Efton Chism rises up, veteran starter demoted

FOXBORO — Lower than 48 hours after strapping on their pads for a preseason recreation, the Patriots hit the sector once more for a two-hour apply.

The damage confirmed.

The Pats had a considerably sluggish day below 90-degree warmth, practising proper up till Stefon Diggs’ end-zone drop on a play run at lower than full velocity that capped Drake Maye’s 1-minute drill. Total, Maye completed 5-of-13 with a few sacks in staff intervals.

Defensively, the Patriots welcomed again veteran cornerback Carlton Davis, who competed in his first 11-on-11 drills because the first day of camp. Davis completed with a go breakup, as did a number of different defenders, together with rookie security Craig Woodson. A fourth-round decide, Woodson seems to be threatening Kyle Dugger’s beginning job, as Dugger continues to separate his reps between the beginning protection and second-team unit.

Sunday’s apply now leads right into a Monday session that ought to partially be devoted to game-planning for joint practices in Minnesota on Wednesday and Thursday. These days would be the Patriots’ most essential and telling of the summer season, testing themselves in opposition to a well-coached and extra gifted roster with only some practices left to determine who they need to be.

Elsewhere at apply, an undrafted rookie continued his rise, a veteran pass-rusher returned, the kicking competitors took an surprising flip and followers took their exit one remaining time.

Listed below are the Herald’s full apply observations:

Attendance

Returned: CB Carlton Davis OL Caedan Wallace

Absent: CB Christian Gonzalez, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, WR Kendrick Bourne, WR Ja’Lynn Polk, LB Jahlani Tavai, S Josh Minkins, OLB Elijah Ponder

Restricted: TE Hunter Henry, DL Christian Barmore, CB DJ James

Notes: Stevenson missed apply after taking part in a number of collection in Friday’s preseason opener. Gonzalez will journey to Minnesota this week for joint practices in Minnesota, however is unlikely to take part, per Mike Vrabel. Polk won’t apply after sustaining an damage Friday night time. No updates on Bourne or Tavai; Ponder’s damage was new after an lively preseason opener, when he performed on three particular groups items and contributed on protection within the first and fourth quarters.

Henry didn’t take part after preliminary stretching and drills, whereas Barmore was a bit extra concerned. Younger cornerback DJ James left apply early with an athletic coach. Davis was a full participant because the first day of camp.

Play of the Day

Efton Chism climbs the ladder

Dealing with an all-out blitz within the tight pink zone, Joshua Dobbs took the snap and instantly lobbed a high-arching prayer to his left. Efton Chism answered it.

The undrafted rookie receiver – who starred in Friday’s preseason opener – stored the highlights coming by boxing out Marcus Jones’ tight protection and snagging the ball at his highest level with one-hand. Chism then tangled mid-air with Jones whereas cradling the ball and crashing to the bottom. He stood up, slowly, with the ball nonetheless in his grasp.

Landing.

Participant of the Day

Efton Chism III

He wasn’t good, however Chism had a number of catches in each interval, from 2-on-2s to 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s.

Dobbs hit him for 2 touchdowns in 7-on-7s on completely different routes, then once more in opposition to the blitz within the aforementioned Play of the Day. Chism’s final goal was damaged up by cornerback Alex Austin, however by that time he had already starred on a day with few standout performances.

QB Nook

Observe: The passing stats under have been tallied throughout aggressive 11-on-11 intervals solely. The stats in parentheses symbolize Maye’s camp-long efficiency.

Drake Maye: 5-of-13, 2 sacks (91-of-147, 3 INTs, 22 sacks)

Notes: Maye opened apply by finishing 4 of seven passes in 7-on-7s, when he additionally had two knocked away. Then he went ice chilly in full-team drills, the place the Patriots began on the 18-yard line. First, Maye whipped a display completion to DeMario Douglas, then puked up a close to interception from a closing pocket, misfired for Kyle Williams, couldn’t hit Mack Hollins, overthrew Stefon Diggs throughout a would-be sack (Milton Williams) and had a late throw for Kayshon Boutte knocked away.

Now 1-of-6, Maye appeared to show his day round with a landing to Boutte in opposition to Marcus Jones. That led right into a remaining drill, the place the offense received the ball at midfield with 45 seconds left. Maye ripped a brief completion to Douglas proper after Okay’Lavon Chaisson would’ve dropped him for a sack. Then he recovered a shotgun snap that hit off a working again for a fumble. Again on his toes, Maye discovered Boutte on a downfield route over the center, scrambled, returned to Douglas for a brief acquire on a transferring pocket throw and tossed two incomplete leap balls earlier than the Diggs drop.

Robust day.

Studs

S Craig Woodson

The rookie security began forward of veteran Kyle Dugger and almost scooped an interception from Maye in 11-on-11s. He additionally would have delivered a monster hit on an outdoor run in the identical drill, a play the place his play recognition put him forward of the place the ball was going.

WR Kayshon Boutte

Boutte snatched a few touchdowns from Maye, one in 7-on-7s and one other in 11-on-11s. He completed with three catches on 4 targets in staff drills.

Duds

QB Drake Maye

Maye’s accuracy has been scattershot the final week or so, save for the Patriots’ joint apply in opposition to the Commanders.

WR Stefon Diggs

Diggs dropped a simple landing on the finish, one in every of two targets he noticed throughout 11-on-11s. He has cooled considerably because the begin of camp.

Offensive notes

Prime targets in staff drills: WR Efton Chism III 4/7, WR Mack Hollins 3/7, WR DeMario Douglas 3/4

Drops: WR Stefton Diggs, Hollins

Prime offensive line: LT Will Campbell, LG Jared Wilson, C Garrett Bradbury, RG Mike Onwenu, RT Morgan Moses

1-on-1 go rush winners: OT Will Campbell 2-0, OG Mike Onwenu 2-1

1-on-1 go rush losers: C Garrett Bradbury 1-2, OT Demontrey Jacobs

Operating backs

• Antonio Gibson began instead of Rhamondre Stevenson, who was lacking for causes unknown. Gibson took a team-high six hand-offs to 1 every for TreVeyon Henderson and JaMycal Hasty.
• Henderson was quiet in 11-on-11s, save for a pleasant second in blitz pickup the place he crossed the pocket to cease an incoming blitzer from creaming Maye.
• Henderson’s mild offensive workload additionally included a catch from Maye in 7-on-7s on an in route. Throughout particular groups intervals, he and Gibson have been the highest kick returners.

Vast receivers

• DeMario Douglas continues to be Mr. Dependable, catching two passes in Maye’s 1-minute drill and three general throughout full-team intervals. Maye is most assured in his slot receiver.
• What’s up with Stefon Diggs? The Patriots managed his reps in final Wednesday’s joint apply with the Commanders, then didn’t play him within the preseason opener. His solely catch Sunday got here in 7-on-7s, a play that finally felt inconsequential in comparison with his drop on the finish.
• Veteran free-agent addition Mack Hollins was a preferred goal, thanks partly to the 1-minute drill. Maye focused the 6-foot-4 receiver on a few end-zone photographs.
• Third-round rookie Kyle Williams didn’t catch both of his targets throughout staff intervals, one a nasty miss from Maye and the opposite from Dobbs that seventh-round decide Kobee Minor batted away.  Williams has had an inconsistent camp round a robust preseason debut.
• Javon Baker, who’s making a roster push on particular groups along with his sporadic spotlight grabs, had one catch.

Tight ends

• Hunter Henry left the sector nearly instantly after warmups. Austin Hooper and Jack Westover took his beginning reps in staff intervals.
• Westover had the one catch between the 2 of them, with Hooper failing to safe any of his three targets.
• Westover’s placement with the primary staff displays each the employees’s confidence in his potential to execute the playbook and, it appears, their insecurity in different choices.
• Undrafted rookie Gee Scott, the most efficient pass-catcher on this group for many of camp, has but to work with the starters in a means that may point out he’s inched nearer to a roster spot.
• Current free-agent addition Cole Fotheringham had two grabs, each from Joshua Dobbs.

Offensive line

• No main adjustments or developments up entrance Sunday. Will Campbell went 2-0 throughout particular person go rush drills, then allowed a sack to Okay’Lavon Chaisson who zipped by his fellow LSU alum in a single staff interval.
• One other rookie, left guard Jared Wilson, gave the impression to be concerned in one other sack; this one courtesy of defensive sort out Milton Williams who burst by way of the center to achieve Maye.
• Wilson did, nonetheless, deal with Williams as soon as once they went head-to-head throughout 1-on-1 go rush. The rookie packs critical power.
• At middle, Garrett Bradbury’s pass-blocking woes are most evident when he’s been remoted. He can not get a grip on defensive sort out Khyris Tonga when they’re head-to-head.
• Good outing for Mike Onwenu, far and away the perfect and most constant among the many O-linemen.
• Morgan Moses rotated at proper sort out in staff intervals with Demontrey Jacobs, who took a few main losses in 1-on-1 go rush.
• Jacobs and Vederian Lowe at present challenge because the Patriots’ backup tackles. Caedan Wallace additionally returned to work with the second-team line at left guard, with Ben Brown at middle and Cole Unusual taking part in proper guard.

Defensive notes

Prime personnel throughout staff intervals: Prime personnel throughout staff intervals: defensive linemen Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Khyris Tonga and Joshua Farmer; linebackers Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens, Harold Landry and Okay’Lavon Chaisson; defensive backs Alex Austin, DJ James, Marcus Jones, Miles Battle, Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson.

Interceptions: N/A

Cross breakups: CB Marcus Jones 2, CB Carlton Davis, CB Alex Austin, LB Christian Elliss, CB Kobee Minor

Would-be sacks: DL Milton Williams, OLB Okay’Lavon Chaisson, Workforce

Defensive linemen

• Christian Barmore was restricted for essentially the most intense intervals of apply, from 1-on-1 go rush to staff intervals. Khyris Tonga changed him within the beginning lineup.
• Milton Williams seemed way more like himself after a so-so apply versus the Commanders on Wednesday. He confirmed up in 1-on-1s and staff drills.
• Keion White’s scorching begin to camp is effectively over, due to a poor joint apply and inconsistent rush Sunday. White went 2-3 throughout particular person go rush.
• Isaiah Iton, a second-year defensive sort out, is making a run on the 53-man roster. He was among the many first off the bench in the course of the 1-minute drill on the finish of apply, rotating in to maintain the Patriots’ pass-rush contemporary. A reputation to recollect.

Linebackers

• Welcome again, Okay’Lavon Chaisson. Regardless of lacking a full week of apply, Chaisson nonetheless led the Patriots in would-be sacks over coaching camp and recorded his seventh at Will Campbell’s expense late in apply.
• Chaisson took the sector with the Patriots’ beginning protection throughout Maye’s 1-minute drill, indicating he’s a significant piece of their subpackage plans, and deservedly so.
• Anfernee Jennings, who performed deep into the fourth quarter Friday night time, took snaps reverse fifth-round rookie Bradyn Swinson on the second staff unit. Each carried out effectively in 1-on-1 go rush, with Jennings beating proper sort out Morgan Moses clear across the edge.
• Beginning inside linebackers Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss didn’t flash a lot except for the go breakup Elliss tallied in 7-on-7s and a display he helped blow up early in 11-on-11s.
• Haven’t any concern, “Dr. Gibby “is right here. The Patriots’ prime backup at inside linebacker, Jack Gibbens, made performs as a blitzer and in protection Sunday. He’s been strong all summer season with Jahlani Tavai nonetheless out.

Defensive backs

• Sure, it’s a demotion. Kyle Dugger started to separate his time between the first- and second-team defenses earlier within the week, however that cut up leaned a lot heavier to the latter unit Sunday.
• Rookie Craig Woodson began most intervals with Jabrill Peppers and Jaylinn Hawkins, whereas Dugger ran with the backups and allowed one in every of three catches to a decent finish all apply.
• Dugger will not be a clear match for the brand new scheme, and has been famous on this area earlier than, is commonly a half to full step behind in 1-on-1 protection. It’s arduous to think about the 29-year-old has fallen off this far, however he’s working out of time.