It was yet another hot one down here in Foxborough as the Patriots hit the practice fields for day three of their 2023 training camp. They were in shells for the first time, gearing up for full pads starting next week.
Bill Belichick spoke to the media prior to the session sporting a red hoodie once again, but wouldn’t indulge in the speculated “hold-in” by star linebacker Matthew Judon. More on Judon below.
In a special-teams heavy, 120-minute session, here’s everything that stood out:
First on the field, player arrivals
Chad Ryland and Bryce Baringer were the first on the field, as specialists tend to be. The rookies are trying to make a mark early.
Matthew Judon got a loud crowd roar, throwing his shell and jersey as he ran towards the fans in his signature red sweatshirt.
Mac Jones was the last quarterback on the field after Bailey Zappe and McSorely, but there was no video evidence as he snuck in behind the fences.
Notes and Storylines: Offense
- After suffering what looked like a lower-leg injury on Thursday, Ty Montgomery missed practice on Friday.
The highlight of the session came on the first play of 7-on-7s. Mac Jones hit Hunter Henry for a touchdown down the seam, with the tight end mossing Adrian Phillips in the process.
- Demario Douglas, one of New England’s two sixth-round receivers, worked in with the first-team offense again. Kayshon Boutte remained with the scouts. Douglas beat Myles Bryant on a crossing route for a TD during 11-on-11s.
- Rhamondre Stevenson, who was limited in Thursday’s practice, was a full participant on a Friday and replied with the Patriots’ first team offense.
- Same offensive line three days in a row: Trent Brown, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Bill Murray, Riley Reiff. Bill Murray is a clear placeholder as they await Mike Onwenu's return from the PUP list.
- For those that are into this kind of stuff, we had a true interaction between Mac Jones and Bill Belichick during 11-on-11's. Belichick remains a "hoverer" over the offense with O'Brien in clear command.
- It’s been a quiet training camp for tight end Mike Gesicki and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. This should be expected from Thornton who's a prototypical stretch-the-field guy. But Gesicki, who is supposed to be a red zone threat, being a no-show is a startling development.
Notes and Storylines: Defense
- Defensive tackle Christian Barmore wsa missing from practice, but it turns out he welcomed a child on Thursday evening, likely explaining his absence.
- Matthew Judon, who many speculated was staging a hold-in with the Patriots over the first two days due to a contract dispute, was present and lasted all practice. He looks healthy.
- I’m kind of surprised we haven’t seen Jalen Mills repping in at cornerback. He remains at safety.
- Jonathan Jones was the boundary corner opposite Christian Gonzalez today. He was the best player on the field, highlighted by a break-up on a DeVante Parker jump ball from Mac Jones.
- Marte Mapu, still sporting a red non-contract practice jersey, got some notable reps at safety with New England’s second-team. The third-round pick is lightning quick rallying to tight ends.
- Gonzalez continues to look like he belongs. He had a nice pass break up against Tyquan Thornton during 7-on-7s.
- Marcus Jones, who struggled at boundary cornerback on Thursday, returned to the slot on Friday and had a nice break-up on Hunter Henry in the red zone.
Notes and Storylines: Special teams
- A heavy special teams day today down in Gillette. They worked through punt, punt return, kick, and kick return to start practice.
- UDFA Jourdan Heilig once again got some 1-on-1 work with Matthew Slater and Cam Achord. He looks like a candidate to enter both the “UDFA” and “Patriots specialist” pipeline.
- Nick Folk looked like the first-team place kicker today. I’ll be keeping a keen eye on this as camp conutines as the Patriot spent a fourth-round pick on rookie Chad Ryland. I’d be shocked if he didn’t become their kicker.
- Unit was the Joe Judge show again.
Player of the Day
Jonathan Jones.
The defensive backfield won the day with several break-ups against the Patriots' pass catchers, and they were led by Jonathan Jones.
He's the clear candidate to play on the boundary on Christian Gonzalez on Sunday's.
Media availability
We spoke with Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, Tyquan Thornton, and Matthew Judon following practice:
“You’ve gotta soak everything in,” Christian Gonzalez said about the NFL grind. “
“It’s just a bunch of meetings. Coming to practice. Doing all that. Then you’ve gotta do it all when you get home.”
Marcus Jones, who’s entering his second NFL season, was asked about the main difference from his rookie year, responding with “routine.” He said he leans on the many veterans in the Patriots defensive backfield to develop said routine.
After some drama at the running back position over the past week, Rhamondre Stevenson is ready for the season. “I’m just focused on the fame of football,” said the play maker.
Was he invited to the running back contract Zoom call? “No comment.”
One player who has been a focal point of Patriots training camp so far is JuJu Smith-Schuster. His “work ethic” is what stands out most to Tyquan Thornton.
Thornton was also asked about not being able to use his best quality, his speed, over the last several days sue to the heavy focus in the red zone, saying that he has to focus on his route-running and contested catch ability.
Matthew Judon was asked about his speculated hold-in, saying that he’s “happy to be here” and wont talk to the media about his contract since we are “snitches.” Noted. He did say he wants to remain with the Patriots for the rest of his career.
And finally, tight end Mike Gesicki on Mac Jones:
“Mac throws a very catchable ball. He’s accurate. He’s on time.”
Wrap-Up and Takeaways
Overall, the defense was the winner over the last three days of red zone work. There’s not a whole lot to knock on the offense, though. It will remain TBD on what they’re truly capable of until they’re able to stretch the field.
The Patriots are off on Saturday but hit the field again Sunday for their fourth practice of the Summer. We’ll have you covered here at WEEI.com as New England continues their 2023 training camp journey.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
