after we asked for more yesterday — and while he was 0 for 2, both were nice throws and more the fault of the receivers (Isaiah Zuber and Devin Ross) running imprecise routes. Good spirals, good air. The one to Ross was excellent. The other had JC Jackson in coverage.
- Damien Harris makes some seriously quick cuts.
- It seems like Ryan Izzo is ahead of the other tight ends in terms of run blocking, but Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene are popping some pads as well. Very physical up front today.
- Stidham didn't get many chances today, but he had a nice low completion to Ross at one point.
- Joejuan Williams is playing a lot of safety with Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips down for the moment. You have to wonder if he even goes back to corner. Not because he's a great safety — although he showed last year he's a good matchup player with tight ends — but because there's no room for him at cornerback.
- I think in team periods, I counted the defense putting up fives sacks, one strip and one interception as they were bringing a lot of pressure.
SCHEDULE
Tuesday: 10 a.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.