Patriots 2019 training camp recap: New England holds light practice before traveling to Tennessee

Before traveling to Tennessee to hold joint practices with the Titans, the New England Patriots hit the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium for one final time this summer — at least in front of the fans. The world champions’ final open session of this year’s training camp was a short affair, though, as it lasted only one hour and saw the team hold a walkthrough in helmets, practice jerseys, shells and shorts.

Let’s recap what happened:

Attendance

Absent: WR N’Keal Harry, TE Matt LaCosse, OT Yodny Cajuste (NFI)

Present but did not participate: WR Julian Edelman (NFI), WR Demaryius Thomas (PUP), WR Cameron Meredith (PUP)

• Recently acquired tight end Eric Saubert was on the field for the first time, wearing a white #48 jersey.
• Patrick Chung and Lance Kendricks both did not wear the red-non contact jersey today. Given that there was no live contact, this is no surprise.

Injuries

• Nothing to report.

Practice Notes

Quarterback performance: Tom Brady N/A; Brian Hoyer N/A; Jarrett Stidham N/A; Danny Etling N/A

Starting offensive line: LT Isaiah Wynn, LG Joe Thuney, OC David Andrews, RG Shaq Mason, RT Marcus Cannon

• During a hurry-up portion with quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots offense used a 21-personnel package: Sony Michel and James White served as the running backs, with Benjamin Watson as the lone tight end. Meanwhile, Phillip Dorsett and Jakobi Meyers lined up at wide receiver.
• An early portion of the session was spent on having players line up correctly. At one point, Josh McDaniels corrected rookie wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Generally, the team rotated personnel quickly: the quarterbacks moved in and out of the lineup every two to three plays, with skill position players also substituting on a regular basis.
• The final first-team 11-on-11 rep of the day ended with Brady hitting new tight end Eric Saubert for a touchdown pass. On the day, the trade acquisition was targeted four times with three of the passes thrown his way being completed.
• Speaking of the first team: Isaiah Wynn and Dan Skipper rotated in and out of the lineup at left tackle, while Shilique Calhoun continued to see more reps with the first-team defensive line.
• All in all, the session was a light one: the day started with the traditional rookie slip’n’slide — an event that also did not spare first-year assistant coaches — and ended with the team huddling up to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ for defensive backs Devin McCourty and Jason McCourty, who both turn 32 today.