FOXBOROUGH — Practice No.1 is in the books, let's run down all you need to know: stats, observations, 3 up/down, etc:
FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Everybody's here: Outside the PUP list guys (Mike Onwenu, Cody Davis, Calvin Anderson-NFI), every Patriot was accounted for, which is no small thing. That means everyone, including Trent Brown, passed the conditioning test and their physicals. That being said, Matthew Judon and DaMarcus Mitchell were on the rehab field for much of practice.
Easing back in: As part of the NFL's ramp-up policy, about half of practice was spent on conditioning, light work. After that, a quarter was spent on special teams and a quarter on goal-line/red zone plays. As is customary for the Patriots for about the first week, they spend a lot of their time covering what was missed during OTAs — I don't think it was about them being last in red zone offense last year. But the work certainly doesn't hurt.
Trent Brown looks good, gets a lot of reps: The big fella's appearance matched up with his social media coming in. He looks to be in good shape and took a ton of reps at left tackle. The rest of the starting line was Cole Strange, David Andrews, Bill Murray and Riley Reiff. Murray was a little bit of a surprise, but he also got a lot of looks in the spring. Jake Andrews only played center and Atonio Mafi was the second-team right guard.
Jack Jones with the backups: We were wondering if the Patriots might demote Jones for his off-field incident to start camp, and that appeared to happen. He didn't get any first-team looks as Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones and Myles Bryant were the starters.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
TAKING ATTENDANCE
Physically unable to perform list: OG Mike Onwenu, ST Cody Davis
Non-football injury list: OT Calvin Anderson.
Red non-contact jerseys: S Marte Mapu.
Returned to practice: None
Full participants: None.
Out: None.
Limited: ED Matthew Judon, DL DaMarcus Mitchell.
New injuries: None.
DRESS CODE
Helmets, shirts.
LENGTH OF PRACTICE
1:20 in strong sun.
QB STATS
Mac Jones: 4 of 7 11s; 1 of 3 INT 7s.
Bailey Zappe: 2 of 8 11s; 2 of 3 7s
Trace McSorley: 2 of 7 11s; 1 of 3 7s.
Multiple catches: Ty Montgomery 4, Hunter Henry 2.
STATS
Fumbles: None.
Drops: Scotty Washington.
Pass breakups: Shaun Wade 2, Myles Bryant, Quandre Mosley, Mack Wilson, Jahlani Tavai, Christian Barmore.
Interception: Kyle Dugger.
Sacks: Jabrill Peppers, Deatrich Wise.
TOP PLAYS
- Kyle Dugger leaping in front of Mike Gesicki to pick off Mac Jones' first pass of camp.
FIELD GOALS
Nick Folk was the only one to get competitive reps. He was 5 of 5 from 34 to 44 yards. A 48-yard attempt was a low snap and there was a scramble drill.
THREE UP
WR Ty Montgomery: Got off to a very fast start as a top low red zone target in the flat. They had a tough time covering him.
CB Shaun Wade: Got his hands on two passes. He's annually been a practice standout but it has not translated to the games.
WR Demario Douglas: Got a lot of reps today and looked good returning kicks.
TWO DOWN
RT Riley Reiff: Saw him get run around easily by Uche at one point. Speed out of his stance is an issue.
OT Sidy Sow: A little bit of a surprise the rookie was way down the depth chart to start. Didn't see many reps. Andrew Stueber and Conor McDermott were the primary backup OTs.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
Juju Smith-Schuster
QUICK HITS
- Thought it was a good, solid day of early work. Not much going on really as they are just trying to get their legs under them.
- The offense seemed to function fine. There was really only one clear bust and Jones threw the ball away.
- Defense was throwing a lot of pressure looks and the line held up well.
- Gesicki got off to a little bit of a slow start as he and Jones get used to each other (0 for 2, INT). Clear that Jones has a much better rapport with Henry (2 for 3, 2 TDs). Patriots ran a lot of plays with both TEs on the field.
- Smith-Schuster got off to a slow start as well. Doesn't look like he's quite in football shape yet, which is to be expected since he missed most of the spring practices. His knee definitely bears watching and load management may be a thing with him — but it's very early.
SCHEDULE
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. (helmets).
Friday: 9:30 a.m. (shells).
Saturday: OFF
Sunday: TBA (shells).
Monday: TBA (pads).