FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 11 finished earlier today, here's what you need to know:
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Nick Folk might be your kicker, again: This might well have been the final practice open to the media and if it was, we might have seen the last of Justin Rohrwasser as a Patriots kicker ... at least for a while. Despite using a fifth-round pick on the Marshall product, he has failed to deliver this camp and continues to be outperformed by veteran Nick Folk.
Friday was the latest example as Rohrwasser was 2 of 5 inside the stadium, while Folk was 1 of 2 with his first miss of camp from 48 yards. Rohrwasser, who missed a game-winner at the buzzer from 49 yards, made from 48 and 33, was wide left (as a timeout was taken) from 51, and wide right from 51 after the timeout.
If this marks the end of training camp and Monday brings the start of season prep, it's hard to see Bill Belichick having much confidence in Rohrwasser. Here are the final camp numbers:
The question now is, what do you do with Rohrwasser? Do you keep him on the roster to get bang for your draft pick, or do you risk releasing him and signing with another team to get him to the practice squad?
Really doubt anyone else would have drafted Rohrwasser that high, and if the Patriots don't think he's worth a spot, hard to see someone else putting him on their roster.
My best guess is the Patriots release Rohrwasser and try to get him to the practice squad. He's worth developing, but in a season where there are so many variables and the team that limits the variables the most will win, the Patriots don't need to introduce an issue at kicker. Points are going to be at a premium for this offense.
Patriots hold jogthrough in stadium: Was hoping the Patriots would have a full-pads, simulated game in the stadium today. No such luck when the team took the field with zero pads on, not even shells. It wasn't even flag football.
Some notables from the session:
- Patriots did everything they would do on gameday, from working from the Surface tablets, to radio communications — Belichick took the walkie talkies from the coaches at one point to simulate a radio blackout — and cups of water for the players.
- Brian Hoyer faked an injury at one point that had Jarrett Stidham come in and finish the drive.
- Cam Newton got six "series" with the top line offensive talent, while Hoyer and Stidham split the other team of mostly backups.
- There was ambient crowd noise at murmur level, sort of like a baseball game. There were the usual staples — fog horn, music — leading up to big plays and between series.
- Former college TE Rashod Berry seems to be climbing the depth chart at DE. He's gotten better every day.
- LB Anfernee Jennings is another who is climbing and could see major reps on this defense, and he's versatile.
- Joe Thuney wore a sizable wrap on his left hand and didn't seem to want to use it much.
- Belichick had a long chat with Stidham after he threw two "touchdown" passes after one drive.
- Beau Allen was visible to the media for the first time as a Patriot, but he didn't do anything except look large and sport one sweet ponytail that went down to the middle of the numbers on his back.
Roster move: Patriots released UDFA WR Will Hastings, who hasn't been taking part very much with an undisclosed injury.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: RB Lamar Miller (knee).
Red non-contact jerseys: QBs, WR Jakobi Meyers.
Returned to practice: LB Josh Uche, LG Joe Thuney (left hand), TE Devin Asiasi (right foot).
Out: DT Beau Allen, WR Will Hastings, S Devin McCourty, LB Cassh Maluia, LB Chase Winovich, S Adrian Phillips, CB Michael Jackson.
Limited: LB Terez Hall.
New injuries: None.
DRESS CODE
Zero pads (not even shells).
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
2 hours on a beautiful day.
SCHEDULE
Saturday: Players off.
Sunday: TBA.