The pads came on at Patriots training camp on Saturday, and despite the potential for some physicality, it sounds like the energy was muted in the third practice of the season. Hopefully, when I’m there tomorrow the energy is up again, though this is where camp starts to turn into a grind.
Here are the tweets that stood out:
Thirty seconds into the first full-contact portion of camp, Deatrich Wise knocked Jeremy Hill flat on his back. Hell of a start.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) July 28, 2018
By all accounts, Wise had an excellent practice and was dominant. This kind of tone-setting is just what you want to see out of the second-year player. He had a reduced role in the Super Bowl and I think he might’ve been able to help. The top three ends are pretty set with Flowers, Clayborn and Wise. Whether Derek Rivers can carve a pass-rushing role remains to be seen, but he is way down the depth chart on the regular personnel packages.
One morning highlight for defense: Safety Duron Harmon intercepts QB Brian Hoyer’s pass intended for WR Phillip Dorsett along the back line under the goal posts, and runs it back 108 yards for “TD” as defenders celebrate conclusion of red-zone drill.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 28, 2018
Reminder the Pats haven’t scored a defensive touchdown since 2015. Another thing — Mike Lombardi writes in Gridiron Genius that you can judge how fast a defense is by how many fumbles they force. Well in 2017 the Pats ranked 30th with nine forced fumbles. 2016 – 19 t-3rd, 2015 – 24 3rd. Defense needs more plays like the one Harmon made today in practice, so it’s nice to see.
Trey Flowers left practice following a goal line rep. Held a towel to his head as he walked off.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) July 28, 2018
Sounds like the towel was bloody too? Hopefully just stitches and not an eye injury. Eek.
Trent Brown was the most impressive player of the Patriots’ first fully padded practice. As powerful as you’d expect, and quicker in space than you’d think. Wynn looks good too, but I get why Brown has been the starter for the first three days.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) July 28, 2018
Matt Chatham had some good tweets about loving Wynn too. Brown will be the guy at least to start, but if somebody gets hurt we could see Wynn in there and it could be fun to watch.
Sony Michel had to run a lap after fumbling in 11v11s. Damarius Travis forced the fumble
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) July 28, 2018
Second time in three days Michel has lost a ball, not good for the guy who had the highest fumble rate in this year’s draft class. Nothing will delay his development quicker than losing the ball. Just ask Stevan Ridley.
Tom Brady getting some extra work in with Jordan Matthews after practice. The pair had a couple of nice connections today. The out-route diving completion felt like progress as they missed on a similar play yesterday.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) July 28, 2018
Another good day for Brady and Matthews, an excellent sign.