Patriots training camp notebook 8/13: Offense struggles mightily late in joint practice

The Philadelphia Eagles were in Foxboro on Tuesday for a joint practice with the New England Patriots. The team worked 1-on-1s before moving into team periods for the rest of the afternoon.

Here’s what went down on the back fields throughout the two hour session.

Attendance

Absent: DL Christian Barmore, WR Kendrick Bourne (PUP), G Cole Strange (PUP), LB Sione Takitaki (PUP)

Limited: CB Marcus Jones, CB Jonathan Jones, CB Shaun Wade, LS Joe Cardona

Non-participants: TE Hunter Henry, LB/S Marte Mapu

While Jerod Mayo shared that Hunter Henry’s injury should not be long-term, the tight end missed his second straight practice on Tuesday. No other surprises in the attendance list, but Christian Barmore was in attendance as a spectator for the first time since his diagnosis.

Takeaways

Offense struggles late: New England’s offense got off to a relatively positive start against Philly. In the initial 11-on-11 period, neither Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye threw an incompletion — while primarily operating in the short and intermediate area — although running room was tough to find.

Things then started to head downhill as they moved inside the red area, as one of Brissett’s passes ended up in the air off Austin Hooper’s hands for an interception, although the duo responded later to hook for a touchdown as Brissett worked through his progressions.

Back in between the 20s, both Brissett and Maye’s units were impacted by pressures, penalties, and incompletions. That included a false start on Sidy Sow, drop by Tyquan Thornton, Brissett tripping on a play-action boot, Brissett throwing an interception on a miscommunication with K.J. Osborn, and Javon Baker committing an OPI on a pass from Maye.

The downhill track was then emphasized in the final two-minute drill, as Brissett’s drive fizzled out in the red area with four straight incompletions. Maye, working with the second unit still, made zero progress as he was sacked on three-of-his four drop backs (the other being a pressure).

In total, Brissett’s accuracy was shaky and Maye was fine on the day while continuing to get no help from his supporting cast. The offensive line remained a problem with at least 10 “sacks” and gaining little momentum in the run game.

Hooper paces pass catchers: With Hunter Henry a spectator, tight end Austin Hooper dominated the tight end snaps and targets from Jacoby Brissett. The veteran saw a team-high 13 targets and hauled in seven — hauling in the touchdown from Brissett while also drawing a pass interference in the red area.

Beyond Hooper, DeMario Douglas continued to be a jitterbug underneath hauling in a pair of passes from Brissett in the two-minute drill while Maye hit him earlier up the middle on a nice anticipation throw.

Defense holds up: New England’s defense had a tough test of their own against an Eagles offense that features a strong front and several top tier playmakers. While A.J. Brown did A.J. Brown things — that Jabrill Peppers noted wouldn’t have been catches in a game where defenders could hit at full speed — the rest of the defense held their own throughout the session.

Matthew Judon, who enjoyed chasing down Eagles’ ball carriers after the play, had some notable pressure up front along with Oshane Ximines. New England’s defensive line and Davon Godchaux also seemed to hold up well against the Eagles running attack.

Physical kick returns: Working the new dynamic kickoff on Tuesday, both teams flashed some physicality in the session. First, Raekwon McMillan delivered a big hit on an Eagles returner which caused a fumble that JaMycal Hasty scooped up for a touchdown.

Later on, Joshua Uche appeared to not take too kind to a late hit that knocked him down as he jumped up to get involved in the first, and only, fight of the session.

Other notes:

• Rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk caught just one pass in team drills but gave Philly’s CBs problems in 1-on-1.

• Fellow rookie wide receiver Javon Baker also had just one catch in team drills, as he extended along the sideline to haul in a pass from Drake Maye in 7s. Baker did commit two OPIs, however.
• On the other end of the spectrum, rookie Jaheim Bell continued his overall quiet summer by struggling in 1-on-1s and not drawing a target in team work as he continues to work behind Hooper, Mitchell Wilcox, and La’Michael Pettway.
• New England’s offensive line remained the same yet again, with Vederian Lowe at left tackle and Chuks Okorafor at right. Caedan Wallace served as the right tackle on the second unit — where pressure was a bad issue for Drake Maye.
• Quiet days for Joe Milton and Bailey Zappe as Brissett and Maye dominated the snaps. Milton got six reps in 11s while Zappe got two — one being a sack.

New England will host a walkthrough on Wednesday before taking the field for their second preseason game Thursday night against the Eagles. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.