Image courtesy of the Green Bay Packers
The Patriots had an up and down first day in their joint practices with the Packers. There were some positives and negatives.
Here are my thoughts on what we heard about day one from Green Bay.
– The offense stalled in team period. They had their moments in group and team periods but too many mistakes at times and the offensive line struggling in pass protection were the biggest takeaways. The offense got off to a good start in team but penalties and mistakes near the end of the period took away from the positive plays being made earlier in the period.
After practice, Quarterback Mac Jones talked about the Patriots consistency problems in team.
“Yeah, I think you can’t judge it until you watch the film, right? But, I definitely think we need to just be more consistent. I know we had a couple situations, just penalties and things like that, we’ve got to get fixed. We’re trying to use the tools that we have: cadence, motions and things like that.” Jones co to yes: “We’re just trying to use it to our advantage. When you don’t, it turns into a disadvantage. So, we definitely want to clean that up. We’ve got a lot of guys out there having good effort and things like that. It’s just the little things. It’s not really the big things; it’s just the little things.”
The Patriots melted down in two minute. They had some situational issues in two minute that led to Bill Belichick having a “meltdown” at the end of practice. The Patriots moved the ball but on two separate occasions, both Kendrick Bourne and Rhamondre Stevenson failed to follow the script. Stevenson scored when he wasn’t supposed to. Belichick wanted to work situations but it doesn’t seem like he got in all the situations he wanted to.
– Ezekiel Elliott practiced with the Patriots for the first time and by all accounts, did a good job. He participated in individual drills. Jones talked about Zeke and him joining the team after practice.
“Yeah, Zeke’s awesome so far. He already was jumping in there, getting some reps, so that was pretty cool to see fresh off a plane trying to come out here and compete.” Jones added: “But yeah, he seems like a great fit. We really just want to take him under our wing. He’s a guy who has played a lot of football in the NFL, so we’re just trying to learn from him, too.”
– Cole Strange, Mike Gesicki, Ty Montgomery, Michael Onwenu and Jonathan Jones were among the 11 Patriots who did not participate on Wednesday. Jones being out still is starting to be come a concern. Conor McDermott left practice according to the assembled media and did not return.
Complete list below:
TE Mike Gesicki*, RB Pierre Strong Jr., OL Kody Russey, OG Cole Strange, CB Jonathan Jones, WR Ty Montgomery, LB Ronnie Perkins, DE Trey Flowers (PUP), OG Michael Onwenu (PUP), DB Cody Davis (PUP), OT Calvin Anderson (NFI)
– Malik Cunningham got four reps at quarterback but did not throw the ball. Trace McSorely got no reps.
– The receivers had a strong day against a good Packers secondary. DeVante Parker continued his strong summer by tippy toe catch for a touchdown that was ruled incomplete by officials. Parker caught five passes on the day.
– Aside from his situational gaffe, Rhamondre Stevenson had a strong practice and is rounding into form.
– Marte Mapu practiced without the red jersey for the first time this summer meaning he’s a full go.
– The secondary struggled at times against a good Packers receiving corp. Christian Watson scored a touchdown after splitting and separating from Christian Gonzalez and Jalen Mills.
– The pass rush was good. The Patriots were able to get consistent pressure on Jordan Love, especially off the edges.
– According to the assembled media, there wasn’t really any one on one work so my guess is we’ll see a bunch of it on Thursday.
*All information is courtesy of the assembled media that is traveling with the team.