The Patriots held a third straight day of practice on Monday, once again donning the pads for a somewhat dialed-back session that still featured some competitive situational work. Now the team will have a day off before embarking on a regular-season-like schedule the rest of the week with practices slated for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, building up to the team's final preseason game Sunday night against the Washington Commanders.
"The good thing about this week is we play on Sunday, so we're gonna get a full game-playing week," said Jacob Brissett after the session. "So we're using this as a mock-up of how the season will be, excited to see how that'll look and and where we're progressing."
On Monday each quarterback took three reps in each of the team periods which featured mid-field 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s with the practice culminating in a situational period with 1:04 on the clock and the ball starting at the Patriots own 30-yard line. Brissett's first group opened the period with Brissett hitting a 45-yard bomb down the left sideline to Tyquan Thornton after he got behind cornerback Christian Gonzalez. It was the play of the day and a sign of Thornton's continued emergence this summer. The third-year receiver has been seeing plenty of snaps as a top outside receiver.
The big play was enough to set up a successful Joey Slye field goal from 36 yards out as the clock expired, ending the day on a solid note for the first offense.
"[Tyquan] made a great catch, and that was a good way to end that part of training camp," said Brissett. "Again, it's all about progression and finding ways to get better with these guys and get on the same page. And I think that we're doing that."
Drake Maye's second group did not have the same success, taking a sack on the first play that instantly backed them up 10 yards to their own 20. Maye would hit Kayshon Boutte on a 12-yard comeback to keep things interesting for a final Hail Mary, but that last pass on fourth down fell incomplete with Javon Baker nowhere near making a play on the ball.
Maye was better in 7-on-7s, stringing together another impressive period without blockers or rushers by completing all three of his pass attempts with two to K.J. Osborn and one to Jalen Reagor. On the whole, Maye's progress this summer has been most dramatic in the 7s periods and in recent days has started to carry over into full team periods.
"I think it's attributed to his hard work, his dedication to his craft,," said Jerod Mayo of Maye's improvement. "This guy comes in early, leaves late. Every day, he's one of those type of guys, and he's done a great job. I would also say the coaches have done a good job meeting with him one-on-one, making sure that he's comfortable with his team play. He's absolutely getting better."
There continues to be plenty of opportunity along the offensive line with Nick Leverett and Calvin Anderson missing their third-straight session. Lesser experienced backups Liam Fornadel, Charles Turner and Kellen Diesch were among those getting increased reps, while rookie Layden Robinson appears to making significant strides forward in recent days coming off a strong appearance against the Eagles.
"I do feel like I'm getting better and more comfortable and that's the blessing about it, just being surrounded by good people who genuinely want to see each other win," said Robinson. "Because, at the end of the day, it is a business, but it's about the success of the team, and I feel like that's what this group it's about. And it's the way we have that camaraderie together, and how we just push each other every day."
The Patriots will have three more practices this week, bringing their preseason total to 20. They've already had 10 padded practices and should be in line for at least another one or two, as first-year head coach Jerod Mayo hasn't made things easy on his team this summer.
Practice Notes
Austin Hooper returned to practice after missing Sunday's padded session, but Mitchell Wilcox was not spotted...Jerod Mayo mentioned Jaheim Bell as one player who could have expanded opportunities with injuries hitting the TE group but La'Michael Pettway and Jacob Warren saw early reps as well... Hooper was still limited... Mayo also said that "everyone who is healthy" will be playing against the Commanders on Sunday... Solid punting session from Bryce Baringer, who dropped multiple kicks inside the 10-yard line... Drake Maye kicked off 7-on-7 completing all three of his passes, including two to K.J. Osborn... Joe Milton completed a laser up the seam to David Wallis in 7s, a standout throw that showcased Milton's potent arm... Kellen Diesch saw some second-team left tackle snaps, while Liam Fornadel is making the most of his opportunities as second-team center... In end-of-practice field goals with ramped-down intensity from Sunday, Joey Slye went 3-of-5, wide right from 45 and wide right from 52, while Chad Ryland went 3-of-4, wide right from 40.
Quotes of Note
Rookie tight end Jaheim Bell on stepping up after injuries at the position, including a three-touchdown practice performance on Sunday:
"The last couple days have been going great. I've just been preparing every day, whenever it was my time for me to shine. Yesterday was one of those days for me. I always tell myself, be ready when that moment comes, because when you get those moments, you don't want to look back and say, 'I wish I did this, and I wish I did that.' So with that opportunity I had, I made the most of it."
Marcus Jones on his role on defense:
"I feel like my role is definitely playing anywhere honestly... in the back end, DB in general, safety, corner, inside. So we move around a lot, as you guys can tell. So I feel like it'll be everywhere on the back end."
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