If you came to Patriots training camp hoping to see the quarterbacks air it out, Monday's practice wasn't for you. However, the two-hour fully padded session was real, physical football.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo scripted a run-heavy, short-yardage practice with two periods of live tackling to the ground. During my seven seasons on the beat, Monday's practice was as physical as any Patriots practice this scribe has seen in wicked hot mid-day weather.

The idea was to prepare players for Thursday night's preseason opener by simulating game-like conditions. Although this is purely speculative, it's possible that Coach Mayo doesn't plan on playing his starters vs. the Panthers on Thursday night, so this is how he's getting his team ready for the physicality that's to come with another practice in full pads expected on Tuesday.

Along with pointing out the rarity of a live tackling practice in today's NFL, it's only fitting that we break down the trenches in a practice like we saw on Monday. From this perspective, the Patriots defense largely dominated the trenches battle, with the offense struggling to run the ball.

Following a strong practice last week, Coach Mayo challenged the Patriots' defense to match the offense's intensity. New England's defensive front, in particular, seemed to get the message. There was very little room to run throughout the day, with short gains and would-be defensive stops. There was also a lot of pressure on the Pats quarterbacks on Monday as the offensive line continued trying different combinations.

With injuries and rookies still growing into roles, the Patriots offensive line relied on veterans Vederian Lowe (left) and Calvin Anderson (right) as their top two offensive tackles. The interior has stabilized with Sidy Sow (LG), David Andrews (C), and Mike Onwenu (RG), but tackle remains an unknown in a scheme that's designed to get the ball on the perimeter.

During a live goal-line drill, the first of training camp, here was the sequence of plays for the top offense versus the starters on defense: debatable whether Stevenson got in on lead iso scheme, an interception by Ja'Whaun Bentley, and a run stuff by safety Jabrill Peppers.

The glass-half-full take is that the Patriots defense was in good form during a very physical practice, with multiple players standing out. Bentley was among the best players on the field with two run stuffs, a batted pass at the line, and the previously mentioned pick. Others who recorded pressures or run stuffs were Keion White, Jeremiah Pharms, Sam Roberts, and Oshane Ximines, while Matthew Judon seemed to get in there to split a "sack" with White.

Although there were concerns about the Patriots defensive front with stud defensive tackle Christian Barmore (blood clots) sidelined indenfintely, Monday was a good flex for the front seven. It's great to be able to write that the offense is improving, and it's worth noting that Monday's practice was the first time the offense drilled short-yardage plays in a live practice, but the Patriots defense will need to carry this team if they're going to be competitive. In the last two padded sessions, practice has swung back in the defense's favor.

Here are seven takeaways from inside the trenches following Monday's old-school football practice:

1. LB Ja'Whaun Bentley Shines as the Unsung Standout in Patriots Defense

The major storylines during training camp are usually centered around newcomers to the team, such as rookies, marquee free-agent signings, and other potentially flashy names.

However, we don't often discuss entrenched starters such as Ja'Whaun Bentley because he is a known commodity in the Patriots defense as he heads into year seven. The 27-year-old throwback linebacker doesn't get the national recognition he deserves, either.

For example, Bentley was left off ESPN's annual positional rankings at inside linebacker. Typically, those accolades go to more new-age prototypes. Bentley is a 250-pound thumper who compresses space and takes on blocks and ball carriers with the best of them. In the Pats two-gapping odd front base defense, Bentley is a stud in his role, and he has improved in coverage over the years as well.

On Monday, Bentley recorded multiple run stuffs and got his hands on two passes. With the Patriots trying out some lead-blockers during goal line drills, quarterback Jacoby Brissett attempted a play-action pass to the fullback. There was a bang-bang collision at the goal line, and Bentley came away with the ball for an interception. Later, he recorded a run stuff and batted a Brissett pass down at the line of scrimmage on consecutive 11-on-11 plays.

The Patriots linebacker was in mid-season form in a practice where his skills could really shine.

2. EDGE Keion White Trying to Realize Potential, Make Second-Year Jump

The typical timeline for young player development is that most players improve significantly from year one to year two. For some, it happens during their rookie year, while others make the leap heading into their second NFL season to emerge as impact players.

One of those players with the potential to make the year-two jump for the Patriots is edge rusher Keion White. Minor injuries and a veteran-heavy depth chart capped White at a 48.8% snap rate in his rookie season, but the 47th overall pick in the 2023 draft had some production. The 25-year-old recorded 20 quarterback pressures and 19 stops in year one via PFF, with an impressive four hurries in his regular-season debut.

The hope is that White, who is still relatively new to playing defense, can continue developing in the nuanced areas of the game to take that next step. Mainly, he's working to develop secondary rush moves to build off noticeable power to defeat blocks and make more splash plays. On Monday, White recorded three quarterback pressures during team drills.

Speaking to reporters after practice, White noted that he hasn't used his foundational power rush during drills to work on his secondary rush moves. He also highlighted wanting to get off blocks more consistently and is volunteering to face off against standout guard Mike Onwenu in one-on-ones so that he can go against the best in practice.

White has all the tools to be a highly disruptive player, and you see it in flashes during practice. However, there's a difference between disruption and sack production. It's great to be a wrecking ball, but the Pats need finishers, which is where technique and play recognition come into play. If he keeps expanding his pass-rush toolbox, that's how White can take the next step toward converting pressures into sacks.

In his post-practice availability, Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon reiterated that he wants to be part of the Patriots long-term plans. Judon is entering the last year of a four-year deal and is seeking a contract extension. To this point, the two sides have not come to an agreement.

With an uncertain future for the Patriots best overall player, White currently is the edge rusher with the highest ceiling to take the belt from Judon if the Pro Bowler isn't here past this season.

3. Other Standouts on the Interior Defensive Line in Monday's Practice

As mentioned, the defensive line won the day over the Patriots offensive line in Monday's practice. Among the other standouts for the defense were edge rusher Oshane Ximines, DT Jeremiah Pharms, newly added DT Mike Purcell, and defensive lineman Sam Roberts.

Ximines continues to stack positive days with an extremely high motor and good bend to turn the corner. The former Giants draft pick practices incredibly hard, recording three quarterback pressures in Monday's practice. The 27-year-old is making a strong 53-man roster push. He's most effective rushing out of a three-point stance, but at 6-4, 255 pounds, he also has the length to be a standup edge-setter. Ximines would be on my 53-man roster projection right now.

4. G Mike Onwenu Continues Dominant Run in One-on-One Period

Certain summertime storylines are what training camp is all about: an undrafted rookie making the roster, Quinn Nordin's in-stadium practice, and a stud football player dominating practice. Onwenu has been unbeatable during one-on-ones, having another perfect day at 3-0 and two wins over Keion White. By my charting, Onwenu is now 14-1-1.

On one rep, the standout guard threw a stunning one-handed punch with his right hand, derailing White's rush and sending the 285-pound edge rusher to the ground. That's a big, powerful man in White, whom Onwenu easily discarded. Notably, Big Mike has repped almost exclusively at right guard, not right tackle, as the Pats new staff finds him a permanent home. If these practices are any indication, Onwenu will have a monster season.

5. Examining the Offensive Tackle Situation for the Patriots

The Patriots interior offensive line is starting to look pretty formidable on paper. Onwenu is a beast, second-year left guard Sidy Sow is improving, and center David Andrews is steady.

The interior trio gives the Patriots something to build off of along the offensive line. However, tackle remains a major question mark 10 practices into camp. Lowe (LT) and Anderson (RT) have been the top two tackles in recent practices, where the run game has struggled. Free-agent addition Chuks Okorafor hasn't participated in practice lately, while third-round draft pick Caedan Wallace is mostly running with the second unit.

Wallace has potential with NFL-ready size, playing strength, and smooth movement skills. But he's still leaving himself vulnerable to inside counters at times. Wallace rebounded from a loss against John Morgan to win his last two one-on-one reps. Last week, we wrote that Wallace was potentially on track to be a day-one starter. We'll have to pump the breaks on that a bit.

6. EDGE Anfernee Jennings Showing Some Pass-Rush Ability in One-on-Ones

The former third-round pick had a breakout season one year ago as a rock-solid run defender, making 46 stops. Although he's a great run defender, Jennings only tallied 21 quarterback pressures in 275 pass-rush snaps. Among 120 qualified edge rushers, Jennings ranked 106th in pass-rush productivity in 2023 (4.2). Knowing those numbers, Jennings going 3-0-1 in one-on-ones was notable. Granted, two were against tight ends working on pass-blocking, but Jennings had a nice inside move against Anderson that caught the eye. He's more slippery in drills than he showed on film last season.

7. Undrafted rookie RB Terrell Jennings is a Player to Watch in the Preseason

Lastly, it's hard to gauge running backs in camp practices. However, Jennings's wiggle and ability to finish with power is notable. He has looked smooth catching passes, too. I'm excited to see Jennings in Thursday night's preseason game. That's where running backs shine.

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer