The New England Patriots recently wrapped up their 2024 training camp, giving fans plenty of action to digest, from intense drills to notable performances. The session included a joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles, which brought significant challenges for the Patriots' offense.
Quarterback Struggles Under Pressure
During the 11-on-11 drills, quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye found themselves under heavy duress from the Eagles' defense. Drake Maye faced a particularly tough time, being sacked on three of his four dropbacks in the final period. However, Maye showcased his accuracy earlier in practice, completing all six of his pass attempts in the opening 7-on-7 drill and finishing the session with 12 completions out of 18 attempts in competitive drills.
Jacoby Brissett had a mixed performance with 17 completions out of 30 attempts. His day was marred by two interceptions, one of which resulted from a deflection off Austin Hooper's chest. The turnovers underscore the mistakes that the team will need to address as they fine-tune their game plan for the upcoming season.
Highlights and Standouts
Despite the quarterback struggles, there were bright spots in other areas. Wide receiver Javon Baker made a diving reception during the 1-on-1 drills, while Ja'Lynn Polk outmaneuvered Shon Stephens to snag a deep pass from Drake Maye, showcasing some potential for the Patriots' receiving corps.
On the defensive side, Christian Gonzalez had a mixed day but still managed to win two out of three matchups against star receiver A.J. Brown. However, he was less successful in his encounters with DeVonta Smith, losing both reps in the 1-on-1s. In team drills, Matthew Judon highlighted the defense’s aggressive play, causing a fumble from Saquon Barkley, adding to the defense's strong showing.
New Additions and Absences
The Patriots are also bolstering their roster with new acquisitions. They brought in free agent Chukwuma Okorafor to strengthen their offensive line, and used a Day 2 draft pick to select offensive lineman Caedan Wallace, aiming to solidify their protection schemes.
However, not all news from the camp was positive. Tight end Hunter Henry was notably absent for the second consecutive day. Despite his absence, assistant coach Jerod Mayo remained optimistic, stating, "I don't anticipate it to be very long," offering some reassurance about Henry's status.
Scuffles and Discipline
Tensions ran high during the joint practice, culminating in a scuffle between Josh Uche and E.J. Jenkins during a kickoff drill. Jerod Mayo commented on the incident, emphasizing discipline and the consequences of fighting. "I mean, look, you don't fight in a real game. If you fight in a real game, you get fined; you get kicked out. It's the same thing here. Look, my message to the players, if you get in a fight out here, if you're a starter, you're going to play the whole preseason game. If you're not a starter, you won't play at all. That's kind of my mindset with that," Mayo warned.
As the Patriots gear up for the new season, their training camp provided a mixture of promising talent and areas that require further improvement. With new additions and players pushing their limits, the team looks to harness this momentum and address shortcomings before the regular season kicks off.