After what seemed like a summer's worth of heat and humidity, the conditions changed dramatically in Foxborough on Tuesday. Clouds and rain replaced the oppressive sun that dominated in recent days, but that didn't stop the Patriots from continuing their work in training camp.
The weather wasn't the only thing that changed from Monday to Tuesday as Jerod Mayo dialed down the intensity a bit 24 hours after conducting one of the most physical practices the Patriots have had in years. In place of the full tackling we witnessed Monday, the two-hour practice featured lots of passing and situational work instead.
The results were a bit uneven as quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye mixed in some quality throws with some periods of inaccuracy, particularly late while working against the clock.
Overall, it was a rather uneventful day with the most noteworthy element likely coming before practice began when Mayo informed the media of his plans for Thursday's preseason opener against Carolina.
"Drake will play, and when he gets in the game, we'll talk about that, but he will play in the game," Mayo said when asked about the possibility of the rookie quarterback working with the starters. "Everyone who is healthy enough to play in the game will play in the game.
"As of today, that's the plan, to have all of those guys out there playing. Once again, it goes back to competing. Yesterday, you guys saw the live tackling period and things like that, that I think is very important. You don't want the first time these guys have to get hit or hit someone else to be in the preseason game. So, we've got to see what these guys can do with live action."
Mayo was asked if that meant Brissett would get the start and the coach was forthcoming once again.
"That's the plan. Once again, I'm telling you guys this today," Mayo confirmed. "I mean, it could change as the week continues to progress, but that is the plan."
It's interesting that Mayo has evidently decided to play his "starters" in Week 1 of the preseason – at least the ones who will be healthy enough to go. That would likely exclude Chuks Okorafor, who missed his third straight practice and was replaced by Calvin Anderson at left tackle. Also, Marcus Jones was absent for the fourth straight day, making him doubtful for Thursday as well.
Beyond the preseason plans, here are one man's observations of Day 11 of Patriots training camp.
*Mayo opened his press conference by addressing the rumors about a potential Brandon Aiyuk trade to New England. Mayo said he wouldn't be talking about any players not currently on his team, but he did comment on Kendrick Bourne, who was included in various trade proposals being reported.
"I did talk to him this morning, and it was a good conversation," Mayo said. "Once again, I feel like the story is so much further along than anything else. I just wanted to make sure we cleared the air. I do believe in being transparent with the players and really just setting those guys at ease."
The 49ers wide receiver would obviously represent a huge lift for the offense, but a deal has yet to be consummated.
*The Patriots made some moves late Monday when they placed Jake Andrews on injured reserve and signed long snapper Tucker Addington. Andrews spent all of training camp on PUP and the backup center will now be lost for the season. Addington was seen at practice on Monday as veteran Joe Cardona spent much of the day running sprints across the field. Perhaps Cardona is dealing with an injury and Addington was brought in to handle long snapping duties in the preseason opener Thursday night.
*Otherwise, the PUP list remained the same with Bourne (knee), Cole Strange (knee) and Sione Takitaki still on the mend. Others not practicing on Tuesday included Christian Barmore (blood clots), Marte Mapu, Okorafor and Jones. Joshuah Bledsoe was back in uniform after missing three straight practices.
*DeMario Douglas continues to take part in all of the contact work yet is still wearing the red, non-contact jersey.
*Joshua Uche was dressed but did mostly conditioning work on the lower rehab field. We haven't seen much from Uche thus far this summer. Tyquan Thornton was also dressed but did lots of running, as was the case on Monday. He spoke after practice and said he's dealing with a soft tissue injury.
*Matthew Judon's strange summer continued as he was not in pads early in practice and spent a lot of time talking with director of skill development Joe Kim and outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins. Judon spoke on Monday and reiterated his dissatisfaction with his contract.
*The rainy conditions appeared to have an adverse effect on the ball-handling. There were a few mishandled snaps and handoff exchanges, as well as a fumble by Kevin Harris on an off tackle running play. Given the fact that it wasn't exactly a soaking rain and not all that wet, the sloppiness was not a great sign.
*Bryce Baringer spent some time working on plus-50 punts with some success. He worked on putting backspin on his kicks, which allowed his coverage the time to down them inside the 5, which happened on a few occasions. Jalen Reagor, K.J. Osborn, Ja'Lynn Polk and David Wallis were deep receiving the punts.
*Maye's early portion of practice was strong, particularly in 7-on-7s. He fired touchdowns to Kayshon Boutte and Jaheim Bell on consecutive snaps in the red zone, then followed that with three completions to Reagor and one to Osborn in 11-on-11s. It was the latter set of plays that offered some encouraging signs as Maye consistently delivered the ball on time and in rhythm – all for modest gains but all on the kinds of plays that open successful drives.
*The workout did not end well for either quarterback as the two-minute drill continues to feature some sloppy play. Brissett opened his series with an 8-yard hookup with Douglas but couldn't connect with Osborn on a hook to set up third down. Brissett tried to find Douglas on an in-cut but was sacked, and Jaylinn Hawkins likely could have broken up the pass if the coaches didn't negate the play with the sack. Then on fourth down he found Osborn deep down the seam to move the chains. A short throw to Austin Hooper set up a field goal attempt from 49 yards out, but Chad Ryland missed wide left.
*Maye's series was even less productive as his first attempt went into heavy traffic before being tipped in the air and picked off by rookie Marcellas Dial. Javon Baker then dropped a quick out before a pass intended for JuJu Smith-Schuster appeared to be tipped and went off the receiver's hand. A fumbled snap followed before Dell Pettus knocked away a fourth-down out intended for Mitchell Wilcox. Not great.
*Ryland and Joey Slye closed practice with some field goal work and Ryland was perfect on kicks ranging from roughly 34-49 yards out. Slye made his first three but hooked his 49-yarder wide left.
*The Patriots walkthrough on Wednesday ahead of the preseason opener will not be open to the public. The next scheduled practice open to the public is set for August 12 at 11 a.m.
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