The New England Patriots have wrapped up their 2024 training camp, and it was eventful, to say the least. The final sessions provided plenty of insights into the team's current state and areas that may need adjustments before the season begins.
Joint Practice with the Eagles
A major highlight of the camp was the joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles. It offered the Patriots a chance to gauge their preparedness against one of the NFC's top teams. The pressure was especially intense on quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye during the 11-on-11 drills.
Drake Maye faced significant challenges from the Eagles' defense, being sacked on three of his four dropbacks during the final period of the session. However, Maye did show moments of brilliance, completing all six of his pass attempts in the opening 7-on-7 drill and finishing with a respectable 12 completions out of 18 pass attempts in competitive drills.
Jacoby Brissett, on the other hand, had a mixed day. He completed 17 of his 30 attempts but also threw two interceptions. One of those interceptions was a particularly unlucky play, as the ball deflected off Austin Hooper’s chest, giving the Eagles’ defense a clear opportunity to snag it.
Standout Plays and Player Performances
There were several notable performances during the camp. Wide receiver Javon Baker turned heads with an impressive diving reception during the 1-on-1 drills. Similarly, Ja'Lynn Polk showcased his skills by outmaneuvering Eagles' defender Shon Stephens to catch a deep pass from Drake Maye, highlighting his ability to be a deep threat.
On the defensive side, Christian Gonzalez had a strong showing against A.J. Brown, winning two out of their three matchups. However, he found DeVonta Smith to be a tougher opponent, losing both of their reps during the 1-on-1s.
Matthew Judon also made a play worth noting, causing Saquon Barkley to fumble during team drills, reminding everyone of his disruptive capabilities.
Roster Moves and Incidents
The Patriots made some strategic roster moves during the camp, acquiring free agent Chukwuma Okorafor and using a Day 2 draft pick on offensive lineman Caedan Wallace. These additions show the team's commitment to bolstering their offensive line, a critical area for any team's success.
The camp wasn't all smooth sailing, though. There was a brief scuffle between Josh Uche and E.J. Jenkins during a kickoff drill. Addressing the incident, Jerod Mayo emphasized the importance of discipline: "I mean, look, you don't fight in a real game. If you fight in a real game, you get fined; you get kicked out. It's the same thing here. Look, my message to the players, if you get in a fight out here, if you're a starter, you're going to play the whole preseason game. If you're not a starter, you won't play at all. That's kind of my mindset with that."
Injury Updates
Tight end Hunter Henry's absence for the second consecutive day raised some eyebrows. While his exact condition wasn't fully disclosed, Jerod Mayo remained optimistic about Henry's status, stating, "I don't anticipate it to be very long." This cautious optimism suggests that the coaching staff expects Henry to be back in action soon, which would be a relief for the Patriots' offense.
With the training camp behind them, the Patriots have a clearer sense of their strengths and weaknesses. The joint practice with the Eagles provided invaluable experience, and the performances from both seasoned veterans and new additions indicate potential for growth. Discipline and coordination will be key focuses as they transition from practice to preseason games, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing NFL season.