The Patriots will conduct their scheduled three-day mandatory mini-camp starting today on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium.
What to expect:
9:30 a.m.: Bill Belichick video conference
10:30 a.m.: Media allowed access
11 a.m.: Practice begins
1 p.m.: Estimated end of practice.
1:30 p.m.: Player availability
Now, we can't provide "Live Coverage" of the actual practice due to NFL reporting restrictions, but we'll use this file to keep you up to date on what you need to know: Belichick's presser, attendance and major practice events, and then we'll give you a few quickie thoughts immediately after practice before we come back with a full breakdown a few hours later.
BILL BELICHICK'S PRESS CONFERENCE
- Due to weather/travel issues, may not have everyone for the start of camp.
- Rookies will stick around for more work after these three days.
- On if Gilmore is going to be there, Belichick kind of punted on it. Asked his importance in the back end, Belichick said every player is important. Interesting.
- Belichick said Newton practiced last week so he expects him this week.
- Asked about Hightower being back, Belichick said it's great seeing all the players. Bill's really in midseason form.
PRACTICE VIDEOS AND BEDARD'S OBSERVATIONS
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PRACTICE THOUGHTS
- Among those not spotted at practice: Stephon Gilmore and Chase Winovich. Gilmore is reportedly a contract issue. He can be fined about $90,000 for not reporting. Winovich is a bit odd because he's been at the other practices and appeared healthy. Plus, it's not like he was getting a full load of snaps at practice. Others not spotted: Byron Cowart, Rashod Berry, Terez Hall.
- TE Jonnu Smith made his first appearance in a Patriots uniform and appeared to check out with a hamstring injury at some point.
- The entire practice happened in a steady rain.
- Sony Michel, James White, Brandon Bolden and Isaiah Wynn were among the veterans to return.
- Wynn returned and went right back to his usual left tackle spot, which kicked Trent Brown to RT and Mike Onwenu to LG.
- Marcus Martin continues to get a lot of snaps at backup center.
- The QB order was pretty set throughout the practice: Cam Newton, Mac Jones ... then Jarrett Stidham, then Brian Hoyer.
- Found it interesting that when the team broke up into four sports, Jones was with the No. 1 offensive line, Newton was with the 2s and Stidham/Hoyer were throwing passes to the WRs and TEs.
- The Patriots had a period where it appeared the QBs were working on dummy snap counts to get the defense to jump. That's something Newton never did last season. What was interesting was when Jones got his rep, he called two dummy counts and then audibled to an entirely new formation and play. No one else did that. To me, that's an example of how advanced he is and that he was sandbagging the media last week.
- JC Jackson absolutely jacked up Isaiah Zuber at the line on one rep. It was Brandon Browner-esque.
- Newton's hand was not an issue. But he was still inaccurate on some throws as usual. Even on-air reps in the end zone, his ball was very flat and without much touch.
- Thought Jones was the best of all the quarterbacks easily. He pushed the ball down the field more and his pocket movement really stood out. He stepped up numerous times against pressure and delivered strikes down the field. That shows progress. He struggled against pressure a few weeks ago.
- Newton threw one pass to Kristian Wilkerson what was awful ... typical of last season, he geared up, dipped his shoulders too much, and threw it into the turf.
- Kyle Van Noy was back on the edge and taking a lot of the calls in his helmet. Didn't notice Josh Uche all that much today, but the pass rush was pretty good overall. Matthew Judon showed some burst.
- Jakobi Meyers had another very strong day. Plays with great balance and his hands are consistent.
- Some problems with drops