FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 8 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:
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Stephon Gilmore returns: After missing five days of practice, cornerback Stephon Gilmore returned and went right back to his left cornerback position. There were some rumblings that Gilmore's absence could have been contract related, but Bill Belichick told WEEI on Monday that Gilmore was excused and he'd return when the protocols allowed. The Patriots media put in a request to speak to Gilmore today after practice but that did not happen.
Patriots start season prep: After a very spirited practice on Monday, the Patriots took a bit of a step back in terms of 11-on-11 competition as several periods saw both sides of the ball "working off cards," when a unit is shown a play on a card and they are then asked to execute it. Usually, this is done to prepare for an upcoming opponent, or to work on something unusual (a running QB, for example) they don't normally see.
Devin Asiasi injured: Third-round pick Devin Asiasi, who projects to be a major contributor at TE, had his right foot checked out by trainers halfway through the session. After testing it, Asiasi put his helmet back on and stood with the tight ends but he did not take part in the rest of practice.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: RB Sony Michel (foot), RB Lamar Miller (knee).
Red non-contact jerseys: QBs.
Returned to practice: CB Stephon Gilmore (excused), LB Cassh Maluia (shoulder).
Out: S Adrian Phillips, RT Yodny Cajuste, DT Beau Allen, TE Jake Burt, WR Jeff Thomas, WR Julian Edelman, WR Devin Ross, WR Will Hastings, WR Devin Ross.
Limited: S Kyle Dugger, WR Jakobi Meyers, LB Terez Hall, S Devin McCourty.
New injuries: TE Devin Asiasi (right foot) was treated by trainers and standing with the TEs by the end of practice but did not return.
DRESS CODE
Full pads.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
2 hours under mostly cloudy skies.
HANDS TEAM
Fumbles: None.
Drops: None.
Pass breakups: JC Jackson.
Interception: None.
TOP PLAYS
- Newton hit RB JJ Taylor far down the right sideline against Ja'Whaun Bentley on a play where they were working off cards.
QB STATS
Cam Newton: 10 of 18
Brian Hoyer: 2 of 3
Jarrett Stidham: 2 of 2
QB Of The Day Award: Newton, by default.
He's doing fine and the offense really moves when the running game is heavily featured, but when the team has to pass — like in today's two-minute drill — the offense struggles. Part of that is the defense, which is tough to throw against when Gilmore is out there, and also that Julian Edelman and Devin Ross were not taking part. But there's a definite hesitancy and some struggles.
Here's the two-minute period:
Newton quick out to Byrd
Screen to White snuffed out by defense
Newton incomplete to White on a high pass
4th down: Cross to Olszewski broken up JC Jackson
First down (offense allowed to continue): Newton complete to Keene
Complete to Sanu
Clocked
Short completion to White
No one open, Newton throwaway
Folk field goal no good short from about 55 yards
_________
If you had any doubt who QB1 is, Edelman posted this today:
“The night is darkest just before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming...” pic.twitter.com/LbsSkqoGok
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) August 25, 2020
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.
- Wynn: Beat Calhoun.
- Thuney: Beat Butler.
- Mason: Tied Guy.
- Elumunor: Tied Simon.
- Froholdt pancaked Butler.
- Derek Rivers shoved Cunningham onto his butt.
- Rashod Berry pushed Herron back very easily.
- Thuney wouldn't even let Cowart move 2 inches. Just shut him down.
- Froholdt pancaked Butler in an eye opener.
- Crowd noise was used for the first time, and it wasn't music or white noise — it sounded like a taped crowd.
- N'Keal Harry and CB Michael Jackson do not like each other, it seems. For the second time in three days, the two got after each other and had to be separated. In their second battle during the Texas drill (defense and offense go against each other 1 on 1, with a running back coming behind), Harry carried on after the play was done, hooked Jackson and put him on the ground. Jackson went right back at him.
- Tashawn Bower beat Dalton Keene and stuffed Damien Harris.
- Ryan Izzo had a great block on Maluia to spring Harris on a long run
- Rex Burkhead continues to put together strong days running and receiving.
SCHEDULE
Wednesday: 10 a.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.