The New England Patriots held their third practice of training camp on Monday on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium. Tempo slowed down for a shortened walkthrough session as they continue through the five-day ramp up period.
Here’s what went down throughout the day.
Attendance
Returnees: FB Reggie Gilliam (rest)
PUP/NFI: ED Gabe Jacas, RB Terrell Jennings, TE C.J. Dippre, ED Harold Landry III, S Brenden Schooler
Injuries: N/A
The Patriots active roster featured perfect attendance on Monday as Reggie Gilliam
returned after a veteran rest day on Sunday. Five players remained on injured lists, including Gabe Jacas who continues to work through his rehab.
“We were going to evaluate him, we are going to see where he is at. This is all part of the process,” Mike Vrabel said before practice. “So, I am again, cautiously optimistic that he will work his way through the return to play, and we will get him back out there.”
Takeaways
Walkthrough style: As the Patriots often did last season, the intensity was dialed back as players wore bucket hats and sneakers for a jogthrough style of practice after three days of speed work (run tests plus two practices).
“This is something that we feel like can help us be able to learn and still develop and install it at different paces,” Vrabel explained. “It was good for us last year. If we can handle that, then hopefully we can continue with this. When we work, we work. I think you guys noticed that. Then being able to come out there today and still act like a professional football team and take care of the details and some of the technique, but just at a different pace.”
Players after practice noted the pace helps with the mental side of the game, which then helps them play with more confidence as the work translates back to full-speed.
Wide receiver splits: As the offense and defense each split into units across two fields, Drake Maye worked with A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas consistently throughout the day. In the first session, Kyle Williams was part of that group while Efton Chism III worked on the opposite field. Following a special teams period, the second-year receivers swapped fields for the second full-team session.
Maye’s group: With jobs to be won at the third running back and tight end spot, it was notable to see Lan Larison and Tanner Arkin also on the field with Drake Maye. Through three practices, Larison has been the first back to receive carries behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson while Arkin has been a consistent presence behind Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon.
Offensive lines: It was no surprise to see Will Campbell, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jared Wilson, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses protecting Drake Maye from left-to-right. In front of DeVito, Andrew Rupcich served as the center with Ben Brown and Caedan Wallace at his sides. Tackle duties were then mainly left for Marcus Bryant and Caleb Lomu, who continues to show his versatility.
“Try to get him some jumbo tight end work, and he will play some tackle, he will play some guard,“ Vrabel said of Lomu. ”We are just going to look at some versatility and see where he fits and how he can help us, but there will be a lot of things that are going to be new to him and some techniques that are different and run schemes and pass protection.“
Other notes:
- In a reoccurring theme through three days, the offense continued to practice tempo even in a slower setting.
- QB coach Ashton Grant served as the offensive coordinator on the second field.
- Tempo will increase as the Patriots retake the practice fields on Tuesday for Day 4 of camp which is set to start at 10:15 a.m. ET.
