FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – After a slower walkthrough practice on Wednesday, the New England Patriots were back at it on Thursday, with competition also heating up.
Here's are the takeaways from Day 11 of training camp:
1. Will Campbell limited provides key opportunity for Marcus Bryant
Will Campbell was spotted during Wednesday's walkthrough practice with a large brace on his arm, and on Thursday, while he was out with the team for warm-ups and individual drills, he did not take part in the team drills. Because of that, Marcus Bryant had key opportunities, with the second-year tackle spending time with the first team. That also created a trickle-down effect as Dametrious Crownover moved to the second team. As for Caleb Lomu, he was with the second team at right tackle, and both he and Bryant took reps with the third
team at times as well.
2. Defense ends practice with back-to-back-to-back interceptions
Once again, the Patriots took part in a two-minute drill to end practice, but it did not end well for the offense. After hitting Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson, as well as an impressive catch by A.J. Brown with Christian Gonzalez in coverage, Maye sent a ball intended for Kayshon Boutte, but it was intercepted by Marcus Jones, who dove to snag the ball before it hit the ground. They then tried to redo the play, but Maye sent a ball high in the middle and it was grabbed by Kevin Byard.
Then, Tommy DeVito took the field for his turn, but his first pass was intercepted by second-year safety John Saunders Jr.
After these back-to-back-to-back interceptions, a team meeting was called, and practice ended.
3. Christian Gonzalez and A.J. Brown get into it during one-on-ones
The receivers and defensive backs took part in some two-on-two at one point of practice, and there was one particular rep where things got intense between Gonzalez and Brown. The star cornerback broke up the pass intended for Brown, and some trash-talking commenced afterwards.
"I was just trying to pull A.J. out to go on to the next. I heard him say something about 'You a grown man,'" Boutte, who jumped in to break the players up, explained after practice. "So I just (got in there) before it got too far."
As for Gonzalez, he emphasized that this matchup makes both of them much better.
"It’s good on good," he said. "He’s a No. 1 receiver in this league going up against a No. 1 corner. That’s how it’s gonna go. It’s football at the end of the day. There’s never no disrespect or anything."
4. Gabe Jacas moving up the depth chart
Since he started practice following all the drama with his rookie contract, Gabe Jacas has been more and more involved each and every day. And on Thursday, Jacas worked with the first-team defense and second-team defense, showcasing his speed and power.
5. Quarterback stats
Drake Maye: 10-for-15
Tommy DeVito: 3-for-6
Behren Morton: 3-for-6
6. Attendance
ABSENT: WR Romeo Doubs, WR Cameron Dorner, TE Jack Westover, CB Carlton Davis
PUP: LB Harold Landry
NFI: S Brenden Schooler
RETURNED: OG Caedan Wallace
After being activated off the physically unable to perform list for the walkthrough, Dippre took part in his first padded practice.
7. Other notes
- Christian Barmore and Charles Woods both left practice early
- Kyle Williams got opportunities with the first-team offense, while also cycling in with the second and third team.
- Terrell Jennings got the most running back reps with six handoffs during team drills followed by Rhamondre Stevenson with five.
- Quintayvious Hutchins and Jesse Luketa appeared to record would-be-sacks.
What's next?
The Patriots will return to the practice field for their final session of the week on Friday, Aug. 7 and it is set to begin at 10:15 a.m. ET. Mike Vrabel will speak with reporters before.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 7 takeaways from Day 11 of Patriots training camp
