The Patriots held their final open OTA practice to the media on Friday, ahead of mandatory mini-camp Monday through Wednesday before the team breaks until training camp. A look at the headlines:
- Not present: Trent Brown, Juju Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, Matthew Judon, Davon Godchaux, Riley Reiff, Mike Onwenu.
- Rehab: Rhamondre Stevenson, possibly Demario Douglas.
- Back: Devante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Joe Cardona, Nick Folk, Conor McDermott
- Practice was very much held at a jog-through pace for most of practice.
- A lot of situational work against the blitz, and with hurry-up. Patriots continue to work at a fast prace
- Rookie Marte Mapu, in the red no-contact jersey, and a great step-in-front interception and pass breakup against Bailey Zappe with the second team. Belichick chatted briefly with Mapu after practice and it ended with a dap/handshake. Belichick walked off talking to him. Very good sign for the youngster.
- Rookie Jake Andrews got most of the reps at right guard with Mike Onwenu out. It was Atonio Mafi last week.
- Trent Brown continues to be out. Calvin Anderson continues to fill at LT. Reiff not present so McDermott was the RT.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS AND SOME PLAY BY PLAY
JOG-THROUGH PACE
Murray RG, Strong at pass back
Anderson, Strange, Andrews, Murray, McDermott
Gonzalez, Jack Jones CBs
Jones complete deep middle to Parker
Jones complete deep middle to Henry
Jones complete short right to Bourne
Jones complete left sideline to Gesicki
Jones checkdown to Strong
Ekuale encroachment/Incomplete to Henry, Phillips tight coverage
Jones complete slant to Parker
_______________
Stueber, Hines, Russey, Jake Andrews, Sow
Mapu, Dugger safeties, Bledsoe star, Wade, Speed CBs
Zappe complete
Robinson drop
Zappe complete to Webb
Zappe complete to Firkser
Zappe complete to Webb, great catch vs. Wade
Would-be sack, complete great sideline catch by Ed Lee
Screen to Lee
Sack by Board
Zappe complete slant to Webb
Pressured, incomplete
Incomplete to Cunningham, Speed PBU
_____________
LITTLE MORE INTENSE
Same line
Bentley, Mack Wilson at LB. Secondary: Gonzalez, Jack Jones, Dugger, Mapu at times, Phillips
Jones incomplete
Jones complete in very tight space to Parker
Jones incomplete to Gesicki, Mack Wilson PBU
False start Gesicki, McDermott; Sow in
Incomplete deep left to Parker ... arguable drop over Jack Jones
Jones complete to Bourne short middle
Jones quick pass deflected by Bentley to Dugger INT
_________
Stueber, Russey, Ferentz, Murray, McDermott
Zappe checkdown complete
Zappe checkdown complete
Blitz, Zappe rushes pass to Sokol, Mapu jumps in front for INT
Zappe screen to Cunningham
J. Andrews in at center; Zappe complete to Harris down left sideline
Zappe checkdown to Firkser
Zappe incomplete to Lee, Mapu PBU
Complete to Firkser
___________
WALKTHROUGH
Field goal with Folk and Ryland taking reps on the skinny posts. Ryland missed one. Folk missed one.
____________
Very disappointing not to see Trent Brown again. This might be an issue, one centered around the contract. Will be interesting to see what develops as the summer goes along. A release/trade is a possibility, or the Patriots bump his contract.
Offense was solid today against the Patriots' tough blitz packages.
Mac Jones was definitely not as vocal/fun-loving today, and he was back to being more distant when he wasn't taking reps. At one point, he was some 35 yards behind the play.