FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots held a walkthrough today that didn't have many new developments (Christian Gonzalez still wasn't there), so figured it was a good time to total up my 1-on-1s to this point.
The big headline to me was Will Campbell. I knew he had been really good in this camp — no matter what one-rep videos you see on social media (nobody's perfect) — but I didn't realize he was this good. Campbell is 12-1-1 so far in this camp. About this time last year, he was 3-6-1.
Now, we will point out that due to the Patriots' lack of edge depth, he's not exactly squaring off against the Purple People Eaters, but he has been really good heading into a stiff challenge against the Eagles. Campbell (and Jared Wilson) are much stronger, and Campbell is changing the pitches he throws at defensive ends. He's stronger to hold up against the bull rush, and he's being more aggressive with a strong punch on speed rushes.
Caleb Lomu has much better record than Campbell had as a rookie at 13-11-2. That's the good news. The bad news is eight of 11 losses have been decisive. I've never seen a ratio that high, especially for a player not expecting to be cut.
Lomu's just been very inconsistent. The like of a rookie.
The totals for both sides:
• I'm shocked at where Campbell, Bryant and Crownover are at this point.
• Vera-Tucker continues to be underwhelming but there's still plenty of time. I thought the rust would be knocked off by now and he'd be dominating. He's not.
• I think Milton Williams is just working on some things.
• I was shocked to see Leonard Taylor so low. He always shows up in practice.
EAGLES NOTES
Eagles injuries as of Monday
DE Jonathan Greenard PUP (we'll miss the Will Campbell rematch from Vikings joint practices)
Out:
CB Jakorian Bennett - knee
RB Tank Bigsby - toe
TE Grant Calcaterra - back
CB Jonathan Jones - shoulder
WR Makai Lemon - hamstring
CB Mac McWilliams - groin
OT John Ojukwu - pectoral
RB Dameon Pierce - hamstring
OLB Jose Ramirez - hamstring
CB Shaun Wade - eye/shoulder
WR Johnny Wilson - knee
Limited:
DB Tariq Castro-Fields - heel
WR Danny Gray - concussion
OLB Keyshawn James-Newby - ankle
WR DeVonta Smith - hamstring
S Cole Wisniewski - hamstring
• Eagles starters are mostly healthy because they don’t push them and didn’t play in preseason. This week will essentially be their preseason.
• Eagles basically have DeVonta Smith at receiver, and then there's a huge dropoff. Dontayvion Wicks (Packers) has been decent. Top pick Makai Lemon has missed most of camp with a hammy. Rookie TE Eli Stowers is off to a very slow start.
• Eagles are putting in the Shanahan system with new OC Sean Mannion, and it's a work in progress. Wide zone running is completely different than what the Eagles have done in the past. Landon Dickerson slowing rapidly.
• Jalen Hurts has been just OK. Still having trouble with the middle of the field. Blitz pickup hasn’t been great either. Zack Baun is a great linebacker.
• Vic Fangio's defense is going to carry most of the load. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo (Milton Williams' replacement) are as good as it gets on the interior. Edge situation is really cloudy without Greenard. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt are more No. 2s (sounds like the Patriots).
• Cornerbacks Riq Woolen (Seahawks), Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell are among the league's best.
TOP MATCHUPS
AJ Brown vs. Riq Woolen
Pop Douglas vs. Cooper DeJean
Alijah Vera-Tucker vs. Moro Ojomo
Jared Wilson vs. Jordan Davis
Mike Onwenu vs. Jalen Carter
Romeo Doubs vs. Quinyon Mitchell
Carlton Davis vs. DeVonta Smith
Christian Barmore vs. Cam Jurgens
Christian Elliss vs. Saquon Barkley