The Patriots hit the field with the Saints down in West Virginia today, getting a chance to hit someone else for a change. It’s especially good to go up an established team with an “elite” quarterback as well as a different defensive scheme that will challenge the Patriots in new and different ways.
Here are the tweets of note…
Biggest takeaway of practice for me was Saints going after CB Malcolm Butler in 11-on-11s. First time we have seen Butler struggle in camp.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 19, 2015
This might give some people a scare, but in the long term it’s probably one of the best things that can happen to Butler at this point. He’s going to give up catches this year and what’s most important is how he responds. So to get lit up in practice a bit will show him what he needs to work on. We still can’t deny that Butler has looked very good this summer but let’s remember he’s still very inexperienced and has a way to go.
Patriots often played three safeties today. Chung, Richards, Harmon on one series; Wilson, Ebner, Harmon on next.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) August 19, 2015
I think there’s something brewing here with the three safety looks and that’s why I think we could see six safeties stick on the roster. If they will be playing more zone it makes sense to put your smartest and most experienced guys on the field, but there’s also the element of physicality that this group brings that will make tough sledding for opposing offenses across the middle of the field.
Brady threw a sick TD to Amendola behind two DBs in the back corner of the end zone. Perfect loft from the 10 to cap a 2-minute drill.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 19, 2015
Tarell Brown is charging hard for a starting job. Two PBUs in the end zone as Brees was 1 of 5 from the 10 in an 11-on-11 period.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 19, 2015
At this point I’m just hoping they can manage Tarrell Brown and have him ready to go for the start of the season. It seems like Butler, Brown and McClain are the favorites to start the three corner spots.
On health front, good indication that LB Dont’a Hightower is making progress is that he is now cleared for full contact. A full participant.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 19, 2015