Observational leftovers:
O
-- Edelman made a great snag of a sharp Brady pass that was just over the top of great coverage from LB
Kyle Van Noy.
--
Mike Gillislee took the type of hit you could hear on another field, but didn’t flinch and scored a goal-line touchdown.
-- --As he did without pads,
Gillislee once again showed the ability to catch the ball. So far it looks like the only running back who isn’t overly comfortable catching the ball is undrafted Iowa rookie
LeShun Daniels, the biggest back in the group.
--
Kony Ealy was in full pads and did a bit more work in his second practice of the summer. Unfortunately that included one really tough 1-on-1 pass rush rep in which
James O’Shaughnessy essentially pancaked the pass rusher to the ground. O’Shaughnessy is one of the sleeper positive performers early in camp. The trade addition has shown soft hands and impressive route running early on and looks ready to be more than just a special teams contributor as a possible third tight end.
--During some 1-on-1 work
James White toasted
Devin McCourty for an easy catch on an in-cut. Shortly thereafter
O’Shaughnessy did the same to
Duron Harmon.
--
Ted Karras: Was outstanding in one-on-ones and team drills. Right now he’s playing backup center to David Andrews, but if Karras keeps this up, don’t think it’s out of the question that he could make center a competitive position. He’s a lot bigger than Andrews, and that may be worth looking at for the coaches.
Karras put Ealy on the ground during a pass play. But Ealy recovered to team with Van Noy to stop Rex Burkhead on the goal line.
--
Andrews had a tough time with the bull rushes from Valentine, and then Brown.
--
Shaq Mason stood out for his technique in team drills. He seems to have made some improvements in the offseason.
--
OT Cam Fleming: Did not show well in one-on-ones. He was beaten by speed and power.
--The group of linemen working on center-exchanges with the quarterbacks in pre-practice work included
David Andrews,
Joe Thuney,
Ted Karras,
Cole Croston,
James Ferentz,
Jamil Douglas and
Jason King.
D
--
David Harris delivered some thunderous hits on Saturday. The 11-year veteran looks like he wants to prove he still has a lot left in the tank. He is taking many of the first-team reps alongside Kyle Van Noy
-- David Harris, Shea McClellin, and Kyle Van Noy were the team's linebackers in its base 4-3 defense on Saturday.
--
DE Kony Ealy: Was admonished by coaches for doing the wrong thing on one play, and was beaten twice by Marcus Cannon in one-on-ones.
--
Wise had a great inside move to pressure the QB in red-zone work.
-- Gilmore and Butler are set as the top two cornerbacks, and Jonathan Jones looks like he’s getting first crack at winning the slot cornerback position. Eric Rowe has looked good so far, but he’s a bit big for the slot at 6 feet 1 inch and 205 pounds and might be better suited as a depth piece on the outside.
--
Kenny Moore continues to stand out: The UDFA CB out of a Division II school continues to make plays on the field. Garoppolo tried to hit a pass down the middle that was tipped and intercepted by Moore. Moore isn’t very big at 5’9” 179 and will likely have to win a job as a special teamer and slot corner, but if he continues to make plays, he may find himself on a roster.
--
Jordan Richards matched up on UDFA TE
Jacob Hollister, he perfectly read an out route and made the Catch of the Day with a toe-dragging interception along the sideline.
Richards was the first player to intercept Tom Brady in camp.
-- The Patriots seem intent on getting
Cyrus Jones as many punt return reps as possible. In addition to normal punt unit drills, Jones spends time toward the end of each practice catching punts from Ryan Allen.
ST
--During punt work
Matthew Slater and Coleman took the first reps at gunner.
Nate Ebner as the personal protector.
Rex Burkhead also took reps in front of Allen.
____
-- Both
Derek Rivers and
Deatrich Wise Jr., the team’s defensive end draft picks, had to do laps during the 1-on-1 pass rush drills. Wise Jr. did another lap later, and both times the rookie practically sprinted, easily the fastest penalty lap in recent memory.
-- Flowers and Ealy did extra work with large blocking dummies together after practice.
