FoxBorough Mike Vrabel set up an interesting scrimmage between a blue squad and a white team at the Patriots’ yearly in-stadium practice on Friday night.
The Patriotshead coach wanted to make this practice in Gillette Stadium, which was only open to Foxborough residents and season ticket holders, feel like a game.
Vrabel chose tight ends coach Thomas Brown to lead the white team and inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr to lead the blue group in order to achieve this. Vrabel had the two coaches pick their teams by flipping a coin before the 6 p.m. kickoff.
Drake Maye was on Kuhr’s team, therefore it seemed like he won even if the results weren’t made public. Maye’s team was also coached by Josh McDaniels, the offensive coordinator. Brown was coached on the white side by Terrell Williams, the defensive coordinator.
“We should try to approach it as closely as possible to a game,” Vrabel stated. We’ll be punting the football on special teams. Punt return: a few full field covers and returners will be present. We’ll have a plus-50. There will be a variety of kicking scenarios.
There are things I need to try to manufacture because we have officials. I might stretch drives with phantom unlawful contact or roughing-the-passer, which hopefully didn’t occur in tonight’s practice. The team has already been informed that those are possible outcomes so that we may continue to complete our tasks, receive some red zone and end-of-game two minutes, and simply enjoy ourselves.
Maye, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, and linebacker Christian Elliss were the three Blue Team captains. The White Team’s three captains were safety/special teamer Brenden Schooler, tight end Hunter Henry, and safety Jabrill Peppers.
The White Team prevailed 17–13 by traditional scoring. The White Team defeated the Blue Team 47-38 according to Vrabel’s rules, which awarded points for huge gains, third-down conversions, efficiency, tackles for loss, takeaways, and third-down stops.
“Coming out here and flying around is almost like that game-day feeling,” Schooler remarked. You’re a little jittery before the game. It means a lot to us to have these fans here.
This is what transpired:
One of Maye’s hardest days was the Patriots’ in-stadium practice. The quarterback for the Patriots ended the game with a 9-of-18 record, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
The Blue Team offense got off to a fast start when Kyle Williams caught a 32-yard touchdown pass. Rhamondre Stevenson returned the ball to the quarterback after Maye passed it to him, completing a trick play. Maye hit the rookie receiver for the score after the defense was duped by the double-pass.
The Blue Team’s next two drives ended in disaster because Maye’s unit was prone to turnovers.
When rookie cornerback Kobee Minor tipped the quarterback’s pass, which was meant for Stefon Diggs, and linebacker Robert Spillane caught it, the quarterback threw his first interception of training camp.
Spillane stated, “We called man-to-man defense.” I became a low-hole help player in the end. I was able to go underneath the ball and grab it after our corner made a fantastic move and flicked it up.
The Blue Team’s situation did not improve. The ball was punched out by Brandon Crossley and recovered by Spillane after Stevenson fumbled on the opening snap of the following series.
With a combination of starters and backups, Maye’s unit had trouble getting past the defense. Three of the quarterback’s four consecutive incomplete throws were thrown away, while Efton Chism III dropped another.
When Maye was intercepted for the second time, the Blue Team was behind and had one more drive remaining. Alex Austin jumped a pass meant for Williams on his third try in the two-minute drill. The White Team won because the cornerback had the opportunity to score but slid before the end zone.
Hawkins took charge on defense and played brilliantly. On Friday night, the seasoned free safety recorded two interceptions. DeMario Douglas attempted to connect with Javon Baker on a trick play, but Hawkins stopped him.
He later stopped Ben Wooldridge when he tried to pass to Lan Larison.
Joshua Dobbs, the backup quarterback, responded well to Maye’s first touchdown with a ball to Kayshon Boutte that was 50 yards long. On the way to the highlight play, the receiver outran Marcellus Dial.
Additionally, undrafted rookie running back Lan Larison scored a 5-yard touchdown for the White Team.
Spillane was this team’s defensive MVP. On the following drive, the seasoned linebacker recovered a fumble after intercepting Maye for the first time of training camp. The seasoned linebacker appeared to have an impact on Friday and is already assuming a leadership role for the Patriots.
“I think it’s really important to be around the ball,” Spillane stated. Big-time plays like those don’t happen by themselves. Your colleagues are essential. Our corner made a huge play on the ball on the pick. I managed to scoop it out after someone else popped it out due to my clumsy recovery.
The Patriots kicking contest is currently underway. Both kickers maintained their recent success on Friday night.
Andy Borregales of the Blue Team made all four of his kick attempts inside Gillette Stadium. The rookie scored an extra point, two field goals from 42 yards out, and one from 53 yards out. Parker Romo was flawless as well, making three kicks. For the White Team, the veteran made two extra points and a 33-yard field goal.
Everyone should come in and observe the difference in the mood, Schooler remarked. On the practice field, there s a lot of open space. When you come in here, it s different, more enclosed. The ball’s track is slightly different. I m sure for the kickers it s a little bit different when they get their line and try to see where the wind is blowing.
Although this scrimmage didn t allow tackling, the Patriots didn t come out unscathed.
Kendrick Bourne suffered an apparent lower-body injury in the first 30 minutes of Friday s practice.
The injury occurred when Bourne caught a first-down pass from Maye during the Blue Team s fourth drive. The veteran receiver, however, landed awkwardly and had a noticeable limp when he got to his feet.
Bourne came off the field, and it appeared as though the Patriots medical staff was looking at his left foot. The receiver eventually left for the locker room and didn t return to the scrimmage.
Caedan Wallace also suffered an injury on Friday. The second-year player was starting at left guard for the Blue Team, but departed for the locker room after spending some time in the blue medical tent.
The Patriots didn t have perfect attendance for Friday night s blue-white scrimmage.
The defense was without three starters, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, cornerback Carlton Davis, and defensive lineman Keion White. The offense was without center Garrett Bradbury, wide receiver Mack Hollins, and running back Antonio Gibson.
Also absent on Friday were linebacker Jahlani Tavai, guard Sidy Sow, defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, and tackle Vederian Lowe (PUP list).
The only surprise on this list was White, who s been a full participant in training camp.
