Patriots
Christian Gonzalez’s early exit, Will Campbell’s first day in pads, and DeMario Douglas’s offseason are the highest storylines.
FOXBOROUGH – For the primary time this season, there have been shoulder pads beneath the Patriots’ apply jerseys.
The primary padded apply of this coaching camp was an unexpectedly eventful one, as cornerback Christian Gonzalez left the sector early after struggling an obvious decrease physique harm.
With Carlton Davis already out, the Patriots’ cornerback depth took an early hit.
The Patriots spent most of their scrimmage time working both in, or simply exterior the pink zone.
Drake Maye had one other environment friendly exhibiting. Monday was the primary likelihood to see rookie left-tackle Will Campbell blocking with pads on. Christian Barmore continued to work off to the aspect with trainers throughout staff drills. Kayshon Boutte made some stable performs throughout 1-on-1 drills.
Listed here are 5 takeaways from the motion.
Christian Gonzalez’s day was minimize brief.
Gonzalez’s harm occurred through the 11-on-11 portion of apply when he was matchup up with Stefon Diggs.
The third-year cornerback was noticed strolling slowly off the sector after the rep, stoping sometimes to seize on the higher a part of the again of his left leg.
Gonzalez walked off the sector with a limp. It’s not instantly clear what the harm is, nevertheless it was sufficient to chop his apply day brief.
The 2023 first-round decide missed the majority of his rookie 12 months with a torn labrum. Final season he performed in 16 video games, recording 50 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 move deflections.
With Gonzalez and Davis out, the Patriots went with a mixture of Alex Austin, Marcus Jones, and Marcellas Dial.
Will Campbell vs. Keion White is a matchup to look at.
Campbell is stepping right into a key function as a rookie.
His spot, left sort out, was a weak level on one of many worst offensive traces in professional soccer final 12 months. So, maintaining a tally of how the No. 4 general decide performs shall be a giant deal this summer time.
If Monday’s apply was any indication, Campbell could have a 6-foot-5-inch, 285-pound sparring companion in Keion White pushing him this summer time.
White was overpowering at occasions throughout 1-on-1 drills in opposition to Campbell, nevertheless it wasn’t as noticeable through the 11-on-11 session the place Campbell appeared to carry his personal.
The offense sprung a bunch of huge run performs, and Maye had time to make performs throughout pink zone drills. Because the Patriots continued to ease their again approach into full-contact practices, there wasn’t a lot tackling to the bottom.
However now, with the pads on, we’ll have a barely higher sense of how the offensive and defensive linemen are doing, on the matchup on the sting with Campbell and White is one to control.
Ja’Lynn Polk returned to apply and caught a TD.
Second-year receiver Ja’Lynn Polk returned to apply on Monday after lacking the primary 4 coaching camp practices.
Polk caught a pink zone landing within the nook of the top zone from Drake Maye off of a play-action move through the pink zone drills.
Maye hit Stefon Diggs on crossing route. He discovered Hunter Henry on a designed tight-end display screen. He flicked just a little sidearm display screen move to Rhamondre Stevenson.
Kayshon Boutte didn’t pop as a lot through the scrimmages, however he did have a pair of landing catches in opposition to Gonzalez throughout pink zone drills.
Botched snaps piling up
Maye seems to be having a very good camp to this point.
He appears to be like assured and has had little bother hitting receivers everywhere in the subject. His scrambling capability continues to be there, though might wish to depend on it lower than final 12 months. His sturdy arm is a plus for this offense.
However, one other factor that has stood out is botched snaps. He had one other one right now working with rookie Jared Wilson.
There are some rising pains to be anticipated because the Patriots enter coaching camp with out longtime heart David Andrews for the primary time in a decade.
However, getting the snap proper is primary stuff, and the ball has ended up on the bottom on a couple of event because the starting of camp final week.
DeMario Douglas was an offseason standout.
Coach Mike Vrabel praised receiver DeMario Douglas for his arduous work through the offseason.
Along with engaged on his craft, Douglas stated he has been engaged on changing into extra of a vocal chief.
“Nice power, nice demeanor, very coachable. One in every of our offseason award winners,” Vrabel stated. “So, he clearly labored extraordinarily arduous, was right here day-after-day, able to study, able to earn a task. I like being round Pop (DeMario Douglas). He’s received nice power and he’s received numerous respect from all people round right here.
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