The media was allowed to peek behind the curtain today, sadly I was not there and thus must rely on their accounts of what went down. First, credit to Doug Kyed for figuring out the riddle behind the rookie numbers.
Gotta credit @DougKyed for his Robert Langdon work figuring out #Patriots draft picks are wearing numbers in 50s in order of their selection. That’s how Etling got 58. Well done.
— Andy Hart (@JumboHart) May 22, 2018
Always have to love when Belichick devises a new coaching scheme to remind players that it’s a new year and all that matters is what you do now.
Let’s jump into what went on at practice!
Absent from OTAs: Tom Brady, Gronk, Malcolm Mitchell, Trey Flowers, Dont’a Hightower, Cody Hollister, Jonathan Jones, Joe Thuney, Brandon Bolden, David Jones
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 22, 2018
This is a reminder that we can just count on all of last year’s casualties to jump right in and be 100%. Managing a lot of these players and making sure they’re healthy next February is what matters most. It’s especially disappointing not to see Malcolm Mitchell out there. I’m finally starting to wonder if he’ll ever be an every-day player.
Players limited on the lower field: Malcom Brown, Cyrus Jones, Trent Brown, Isaiah Wynn, Nate Ebner, Marcus Cannon, Lawrence Guy
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 22, 2018
Again, more important pieces here, especially Brown and Cannon for the vets and Brown and Wynn for the newcomers. All of those players should be competing for top-line positions and the sooner they’re back the better.
Observations from practice, Part I:
* Rookie CB Keion Crossen had the play of the day: Leaping end-zone INT in coverage on James White (Brian Hoyer as QB). Big ups.
* Keep an eye on first-year CB Ryan Lewis. Lots of quality reps/ball disruption playing opposite Stephon Gilmore.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 22, 2018
All the reporters said that Crossen stood out, for good reason with that kind of splash play. As for Lewis playing up reps with Gilmore, I never get too worked up at this point. Sometimes they just want to see guys playing with and against the best to see if their games take a jump.
With Joe Thuney out, James Ferentz saw a lot of time at left guard. With Cannon out, Cole Croston saw lots of reps at right tackle. Left tackle saw plenty of LaAdrian Waddle.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 22, 2018
Depth is already being tested on the offensive line where just four of eight tackles are healthy.
Observations from practice, Part II:
* Cordarrelle Patterson’s size stands out. Looks like he could line up with TEs.
* Adrian Clayborn — no issues with quad. Get-off at RDE shows up.
* Conditioning on hills finishes things up.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 22, 2018
Patterson is flying under the radar somewhat, I keep getting reminded the Pats picked him up. Aside from his kickoff returns I’d bet Josh McDaniels has plans to get the ball in his hands a few times per game. Clayborn will be vital to a defensive resurgence.
Rookie CB Keion Crossen had a hell of a practice. QBs were 0 of 5 while targeting him. Crossen had a leaping INT in the end zone and two pass breakups.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) May 22, 2018
Edelman looked like himself but they’re clearly going slow with him. He caught some punts and did some early offensive drills but was mostly a spectator during 7-on-7s and 11–on-11s.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) May 22, 2018
As expected, thus why I think Jordan Matthews‘ development is vital, but also…
Practicing punt returns: Julian Edelman, Riley McCarron, Braxton Berrios
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) May 22, 2018
This is razor-thin without Amendola. If Edelman is going to be managed they’ll have to find a punt returner and it could very well come down to McCarron vs. Berrios for a roster spot because of it.
According to Bernd Buchmasser Chris Hogan and Patrick Chung also took reps at punt returns. Interesting to see Hogan’s special teams contribution grow. I remember seeing him frequently in the kick/punt game towards the end of last season.