Patriots training camp: key notes from day three
The Patriots end their first week of training camp on Friday with more standout performances from both sides of the ball.
There has been a lot of talk surrounding the Patriots this week, as several different players have dominated the headlines. During the last practice of the week, Jonnu Smith made some highlight worthy touchdowns and Mac Jones continued to show a second year jump in performance.
David Andrews made his first appearance this week, seemingly returning from the PUP list, while Jake Bailey also returned. The absent players remained the same
Starting center David Andrews (60) looks like he is coming off PUP (shoulder) to practice for the first time. pic.twitter.com/dGUsXcL06z
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 29, 2022
Mac Jones had another good practice with several touchdown passes throughout the day
Mac Jones went 6/11 with an INT in 11v11s and 7/8 in 7v7s
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) July 29, 2022
Bailey Zappe went 5/7 with an INT in 11v11s and 1/2 with an INT in 7v7s
Mac Jones to Jakobi Meyers pic.twitter.com/GUX5lwH5w6
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) July 29, 2022
Jonnu Smith continues to impress
Biggest cheer to date in this practice comes as Mac Jones lofts a rainbow to TE Jonnu Smith in the back of the end zone, and Smith leaps up over Kyle Dugger to haul it in.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 29, 2022
TD.
Big spike from Jonnu after.
Jonnu Smith, who's been impressive this spring and summer, just skied over Kyle Dugger for another highlight-reel touchdown.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) July 29, 2022
Second year safety, Joshuah Bledsoe, getting reps with starting defense
That first period of competitive 11v11s saw Joshuah Bledsoe and Marcus Jones on the field against Mac Jones and the offense. It’s always noteworthy when young defensive players get on the field this early.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) July 29, 2022
Joshuah Bledsoe started with the 1st-team defense in a full-speed 11-on-11 period. He had a team-high 4 PBUs over the first two practices.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) July 29, 2022
Bill Belichick seen involved with offensive play-calling
Play-caller plot twist!
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) July 29, 2022
In this 11-on-11 period, QBs Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe are now separately reporting to Bill Belichick, who speaks with them before each snap while holding a play sheet and sends them into the huddle.
Bill Belichick looked like he was calling plays today during a part of 11v11s.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) July 29, 2022
Practice ended with some fun; Marcus Jones and Tre Nixon competed in punt return challenge
Tre Nixon and Marcus Jones capped practice with a return challenge …members of the offense and defense lined the field around them.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) July 29, 2022
They fielded high-arcing punts with footballs already in their hands.
Ends in an apparent tie, so Cole Strange steps in … wins it for offense.
Marcus Jones breaks down the bizarre punt return competition. Says he was holding 5 footballs total at the end. https://t.co/pxZx6VRc5n pic.twitter.com/dEXGnXz5CH
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) July 29, 2022
On case you were wondering, yes, the Patriots were having fun.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) July 29, 2022