Image courtesy of AP
Fights, jaw-jacking, guys getting kicked out of practice. Usually, it’s the sign of a team with no control and last year when New England and Carolina scuffled, it was a sign of things to come for two not-very-good teams.
The Patriots and Packers reportedly had a day full of skirmishes on Thursday, with Anfernee Jennings getting kicked out. Keion White reportedly got into it with former BC linebackers Isaiah McDuffie. Jabrill Peppers was apparently chirping all day long to anyone wearing green, white and yellow. Coaches had to separate and talk to teams, much like last year.
But, the difference here compared to last season is the fact that New England responded with – by all accounts – its best day on the field this summer. The defense came up big at times too, stopping Jordan Love and the Green Bay offense late in the red zone.
The reactions by the entire sideline when New England scored – particularly on a deep TD to DeVante Parker – and just how engaged they were as described by the beat guys that were there is extremely encouraging. This certainly sounded like it could be one of those “bonding’ days early in the year. Seeing it transfer into the game on Saturday night and then the practices with Tennessee next week will be key, but at least for a day, it feels like Green Bay may have woken up the Pats a bit. They didn’t need it necessarily, this camp has been much better, but after a poor first day against the Packers, the emotion and then the response in between the lines when another team got in their face is what fans should be most excited about.
“Yeah man, it’s going to get chippy, it’s joint practices. Two competitive teams going at it,” said Jalen Mills. “I mean, we got better today, especially at the end in those last couple two minute drills. Both sides got better, offense and defense. Both teams. Both had some learning experiences as well…when things get edgy, when things get chippy, the mental errors go away. Guys lock in.”
Does Thursday’s successful day against what’s probably going to be a .500 Green Bay team mean anything when the Pats strap it up against Philly in a few weeks? Of course not, but to know this team will not only defend teammates, but then find a way to use it as motivation is a good sign. The 2022 team had that chance in August last year and didn’t do it, so this is absolutely an important step in 2023, albeit a small one.