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MORSE: Slow Day on Day 8 of Patriots Training Camp

Mark Morse

August 1, 2025 at 5:00 am ET

MORSE: Slow Day on Day 8 of Patriots Training Camp

(PHOTO: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

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Day 8

This was a walkthrough with no competitive reps. No helmets except for the QBs and Defensive signal caller Robert Spillane.

WR Mack Hollins came off PUP and immediately ran with starters at the X. Hollins was moved all over the place during practice. Kayshon Boutte also saw plenty of reps with the 1^st team as well.

CB Carlton Davis back, his 2nd walkthrough and 3rd practice of summer. DT Joshua Framer was also a participant. Both players were limited in practice

Absent: C. Gonzalez, Gibson, Bradbury, Tavai, Sow

There are two compelling stories coming out of the 8^th practice. Drake Maye has not thrown a single interception through 8 practices. One of the big criticisms of Maye was the high number of turnover-worthy plays last season. So far, he has only had a couple of those (a Jabrill Peppers drop of an overthrown ball). Maye said he chides Peppers all the time about the drop.

Jared Wilson has won the left Guard position after just 5 practices. I applaud the Patriots for making this quick decision, allowing the two rookies (Wilson and Campbell) to get some work in together and develop some familiarity with each other. I am a little afraid of playing two rookies next to each other. However, Wilson should make for an excellent Guard. He is very quick for a Guard, running a 4.84 40-yard dash at the combine.

DJ James has been getting some play with the 1^st team with the absence of Carlton Davis (who did get reps today) and Christian Gonzalez. Today he was in the starting lineup opposite Carlton Davis and Alex Austin. The 6’ 175-pound DB was drafted by Seattle in the 6th Round (#192) of last year’s draft. He was waived at the final cutdown but signed immediately with the Patriots’ Practice Squad. He spent the entire season with the Patriots’ Practice Squad without being elevated for any game. He signed a Futures contract with the Patriots in January. At the Combine, he ran a 4.42 40. In 2022, at Auburn, he was selected as a 2^nd Team All-SEC DB.

These are the positives that NFL Draft Buzz had on James:

Shows the click-and-close ability to backpedal and the ball skills to make plays – able to blanket even the speediest of receivers. James has loose hips to go along with good top-end speed, and James can flip around to turn and run in coverage.
He has to add weight, but will it affect his athleticism? If it doesn’t, he is a No. 1 corner with the ball skills to be a game changer.
Exhibits coverage versatility, adept in both man and zone schemes, with a keen ability to disrupt plays and maintain coverage integrity.
Quick feet and fluid hips allow for effective press coverage, enabling him to stay square and leverage his length effectively.
Demonstrates explosive athleticism and top-end speed, crucial for running with receivers and recovering when out of position.
Shows remarkable ball skills, tracking the ball with precision and timing, effectively separating the receiver from the ball at the catch point.
Instinctual player with a high football IQ, showcasing an ability to play multiple positions in the secondary and execute well-timed pass breakups.
Aggressive and scrappy play style for his size, willing to engage physically and tackle with determination, showcasing the ability to play beyond his frame.
Excellent burst and closing speed to quickly close gaps and disrupt plays, both in coverage and run support.
Displays impressive short-area agility and reactive quickness, allowing for effective playmaking in zone coverage and anticipation of throws.

Beacher Report had this to say about James, “As a run defender, James isn’t afraid to get in the mix. Though he is thin and lacks the ideal strength for his size, he does a great job of triggering to support the run. Often opting to use his speed to beat blocks, he can get pushed around by linemen and bigger blockers. “

Drake Maye attempted 46 passes per Mass Live in this walkthrough. DeMario Douglas led all players with 12 targets. Kayshon Boutte was next with 10 targets, followed by Mack Hollins (seven) and Rhamondre Stevenson (seven).

Lan Larison got some playing time with the 1^st unit with Antonio Gibson’s absence. With the release of Trayveon Williams yesterday, Larison’s chances of making the 53-man roster appears to be promising.

Ben Brown has been elevated to the starting Center position in the absence of Garrett Bradbury. This is significant because Brown was chosen over former 1^st round selection Cole Strange. It appears that Strange’s days with the Patriots are nearly done. Strange was a controversial selection of Bill Belichick (against the advice of his scouts). He was beaten out for the starting Left Guard position by Jared Wilson. Now he is backup to a Practice Squad signee from last season that had a 52.8 PFF rating, good for a true ranking of 44th. That’s not even good enough to be a starter in the league. The Patriots went out and signed Alec Lindstrom when Bradbury got hurt. The extent of the Bradbury ankle injury is unknown and will be monitored.

Efton Chism, in a post-practice press conference, had this to say: “It’s kinda anything I can do. If that’s being on punt, running down on punt, return kicks, returning anything…Even if I gotta hold, be the three-team holder. Whatever it is.” Chism wants to make this team. I have the Pats keeping 7 WRs. If the Patriots waive Chism at the cutdown, I don’t believe he will make it through waivers to get to the Practice Squad. Chism had 6 Top 30 visits with other teams, and I am sure he will be claimed. It may come down to Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, and Chism. Bourne’s age (29) I think will work against him since the team is going to keep a pair of 31-year-old wideouts in Diggs and Hollins. Chism’s ability and willingness to play Special Teams may just be what will be the key to him making the team.

Josh McDaniels gave Efton Chism III a tape of every Danny Amendola target in his system.

Former Patriot David Andrews joined the Sports Hub Zolak and Bertrand show. Listening to DA is must-listen Radio. Andrews’s insight is invaluable. He had a great exchange with Austin Hooper live on air. Zolak told Andrews he is now one of us (media). Hooper told him he doesn’t recognize him anymore since he has lost significant weight. Andrews will be a weekly guest on the show.

Offensive Tackle Yasir Durant cleared waivers and has been assigned to IR. He will be out for the season unless the Patriots can reach an injury settlement.

No report tomorrow night from the In Stadium Scrimmage for Season Ticket Holders. If you are going to the practice, send me a comment on this article with your observations from the practice.

No practices on Saturday or Sunday!

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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.