It was another warm, sunny morning for Patriots players and fans as the team took to the field for their eighth practice of camp. It will be the last session open to the public for a while, as the team announced that all practices this weekend and next weekend will be closed.
Attendance
Out: Lance Kendricks [second straight practice, reason unknown], Julian Edelman (NFI), Yodny Cajuste (NFI), Demaryius Thomas (PUP), Ken Webster (PUP), Nate Ebner (PUP)
Limited: Rex Burkhead [third straight practice, reasons unknown]
Notes
(1.) Isaiah Wynn watch
It was a standard non-padded practice on Friday, but Isaiah Wynn was a more frequent participant in team drills prior to 11-on-11s as New England continues to bring him back slowly. According to NESN’s Doug Kyed, he took reps with the backup offensive line unit in 11-on-11s and Dan Skipper slotted into the left tackle spot once again with the starters. However, according to MassLive.com’s Andrew Callahan, Wynn exited after three snaps.
(2.) Tom Brady
The man turns 42-years-old tomorrow and he’s out here at camp working on footwork and spinning it like a guy 20 years younger.
(3.) Jakobi Meyers
The UDFA out of NC State continues to wow everyone. Taking reps with the starters, he caught a team-high three passes from Brady in 11-on-11s. Will he be the guy to extend the Patriots’ streak of having an undrafted rookie make the 53-man roster, or will he become this season’s Austin Carr? Right now, it’s looking like it could be the former.
(4.) Sony Michel
After missing all of training camp last season, Sony Michel was used sparingly in the passing game for the entirety of his rookie year. That could change in 2019.
Sony Michel looks much smoother as a pass catcher this summer in 7-on-7s than he was as a rookie.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 2, 2019
While he didn’t accumulate a ton of volume in the passing game at Georgia, he displayed all the traits of a natural pass catcher in the small sample size he did put on tape. Anything he can add to the passing attack this season will only serve to bolster his value, and make the Patriots’ personnel groupings more versatile and dynamic.
(5.) Special teams coordinator/wide receivers coach Joe Judge
The guy is just awesome. Entering his eighth year with the organization, and the first working with the wide receiver group following Chad O’Shea’s departure, Judge has the full trust of Bill Belichick, who commented last week that the long-time special teams coach could handle any position on the field. On Thursday, he was a high-energy menace — working heavily with paddles and pads to jostle and distract receivers as they ran through drills.
N'Keal Harry getting schooled by Joe Judge #Patriots pic.twitter.com/xDbvb6ygTl
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 2, 2019
Once a big question mark this offseason, the wide receiver group is showing a lot of promise — but development will of course be critical. They are in excellent hands with Judge this season.
What’s next
According to the NFL Network’s Mike Giardi, the team will have Saturday off and then travel to Canton,OH to visit the Hall of Fame on Sunday before beginning joint practices with the Lions on Monday. The two teams face off in their first preseason contest of the year on Thursday, August 8th.