FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo expressed how the defense will have a leg up on the offense at the start of training camp.
It’s been the case for the better part of four practices, but most telling on Day 4 at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
Despite fine statistical numbers, neither Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7-for-12, two sacks) nor Drake Maye (10-for-16, sack) were at their best.
It started early as Brissett’s first two passes were incomplete in 11-on-11s. Maye’s first 11-on-11 snap resulted in a pre-snap false start. In the second 11-on-11 period, there was a seven-play stretch which featured two Brissett incompletions before the Maye-led offense was forced to re-huddle its third snap only to come out of it and commit another pre-snap false start.
Brissett ended better than he started as he went 3-for-3 in the final 11-on-11 period with a completion to Austin Hooper, check down to Antonio Gibson and short pass to Tyquan Thornton. Maye, who struggled with consistency, completed three of his final five passes, including a nice sidearm throw to Jalen Reagor and low misfire to Mitchell Wilcox.
Here are more observations from Day 4:
— There was a little skirmish that broke out during the second period of 11-on-11s. The theatrics, which followed a run by Antonio Gibson, was broken up quickly. David Andrews emerged without a helmet.
— Patriots rookie wideout Javon Baker was responsible for the play of the day with his acrobatic reception during 1-on-1s. Baker, a third-round pick, beat depth cornerback Mikey Victor off the line of scrimmage and had plenty of separation. Baker, however, was forced to make a last-second adjustment with the ball in the air, and earned a catch reminiscent of Willie Mays.
— The starting offensive line Sunday was the same as Friday. The offensive line in front of expected starter went, from left to right, Caedan Wallace, Sidy Sow, Andrews, Mike Onwenu and Chukwuma Okorafor.
It means Wallace and Okorafor are the only two to serve as the left tackle on the starting group through four days. On the right side, though, Calvin Anderson, Vederian Lowe and Wallace have worked with the first grouping.
“Every day I get more and more comfortable,” Wallace said about playing left tackle. “With every meeting, with every practice, I just gain more confidence in my skills.”
— Wallace revealed Patriots offensive linemen learn what position they will be playing in practice each morning. It’s showed on a depth chart during offensive line meetings, Wallace said.
— JuJu Smith-Schuster continued to underwhelm Sunday. The veteran wideout dropped a perfectly-placed ball from Maye during the 1-on-1 period. And in the 11-on-11 period, Marcus Jones recorded a pass break up on Smith-Schuster, who failed to create any sort of separation. Based on four training camp sessions, it’s difficult to imagine Smith-Schuster earns a roster spot, but perhaps things will change when the pads come on.
— Joe Milton III, who was the third quarterback to take reps in 11-on-11s, threw the worst interception of camp. Milton targeted Baker, but his throw was too late and ultimately hit linebacker Joe Giles-Harris in the numbers.
— Gibson, who started training camp on the non-football injury list, was a full participant Sunday.
— DeMario Douglas confirmed he’s dealing with a hand injury, which has kept him out of competitive periods thus far. Douglas, however, is not worried and said he will be a full participant soon.
— Christian Barmore, who did not practice Friday, was not present Sunday.
— The Patriots are scheduled to hold their first padded practice Monday.
