HENDERSON, Nev. — Practice No. 17 and the Patriots' 2022 training camp is now officially the books after Wednesday's session with the Raiders. Here's a look at what you need to know, including stats, one-on-one charts and 3 up/3 down.
TWO THINGS THING YOU NEED TO KNOW
After slow start, offense finished very strong and feeling good: What a contrast between Tuesday and Wednesday ... eventually.
A day after being mostly a trainwreck on offense, things didn't look like they were going to much better for the Patriots in the first team period against the Raiders on Wednesday as Mac Jones was 3 of 5 — with two of the completions being WR screens that were snuffed out immediately — and sacked three times. Of the nine plays run, only two were successful (22 percent), and there was another stuffed run immediately on the first play.
But things soon completely turned around.
From that point on, Jones was 13 of 17 with four touchdowns to Jakobi Meyers (two), Ty Montgomery and Hunter Henry — the latter ended a gotta-have-it session with 4 seconds left from the 9-yard line. The Patriots' success rate went to 55 percent (10 of 18).
"It definitely was a better day for us," said Jones. "I think Coach Belichick’s laid it out for us that we’re going to focus on how can we just play better, how can we just fundamentally be better. Like, for me, just throw to the open guy, wherever that may be: it could be deep, short, in the middle, it doesn’t really matter. For the offensive line, pad level, things like that. It’s a lot of fundamental stuff that, if you just fix those, it really doesn’t matter what you do x’s and o’s-wise, you should be able to compete with the players that we have and all of the talent that we have."
Just the mood of the offense was much better. On Tuesday, they looked miserable and Jones was obviously perturbed at times as frustration continued. But with every big play, especially the final touchdown to Henry, the offense had a lot of excitement celebrating their success. They should. Much of this camp has been a slog for them, so it was good to see them having some fun again.
The last two drives:
Drive starts at opponent's 17-yard line
Incomplete to Bourne, Maxx Crosby tip
Complete to Meyers for TD ... great leaping catch on the backshoulder.
Complete to Montgomery
Montgomery stuffed run
End around to Jonnu Smith for nothing but flag against Patriots
Complete to Montgomery in the left flat for TD just inside pylon
50 seconds left, one timeout, from 45, down five points
Complete to Stevenson for 2 yards
Complete to Henry for 15 yards
Clock play
Incomplete to Meyers; Jones pressured, likely sacked by Maxx Crosby but flag on Raiders secondary
Complete to Meyers
Incomplete to Bourne, tipped
Complete to Henry for touchdown
Wynn sidelined ... for injury or performance?: At one point, Isaiah Wynn left the field with a trainer but returned and looked no worse for the wear. He watched the rest of practice. Wynn left right after the first touchdown by Meyers and was replaced by Justin Herron, who finished practice at right tackle. While Herron did have some forgettable plays, the pass protection seemed better overall without Wynn. Could the Patriots have kept Wynn on the sidelines to get a longer look at Herron, who missed time last week?
Jones noticed the better protection overall (the run blocking was still terrible with 4 stuffed runs on 5 attempts).
"The offensive line did a great job today, specifically, just keeping the pocket clean," Jones said. "Obviously, it’s practice, but still really good there."
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Out: WR Kristian Wilkerson (head), WR Tyquan Thornton (clavicle), LB Harvey Langhi.
Limited: OG Bill Murray, CB Shaun Wade.
New injury: RB Damien Harris, OT Isaiah Wynn. Both issues looked very minor.
Returned to practice: None.
Physically unable to perform list: None.
Non-football injury list: OL Andrew Stueber (placed on reserve list).
Red non-contact jerseys: QBs, specialists
DRESS CODE
Full pads (Day 9)
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
Over 2:30 hours in hot, sunny conditions.
QB STATS
Mac Jones: 16 of 22, 5 sacks.
Bailey Zappe: 5 of 7, INT.
ONE-ON-ONE REPORT
FOUR UP
WR Jakobi Meyers: DeVante Parker might have gotten off to a fast start, but there is no question Meyers has been the best receiver and Jones' favorite target of camp. He's automatic.
"Yeah, he’s a really smart football player," Jones said. "He’s been one of my close friends since I’ve gotten here, and I trust him. We see the game the same way, sometimes without even talking about it. So, we’re just working on growing together and making our repertoire a little better, with what he sees, how can he help me, how can I help him. Hopefully we can grow together here. He’s just a tough, smart football player. I’ll take him on my team – forever, hopefully.
DE Matthew Judon: Had a stuff, pass breakup and sack all in the same series. Had two stuffs overall.
CB Jalen Mills: After getting toasted by Devante Adams in 1-on-1s on Tuesday, Mills got his revenge by going 2 for 2 today. "He got me got me yesterday in a one on one so I was definitely looking forward to that today," Mills said. "He's one of the best if not the best, there's no better look than to see him play in and play out."
TE Hunter Henry: With Thornton gone, he's really been the only reliable downfield threat for Jones. He was needed today in some big spots.
TWO DOWN
RT Isaiah Wynn: If he's hurt again ... oy. If he was replaced because the team wanted to take a look at Herron and whether or not he can replace Wynn if he's traded, that's not good either.
Run blocking: Four of five runs were stuffed. I mean, come on. Get out of here with that.
QUICK HITS
- Maxx Crosby was a menace for the Patriots' right tackles all practice. Love how he takes multiple 1-on-1 reps. Most vets take one and then watch the rest.
- Chandler Jones admitted he had to go deep into his bag of tricks to find ways to get around Trent Brown. Both players had great battles the two days. Jones definitely made his share of plays.
- We need to find a roster spot for DaMarcus Mitchell. He's on every special teams. Not sure how to fit him.
- The Patriots are trying to find Pierre Strong playing time as one of the outside punt protectors. Interested to see how that goes with his slight build.
- The Patriots had no answers for Hunter Renfroe in the slot. They were better against Adams — shutout Terrance Mitchell — but Adams still made plays even though Derek Carr was off today. Had several unforced overthrows.
SCHEDULE
Thursday: OFF
Friday: 8:15 p.m., Patriots at Raiders