FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 8 is in the books. We have everything you need to know, including one-on-one pass rush drills, and 4 up/4 down, from today's session:
THREE THINGS THING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Offense slightly improves but still ends week with a whimper: Final padded practice of the week for the Patriots, who will go into the stadium on Friday and be off on Saturday. If you were grading the offense to this point, you'd be generous in giving them a D. There's been slight improvement each day, but it's been minimal. Had the first-team offense for six successful players (that's also being generous, giving credit for checkdowns and quick passes) and 10 fails.
Here's a sample from the full-field session with must blaring:
Damien Harris stuffed
Mac Jones scrambles after pressure
3rd and 5 - Quick completion to Jonnu Smith
Ty Montgomery stuffed by Davon Godchaux
Jones scramble after Anfernee Jennings pressure
Jones TD pass to Tre Nixon on short out
JJ Taylor drop after Henry Anderson is unblocked
Two bad plays, one OK play, two bad plays, good play, bad play. That's the way it has gone so far. It's going to have to pick up next week very quickly.
Mac Jones being indecisive: Another staple of the offensive practices so far - Mac Jones being indecisive when he has good blocking. Don't have the film so we're not sure people are open, but Jones holding the ball has been a growing issue. It looks like he doesn't trust what's going on around him. This is an offshoot of the offense getting off to a tough start in camp.
Judon out, Tavai helped off: Matthew Judon was not seen on the field, and his reps were taking by Anfernee Jennings, who has been an early surprise. Back ILB Jahlani Tavai was on the ground after the final team play, stayed down for a while and had to be helped off by two people with an apparent right leg injury.
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Out: DE Matthew Judon (unknown)
Limited: DE Deatrich Wise (unknown), S Jabrill Peppers, QB Brian Hoyer (unknown).
New injury: DE Matthew Judon (unknown), LB Jahlani Tavai (right leg - helped off).
Returned to practice: RB Rhamondre Stevenson.
Physically unable to perform list: RB James White
Non-football injury list: OL Chasen Hines, OL Andrew Stueber.
Red non-contact jerseys: QBs.
DRESS CODE
Full pads (Day 3).
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
1:45 hours in very hot and sunny conditions.
QB STATS
Mac Jones: 6 of 11, 3 sacks, drop in competitive 11-on-11s.
Bailey Zappe: 1 of 5, sack.
HANDS TEAM
Fumbles: None.
Drops: JJ Taylor, Tre Nixon.
Pass breakups: Marcus Jones, Shaun Wade.
Interception: None.
Sacks/pressures: DaMarcus Mitchell, Anfernee Jennings, Henry Anderson, Team 2.
ONE-ON-ONE REPORT
(DEC W: Decisive Win. DEC L: Decisive loss)
Offense
Defense
Decisive Wins
- Carl Davis tossed James Ferentz to the ground.
- Jeremiah Phams against Kody Russey
- LaBryan Ray dusted Bill Murray with quickness.
Notes
- Onwenu was very impressive today playing with great balance and control.
- Tough day for Cole Strange who lost to Barmore (no shame there) and couldn't handle Lawrence Guy's power.
- David Andrews seems to be rounding into form.
- Yodny Cajuste is someone to watch. He beat Uche, Jennings and Mitchell, lost to Uche in the rematch.
- Russey is up to 3 decisive losses.
- Little bit of an off day for Jennings in one-on-ones, but he was still good in team.
TOP PLAYS
- Jones and Nixon hooked up for a touchdown on a little 5-yard out that beat Malcolm Butler. The corner wasnt' happy about it.
FOUR UP
Mike Onwenu: The run scheme might not fit him, but he has no issues pass blocking. Was perfect today.
LaBryan Ray: Just put his name down every day. He might make Patriots fans forget Adam Butler was even here. He might very well already have a spot locked up.
Jonnu Smith: Had two nice routes and catches in LB/S vs. TE one-on-ones and made some plays in 11-on-11.
Josh Uche: Was 2-1 in 1-on-1s and showed some good pop off the edge. He's going to have to worry about getting too far behind the QB when the games start. Kind of a run-around-the-QB guy.
FOUR DOWN
Devin Asiasi: Was 1 for 3 in his one-on-one reps.
DeVante Parker: Probably a byproduct of the offensive woes, but he's been invisible the past few days outside of a nice backshoulder catch in 1-on-1s.
Cole Strange: 0-2 in 1-on-1s and is having some issues in the new blocking scheme.
JJ Taylor: Another drop in the end zone. He's not taking advantage of his opportunity with pass back wide open.
QUICK HITS
TEs vs. Safeties 1-on-1s, thrown by Hoyer
Smith beats Bledsoe
Henry loses to Phillips
Asiasi and Dugger draw
Sokol blanketed by Jalen Elliott
Henry beat McCourty on nice route
Smith over Schooler
Asiasi short-armed pass against Brad Hawkins
Sokol beat Bledsoe
Henry incomplete against Dugger on underthrown ball
Asiasi beat Schooler
Sokol over Elliott
- Wynn got more extended reps at LT with the second team today.
- The 2nd team line was Cajuste, Hambright, Ferentz, Desjarlai, Herron.
- Big plays have been few and far between to this point. Short game seemed to be emphasis this week.
- Patriots do fine with inside gap/zone runs and the passing game is decent. They seem to be keeping the pass game, but are using Shanhan on early downs for runs and short passes.
- Jones and Smith had a miscommunication on third down. Jones wanted Smith to keep going outside and he stayed put.
- Steve Belichick seems to be firmly the defensive coordinator with Mayo handling subs, and Matt Patricia directing the offense.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 5th, 7 p.m.: In-stadium practice for season ticket holders and Foxborough residents.
Aug. 6th: OFF