FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 8 is in the books, let's run down all you need to know: all the stats, one-on-one totals, 3 up/down and odds and ends:
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Since the real competition started, Mac Jones has starred: Two days in a row, Jones has clearly been the better QB at operating this offense.
The competition only started yesterday, and then continued today. Jones was 14 of 17 on Wednesday on non-drops. Today he was 9 of 11. That's 23 of 28 (82 percent) on passes not dropped. Those are real, competitive reps. Not all reps are competitive even against a defense.
They are also putting a lot on Jones. There are plays where they hurry up. Two-minute. Alerting plays at the line. Jones has been dialed in. He had three dime throws to James White, N'Keal Harry and Hunter Henry pushing the ball downfield in the rain. After the Harry play, Jones gave a little fist pump. He's feeling it.
Newton not bad, just late: Newton was better than yesterday, but in the practices that focus on the passing scheme, he's struggling because he needs to see it. He was well late on a crosser to Nelson Agholor. On another pass, he was so late the DB might have committed pass interference.
Henry Anderson impresses: You've heard a lot about the other free agents signed by the Patriots, but the former Colts and Jets end has had an outstanding camp to date, and his first reps of one-on-ones were impressive. Anderson went 3-1-1 with a decisive win over Alex Redmond when Anderson had him on skates. Redmond was beaten so bad, he was made to run a lap. The thing is, Anderson isn't even a pass rusher. Byron Cowart still should be heard from at some point, but Anderson looks like one of the best pickups early in camp.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
New injuries: CB Dee Virgin left the field. DE Ronnie Perkins (left hand) came off for a bit but returned. Nick Folk, Cody Davis, D’Angelo Ross, Devin Ross (right hamstring).
Returned to practice: DE Henry Anderson (chest).
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: G/C Ted Karras (left knee), TE Devin Asiasi (Covid), LB Raekwon McMillan (foot), DT Akeem Spence (unknown), , DT Christian Barmore (left big toe).
Limited: None.
DRESS CODE
Pads.
Count: Helmets (2), Shells (4), Pads (2).
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
2:30 hours in a good rain.
QB STATS
Cam Newton: 6 of 11, 2.89 seconds average snap to throw
Mac Jones: 9 of 13, 2 drops (9 of 11 without drops), 2.75 seconds.
Daily Winner: Jones, TKO
Scoreboard: Jones 5, Newton 3 (Jones 3 TKOs, Newton 1).
HANDS TEAM
Fumbles: None.
Drops: Wilkerson 2, Bourne, White, Harry
Pass breakups: JC Jackson 2, Joejuan Williams.
Interception: None.
TOP PLAYS
- Mac Jones' 30-yard teardrop pass over the right shoulder of James White in 2.96 seconds. Just perfect catch and throw.
- Jones, after altering the play, throwing a 12-yard dart to Harry in 1.84 seconds. Boom, it's out.
- Kristian Wilkerson beating JC Jackson clean at the line for a tough catch.
ONE-ON-ONE REPORT
(DW: Decisive Win. DL: Decisive loss)
Offense
Defense
All the reps
THREE UP
QB Mac Jones: Whatever they're giving him, he's operating with efficiency.
NT Davon Godchaux: Had a rough opening day in 1-on-1s but rebounded today to go 2-0-1.
RT Trent Brown: Dominated 1-on-1s 3-0 with a decisive win and he handled Matt Judon, who beat him badly with speed on Tuesday, with ease twice.
TWO DOWN
DE Matt Judon: Went 0-3 and while losing to Brown twice is not that bad, getting beat by R.J. Prince is ... not good.
RB James White: Caught a great ball over the shoulder but had another easy drop, who got a vocal response from Ivan Fears. White is off to a very slow start in camp. Luckily for him, so is JJ Taylor, but the little man is coming on a bit.
Defensive backs: They lost all but 3 reps in 1-on-1s and are having a tough time in 11-on-11s. Stephon Gilmore is seeing his stack pile higher and higher with each passing day.
QUICK HITS
- Officials were back on the field again.
- Justin Herron and David Andrews each had pancake blocks today.
- Ja'Whaun Bentley has been solid in the run game with Kyle Van Noy out.
- The Revenge of Myles Bryant: After bouncing off rookie RB Rhamondre Stevenson's legs in Tuesday's padded practice, the small DB got his revenge today when he tackled Stevenson to the ground, and then on the next play he dove at his legs for a tackle for a loss. Guess Bryant's film session must have stung on Tuesday night. He was ready today.
- Patrick Chung was at practice and gave a lot of hugs on his way out.
- Joejuan Williams on Coach Stephon Gilmore: "I can call him up for anything, especially this offseason. Me and him talked a lot more. I thought we got a lot closer. He has taken on that coaching role. I ask him about anything. I can call him about anything at any time of the day and he'll give me an answer. That’s really been my big brother these past three years.”
- N'Keal Harry had another strong practice. He looks like a new player. "I've always had the confidence in (Harry) to be what he is," said Newton. "He's still not scratching the surface. He's believing it, and you guys are seeing it, which is good for his confidence. But nevertheless he's taking the initiative and he's more comfortable. I think before the play is even called, he understands the personnel groupings, he understands what Josh is trying to do to him and for him -- and with him. And I think that's important. Once he understands that piece, that's when the game can kind of slow down for him and it just becomes running a great route and catching the football."
- Apparently, Jake Dolegala is "Jake From State Farm." The kid has some skills, even if they're very inconsistent.
SCHEDULE
Friday: 6 p.m. (in stadium).
Saturday: OFF.
Sunday: Practice, TBA.
Monday: Practice, 2:45 p.m.
Tuesday: Practice, 2:45 p.m.
Wednesday: OFF.
Thursday: vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m.
Friday: OFF.