The “dog days” of training camp have officially arrived.
Tempers were as hot as the Nashville weather on Thursday as the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans wrapped up day-two of joint practices.
Attendance
Returned: LB Jamie Collins Sr. LB Elandon Roberts, WR Phillip Dorsett.
Absent: WR Maurice Harris, TE Matt LaCosse (ankle), TE Stephen Anderson, WR Cameron Meredith (PUP), OT Yodny Cajuste (NFI)
Present but did not participate: WR Julian Edelman (NFI), WR Demaryius Thomas (PUP)
Limited: WR N’Keal Harry (foot), WR Phillip Dorsett, SS Patrick Chung (shoulder/arm)
- N’Keal Harry and Phillip Dorsett both dressed, but left after warmups for rehab.
- Demaryius Thomas, although not in uniform, did participate in a separate workout and appeared to be moving very well.
Demaryius Thomas continues to put in work. Vigorous workout this morn. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/CFENvPcIUG
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 15, 2019
- Patrick Chung was still in his non-contact red jersey. Tight end Lance Kendricks was not.
Injuries
- DT Adam Butler left with trainers and went into the facility mid-way through practice.
Offense
Quarterback performance:
7v7s
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 15, 2019
Brady 8/11
Hoyer 2/3
Stidham 2/2
11v11s
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) August 15, 2019
Brady 10/17
Hoyer 6/8
Stidham 1/6
Starting offensive line: LT Isaiah Wynn, LG Joe Thuney, OC David Andrews, RG Shaq Mason, RT Marcus Cannon
Notes:
- A heavy emphasis on situations, as well as red zone work.
- With Edelman, Thomas, Harry, Dorsett, and Harris sidelined, the Patriots’ primary starting receivers in 11-personnel were Dontrelle Inman — who has continued to look very solid over the past couple of weeks — Braxton Berrios, and Gunner Olszewski.
- Jakobi Meyers continued his dominance over anyone lined up across from him this summer.
- Veteran tight end Ben Watson blew by a defender for a long touchdown from Tom Brady.
- Braxton Berrios, after being chewed out by Brady for running an improper route towards the end of 11-on-11 drills, immediately responded by drawing a holding penalty, reeling in a big catch over the middle, and then housing a skinny post for a score that was eventually called back due to a penalty.
Defense
- Stephon Gilmore continued his dominance on Thursday. His blanketing of rookie wideout AJ Brown frustrated the young second-rounder and led to the largest of many physical altercations throughout the practice.
- According to NESN’s Doug Kyed, second-year cornerback Duke Dawson had his best practice session as a member of the Patriots organization, notching pass breakups in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
- Rookie Chase Winovich lined up as the only down-lineman in the unit’s amoeba front — but he jumped offsides, forcing him to run a lap.
- Corner JC Jackson almost had another pick-six, but failed to reel it in. Belichick noted in his media availability before the session that both he and Duke Dawson are “way ahead” of where they were a year ago.