MORSE: Notes From Day Three of Training Camp

Day Three of Training Camp brought a relaxed walkthrough practice. The only players with helmets on were the QBs because of the play-calling communication system. Many of the players wore bucket hats. The practice went 90 minutes, and the temps were in the mid-90s with a Heat Index that made it feel like it was in the 100s.

Vrabel stated during his press conference that Saturday’s practice, the last mandated as a conditioning practice, will be more intense. Sunday is an off day, and the pads will then be on for Monday’s practice.

Friday’s practice was a non-competitive walkthrough of plays designed for 3^rd Down.

Quotes from Mike Vrabel before the walkthrough practice:

On Ja’Lynn Polk “Well, I mean, there’s a lot of ways around being out here at practice. I think that everybody, whether that’s a first-year, second-year, ten-year, we think that practice is important, but obviously there’s circumstances around being out here and not being out here and how you can stay up with the installation. At the beginning part of camp, there is installation. It’s a repeat from the spring. So, hopefully, any player that’s not out here can stay engaged, continue to learn and get the information that they need, and then be ready when they get back. I think that’s the important thing, and that’s what – just focusing on doing everything that you can to get back as quickly as possible, but also when you do get back, there’s not a big drop-off of information lost when you get back.”

Polk cannot be placed on PUP since he wasn’t placed on the list before the 1^st day of practice. He also passed his conditioning test, but was apparently injured doing it.

On K’Lavon Chaisson “I think that’s probably a good way to look at it. It takes some players a little longer than it takes others, and I would say that I’m hopeful that his best football is in front of him. I’m very excited about how he came in personality-wise and what he’s shown on the field thus far. So, that’s an interesting, fun room to be around. You mentioned Keion and K.C. [K’Lavon Chaisson], and Harold [Landry III] and Anfernee [Jennings]’s a veteran, and then we’ve got some younger guys in there as well.”

Chaisson–who stayed late to work on pass rush moves despite blistering heat in Foxborough- has made a point to focus on the little things.

“I’ve got to be super intentional on days like this,” Chaisson said. “Obviously you can kind of slack off when you don’t have to go hard–as intense and as hard. So, I’ve got to be super intentional with steps and footwork and details and alignments, and all the mental reps I can get, whether I’m in or I’m not in. It’s needed for the body for sure, but it’s something where you need to take your mental time too.”

Jul 24, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (1) runs through a drill during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Still no Ja’Lynn Polk so far this preseason. (PHOTO: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)

Absent

PUP Mack Hollins, Austin Hooper and Vederian Lowe

NFI Josh Minkins

DNP Ja’Lynn Polk and JahVaree Ritzie

Starting Offensive line remains the same. Jared Wilson took 1^st team snaps again at Center and then switched off to LG and followed up with some snaps at RG. Demontrey Jacobs was with the 2^nd unit at RT, then took snaps at LT. I thought the plan was to allow Wilson to learn just one position initially. If he can beat out Garrett Bradbury, so be it. I don’t want to see two rookies next to each other. It’s hard enough breaking in one rookie.

Starting unit at WR was Stefon Diggs, Pop Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. Diggs was Maye’s favorite receiver on 3^rd down plays. Second unit is Kendrick Bourne, Efton Chism and Kyle Williams. Javon Baker has been criticized for dancing around after being talked to by the coaches for making mistakes. Diggs even called him out once on Thursday. It doesn’t feel like Baker is long for this team.

Safety rotation was Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger followed by Marcus Epps and Jaylin Hawkins. The 3rd unit was Craig Woodson and Dell Pettus. That is a correction from what I posted yesterday. I am surprised that Woodson isn’t getting any snaps with the 1st team defense, considering what a reported good spring he had.

Kendrick Whitehead Worked Out for the Patriots

Whitehead is a 2025 All-UFL Cornerback and Special Teams Player of the Year for the Michigan Panthers. He led the Panthers in tackles with 66. He played collegiately at Toledo, where he was a Free Safety. He ran a 4.57 40 at his Pro Day in 2023.

Raiders Release Christian Wilkins

Should the Patriots contact Wilkins and ascertain what his contract demands would be, check on his foot injury, learn what his recovery plan is and if he would be interested in playing for Mike Vrabel and the Patriots? Vrabel recruited him when he was in High School at Suffield Academy in Connecticut. Wilkins played collegiately at Clemson but hails from Framingham MA. His injury is a Jones Fracture of the foot. He had initial surgery on the foot, but he and the Raiders were seemingly at odds over how to proceed after that. The Raiders reportedly wanted him to have a second surgery, and he decided to only rehab the foot. Las Vegas released him and voided the remaining $32.5M he was owed. In turn, Wilkins filed a grievance with the NFL Players Association against the Raiders.

Vrabel stated, “I think we’ll have a conversation” when it comes to whether or not the team might explore things with Wilkins. This might be an opportunity to sign Wilkins on the cheap. Allow him to rehab under supervision, hoping he can return to the player he once was. This would be separate from his grievance with the Raiders. I am sure Wilkins would be put on IR for the year, and allow him to heal.

Can you imagine a front three of Wikins, Barmore, and Williams? I didn’t include White because he is a Free Agent after next season.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.

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