FOXBOROUGH — The most significant developments from today's Patriots training camp session, right in your face, with the more comprehensive Camp Report coming later this afternoon.
N'KEAL HARRY BOUNCES BACK DUE TO OFFENSE
To this point, it had been a rough training camp for 2019 first-round pick N'Keal Harry. When he wasn't having trouble getting off man coverage, he was dropping passes. He also missed two days of practice with what was likely an illness-related absence.
So, yeah, not a great way for a player to start camp when he's looking to become a bigger part of the offense and show he was worthy of a first-round pick.
But Monday was much better for Harry and, actually, a lot of offensive players. If you were paying attention — or reading BSJ this weekend — you would have known this was coming.
It's the offense, dummy.
This is not your older brother's Patriots team. While much of the focus of those Tom Brady offenses was more on the passing offense — more WR/DB one-on-ones, more 7-on-7 — this offense is completely different and will be decidedly ground-based.
The Patriots again had another run-heavy practice today — the only pass-heavy practices are in shells. The passing game came off the run game, and looked much better today. These Patriots are never going to win many flag football games, but they could win a lot of football games.
With the run part of the offensive equation and keeping the defense honest, Harry had much more room to operate and that culminated with two red-zone touchdowns against J.C. Jackson.
Harry also showed some ramped-up intensity when after a blocking drill, he had to be separated from CB Michael Jackson.
NEWTON RUNS A LAP
Cam Newton had an uneven practice with an interception, but also a fumble very late in a play when a player slapped it out. Newton, as is the custom, had to run a penalty lap by himself.
Welcome to New England, Cam. You're not in Carolina anymore.
It was very slow, but he didn't cut any corners around the edges of the field. He needed to be prodded onto the field for the next play after he returned, but all seemed well overall.
ROOKIES SHOW SOME GAINS
Not only was Harry much better with the offense being more run-focused, but rookie tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene were much more in the mix and efficient today. And their biggest gains may have been with blocking, where they were popping some pads and locking up.
That's significant. The first week of practice was orientation. Sunday's session was a mid-term review/test. Today was a practice where they needed to build off the initial work and show they can put it all together. It's a point where a lot of rookies take a step back.
All systems go for Asiasi and Keene.
KICKERS COMPETE
With Nick Folk officially signed, he went head to head with fifth-round pick Justin Rohrwasser. Both responded.
Each kicker was 4 for 4, from 34, 40 and 46 yards, and then in a rushed end-game scenario.
If style points count for anything, Folk was the winner. His ball is much more true and high. Rohrwasser's striking is much less consistent and his second attempt from 40 barely made it instead the left goal post.
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.