FoxBorough Mike Vrabel was kind with his Patriots teammates on the third day of training camp.
On Friday, players practiced in shorts, T-shirts, and without helmets for the first time in three consecutive practices. The head coach wanted to give his guys a break before stepping up the ante on Saturday, so this practice served as a walkthrough for Vrabel sPatriots.
The Patriots played at a slower pace on Thursday as the heat index soared beyond 100 degrees at the Gillette Stadium practice grounds. This was because they had Sunday off before their first padded practice on Monday.
“To help you guys understand that this will be more of a walkthrough, today will be lighter,” Vrabel explained. But once more, I believe it’s critical to observe how our team reacts and performs in that role. I’m hoping that we can come away from today with something, return, and have a great time tomorrow before we take the day off.
Today’s emphasis was on third-down plays, following Thursday’s concentrate on first down. In order to practice situational football, the Patriots used lengthy 11-on-11 sessions instead of competitive team drills.
Drake Maye used a combination of short passes and running to start the practice with a few first-down plays. The Patriots quarterback threw 18 consecutive throws during the second and last 11-on-11 practice, which mimicked third-down plays.
There was still a lot to learn even though the plays weren’t performed at their best.
The following are the main conclusions:
It was expected that Will Campbell would be the Patriots’ starting left tackle at the beginning of training camp. After selecting the LSU product with the fourth overall pick, it was always going to be the case.
The inclusion of Jared Wilson, a third-round pick, in the Patriots’ starting offensive line has been unexpected, though.
Wilson, a starting center for Georgia, did not participate in full-team exercises this spring due to restricted playing time. The rookie has played all three interior positions with the starting lineup during training camp: left guard, center, and right guard.
His head coach is thrilled with the newbie.
I believe he picks things up quickly. According to Vrabel, he has been able to pick up two positions inside: center and guard. He was, in my opinion, one of those players who, despite perhaps not playing as much in the spring, was able to fully understand it in his head and let it translate when he did get the chance to play. For a young player, he was able to demonstrate some of those skills so that he would be prepared for his chance to play.
The way the Patriots handled Wilson’s reps on Friday was shocking.
The Patriots used the same offensive line they have been utilizing this summer for the two 11-on-11 periods: Morgan Moses (right tackle), Garrett Bradbury (center), Michael Onwenu (right guard), Campbell (left tackle), and Cole Strange (left guard).
But after three snaps, Strange was replaced by Wilson, who was added to the lineup at left guard. After two snaps, he moved to center and took Bradbury’s place. Before switching to right guard and playing there for two more snaps, Wilson took Onwenu’s spot.
Wilson returned to the sidelines following six snaps at each of the three interior offensive line spots. During the first team period and the second and last 11-on-11 walkthrough period, he went through the offensive line twice.
Wilson, who was regarded as one of the top centers in the draft, is obviously liked by the Patriots and has the ability to challenge a veteran for a starting position.
A walkthrough or the majority of training camp statistics shouldn’t cause you to overreact. But it was intriguing to observe which guys Maye singled out during the team’s third-down drill.
With four catches, Stefon Diggs was the most targeted player on third down. With three receptions in this third-down simulation, DeMario Douglas came next.
It does not appear to be a coincidence.
During competitive drills on the first two days of camp, Diggs and Douglas led the Maye-led offense with four receptions each. Only Kayshon Boutte (two) and Kyle Williams (two) have caught a pass from Maye during competitive drills.
Diggs, Douglas, and Boutte were the three main receivers that Maye worked with during the walkthrough on Friday. It was noteworthy that Williams and Kendrick Bourne were working with Joshua Dobbs’ unit on the opposite field.
K Lavon Chaisson turned 26 this past Friday. After practice, he celebrated by working himself into a sweat.
Chaisson, who is into his sixth NFL season, is well aware that nothing in this league is guaranteed. Because of this, the edge rusher spent twenty minutes working alone behind the practice fields after Day 3 of camp concluded.
I am aware that being here is a blessing. Chaisson remarked, “I don’t take that for granted.” I have experienced injuries. I have previously experienced the inability to be a member of a team. I simply try to give it my all whenever I get the chance to put on a jersey, lace up, have a name on the back of my jersey, and have a logo on my helmet. I allowed everything else to unfold. I don’t make an effort to skip any more repetitions out here. I want to contribute as much as I can to the team’s and my own improvement.
Chaisson, who was selected 20th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, never lived up to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ expectations as a pass rusher. He appeared in nine games in 2022 after suffering a knee injury in 2021, when he started eight games. He was cut by the Carolina Panthers following training camp the previous season.
Chaisson had the best season of his career after playing on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad. He finished the previous season with five sacks in the final six games.
This sent him to New England, where he signed a free agency contract worth $5 million for one year. Chaisson, who entered the NFL at the age of 20, believes he is only beginning to realize his full potential.
Chaisson stated that the objective is to continue moving forward and making improvements. I’m going to do all in my power to keep moving forward and improve the squad.
A number of athletes have expressed their desire to play in pads.
The Patriots are not permitted to practice full-contact until Monday due to NFL regulations. Defensive end Keion White is one of the athletes that is eager to punch someone.
The third-year player had a career-high five sacks last season. But in the first two games, four of those occurred. After that, the coaching staff wanted him to set the edge as well as read and react.
Vrabel s defense is much different, and White believes it fits into his playing style.
Leading with violence is always my type of stuff, so whenever I can do that and not read as much, it s definitely beneficial for me, White said.
The Patriots defensive line looks like it has a lot of potential with White, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Harold Landry leading the way.
White said everyone has potential, and it won t matter until the Patriots prove it on the field. For the defense, that ll start on Monday.
From a defensive standpoint, I don t want the offense to get one yard. Anything more than that is a loss, White said. That s what a dominant defense looks like, and that should be the expectation I feel like the standard should be negative yards on every play.
After missing Thursday s practice, Carlton Davis returned for Friday s walkthrough. The veteran cornerback started the week on the non-football injury list, but was present for the Patriots first day of training camp.
Vrabel said the team is easing Davis back into the lineup.
Yeah, just kind of maintenance and continuing to kind of give him what he needs as part of the plan, Vrabel said. Again, that s my job each and every day, is to figure out what everybody s going to do and how they re going to contribute each day to us winning.
Ja Lynn Polk missed his third day of practice and still hasn t had a full practice this offseason. The second-year receiver passed his physical but is reportedly dealing with a lower-body soft tissue issue.
The Patriots are still without Austin Hooper (PUP list), Vederian Lowe (PUP list), and Josh Minkins (NFI list).
The team returns for a practice on Saturday at 10:15 a.m.
