The New England Patriots wrapped up their 2024 training camp with an eventful joint practice alongside the Philadelphia Eagles. This session included a mix of impressive performances and challenging moments for key players on both sides of the ball.
Pressure on the Quarterbacks
During the 11-on-11 drills, quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye both faced relentless pressure from the Eagles' formidable defense. Maye, in particular, found himself under siege, taking three sacks on his four dropbacks in the final period. Despite these difficulties, Maye had a stronger showing earlier in the day, completing all six of his pass attempts in the opening 7-on-7 drill and finishing with 12 completions out of 18 attempts in competitive scenarios.
Brissett, on the other hand, completed 17 out of 30 attempts but threw two interceptions. One of these was particularly frustrating as it resulted from a deflection off the chest of tight end Austin Hooper, underscoring the sometimes unforgiving nature of the game.
Flashes of Brilliance
Not all was bleak for the Patriots, as individual players delivered noteworthy performances. Wide receiver Javon Baker made a highlight-worthy diving catch during the 1-on-1 drills, while Ja'Lynn Polk showcased his speed and agility by outmaneuvering Shon Stephens to catch a deep pass from Maye.
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez demonstrated his potential by winning two out of three matchups against the Eagles' star receiver, A.J. Brown. However, Gonzalez found himself outmatched in both reps against DeVonta Smith, highlighting the ever-present challenge of defending elite-level talent.
Defensive Highlights
The Patriots' defense also had its moments. Veteran linebacker Matthew Judon made a significant impact by causing a fumble from the Eagles' running back Saquon Barkley during the team drills, a reminder of the kind of defensive playmaking that the Patriots will rely on throughout the season.
In other news from the training camp, the Patriots bolstered their offensive line by acquiring free agent Chukwuma Okorafor and using a Day 2 draft pick on offensive lineman Caedan Wallace. These moves were likely aimed at providing better protection for their quarterbacks and opening lanes for the running game.
Training Camp Tensions and Absences
Tensions flared briefly during a kickoff drill when a scuffle broke out between Josh Uche and E.J. Jenkins. Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo addressed the incident with a firm stance. "I mean, look, you don't fight in a real game. If you fight in a real game, you get fined; you get kicked out. It's the same thing here. Look, my message to the players, if you get in a fight out here, if you're a starter, you're going to play the whole preseason game. If you're not a starter, you won't play at all. That's kind of my mindset with that," Mayo explained, emphasizing discipline and sportsmanship.
Another point of concern was the absence of tight end Hunter Henry, who missed practice for the second consecutive day. Mayo offered a hopeful outlook on Henry's status, stating, "I don't anticipate it to be very long."
As the Patriots move forward from their training camp, they will undoubtedly seek to address the issues highlighted during this practice session and build on the positive moments. The foundation laid during these workouts will be crucial as they prepare for the rigorous demands of the upcoming NFL season.