Patriots Sunday Practice Report

It was a surreal day to say the least. It was my first time as a credentialed member of the media so I got an up close look at practice, but it also just happened to be the day Rob Ninkovich, a longtime favorite of the blog, announced his retirement.

My head was spinning, between meeting some of the Patriots writers I’ve followed and tweeted with for so long to then suddenly sitting in the press conference room surrounded by the team as Ninkovich hung them up, it was an awesome day and one I won’t soon forget.

But ultimately I was there to finally get an up close look at some football and that’s what this was all about. I even bought some binoculars as I learned are a must-have for these kind of practices where the team can often be all the way across the field working behind a wall of players. Hard to see it all, but I still saw plenty.

Let’s start with some officially credentialed observations from practice.

It was full pads today and while there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of contact there was enough to get a good look at a number of players I was curious about. Things happen fast at practice, and it’s easy for your head to be spinning.

They pumped in some music for some 11-vs-11 work, but it was a quick period played mostly near the goal line. Luckily it didn’t look like anyone got hurt, always a huge plus coming out of a padded practice.

— Dietrich Wise is one of the players who caught my eye a few times. He has really good length and had a strong presence on the edge and in one-on-ones. With Nink retiring I could see Wise working his way into a role on defense. He just looks like he fits in.

Rob Ninkovich played his heart out and left it on all the field. Wish him well. Deatrich Wise is a player to watch–he has great skills.

— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) July 30, 2017

— On the flip side I was underwhelmed by Derek Rivers. I wrote when they were drafted that Wise felt loosely like Chandler Jones while Rivers felt loosely like Jamie Collins. I was right on Wise, but Rivers (and the double knee braces that always just makes fast guys look slow to me) seemed like he had a further way to go than Wise. Rivers is playing more of a standing role at times, so there’s a bit more of an adjustment there with so many responsibilities. I’ll be curious how both show up in the game.

— Brandin Cooks was returning some punts today. In case you haven’t heard, he runs fast.

— Tony Garcia looked a lot smaller than Nate Solder than I would’ve liked. Was dubbing him the left tackle of the future, but in person he doesn’t exactly scream “huge bookend tackle”.

— Geneo Grissom continues to start at left defensive end, while Kony Ealy remains behind Trey Flowers on the right side. All eyes will be on how the Pats replace Ninkovich and right now it looks like Grissom would pick up a chunk of the load. We’ll see if Wise or Ealy can make some noise behind him.

— Ealy didn’t really do much either that stood out to me and I’m curious about what’s kept him off the field. All I know is there are certainly questions at defensive end and there’s a lot to play out over the next four weeks. If he can’t beat out Grissom I’ll be surprised, though I’ve mostly seen Ealy on the right side. Perhaps he’s still getting acquainted with the defense?

— Brandon Bolden was getting plenty of first team carries which I found interesting. He is the eldest statesman in the backfield, maybe by giving him the first reps it’s avoids giving any insight into who’s going to play when. Bolden knows the playbook so he can set the example, but it’s obvious that the foursome behind him are all better. Example 1A was Bolden getting blown up at the one-yard line. Getting the tough yards has never been his thing.

— Shea McClellin continues to see plenty of action and you wonder if just by staying healthy and being athletic if he’s going to play more that some (read: me) think he should. He’ll have more of a role to play with Ninkovich gone as well.

— Duron Harmon missed practice so Jordan Richards, who’s had a good start to camp, saw time on the back end in Harmon’s role.

— Harvey Langi is getting plenty of looks at outside linebacker. He’s scrappy but still looks very much like a rookie.

— Undrafted rookie watch: Kenny Moore and Jason Thompson getting a lot of looks as well.

— Elandon Roberts is an intense dude. He seems to be down the depth chart a bit but had a nice goal line stop that was just the kind of play he was making last year. He’s behind Harris and Freeny, but I still see a role for him.

— Overall I think this defense has a lot of questions at this point in the front seven. It will help once Hightower and Branch return. The trickle down effect then will help the depth elsewhere. There’s certainly plenty of good defenders, but after Malcom Brown and Trey Flowers, there’s no one out there who is particularly dominant. Again, I know this is just the second padded practice of the season, but the turnover of Sheard, Long and now Ninkovich is pretty obvious. Seeing how the front seven comes together the rest of the summer might just be the headline story to follow.

Offensively it’s just about staying healthy and finding out if anyone can stop them.

Ninkovich Says Goodbye

I’ve got a long Ninkovich tribute planned for this week, but for now here are some thoughts on being at his good bye press conference.

First, most of then team crowded into the media room for the press conference. Suddenly there I was sitting next to Matthew Slater and Chris Hogan and wondering if I needed to give up my seat? I’m still learning what all the media etiquette is.

Brady and Hightower, along with many other players, lined the far wall. It was a great sign of respect for Ninkovich, who entered with a big smile. Belichick and Mr. Kraft spoke glowingly of Ninkovich’s unheralded career, illustrating just how much he meant to the team with his ceaseless hard work and the big plays that were a hallmark of his career.

Ninkovich seemed satisfied with his decision and in a good place with how things ended. I guess how could he not be? To go from a long snapper/camp body to retiring a defensive captain with two Super Bowl rings surrounded by your family, coaches and teammates? You can’t write a better ending to a football career.

He plans on still being around at camp, helping out with the young defensive players, then after that he didn’t seem opposed to doing some media.

Saying goodbye to Matt Patricia seemed particularly hard for Ninkovich, the only moment where he started to get choked up. Bearded brothers through and through.

My full career retrospective will be coming in the next day or so. Until then we ponder how the Patriots fill the void left by Ninkovich.

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That will do it from day one of PatsPropaganda Credentialed at Training Camp. Will be back at practice in this capacity again next week. Plenty more to come in the meantime.