Patriots Camp Report 08.01.23: Line, RB depth an issue on first day in pads

FOXBOROUGH — Practice No. 5 is in the books, let's run down all you need to know: stats, observations, 3 up/down, etc:

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Cole Strange exits with left knee injury: The second-year left guard was matched up with Lawrence Guy in an edge-setting drill early in practice, who preceded to toss Strange to go after the ball carrier. Strange immediately reacted, glanced at his left knee and hobbled around before exiting the field. After being examined, Strange did some movement drills and looked decent, so it appears a major injury was avoided as he did not leave the field. Strange did not return to practice, and rookie Atonio Mafi took over for Strange.

Trent Brown, Matthew Judon take it easy: For the first day in pads, two important veterans who likely feel they are underpaid took to the lower field for the balance of practice to do conditioning. They reappeared on the main field toward the end of practice without their pads and were spectators. Through five practices, Judon has played eight snaps. Today was Brown's first absence, and Bill Belichick gave him some praise before the session.

"Trent’s in good shape," Belichick said. "He’s lighter than he’s been, and he’s been working at left tackle. Again, none of the linemen have been in pads. Nobody’s been in pads, so you’re working on the fundamentals, the footwork and the assignments that we can work on. Offensive and defensive line, that’s what they’ve been doing."

Rhamondre Stevenson also took to the rehab field at one point. With Ty Montgomery still out, that left just three running backs in a run-heavy practice — Kevin Harris, Pierre Strong and JJ Taylor. That level of staffing is pretty dangerous.

Belichick refocuses troops in first padded practice: With some of the younger players throwing their bodies around unnecessarily and with players going out with injuries at a steady pace, Belichick huddle the entire team before the final red zone period and gave them a pretty good talking to.

“It was just about learning how to practice,” safety Jabrill Peppers told reporters following practice. “We know how to practice, but guys are just excited. We’re competitors, but guys gotta know how to practice to keep guys healthy.”

By our count, five players suffered some form of injury, although none appeared major: Strange (left knee), TE Scotty Washington, DB Brad Hawkins (left knee), OG Chasen Hines, OG Bill Murray (left leg).

In general, this was a pretty low-key practice for the first day in pads. No linemen one-on-ones, no extended and competitive goal-line period (just a short one). Just seemed like an acclimation practice. Nothing too crazy.

TAKING ATTENDANCE

Physically unable to perform list: OG Mike Onwenu, ST Cody Davis
Non-football injury list: OT Calvin Anderson.
Red non-contact jerseys: S Marte Mapu.
Returned to practice: WR Kayshon Boutte.
Full participants: None.
Out: RB Ty Montgomery, 
Limited: LB Terez Hall, OT Trent Brown, ED Matthew Judon, RB Rhamondre Stevenson.
New injuries: LG Cole Strange (left knee), TE Scotty Washington, DB Brad Hawkins (left knee), OG Chasen Hines, OG Bill Murray (left leg).

DRESS CODE

Full pads.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE

1:30 under clear skies and a brutal sun.

QB STATS

Mac Jones: 8 of 10.
Bailey Zappe: 4 of 8, TD.

I wouldn't read anything into the passing stats. This was a run-game practice with the pass game sprinkled in and not all that challenging. 

STATS

Fumbles: Pierre Strong, Myles Bryant (two mufffed punts).
Drops: Jalen Hurd, Raleigh Webb, Kevin Harris.
Pass breakups: Isaiah Bolden.
Interception: None.
Sacks: Christian Barmore, Carl Davis (Hines).

SHANK IT OFF

Not that there was going to be much of a competition after the team drafted Bryce Baringer, but little battle with Corliss Waitman appears to be close to over already. 

Baringer averaged 4.94 seconds of hangtime on his eight punts, and had five punts over 5 seconds. He punts the ball better than Jake Bailey did as a rookie, and that's saying a lot.

Waitman averaged 4.24 seconds and his best hangtime was 4.77 seconds.

TOP PLAYS

• Kayshon Boutte returned to practice and showed some of his potential when he made a tremendous twisting backshoulder catch. It was out of bounds, but it was still impressive.
• Kevin Harris made a great jump cut to beat Ja'Whaun Bentley on a touchdown run.

FOUR UP

Conor McDermott: Seemed to have a good day at right tackle, where he's starting to get entrenched. Most of the run action was to the left side, so it wasn't a huge day for him, but he was steady.

Bryce Baringer: The rookie punter kicked the crap out of the ball today, to put it bluntly.

Juju Smith-Schuster: Caught four passes from Jones, although none was anything special. At least he's being productive.

Christian Barmore: Was probably the player who stood out the most on the first day in pads. He was moving people and back to being a force. A very good sign. 

ONE DOWN

Myles Bryant: Muffed two punts but is getting a lot of safety looks with the first team.

QUICK HITS

• LB Jahlani Tavai played goal-line fullback.
• Deatrich Wise and Sam Roberts each jumped offsides.
• In the red zone drill, Mac Jones' team went Harris running touchdown, Harris drop in the flat, completion to Smith-Schuster at the 3-yard line.
• Bailey Zappe: Pierre Strong run, touchdown pass to Kendrick Bourne for a TD in a zone void, Strong run short.
• Goal-line sequence: Harris TD (it was close), Harris stuffed (Mack Wilson), Jones incomplete to Henry on a miscommunication - Henry ran an out, Jones read back pylon, stuffed run.

SCHEDULE

Tuesday: 9:45 a.m.
Wednesday: 9:45 a.m.
Thursday: 9:45 a.m.
Friday: In-stadium practice, TBA