Coach Bill Belichick (left) gives instructions alongside LB Shawn Crable Monday. (David Kamerman / Globe Staff)
FOXBOROUGH – Five observations from the Patriots’ eighth training camp practice, which was held this afternoon on the upper practice fields behind Gillette Stadium:
1) Minus Randy Moss & Wes Welker, pass offense has a challenging day. With Randy Moss not at today’s practice, and Wes Welker remaining on the physically unable to perform list, the first-unit offense had a little bit of zip taken off its fastball. Quarterback Tom Brady, whose competitiveness in practice often sets a hard-working tone, seemed frustrated with what was unfolding in 11-on-11 two-minute drill work. At one point, he turned both of his palms in the air, as if to say “What’s going on here?” Another time, he had to hold the ball because there wasn’t an open target down the field, and the play was blown dead. Of course, some credit needs to go to the defense as well, as this practice had a considerably different feel than Sunday night, when the Brady-led offense was sizzling in the red zone. If there was a main positive to the Moss-less practice for the offense, it gave the receivers a chance to work at different spots. That’s where the value of someone like Jabar Gaffney, who plays all the spots, can be seen.
2) Jerod Mayo moving with confidence on the field. First-round draft choice Jerod Mayo made some noticeable plays today. In 11-on-11 work, quarterback Matt Gutierrez attempted a short pass in the right flat to running back LaMont Jordan, but Mayo charged into the area and hit Jordan as the ball arrived, with the pass falling incomplete. It was an example of how Mayo’s speed might be able to help the Patriots, specifically in sub packages. In a different part of practice – when the inside linebackers were challenging running backs in a blitz pickup drill, Mayo ran over rookie free agent BenJarvus Green-Ellis. While Green-Ellis has had some difficulties in the blocking game – he seems to fall back on his heels and lose balance at times – it was a sequence which also reflected Mayo’s power. Then later in the session, with the Patriots doing 11-on-11 work in the red zone, quarterback Tom Brady split running back Kevin Faulk out wide to the left side. Brady saw that Mayo was flexed out to cover Faulk and obviously liked the matchup – a linebacker on Faulk is usually enticing. But Mayo held his ground, running with Faulk stride for stride down the sideline as Brady’s pass sailed over Faulk’s head, incomplete.
3) Most extensive work for rookie QB Kevin O’Connell. In the Patriots’ first seven practices, third-round draft choice Kevin O’Connell hardly took any snaps in full-team work. If Tom Brady had a heavier work day, the snaps obviously went to him. If Brady had a lighter day, it would usually be Matt Cassel getting the initial snaps, followed by Matt Gutierrez. But today was a bit different, as O’Connell was worked more into the mix. It wasn’t exactly extensive work for O’Connell, but he seemed to respond well. First, there was no confusion at the line of scrimmage, which is a key because ultimately it’s the quarterback’s job to line everyone up. One throw that stood out came in 11-on-11 work – a connection to running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis down the right hash marks (with linebacker Gary Guyton in coverage). It was a touch throw, into a relatively tight area, with pinpoint accuracy. O’Connell had some other connections – to Ray Ventrone, Chris Dunlap, Stephen Spach and LaMont Jordan. It would have been a 6-for-6 day had a pass to Benjamin Watson in the end zone – which might have been thrown with too much velocity given the short distance between him and Watson – not been dropped. All in all, O’Connell seemed to make the most of his limited opportunities.
4) Fernando Bryant gets his hands on the ball. Bill Belichick made the point in his press conference this morning that cornerback Fernando Bryant has gotten his hands on several passes in practice, which is a positive sign. This was evidenced again today in 11-on-11 work, when Tom Brady dropped back to pass, shuffled his feet in the pocket to keep the play alive in the face of defensive pressure, and unloaded a pass to the left sideline where Chad Jackson had run an out-route. Bryant came out of his break smoothly and batted the ball away with two hands, his momentum carrying him out of bounds. It was interesting to hear Belichick's mention of Bryant, because Bryant's career interceptions don’t necessarily reflect that of a ballhawk (7). After practice, Bryant was asked about deflecting passes. He said he feels like his style of play is based on being in the correct position within the scheme, and thus he doesn’t guess a lot, but being in the right position has contributed to his ability to get deflections.
5) Pass rush shows up against offensive front. The last couple of practices have seemingly featured more in the form of aggressive pass rushing. The offensive line is really being tested, and the results continue to be mixed. On one play today, defensive end Richard Seymour burst through the left side of the offensive line (Logan Mankins seemed to be trailing him, although Nick Kaczur might have missed the initial block), and batted the ball away from quarterback Tom Brady as Brady was winding up to throw. It was the type of play where onlookers often hold their breath, because the power of the quarterback’s arm as he winds up is met by the resistance of a defender reaching out for the ball. Brady was OK and didn't break stride in getting under center for the next play. Adalius Thomas also forced Brady to step up on one play, as he was going up against left tackle Wesley Britt. The pressure seemed to contribute to the pass offense not getting into a rhythm.
EXTRA POINTS: Left tackle Matt Light missed his third straight practice, as did cornerback Jason Webster. … Linebacker Tedy Bruschi sat out his first practice of training camp. Victor Hobson took his inside linebacker spot with the first-unit defense. … Tight end David Thomas left the practice in the early going – under his own power but with a member of the team’s training staff – and did not return. … Running back LaMont Jordan lined up with the kickoff returners in special teams work. … Nick Kaczur took some of his first work of training camp with the first string, working at left tackle. … Running back Sammy Morris was upset with himself after dropping a would-be Tom Brady touchdown pass in the back right-hand corner of the end zone in red-zone work. … Outside linebacker Pierre Woods intercepted a Matt Cassel pass in 11-on-11 work. It was a nice catch on a ball that was thrown with zip in the area of the right hashmarks.
Tuesday’s schedule: The Patriots have two practices – at 8:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Mike, reading your training camp reports are some of the high points of my day.
Is Chad Jackson doing any better than last week (when you mentioned some miscues between him and TB)?
Hi Shawn. There is no question that Jackson is physically impressive, but things don't always seem to come easy to him on the field. So if I had to answer the question, I'd say yes, he's had some good practices. I'm not convinced it's going to happen for him, but I wouldn't rule it out either.
--Mike
Let's hope the David Thomas injury isn't serious.
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