FOXBORO — The banter and trash-talking was at a premium during the Patriots seventh training camp practice, which was a highly intense padded session.
Members of the defense were doing most of the yakking and deservedly so. During the competitive drills, the defense held the upper hand. Between mounting a terrific pass rush and forcing a pair of fumbles, it was a good day for that side of the ball.
But that storyline didn’t deflate a significant offensive development: N’Keal Harry was engaged, and finally got on the books with a notable practice. The wideout showed off many of the skills and physical gifts that pushed the Patriots to select him in the first round last year.
In terms of the quarterbacks, Cam Newton was once again at the helm for a lion’s share of snaps during a run-heavy practice. All in all, it was a so-so day for Newton, who made some nice throws, but also had an interception and fumble. Brian Hoyer took quite a few reps as well, while Jarrett Stidham was eased back in with a few reps during competitive drills.
Below is a comprehensive recap of everything the Herald observed during Monday’s practice.
Attendance
Absent: CB Stephon Gilmore (personal), S Adrian Phillips, DT Beau Allen, WR Jeff Thomas, OL Yodny Cajuste, TE Jake Burt
PUP: RB Sony Michel, RB Lamar Miller
Limited: QB Jarrett Stidham, WR Jakobi Meyers, S Kyle Dugger
Play of the Day
N’Keal Harry’s first TD catch
Harry figures to be a threat in the red zone given his ability to go up and get contested balls. He showed that ability Monday on several plays, most notably reeling in a fade from Newton with J.C. Jackson locked in on him. Harry just overpowered Jackson to make the catch in the back corner of the end zone.
Player of the Day
Harry
Easily Harry’s best practice of camp. He made two nice catches in the red zone, with Newton delivering both TD passes. On the first, as mentioned above, he outmuscled Jackson on a fade. On the second he shot off the line and pulled in a slant. During 1-on-1s, he made several competitive catches, none better than a twisting come-backer to shake defender Joejuan Williams. Harry also showed well in run-blocking.
QB Corner
Note: The passing stats below were tallied during competitive, full-speed periods only.
Newton: 15-24 with 1 INT (Camp total: 66-104, 3 INTs)
Stidham: 2-3 (Camp total: 29-44, 6 INTs)
Brian Hoyer: 13-17 (Camp total: 56-87, 2 INTs)
Studs
Chase Winovich
He was a huge presence on the pass rush. While sacks aren’t registered during practice, he got in free at least three times for would-be sacks. The second-year linebacker also forced a fumble, stripping Newton of the ball at the end of a run.
Josh Uche
The linebacker got to the passer quite a bit while at Michigan, and Uche continues to show that ability during workouts. He would have registered a couple of sacks, flying in off the edge, if anyone was officially counting.
Devin Asiasi/Dalton Keene
The rookie tight ends each had four catches during the competitive periods. Both also had very good days blocking during a run-oriented work. They both popped some pads, and heard encouraging words from members of the coaching staff and teammates for several thunderous blocks.
Duds
Newton
He’s learning fast about the emphasis in New England on protecting the ball and not turning it over. On the day, Newton coughed up the ball twice with an interception and a fumble. The pick was on an ill-advised post-route attempting to hit Damiere Byrd in a crowd of defenders. He was sent on a penalty lap after the fumble. While he was sharp during the 7-on-7 period, that didn’t carry over into the 11-on-11s. And on the final play of a situational football session, faced with a fourth down, he threw an incomplete pass, overthrowing Harry, to end the day.
Offensive notes
- Newton continues to be the leader in quarterback reps and continues to be on track to assume the starting job.
- Newton was forced to call a timeout during the situational 11-on-11s, apparently unsure of the play and personnel on the field.
- The Newton-Julian Edelman connection continued to grow, with Edelman making several plays.
- Stidham made his first live throws in 11-on-11 drills since late last week. There were only two, but one was a low laser to Devin Ross.
- Mohamed Sanu might have had his best day. He was noticeable for the first time in the competitive drills. He made a great grab during the 1-on-1s, snagging a ball thrown from Hoyer with Jonathan Jones in his grill.
- Balls thrown in the direction of Byrd have been getting picked off a ton. There have been at least a half-dozen interceptions on balls targeting him.
- Harry had to be separated from CB Michael Jackson during one blocking sequence.
- Offensive line did much better in 1-on-1 drills than 11-on-11 winning a number of battles.
- There was a ton of work done on the running game with an entire 11-on-11 period devoted to it.
- The receivers worked on their releases off the line as well as blocking for the backs.
- James White and J.J. Taylor returned to practice after missing Sunday.
Defensive notes
- Defenders aren’t allowed to sack the quarterback, but got home often, and let the quarterbacks and offense know it verbally. Let’s just say there were more than a few shouts of “sack” heard on the afternoon.
- Along with Winovich and Uche, Deatrich Wise, and Adam Butler put heavy pressure on the Pats quarterbacks.
- J.C. Jackson had a pair of pass breakups and a forced fumble. He was also beaten a few times on the day.
- Myles Bryant continues to make plays with an interception and a forced fumble.
- Rookie linebacker Caash Maluia appeared to injure his right shoulder or arm during 11-on-11s after a collision with Asiasi. He did not return.
- Linebacker Terez Hall left the field early in practice and did not return. He’s had a good camp thus far.
- Michael Jackson returned after missing one practice.
Special teams
- The kicker competition got underway, as newly signed Nick Folk was out on the field. He did some kicking, and rookie Justin Rohrwasser joined him. Our stats had Folk a perfect 4-for-4 on the day, and Rohrwasser 3-for-4. Others had Rohrwasser perfect. Given the angle, sometimes it’s tough to judge if the ball in fact goes through the upright. Folk’s ball, however, had much more trajectory.
- Jake Bailey absolutely boomed a half dozen punts during a special teams period.
Odds and ends
- The Patriots had their annual slip-and-slide routine for the rookies. Matthew Slater had the honor of having the hose, and watering down the ball, the turf, and the players.
- Rookie offensive lineman Michael Onwenu, all 6-foot-3, 350 pounds of him, drew a huge roar after he thunderously pounced on the wet ball.
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Patriots training camp 2020: WR N’Keal Harry shines even though defense rules the day - Boston Herald
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