FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 2 is in the books, let's run down all you need to know: all the stats, 3 up/down and odds and ends:
TWO THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pace takes a step back: The Patriots had a decent amount of competition on the first day of camp, but they took a step back on Thursday as there seemed to be a focus on more specialty and deceptive plays during this practice. The offense seemed to be on its heels on most plays — it could have been a refresher practice for some new defensive pressure schemes. There were occasions when the offense allowed pressure from all areas and I don't think that was anyone's fault. I think Wednesday the focus was on red zone offense; Thursday was for red zone defense. "We're working in the red area, which we will continue to do here today and for a couple days," Bill Belichick said. "It's really about each individual just trying to get into football and the best football situation they can get into whether that's players, coaches and everybody else that has a football-related job, and the sports staff, scouting staff and so forth.
Mac Jones fades: After getting off to a strong start in red zone 7-on-7s by going 4-for-4, Jones struggled in 11-on-11s at 4 of 10, while Cam Newton was 5 of 10 with a heavy set of checkdowns. Jones was not happy with himself and was visibly frustrated as his accuracy wasn't great. One of his more frustrating reps saw him stare down and throw late to N'Keal Harry on an out, which gave Joejuan Williams time to break on the ball and deflect it. Newton had a great completion to Brandon Bolden as the incumbent fit the ball into a tight window.
Still, Jones' advantage processing still showed up. On his pass attempts, his average time from snap to throw was 2.77, compared to 3.16 for Newton, who held one ball — on a "completion", which shows you how stats can skew — for 7.83 seconds in the red zone. Jones held one for 4.93 seconds. If you take out their highest numbers, Jones still led 2.52 to 2.65. Newton held the ball at least 3 seconds on five attempts; Jones did it once.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
New injuries: None.
Physically unable to perform list: CB Stephon Gilmore (quad), QB Jarrett Stidham, DE Chase Winovich, LB Terez Hall, DT Byron Cowart, LB Brandon King, TE Dalton Keene.
Non-football injury list: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Cameron McGrone (knee), S Joshuah Bledsoe (wrist).
Red non-contact jerseys: QBs, LB Kyle Van Noy.
Returned to practice: OT Trent Brown, Van Noy.
Full participants: Brown.
Out: None.
Limited: None.
DRESS CODE
Helmets.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
Two hours under partly cloudy skies.
QB STATS
Cam Newton: 5 of 10.
Mac Jones: 4 of 10.
Brian Hoyer: 5 of 8.
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: Gunner Olszewski (punt).
Drops: Jakobi Meyers.
Pass breakups: Harvey Langhi, Dont'a Hightower, Adrian Phillips.
Interceptions: None.
TOP PLAYS
Not much today, but Olszewski had a nice catch over CB Dee Virgin.
SHANK IT OFF
Quinn Nordin got to kick today and had him 3 for 4. He was a bit wild even in warmups wide left.
THREE UP
LB Harvey Langhi: Had what appeared to be a sack and a pass breakup.
QB Brian Hoyer: Had a good bounceback day after a rough start working mostly with third and fourth-teamers. But he's getting a lot of reps, which was why the Patriots brought in another QB (see below).
TEs Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith: Both new TEs got off to slow starts in the first practice, but they were much more of a factor in Thursday's session.
THREE DOWN
CB Michael Jackson: He's gotten victimized more than a few times the first two practices. Right now he's taking Stephon Gilmore's spot.
WR Jakobi Meyers: Doesn't have a catch yet in 11 on 11s and dropped a touchdown today.
WR N'Keal Harry: Had a good, solid first day but was mostly invisible Thursday.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
QUICK HITS
- Kendrick Bourne's energy is off the charts, and he's starting to stack receptions on top of receptions.
- Bill Belichick said Jarrett Stidham will "miss some time" so the team claimed former practice squadder Jake Dolegala from the Packers and he was at practice to give the Patriots another camp arm and keep the strain off of Brian Hoyer.
- Teddy Bruschi attended practice and had lengthy discussions with Belichick and Matt Patricia at different points.
SCHEDULE
Friday: 9:45 a.m. (shells).
Saturday: 9:45 a.m. (shells).
Sunday: OFF
Monday: TBA.
Monday: TBA (pads).
