6 rings: Judon makes presence immediately known following "Hold in"
There are very few things like football on a Sunday in Foxborough, Massachusetts and that’s exactly what we got on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium on August 6. The sun was out, the fans were loud, and the Patriots hit the ground running for their tenth practice of the summer. Here’s everything that stood out:
First on the field, player arrivals
Deatrich Wise was the first Patriot on the field on Sunday, followed by the rookie duo of Chad Ryland and Bryce Baringer.
Bailey Zappe was the first quarterback on the field, followed by Mac Jones. Here’s his entrance:
New England’s defensive backfield not only packs a punch on the field, but as they enter the field as well.
The Patriots wide receiver room, along with some others, were rocking red undershirts, arm sleeves, and leg sleeves at Sunday’s practice. Prehamps a hat tip to Matthew Judon’s contract readjustment? Here’s a look:
Notes and Storylines: Offense
- David Andrews was absent from practice. He headlined several others who were likely given a veterans day off. James Ferentz repped at center in his absence.
- Cole Strange remained out with a leg injury, and Trent Brown was present but a non-participant. With these three out, the starting offensive line was: LT Reiff, LG Mafi, C Ferentz, RG Murray, RT McDermott. IT showed.
- The offensive line struggled today, hardly giving Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, or Trace McSorley any time to let plays develop during 11-on-11 periods. It’s tough to get a look with Matthew Judon in your face every single play.
- Demario Douglas remains the training camp darling. He burnt Myles Bryant on a whip route in 7-on-7 and was Mac Jones’ first target in 11-on-11s.
- Speaking of Douglas, his performance is having quite the ripple effect on the Patriots wide receiver room. When they split up for “routes on air”, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, and Douglas worked with Mac Jones while the rest worked with Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley. That second group, for the first time, included 2022 second round pick Tyquan Thornton.
- Offensive lineman Calvin Anderson, who has been on the non-football illness list for the entirety of training camp, was at practice in street clothes speaking with coach Adrian Klemm. This was the second time I’ve seen Anderson as an on-looker at practice.
- Mac Jones hit DeVante Parker on a long touchdown over Jack Jones to close out a two minute drill. The wide receiver continues to flash his jump ball skills throughout camp.
Notes and Storylines: Defense
- Jonathan Jones wasn’t at practice, likely a veterans day off as well. In his absence, Marcus Jones was lined up opposite Christian Gonzalez at boundary corner to start. Jack Jones also saw some time there during 11-on-11s.
- After signing a restructured contract on Friday, Matthew Judon was a full participant in practice, and he dominated. More on that later.
- Marte Mapu lined up with the Patriots first team during 11-on-11s. Both he and fellow rookie Christian Gonzalez had their first interceptions of training camp. They’re looking like immediate impact players on this New England defense.
- Joshuah Bledsoe got burnt by Tyquan Thornton on a deep route during 11s, but quickly recovered for a nice pass breakup. The safety is making a serious push in a crowded safety room.
- During a red zone period, the defense had to take a lap for what looked to be a bad substitution. The focus on discpline for this 2023 team is on all sides of the football.
Notes and Storylines: Special teams
- Matthew Slater wasn’t at practice on Sunday, rounding out the veterans day off. The special teamer also didn’t practice on Friday. They’re giving the 16-year veteran plenty of rest.
- Joe Judge is still very much the acting special teams coordinator with Cam Achord serving a positional coach role.
- Ryland and Baringer remain the first kicker/punter duo. They’re their jobs to lose at this point.
Player of the Day
Matthew Judon.
Following his contract adjustment prior to Friday night’s practice, Judon returned to the field on Sunday and dominated. Though they weren’t in full pads, the linebacker made it impossible for the Patriots offensive line to contain him. He had at least three sacks, if not more, during the session. He’s setting himself up for another dominant year in New England.
Media availability
We spoke to Kendrick Bourne, Jabrill Peppers, Josh Uche, and (of course) Matthew Judon following Sunday’s practice. Here’s what stood out:
“Yeah,” said Bourne when asked if the Patriots offense is gaining confidence. “We’re very comfortable in the sense of knowing what we’re doing and being on the same page.” He echoed his teammate, JuJu Smith-Schuster, from last week in saying that they’re all No. 1 wide receivers: “That’s how we all need to think.”
Jabrill Peppers said that the reason the defense performed so well on Sunday was due to a “rashing” from coaches following their performance at Friday’s practice.
“I asked him to let me hold something,” pass rusher Josh Uche said about his bookend Matthew Judon’s contract re-adjustment. “Nah I’m playing. It’s a blessing. He also said that Judon is like an older brother to him and has helped him grow on and off the field.
Judon, who spoke for the first time since his pay day, said of Uche: “I just see Uche growing every day. The little bit of knowledge and attitude I have about the game I to give to him and anybody else that’ll listen.”
Judon also spoke about the contract itself: “Me and the guys upstairs got something done… I’m happy, they’re happy, we shook hands, and now we’re playing football.”
Wrap-Up and Takeaways
New England’s defense was the winner of Sunday’s practice with pass break ups from Bledsoe, Myles Bryant, Peppers, Jack Jones, and Rodney Randle. Their defensive backfield along with a dominant pass rush is going to give oppositng offenses headaches this season.
The Patriots are back at it on Monday at 1 p.m., with two remaining practices before welcoming the Texans to town on Thursday evening for preseason game number one. Like always, we’ll have you covered for all of it here at WEEI.com.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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