5 takeaways from Day 2 of Patriots training camp

FOXBOROUGH — The quick passing recreation was a significant level of emphasis in the course of the Patriots’ second coaching camp observe.

There have been loads of display screen passes to receivers and operating backs. Fast slants and quick routes beneath have been part of the combination. There have been some barely longer posts, and some deep photographs on the finish, however Thursday’s observe was principally about retaining it easy and beginning off drives with optimistic performs.

“Simply being good on first down. Optimistic performs on first down,” operating again Rhamondre Stevenson stated. “Don’t go backwards with pre-snap penalties and issues like that. We did alright however we nonetheless have work to do.”

The end result was a crisp, two-hour observe the place the Patriots’ speedier pass-catchers bought an opportunity to work with the ball in area. There weren’t many incompletions, as a result of there weren’t a ton of dangerous performs.

Drake Maye went 14-for-15. Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, and rookie Kyle Williams bought concerned. There weren’t any turnovers, although Maye did fumble a snap early within the observe.

Listed below are 5 takeaways from Thursday’s motion in Foxborough:

Speedy receivers dominated the day

Coaching camp, at this level, is usually concerning the passing recreation with gamers unable to hit one another in padless practices.

Offensive deal with Morgan Moses talked about how laborious it’s to dam with out pads on. The defensive guys aren’t allowed to deal with.

So, with the Patriots engaged on fast passes, Thursday was a day for the smaller, faster guys. Douglas made a leaping catch on a throw from Josh Dobbs early within the observe. Efton Chism grabbed his first catch of the camp. Working again Trayveon Henderson made performs out of the backfield and within the display screen recreation.

It was a quiet day for the tight-ends. New England’s tallest huge receiver, 6-foot-4 Mack Hollins was on the sideline in a purple hoodie.

Diggs and Kayshon Boutte every made a catch in the course of the first a part of crew drills. Williams, who had a giant day on Wednesday, dropped a brief cross from Maye on Thursday.

Stevenson bought loads of work with screens and quick passes, together with one the place the receivers went deep and Maye went to Stevenson within the center whereas the defenders chased the deeper routes.

Christian Barmore is noticeably slimmer than final 12 months

Christian Barmore, who was taking part in at 325 kilos two years in the past, seems noticeably slimmer this season.

He stated his objective was to enter coaching camp at 305-pounds. He challenged himself to drop some weight and add extra velocity to his recreation.

Barmore, who missed all however 4 video games final season following a blood clot scare, spent a while working individually off-to-the-side throughout crew drills.

He declined to say precisely what the coaches had deliberate for him throughout that point.

Barmore stated he plans on being out there for Week 1.

Rookie OL Jared Wilson getting reps within the inside

Thus far, the Patriots’ beginning offensive line unit has been: Will Campbell, Cole Unusual, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, and Morgan Moses.

However rookie offensive lineman Jared Wilson has began to creep into the combination with some first-team reps at heart and left-guard over the previous two days.

Unusual, a 2022 first-round choose who primarily performs left-guard, missed all however three of the Patriots’ video games final season as he recovered from a torn patellar tendon.

The middle place turned a little bit of a revolving door for the Patriots in 2024 after David Andrews went down with a season-ending damage. New England introduced in Bradbury, a veteran heart who has 88 profession begins over six seasons. He began all 17 video games with the Vikings final 12 months.

It’s early, however seeing Wilson within the combine with the first-teamers the final couple days was one thing that stood out.

Ja’Lynn Polk absent once more

Second-year receiver Ja’Lynn Polk has but to take part in New England’s coaching camp practices.

In accordance with ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Polk handed his bodily however has been experiencing minor muscle tightness.

Whereas unproven, the Patriots’ receiver room has gotten pretty crowded with the additions of Diggs and Hollins. Douglas was New England’s best reciever final season.

There are a restricted variety of spots, and the Patriots have choices together with Polk, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, and Javon Baker, as they choose and select who will get to remain.

After producing 87 yards on 12 catches and a pair of touchdowns throughout his rookie season, Polk’s absence for the primary two practices was noticeable.

A few deep photographs to Javon Baker

Josh Dobbs took photographs at a few down-the-field-throws to Javon Baker close to the tip of observe. The primary throw was a tad quick, however nonetheless catchable. Baker dropped it.

Dobbs tried one other deep throw to Baker on the following play, however the throw was nowhere close to him.

These two deep throws have been among the many longest makes an attempt of the observe. Baker, a 2024 second-round choose who made only one catch for 12 yards final season, made some highlight-reel catches throughout coaching camp final 12 months.

The Patriots appear to be giving him some possibilities as a deep risk. He’ll have to indicate he can produce if he needs to make the roster.

Khari A. Thompson

Sports activities Reporter

Khari Thompson covers skilled sports activities for Boston.com. Earlier than becoming a member of the crew in 2022, Khari lined faculty soccer for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.