Here are some updates from Patriots training camp on Monday.
Now we’re talkin’! The pads are on and it’s starting to intensify. This is New England Patriots football.
During Monday’s practice at Patriots training camp, fans were gifted with a lot of good news. First and foremost, Cam Newton was getting a majority of the snaps under center due to Jarrett Stidham being limited with an injury, and the results (largely) did not disappoint.
Newton is as ready as he’s ever been, trash talking the Patriots defense as he worked to get the offense in sync. He still has ways to go in that department, but the fact that the midseason swag is there, everyone should like his chances of getting everything down before Week 1.
Patriots practice concludes. Fiery. Back and forth banter between Cam Newton-led offense and ball-stripping/pass-rushing D. With pads on, things got chippy at times and there was a notable injury (LB Cassh Maluia/shoulder area). Lots of reps for Newton; Jarrett Stidham eases in.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 24, 2020
Newton got picked off and fumbled (for which he was forced to take a lap) but he’s apparently building a good rapport with Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry and rookie TE Devin Asiasi, which means he’s only beginning to scratch the surface. He can’t be faulted for committing a couple turnovers in a completely new offense against arguably the best defense in the NFL.
As long as Cam’s out there being himself and getting comfortable, the sky’s the limit for the offense.
But that’s not all the good news. Harry, who missed numerous practices over the last week due to an injury, was back in action on Monday. After some rightful concern regarding his development ahead of his sophomore season, he had a breakout practice and it’s looking like he’ll be a key figure in the offense if things continue to progress on this trajectory.
N’Keal Harry shows up twice in the red zone, with Cam Newton delivering both TD passes. The first was a fade in which he outmuscled J.C. Jackson. The second was a slant in which he won off the line. Harry was also physical in run-blocking drill, mixing it up with Michael Jackson.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 24, 2020
Catching touchdowns and showing tenacity on the blocking front? Harry’s health will be key to his 2020 season, but the fact we’re seeing these kinds of results early on in his return from missing time is encouraging for the wide receiving corps, which faces a lot of questions.
Patriots 2019 first-round pick N'Keal Harry beat CB Joejuan Williams for a twisting back-shoulder catch on a throw from Cam Newton in 1-on-1s.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 24, 2020
Making plays against one of the best secondaries in the league is nothing to dismiss, even if it is at practice. Guys like JC Jackson and Joejuan Williams are also fighting for extended playing time, so the stakes are just as high for them.
Though there were a few injuries to linebackers Terez Hall and Caash Maluia, it feels the Patriots finally squeezed in a practice that was much more about business than speculation and controversy.
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