FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 3 is in the books, let's run down all you need to know: all the stats, 3 up/down and odds and ends:
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Passing offense airs it out a bit more: After working at low red (5 yards or less) and mid red zone (10-ish yards) the first two days, the Patriots worked on more high red zone (plus 20 yards) plays early in practice, which let the quarterbacks air it out a bit more. While Cam Newton compiled better stats today, this was an area where Mac Jones stood out in practice.
On Newton's two deep reps, he checked down to Damien Harris and then had a miscommunication/overthrow of Nelson Agholor. The receiver read split safeties (MFO - middle of field open) so he went vertical (which seemed to be the correct read in my lay opinion). Newton read the defense as a post safety (MFC) and they weren't close. His snap to throw time on those two passes were 2.69 and 3.44.
Jones read both plays correctly and barely missed Kristian Wilkerson on his first attempt, and then Agholor didn't haul in a great pass over his head. It was a borderline drop. Jones' snap to throw times were much better — 2.38 and 2.57. There were the same plays (more on that in a bit).
Offensive free agents show up: While Kendrick Bourne has hit the ground running with productive early days, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith and Nelson Agholor got off to slower starts with the Patriots. But that changed on Friday. All three were on display in their areas of expertise — Henry in goal line work, Smith on crossers in the middle of the field, and Agholor on deep passes. All stood out. I especially thought Henry was imposing in the end zone. The big guy can get up too.
Ted Karras leaves with an injury: At one point, due to some hyperaggressive pass rush (not sure by whom), Korey Cunningham ended up rolling into Ted Karras' left knee and was in obvious initial pain. He eventually got to his feet and limped off and the injury isn't believed to be serious, but Karras gives a lot of comfort backing up multiple spots. Karras does wear knee braces, by the way.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
New injuries: G/C Ted Karras got tangled up with Korey Cunningham and suffered an apparent left knee injury, but left field under his own power.
Returned to practice: RB Rhamondre Stevenson.
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: LB Cameron McGrone (knee), S Joshuah Bledsoe (wrist).
Red non-contact jerseys: QBs, LB Kyle Van Noy.
Full participants: None.
Out: None.
Limited: None.
DRESS CODE
Shells (first day).
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
2 hours on a beautiful day.
QB STATS
Cam Newton:16 of 22, 2.57 seconds average snap to throw.
Mac Jones: 8 of 16, 2 drops, 2.61.
Brian Hoyer: 12 of 18.
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.
Daily Winner: Newton.
Scoreboard: Newton 2, Jones 1.
HANDS TEAM
Fumbles: None.
Drops: Agholor, Ross.
Pass breakups: Michael Jackson, Kyle Van Noy, Kyle Dugger, Josh Uche.
Interception: None.
TOP PLAYS
- Newton had one of his best passes of camp in the red zone when, after calling for a predetermined alert at the line, quickly got back to his drop and delivered a laser to Bourne on an out in the back right corner of the end zone in just 1.88 seconds. That was the type of decisive Newton we're going to need to see more of for him to hang onto the starting job.
- Agholor made a great high snag of a rising Newton pass in the end zone that elicited a wow from the crowd.
- Jones showed off his feel for the position where he looked one way to create space in the end zone, and then fired a strike to Bourne. It was next-level quarterbacking.
SHANK IT OFF
Nick Folk hit all five of his field goals.
Jake Bailey launched some punts, a few with over 5 seconds of hang time.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
THREE UP
WR Kendrick Bourne: He's gotten off to a sensational start in camp and seems to get better every practice. His route running is impressive.
WR Nelson Agholor: Had blatant offensive pass interference on a deep "touchdown" from Newton and stopped on a route by Jones, but he had a good practice. Not a coincidence it was when the Patriots got out of the red zone and aired it out.
DE Josh Uche: Had an unblocked sack that got the second-team line benched and batted down a pass.
TWO DOWN
Blocking: The quarterbacks were sacked a few times today and it wasn't their fault — the blocking wasn't there. At one point, the Patriots sent the starters back in to block for Jones because the backups were so bad.
WR Devin Ross: Continued his terrible start to camp with another drop and a poorly run route. You wonder why Jones' stats aren't great? He has to throw a lot to Ross and Wilkerson.
QUICK HITS
- A lot of deceptive work again. It feels like the Patriots are going over stuff they might not have gotten to in spring practices.
- Jones got more time with the starting offensive line today.
- At some points, the two quarterbacks were rotating every snap.
- The QBs often rep the exact same plays, which is a disadvantage for Jones because he goes second and the defenders are not idiots.
- Kyle Dugger had some nice plays in coverage, which is a point of emphasis for him.
- JJ Taylor got some touches, but it's been a quiet start to camp.
- Trent Brown is moving very well on the edge.
SCHEDULE
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. (shells).
Sunday: OFF
Monday: 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday: 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m.
Friday: 6 p.m. (in stadium).