New England Patriots players kicked out of first joint practice
The Patriots and Panthers began their first of two joint practices this week on Tuesday, and things got off to a hot start.
The Patriots took the field on Tuesday ready for a more true, competitive practice. After several weeks of mostly underwhelming performances at training camp for the offense, the summer heat wasn’t the only thing that was hot.
The day started much more successfully for the Patriots’ offense, an improvement from what has been seen in recent days.
Mac Jones went 21-for-30 in 11-on-11s today, with one INT that came on a desperation rep. Started off with a lot of shorter throws and checkdowns but pushed it downfield as practiced progressed. Some good deep hookups with DeVante Parker and Jakobi Meyers.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) August 16, 2022
Patriots offense was solid today. Panthers practiced very physical and chippy. Pats responded by making positive plays (plus two fights with three different players.)
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 16, 2022
Mac Jones goes 21/30 (70%), INT in 11v11s and 7/10 in 7v7s
Brian Hoyer goes 12/17 in 11v11s and 1/3 in 7v7s
At Patriots-Panthers joint practice, defenses were the better unit for both teams today.
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) August 16, 2022
BUT the Patriots offense looks like an improving work in progress. This practice should help ease the panic that's happening around New England. The offense looked better.
The defense continued with their domination, but this time against the Panthers’ offense. They came out physical and competitive, a much-needed change heading into their game this Friday.
Both Jalen Mills and Matthew Judon shared the spotlight with their performances; Mills continuing to show why he is CB1 and Judon displaying a performance reminiscent of his first season with the team.
Defensive stats for the day:
- Shaun Wade made one interception
- Pass breakups: Jalen Mills with 3, Shaun Wade with 2, Marcus Jones and Terrance Mitchell with one each
- Sacks: Judon and Wise with 2 each, Barmore/Ekuale/Bethel/Dugger with one each
- Run stuffs: Davon Godchaux with 2, Judon/Jennings/Barmore with one each
Deatrich Wise said the #Patriots defense “dominated” and was in Baker Mayfield’s face all day. Can’t disagree.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 16, 2022
Amid practice, with the Patriots offense on the field, multiple fights broke out near the Panthers’ sideline.
It was said Carolina’s bench was getting chirpy, with many of the Patriots’ plays ending near them, which then led to the first fight of the day.
Once broken up, several players would be ejected from the field, including Kristian Wilkerson and Kendrick Bourne from the Patriots.
Massive brawl just broke out.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 16, 2022
Kristian Wilkerson got jumped by several Panthers players. Had a couple throwing punches at him.
Krendrick Bourne ended up exchanging punches with one player and ended up having two people throwing punches at him
Here’s how I saw it: Wilkerson caught an out route from Mac Jones and ended up in the Panthers bench area. A Carolina coach appeared to give Wilkerson a slight push as if to say, “back to your huddle.” Wilkerson whipped his head back and said something. Immediately got jumped. https://t.co/OObFViUF2G
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 16, 2022
Kendrick Bourne, Kristian Wilkerson and Panthers DB Kenny Robinson kicked out of practice for fighting.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2022
A sideline out to Wilkerson seemed innocent enough, but then some jawing and next thing you know, both team units were in a melee.
Bill Belichick not pleased.
Less than ten minutes later, with both sides still on the field, another scrum would break out, leading to both players’ removal from practice as well.
Another skirmish by Carolina's defensive sideline.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 16, 2022
A Panthers D-lineman jumped on Arlington Hambright as he and James Ferentz finished blocks to the ground. Panthers DT Phil Hoskins has been kicked out.
Patriots C James Ferentz and Panthers DT Phil Hoskins kicked out of practice by referee Brad Allen after things got a little heated near the end of a play.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 16, 2022
Ferentz was pleading his case that he didn’t throw a punch, but Allen wouldn’t relent.
Now BB calls team meeting.
It was also noted that Mac Jones and Panthers’ Brian Burns would speak at one point during the day, the first time the two have met since Jones’ “dirty play” when tackling Burns last season.
Anyways, right before that scrum Mac Jones and Brian Burns had a nice moment with a handshake and a tap on the helmet. So things seem all cleared up between them.
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) August 16, 2022
The practice would finish without any further distractions. With the two teams set to meet for practice again tomorrow, it will be interesting to see if tempers will flair once again.